Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

I think I read that in the space of three years the Galatians were falling away. There were some among them that were perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ. It made me reflect on how much quicker we could fall a way, given how quickly things spread with the internet. I wasn't feeling well today and I wanted to just rest and brainlessly watch something on YouTube. It was rather distrubing how many times I found things that were just off, and didn't seem right. At least with the internet I have the ultimate power of just turning it off. No one knows me or cares what I listen to or not. On the other side the same if I wanted to fill myself with perverted doctrine. We do live in a day that we need to have the holy spirit as our guide.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4216

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

That reminds me of an apostolic blessing. A blessing pronounced collectively over a group by a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It just thrills me when I recognize such blessings being given when I hear one of them speak. I try to take what the counsel and its blessing are, so I can receive it. With Paul's apostolic blessing we are promised that if we live in peace that God's love and peace will be with us. That is a wonderful blessing and promise.

Day 4215

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:20
"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:"

These are all things that as saints we should not be. I'm sure today it's hard for any apostle that visits the various stakes and wards around the world that they do not want to find the saints in such condition. It reminds me of President Nelson and him telling us to be peacemakers, to avoid contention. If we started there these other vices would not exist among us.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Day 4214

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30
"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."

Why would you glory in your infirmities? Then I thought of these words.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
(Ether 12:27)

Through our weaknesses we can become humble. With being humble we can find God's grace and mercy, and our faith can grow. In these we receive strength greater than our own. It is a thing to glory in.

Day 4213

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17
"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

This reminds me of Ammon in the Book of Mormon, as he rejoiced in their labors among the Lamanites and how many souls had come to Christ. His brother Aaron rebuked him saying, "I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." Ammon says he boasted of my God.

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
(Alma 26:11-12)

Day 4212

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

This chapter reminds me of fast offerings, where we skip two meals and give the cost of it to the Lord. Fast offerings are gathered the first Sunday of the month, then distributed to those in need. I truly love to hear of all the ways the church uses our fast offerings. When I was first married I really didn't know how much to give. Was the cost of the two meals a bowl of soup or oatmeal? Sometimes that was what I gave especially when I included all the members of the family. Then I heard a bishop talk on this and he mentioned he used the price of eating out as his guide. I embraced that idea and over time included the cost of better restaurants. What a difference this more generous fast offering has made in our lives. I'm sure it has blessed others, but all I can compare is my life. Between paying tithing and a generous fast offering we have sufficient for our needs.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Day 4211

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Paul is speaking of the condescension of God. Where Jesus Christ voluntarily stepped down from His high, divine glory and status to enter human mortality and experience life, suffering and death with humility. Jesus descended to face the most extreme humiliation and suffering that mortality could inflict. He had the riches of the eternities yet he came to earth to be born of a women in a stable and lay in a manger. At the end he had nothing as in riches but he raised to eternal glory. His gifts of atonement and resurrection enabled us all to have eternal life.

Day 4210

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."

Why would godly sorrow cause revenge? Out of everything Paul listed as being the result of repentance with godly sorrow, why would revenge be amongst them?

Today's definition: Revenge is the act of retaliating against a person or group to get even for a real or perceived wrong. A desire for retribution or vengeance, often driven by anger, a need to restore honor, or a "bitter desire to injure another".

That sure didn't sound like what Paul was referring to, nor praising the saint for. I could see restore honor, but now I wonder if it could be a translation issue? I decided to search online for the meaning of revenge and learned that the word translated as "revenge" in the King James Version (KJV) means vindication, justice, or the punishment of wrong, rather than personal malice or spite.

Vindication would show the church proved itself innocent and serious about following God's commands. It cleared its name through proper church discipline. Paul was commending them for taking serious action against unrepentant sin in the community. The church disciplined the wrongdoer, removed complicity, and restored moral and spiritual order. Now that I can understand.

Day 4209

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

This makes me think of opposites. In particular the reason Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden. She would know from her own experience good from evil, pleasure and pain, sickness and health, trials and hardships and the joy of redemption.

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
(Genesis 2:16-17)

After they were removed from the garden they earned bread by the sweat of their brow, and gave birth to children with all its highs and lows. Through the living of life they came to know you can have sorrow and yet rejoice. You can have nothing but yet have everything. What more can you want then to be redeemed and have eternal life.

