Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 6:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 6:30
"Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again."

What does this mean about the man that taketh away and ask them not again? When I think of taking something it feels like stealing. I looked at a similar verse in the Sermon on the Mount.

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."
(Matthew 5:42)

Taketh away would not be stealing. It would be someone borrowing from you. So what does "ask them not again" mean? I could see not making the person ask you more than once to borrow something, but it doesn't sound like it's in the right direction. Does it mean not to ask for something back that someone borrowed? That's probably more like it when you think of it in the context of giving to those that ask. If they ask to borrow then be just as prepared to give it to them. I know when I've lent things and they come back damaged or not at all it sure can mess with your soul. I've had to struggle with letting it go in order to have peace inside myself. It better to already consider it gone. That doesn't excuse the person that technically stole from you, so that would make the "taketh away" part fit. I've found I have to turn the person over to the Lord to deal with them in order to have peace.

Day 4103

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 5:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 5:16
"And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

I wondered how many times it says in the scriptures Jesus went off by himself and prayed? I'm not sure, it's hard to search just for that. Jesus is the example for us to follow, and taking time to be by ourselves and pray is a good thing. We need to fill our spiritual reservoirs and souls. I pondered on the weakened state he was in after fasting 40 days, and the devil immediately tried to tempt Him. It's important to not run faster than we are able and neglect taking care of body and soul. We need to put oil in our lamps. Daily prayer and scripture time is one way I try to keep my oil supply up. Sacrament and temple attendance could be another, but you're really not alone. I think it's really important to have alone time.

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
(Matthew 4:1)

"Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God."
(JST Matthew 4:1)

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:"
(Matthew 5:1)

"When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."
(Matthew 14:13, 23)

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
(Mark 1:35)

"And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
(Mark 6:46)

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
(Luke 6:12)

"And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:"
(3 Nephi 19:19)

Day 4102

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:13
"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

When the devil departed from tempting Jesus for a season I wondered when he came back? Could the devil have any power to tempt Him anymore? I will have to watch for that as I continue reading the New Testament. One reason the devil had no power to tempt Jesus is because the Holy Ghost was with Him. The Spirit led Him in the wilderness and he was there for forty days. It was only after He ended his fast that the devil had power to come near and tempt him. When we are in a weakened state the devil tries to break us. Even so, the Joseph Smith translation shows how the Spirit was still with Jesus. Eventually, the devil leaves because these temptation have no power over Jesus. It is similar with us, when we are committed to do what is right in a particular area the devil can no longer tempt us on that thing. I thought about the various things I am not tempted to do. Some I don't feel I ever felt a temptation regarding them. Others, I had to learn to chose a different path, until it's no longer even a consideration anymore. The key is to live in a manner that the Holy Ghost can be a constant companion. That will help with temptations not overpowering us.

Day 4101

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 3:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 3:21-22
"Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

These verses are a good example of why the Godhead are three separate beings. Jesus stood in the water after being baptized. The Holy Ghost came in the bodily shape of a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, which was God the Father declaring Jesus was his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased. The Godhead is one in purpose, yet are three separate beings.

Day 4100