Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ does not come from man's wisdom. It is only through the Holy Ghost that one can have a mighty change of heart and be born again. Witnessing miracles won't have any lasting effect. It is what's written on the heart, and must be constantly feed and nourished.

Day 4188

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:3
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

I thought about how other faiths do not always look upon me, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as being Christian. They say I don't worship the same Jesus. One big difference is they believe in the trinity, that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three co-equal, eternal persons in one God. Where as I believe them separate beings. As I read this verse I thought about how Paul saw God the Father and Jesus Christ as separate persons. Yes, their purpose is the same, but they still in separate bodies.

Day 4187

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:1-2
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

I had two thoughts as I read these verse. First, was what a wonderful memorial of Phebe. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Not only entrusted to carry Paul's letter but a noted woman of good standing, and succourer of many, including Paul. The members must have been pleased to receive her.

The second thought was Paul calling the members saints. It is no different than us today. As the saints in the area are counseled to receive her I thought of our welcoming new members into our wards, as their names are read from the pulpit on Sunday.

Day 4186

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

This verse made me reflect on all that it has taken me to read the scriptures. I have been writing "Today's Favorite Version" daily for 11 years, 5 months and 14 days, and the road to it was not easy. Five years prior in 2010 I committed to reading my scriptures every day. It took so much patience to begin because I had been very ill and lost my ability to read and comprehend. The doctor suggested that I read out loud to myself or listen to recordings and follow along. I needed the combination of visual and audio to make the connections in my brain. Listening to the scriptures and following along was the perfect combination. It took four years before I could read on my own without following a recording. That was such a great milestone. Once that was achieved writing my impressions are what came next. I have come so far and learned so much building daily on what I have read and the Spirit has taught me. Truly my weaknesses have become my strengthens. There is a price we pay to understand the scriptures and it takes patience with ourselves and a slow and steady pace. The reward is not only knowledge but a peace and comfort that comes into our lives that nothing else can bring.

During these 15-16 years I have read the Book of Mormon 21 times. The Doctrine and Covenants 8, Pearl of Great Price 8, Old Testament 3, New Testament 6, the Apocrypha once, and all the Topic Guide scriptures covering Jesus Christ once. In 2014 my daily scripture reading lead to inviting my family to read together. We've done it nightly ever since. Our home is a holy place because we speak of Christ together every day. It is burned into the walls of our home. Reading the scriptures is my place of refuge from the storms.

Day 4185