"And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters."
(Moses 5:9-12)

Day 4208

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

With faith it matters not what you can see with your eyes, or hear with your ears. What matters is having the Holy Ghost testify of Christ and his words and promises. We all start with faith believing and move forward, trusting in Christ. We find that He will carry out burdens if we humbly let him. Over time it matters not that we see or hear Him, for we know He is there. Having this witness and the profound assurance the Spirit brings, we have eyes that see, and ears that hear, that know and understand.

Day 4207

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

How can you look at things that are not seen? I asked myself that and realized I do that all the time. I look forward with hope and faith in an eternal life with my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to promised blessings and hope of better days. The lens I view life here is tinted with the colors of eternity.

Day 4206

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11
"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

Paul is speaking of the law of Moses being done away. It was glorious but even more glorious the time they lived where Jesus Christ had fulfilled the law. It made me ponder on the time I live in. In the not to distance future we will live a new way with Jesus Christ's second coming. I have no idea what the millennium will look like, but things will only get more glorious.

Day 4205

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

This made me think of those that were wayward and apostatized and left the church. Doing much harm and damage to the church with lies and intrigues. Then their eyes are opened and they come back. We must have open arms to all that come back. We must embrace and love them as our brothers and sisters. Even if they never come back, especially with our family members, we must always love them.

Day 4204

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

Paul was anointed and sealed an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today, I listened to another apostle of the Lord speak of receiving the "Holy Spirit of Promise". That even though we participate in ordinances they are not ratified until we received this sealing. I look forward to reading and studying Elder Bednar's talk in the coming days.

“The covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity” to receive divine purpose, direction and strength in life. Faithfulness keeps these credentials valid to receive the promised blessings.
The Holy Ghost is described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies the righteous acts of God’s children as acceptable to Him. “When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven.” During mortality, that seal is conditional and can be forfeited through unrighteousness."
“Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.”
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4203

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all your things be done with charity."

Charity has really been standing out to me the past few days. After today's sessions of General Conference I was talking to the family about charity too. We had a discussion on how at the end of the Nephite civilization Mormon and Moroni speak of charity. I think the message was especially important because the people had lost it. I feel like I'm seeing charity die in our society too. All the more for us to obtain it so we can be found worthy when Christ comes again.

Day 4202

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41
"There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory."

There is knowledge of the degrees of glory in the New Testament. I've known this since childhood, I've read about it in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Though it is a foreign concepts to other faiths. The highest degree of glory is the celestial glory, it is as the glory of the sun. Those that dwell there are in the presence of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The sun has and gives off its own light. The next degree is terrestrial, which is the glory of the moon. The terrestrial glory is borrowed or reflected light from the sun. Those that reside there will enjoy the presence of the Son and the Holy Ghost. The only reason these individuals are not celestial is because they were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus.They were blinded by the craftiness of men. They receive glory but not the fulness of the Father. We cannot live on borrowed light we must have our own testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel.

The last degree of glory that Paul doesn't give by name is telestial glory. It is the lessor glory, the glory of the stars. They didn't receive the gospel of Christ, nor a testimony of him. They will only receive the presence of the Holy Spirit through the ministering of those terrestrial. I think of telestial glory as those that receive the world as we live in, but with all the good people removed. They will have an eternity to try to find some comfort in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Something they could have learned while living in this world. That is not a place I want to be.

It isn't immediately after death that people receive their eternal glory. There is a time after death and before resurrection where those that had never heard of Jesus Christ can be taught. Everyone will have fair opportunity before they stand at final judgment before the Lord. It is only after this judgment that our fate is sealed and our eternal reward is given us.

Day 4201

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

Covet - IE be eager, zealous

We are to covet and be eager to prophesy, yet I will never have a prophesy for the entire church. Not even my local ward. That is not my purview, or runway. That made me think of the times I was impressed on specific things happening in my life or the lives of my family that I needed to prepare for. That is the spirit of prophesy, even if it is only something the spirit instructed me about, and I told it to no one else. Such times when this has happened it has made my faith even stronger. I can see how prophesy is for those that believe.

Day 4200

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"

This made me think of a conversation I had a while back. A person was telling me of an interaction that had with someone I knew. They were very disheartened and disappointed because as they said, "They have no compassion." My friend explained how this person lumped everyone from a different culture in a bad light. They also appeared to rejoice in the taking away of benefits that helped support those in need. Reading about charity I see they fit many of the descriptions of someone without it. They were not kind, thought evil of others, and preferred their own. I can see how charity and compassion go hand in hand.

