Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 43:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 43:5

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

I pondered on depression and how placing your hope in God heals. How hope in God does reflect in a person's countenance. You can see it in the face and in their eyes. There are times you can just look at a person and know they are a member of the church.

Day 2680

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 42:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 42:2

"My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

This made me think of those that say they wish the second coming would hurry up and get here. I don't share that sentiment. I know many hard things need to happen before that. It matters not to me if the second coming happens if I am in the flesh or am spirit at the time. Either way the important thing is being worthy and prepared to appear before God at any time. He can come quickly in life or in death leaving no further time of preparation.

Day 2679

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 41:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 41:1-2

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."

I pondered on how I consider the poor, which made me think of Fast Sunday and making fast offerings. Once a month I fast two meals and donate the cost of those meals to bless the lives of those in need. I had never looked on fast offerings as a blessing for me too. The act of fasting yes, but not the offering. What a rich promise to be delivered in time of trouble, preserved and kept alive and blessed, and not be delivered to the will of my enemies. The blessings far out way any donation I could make.

Day 2678

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:8

"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

Delight = great pleasure

Do I really delight to keep the commandments? Do I delight in paying tithing, and serving in callings? Do I delight in the trials I must pass through because they are God's will for me? Saying you delight in doing God's will is more than just being obedient. It's an attitude of joy, it is something that you take great pleasure in. I know there were times I did not delight in lots of things. I know my attitude has changed a lot over the years, but there is still much improvement needed. The ones I delight in are those written in my heart after receiving a testimony of their truths. Witnessing how God's laws are a shield and protection to me. How His will for me was only for my good. If the law is not written in my heart, from having tried and proved them, then there is no way to delight in it. This is not something that happens overnight. It is a conversion that takes a lifetime.

Day 2677

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 39:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 39:1-2

"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred."

Well that about sums up how I feel reading the news and social media. So many times I want to say something but am stopped. Bridled is a good word for it. Sadly, having learned this truth by error. Where once you could share you thoughts and opinions now it only incites contention. All you are left with is feeling really sad about the moral decay of society and where it will lead them.

Day 2676

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 38:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 38:18

"For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin."

This made me think of daily repentance, and how grateful I am for it. I end my day repenting of my sins. Then each morning it is as a clean slate, where I can start over. I don't have as David said "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me." (verse 4) I have come to learn that without daily repentance things slip, and slide, and quickly overwhelm you. It is a joy to repent.

"Walking the covenant path, coupled with daily repentance, fuels positive spiritual momentum.

My dear brothers and sisters, with all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there. Experience the joy of repenting daily. Learn about God and how He works. Seek and expect miracles. Strive to end conflict in your life.

As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families."

(President Russell M. Nelson, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum", Apr 2022, General Conference)

Day 2675

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:39

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:39

"But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble."

That strength never fails me as I look towards the Lord. I pondered on how many times He has carried my grief, heartache and pain, and in return allowed me to have His spirit to be with me. Then I can receive the impressions needed to resolve the problems at hand.

Day 2674

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 36:1, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 36:1, 10

"The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. "

I thought about what it is for me to fear God. I don't have a fear of God as in being afraid of him. I have a fear that loves Him. On the other hand those that have no fear of God in truth have no love for him. That type of fear of God spoken of will be in the punishment they will receive. There are different types of fear. I turned to the Bible Dictionary and it had great insight.

"Fear: Care should be taken to distinguish between two different uses of this word. The “fear of the Lord” is frequently spoken of as part of man’s duty (Ps. 111:10; Eccl. 12:13; Isa. 11:2–3; Luke 1:50); it is also described as “godly fear” (Heb. 12:28). In such passages fear is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship, and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All-holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that “perfect love casteth out” (1 Jn. 4:18). The first effect of Adam’s sin was that he was afraid (Gen. 3:10). Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father and produces instead a feeling of shame and guilt. Ever since the Fall God has been teaching men not to fear, but with penitence to ask forgiveness in full confidence of receiving it."