What I had reminded my friend of is the second great commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:39) The Lord did not say only love these people and not those. He said to love our neighbors. The great commandment Jesus was teaching was charity.

Day 4199

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

One body has many member that make up the whole, there is need for every member. So is there need for every member that makes up the body of the church. Some are given one gift and some another. Every gift is needful. So are the diversity of callings within the members. Not everyone can teach for who would be the student. If everyone spoke in tongues who would be the interpreter. The same with needing apostles, and prophets. There is order in the Lord's house and he calls and qualifies whom He will. I am so grateful for all the prophets and apostles and cannot wait to sit at their feet and learn this general conference weekend.

Day 4198

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

I reflected on how partaking of the sacrament is a very serious thing. We need to judge ourselves and repent to be worthy. Of course, sins of a serious nature need to be confessed and worked with a Bishop. As I pondered on this I thought about the need for daily repentance. Live your life to always be ready to partake of the sacrament. Then while the sacrament is being passed do more self-examination and self-discernment, so you are ready to renew the covenants with the Lord you have made.

Day 4197

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils."

This verse made me think of this verse on serving two masters.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matthew 6:24) (3 Nephi 13:24)

When the day comes for me to face the Lord I do not want to hear him say.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
(Luke 6:46)

Day 4196

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

Some of the greatest sermons are those done with silent service that go about doing good. When men know your good works they are more willing to listen to what you have to say. They will see with their own eyes the truth. There is nothing worse than a bad example of a member of the church.

Day 4195

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2
"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

Paul goes on to explain that the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols will not hurt them. Idols are nothing in the world. We may know this, but what we may not know is how our actions can hurt those that see if differently. Paul counsels us to not become a stumblingblock to others in their faith. As I pondered on this stumblingbock I thought of various people that were raised in a religion and then for whatever reason left it. To the point they have no faith and mock those that do. Whatever stumblingblock happened in their life to make them lose faith, prevents them from actually hearing the gospel when the opportunity comes. We should never destroy someone's faith, to the point they lose all faith and reject everything. Instead what is needed is to give them an opportunity to grow and learn more, and make the faith they have even stronger.

Day 4194

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8
"For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."

Was Paul married?

"Paul’s words of counsel—“I would that all men were even as I myself” and “It is good for them if they abide even as I”—have led some to mistakenly believe that Paul was unmarried and promoted the celibate lifestyle as being superior to marriage. However, Paul probably was married or had been at some point. Most scholars acknowledge that Paul was either a member of the Jewish ruling body—the Sanhedrin—or a close associate of the group. To comply with the Sanhedrin’s membership requirements, Paul would have had to be married. Even if Paul was simply a representative of the Sanhedrin, he would have been expected to be in harmony with all accepted Jewish customs and therefore be married. In addition, Paul clearly taught the importance of marriage and family life .
Many of Paul’s instructions in this chapter were likely meant to help Church members understand that marriage was appropriately delayed for full-time missionary service. The Joseph Smith Translation supports this conclusion:
“But I speak unto you who are called unto the ministry. For this I say, brethren, the time that remaineth is but short, that ye shall be sent forth unto the ministry. Even they who have wives, shall be as though they had none; for ye are called and chosen to do the Lord’s work. …
“But I would, brethren, that ye magnify your calling. I would have you without carefulness. For he who is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord; therefore he prevaileth.
“But he who is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife; therefore there is a difference, for he is hindered” (Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 32–33 [in the Bible appendix])."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 38:1 Corinthians 1-11")

Day 4193

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:3
"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"

How would we ever judge angels? Angels abide with God. I decided to search this out and found it is referring to a righteous man in his resurrected and exalted state.

"The man who passes through this probation, and is faithful, being redeemed from sin by the blood of Christ, through the ordinances of the Gospel, and attains to exaltation in the kingdom of God, is not less but greater than the angels, and if you doubt it read your Bible, for there it is written that the Saints shall “judge angels,” and also they shall “judge the world.” And why? Because the resurrected, righteous man has progressed beyond the pre-existent or disembodied spirits, and has risen above them, having both spirit and body as Christ has, having gained the victory over death and the grave, and having power over sin and Satan, in fact having passed from the condition of the angel to that of a God. He possesses keys of power, dominion and glory that the angel does not possess—and cannot possess without gaining them in the same way that he gained them, which will be by passing through the same ordeals and proving equally faithful. It was so ordained when the morning stars sang together, before the foundations of this earth were laid. Man in his pre-existent condition is not perfect, neither is he in the disembodied estate. There is no perfect estate but that of the risen Redeemer, which is God's estate, and no man can become perfect except he becomes like them. And what are they like? I have shown what Christ is like, and he is like his Father, but I will refer to an undoubted authority to this people, on this point, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.”  There is not time to refer to the many scriptural passages which might be cited in proof of these important facts, enough already has been referred to, to place the matter beyond a doubt."
(Joseph F. Smith, "Man a Mortal and an Immortal Being, Etc.", JD 23:169)

Day 4192

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2
"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."

A member of the church in Corinth was having sexual relations with his father's wife, which would be his step-mother. It was not acceptable in the church and in society outside of the church too. Paul judged the matter and they were to remove this man from the church. For the members he tells them they are puffed up. The reason for this is they thought they would not be affected by having this man around them. Leaving the man in his open sins would only bring them down morally. They should have mourned and helped him on the road to repentance. This is what Paul started for the man.

"Paul advised the Corinthian Saints “not to company with fornicators”. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expounded on this teaching, pointing out that even a good person cannot remain unaffected by unrighteous influences: “Do not company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as C. S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife” (“The Stern but Sweet Seventh Commandment,” in Morality [1992], 29).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 38: 1 Corinthians 1-11")

Day 4191

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."

We are not to judge others, we cannot always see what the Lord sees. I think there are different types of judgment. One that is very wrong is deciding what type of glory or lack of it the person deserves. Judging them wicked to be case down to hell or outer darkness, that we should never do. Only God can judge that. We cannot take away a person's ability to repent.

I have also found over the years that I cannot judge someone righteous either. I've seen some that were righteous go off on the wrong path. So we do have to be careful to not judge someone righteous, and put them on a pedal stool and accept everything they say. I found I have to be careful especially of those online and what they teach. We are to be careful in this regard. It's not calling the teacher evil, but having wisdom that not everything is always 100% correct that someone says. We need to learn, ponder and pray about what we listen to. How grateful I am for living prophets and the guidance their teachings have set as my standard.

Day 4190

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:19-20
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

The footnote for vain is deceptive, fruitless. I thought about how man can dig a pit for his neighbor and then fall into it. They think they are wise but when they fall into their own pit of craftiness they are as fools. The world may not still see them as fools, but with spiritual eyes you can see it as plain as day. We have examples of this happening right in front of our faces. "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) I love how the Lord and His Church is always two steps ahead of the world in its foolishness.

Day 4189

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:11-12
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

I often remind myself of this, not only for myself but also for those I would want to judge. It is best to not travel down the road of judgment and just leave things in God's hands. He understands the matter more completely than I ever could. No one will miss their personal accountability before him. All will have an account for themselves.

Day 4184

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

People of so many different faiths have the same impression, we are in end times. When I see people fall away from the church I am so sad. Do they realize what time it is? Do they understand how close we are? Can anyone afford to fall away at this point in time? In Paul's time you couldn't afford to fall way either. The second coming was many centuries off. The problem with taking a break from church or the commandment is you may never have the desire to come back.

Day 4183

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Wanting vengeance has created so much suffering in the world. I want no part of vengeance. I am sure the Lord knows who they are and will make them account for their actions. Interesting words from the First Presidency during World War II about those that sit in their places of power, and those that hate and lust for unrighteous power and dominion.

"In this terrible war now waging, thousands of our righteous young men in all parts of the world and in many countries are subject to a call into the military service of their own countries. Some of these, so serving, have already been called back to their heavenly home; others will almost surely be called to follow. But 'behold,' as Moroni said, the righteous of them who serve and are slain 'do enter into the rest of the Lord their God'  and of them the Lord has said "those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them". Their salvation and exaltation in the world to come will be secure. That in their work of destruction they will be striking at their brethren will not be held against them. That sin, as Moroni of old said, is to the condemnation of those who 'sit in their places of power in a state of thoughtless stupor' those rulers in the world who in a frenzy of hate and lust for unrighteous power and dominion over their fellow men, have put into motion eternal forces they do not comprehend and cannot control. God, in His own due time, will pass sentence upon them.
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
(Heber J. Grant, "Message of the First Presidency", Apr 1942 General Conference)

Day 4182

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 11:17-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 11:17-19
"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in."

As I'm reading this I'm thinking of Jacob 5, "The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees". Did Paul have the words of the prophet Zenos?