(Bible Dictionary)

Day 2673

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 35:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 35:19-20

"Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. "

"Wink with the eye" really stood out to me. I could just picture them using it to signal to another, conspiring something against them. Turning something they saw or heard against them. Then I thought of our day now evil is called good, and good evil. In many ways we are the quiet in the land. Just don't make waves for the tares are plentiful. There are many reason why it's best to play the role of peacemaker.

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."

(Matthew 5:25)

Day 2672

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:7

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

That is such a comforting thought. It made me think of all the times we pray for safety and protection. I could picture angels surrounding my home and protecting us.

Day 2671

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:18-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:18-20

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield."

I belong to some food storage groups and new people all the time are asking where to begin. They are afraid of a coming famine. The fear is real for them because they have nothing. I don't know what's coming. My life has not changed. We store what we can and rotate it. This is our normal life. Do I have a year supply? Probably not. Why? Because, I simply lack the room for the number of people I have in my family. Am I afraid? No, I am not. Does that mean I think there is nothing to this? Nope, I think the concern is real. So what makes the difference?

It is a personal relationship with the Savior. You can store all the food in the world, but if you don't make your relationship to the Lord your number one priority, it won't calm your fears. I know I can only do what I can do. He sees me and guides me, he knows my efforts and my limitation. I want His eye upon me especially when hard times comes. I need his mercy and kindness. I do believe that if it's His will to keep me alive in a famine, He will do so. He has shielded me so many times in my life, I have no doubt that he will do it again in the future.

Day 2670

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 32:1, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 32:1, 5

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."

I pondered on the only way to cover a sin, is to uncover it. Sin is never hid from the Lord, so he knows what sins we are trying to hide. When we no longer hide them, but confess them to the Lord, he in turns will cover them and remember them no more.

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

(Isaiah 43:25)

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

(Jeremiah 31:34)

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."

(Doctrine and Covenants 58:42)

Day 2669

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:23

"O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."

I was just talking about this today, on having to be obedient and walking in faith. Hoping to be preserved by divine protection when you have to do something you don't totally feel is in your best interest and safe.

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

(Mosiah 2:41)

"If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation."

(Doctrine and Covenants 6:13)

"And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them."

(Doctrine and Covenants 61:10)

This made me think of the pioneers having the cross the plains. That act also took obedience and faith. I cannot help but think of the hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints". The last verse showing it matters not if you live or die for all will be well.

"And should we die before our journey’s through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!

But if our lives are spared again

To see the Saints their rest obtain,

Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—

All is well! All is well!"

Day 2668

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:2

" O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."

During family scriptures tonight I just related a time I was healed. As I ponder on this further I reflected on the first time I remember ever being healed. I was either in 5th or 6th grade. I had so many warts all over my hands, elbows and knees. They would crack and bleed and become really sore. It was embarrassing, and only made worse when kids refused to touch the drinking fountain after I used it. I was afraid someday of getting a wart on my face. I went to my parents to see if they could be removed. My father took me to the doctor and we were told they were rooted and I would need an operation to remove them and I would be left with scars. We moved ahead and planned for surgery to remove them. The night before surgery I was so worried about having scars I could not sleep. I finally went downstairs and asked my father for a blessing. I remember in the blessing I was told my warts would go away and I would have no scars. I was so happy and had such peace that I could finally go to bed. When I woke in the morning I discovered all the warts were gone except for two major ones. Within days those were gone too. I never had to have surgery. I had been healed.

Day 2667

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 29:1, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 29:1, 11

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."

I noticed that this psalm starts with us giving glory and strength to the Lord, and in return He gives us strength and peace. I wondered how I could give glory or strength to the Lord? I don't see Him getting anything from me, he already has it.

Then I thought maybe the difference is in what the word "give" means. Here are some usages that helped me ponder.

To give someone or something a particular power or right means to allow them to have it.

To turn over the possession or control of to someone without cost or exchange; make a gift of

To hand or pass over into the trust or keeping of someone

To hand or pass over in exchange for something else; sell (goods, services, etc.) for a price or pay (a price) for goods, services, etc.

I think it then means. If I give or acknowledge that the Lord has a particular power or right, like strength and glory, and give him possession to control it in my life, in return he will strengthen me and give me peace.

Day 2666