"And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard saw it, and he said unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive tree, and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will cast them into the fire that they may be burned.
And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will; and it mattereth not that if it so be that the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof unto myself; wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will."
(Jacob 5:7-8)

Day 4181

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

What must one do after confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus? Just saying the words is not enough. It must be believed in the heart. Outwardly you could look like you're saved, but in the heart there must be a mighty change. If the heart of man really did believe then they would be righteous. They would repent and strive to follow Jesus Christ and obey his words. That is what leadeth to salvation.

Day 4180

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 9:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 9:6
"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:"

This made me reflect on how just because you are born into a righteous family or into the church it does not mean you are righteous. We don't inherit blessings unless we earn them. Salvation is an individual matter, all are tried and tested and must learn faith in Christ.

Day 4179

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I pondered on being fully converted to Jesus Christ. This would be the only way, relying on Him, that you could endure all these things and not be separated from him. We can separate ourselves from God by sin. His love for us is always there, but we may have hid it. Enduring to the end is my favorite part of the gospel. It is how we come to know Jesus Christ.

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59:2)

Day 4178

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 7:2, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 7:2, 4
"For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

Paul is speaking on the law of Moses being fulfilled in Christ. The Mosaic law was a dead law and now they must marry themselves to Jesus Christ, his church and law. It does make me wonder what new laws we will live during the millennium?

“[In Romans 7:1–4, Paul] compares Israel’s allegiance to the law of Moses with that of a wife to her husband. As long as her husband lives, a wife is bound to him, must obey his laws, and if she be with another, she is an adulteress. But when the husband dies, he can no longer direct her actions, and she is free to marry another; she can no longer be subject to him that is dead.
“So with Israel and the law. As long as the law lived, and was therefore in force, Israel was married to it and required to obey its provisions. … But now the law is fulfilled; it no longer lives; it has become dead in Christ; and Israel is married to another, even to Christ, whose gospel law must now be obeyed” (Bruce R. McConkie, "Doctrinal New Testament Commentary", 2:253–54).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 36: Romans 4-8")

Day 4177

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 6:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 6:4-5
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

Reading these verses I wondered how any other baptism than through immersion could be accepted? We are buried under the water in likeness of Jesus' death. Then raise from the water in the likeness of his resurrection. Baptism is a rebirth, we are born again and become alive in Christ, taking upon us His name and follow Him.

Day 4176

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17
"For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)"

From Adam's fall all men would suffer death. It took one man to give the gift of resurrection to all mankind. That was Jesus Christ. He covered spiritual and physical death through his atonement, sacrifice and resurrection. I had never thought of it starting with one and ending with one.

Day 4175

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 4:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 4:13
" For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."

Abraham's seed did not receive promised blessings because they were his descendants. It was through righteousness and obedience to the law that they are. It reminded me of this.

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)

Day 4174

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:23-24
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

How grateful I am for the plan of redemption. That through the grace of Christ I can be redeemed from my sins.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
(Isaiah 1:18)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of the absolute necessity of divine grace in order to be justified:
“Just as death would doom us and render our agency meaningless but for the redemption of Christ, even so, without His grace, our sins and bad choices would leave us forever lost. There would be no way of fully recovering from our mistakes, and being unclean, we could never live again in the presence of the ‘Man of Holiness’
“We cannot look to the law to save us when we have broken the law.. We need a Savior, a Mediator who can overcome the effects of our sins and errors so that they are not necessarily fatal. It is because of the Atonement of Christ that we can recover from bad choices and be justified under the law as if we had not sinned” (“Moral Agency,” Ensign, June 2009, 50).
(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 35: Romans 1-3)

Day 4173

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:3
"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"

Such a good question I need to ask myself when I wish to judge another. How do I know so well their sins? Because more than likely I have the same weakness. When you point one finger at another there are three pointing back at you.

Day 4172

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11
"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

I pondered on the times I have seen and listened to a prophet and apostle of God in person. How the spirit would testify of the truthfulness of their words. It would strengthen my faith and anchor it. I imagine for the saints being able to hear Paul would be the same. How blessed I am for the day I live in. With the internet I can hear their words right in my home. I don't have to wait for an apostle to come to my area. I know the great apostasy happened with the early saints, and now with the restoration of the gospel the church as a whole will never fall into apostasy again. I think being able to hear the words of the prophet and apostles so frequently is one of the ways that is possible. We are continually being nourished. It's up to us to feast on it.

Day 4171