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 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: 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 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: Job 42:10-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10-13
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
He had also seven sons and three daughters."

I love the ending of the story of Job. Job prays for his friends that spoke wrong in the Lord's eyes. That is forgiveness. Then Job's brothers and sisters all gather around him and comfort him. They each give him some money and gold. Then Job is blessed in the end double the sheep, camels, oxen, and asses then before. As for children, his is blessed again with the same number. Now for the eternities Job has 14 sons and 6 daughters, for the ones that died as still his too.

Day 3902

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:5
"And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"

This reminded me of this scripture.

"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)

Consequences whether good or bad are predicated on the law we obey or chose not to. It is so much easier to obey God's law then to turn on backs on Him and do it on our own. One of the easiest laws to see the cause and effect is with tithing.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
(Malachi 3:10)

Day 3882

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 1:7
"In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?"

When God asked Solomon what He should give him, he asked for knowledge and wisdom in order to serve the people. The desire of Solomon's heart was pleasing to the Lord. With that the Lord added upon him the blessings of riches, wealth and honor. It made me think of this scripture.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33)

Day 3867

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48
"If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:"

Solomon is dedicating the house of the Lord. In the dedicatory prayer is both a warning and blessing. That if Israel sins against the Lord they will be carried away captive. Which happened about 417 years later when they were carried away into Babylon. I love to read over temple dedication prayers. It is always interesting to see what protection and promises are given to particular temples. One thing I learned from my temple's dedicatory prayer is I have to be mindful of winds and storms in my area. I felt great peace when we removed very large and dangerous trees from around my home.

"May its beauty never be marred by evil hands. May it stand strong against the winds and storms that will beat upon it. May it be a beacon of peace and a refuge to the troubled. May it be an holy sanctuary to those whose burdens are heavy and who seek Thy consoling comfort."
(Dedicatory Prayer, Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, October 13, 1996)

My temple has been a place of peace and refuge. I have had my burdens lifted and found words of comfort as I have served in the house of the Lord. Various older temples and some younger than mine have been renovated and rededicated. I have wondered if the dedicatory prayers have changed. If mine is redone I hope it will still say "We thank Thee for this favored season in the history of Thy work."

Day 3844

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 30:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 30:15-16
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it."

So much cursing is described in these three chapters. It is a warning of what will happen if they choose to leave God and follow the strange gods of the land. I pondered on how we are all given our agency to choose. With that choice comes consequences. The Lord totally spelled it out to them the blessing or curse. It's no different than with us today.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."
(2 Nephi 2:27)

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."
(2 Nephi 10:23)

Day 3806

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 22:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 22:12
"And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed."

I tried to remember who this Balaam was that appears to talk with God, and has an angel appear unto him. I didn't think he was always found favorable. Here is what I found in the Old Testament Student Manual.

The Story of Balaam
"When the two mighty kings of the Amorites were defeated by the irresistible might of Israel, the Moabites, with their Midianite confederates, were filled with such alarm that Balak, their king, sought assistance. It was not from his own god, Baal, who had proven impotent against Israel during the Amorite conflict, that he sought power, however. Instead, he decided to use Israel’s own God, whose power had been marvelously manifest, against them. To this end he sent a delegation bearing presents to Balaam of Pethor, a celebrated prognosticator in upper Mesopotamia, who apparently had a reputation for being able to bless and curse with great effect.
It is difficult to determine from the record whether or not Balaam was a true prophet of God holding the powers of the priesthood authority. He lived in an area known as Aram, probably named after the son of Kemuel and grandson of Nahor, a cousin of Abraham. Haran, the place of Abraham’s first settlement after he left Ur, was a seat for the worship of Jehovah and was also in Aram. Therefore, Balaam could have been one of the few scattered people such as Jethro, who held the priesthood and exercised its power. The Bible suggests that he had a true knowledge of God and was susceptible to revelation from Him. Regardless of their origin, the Lord raises up inspired men to all nations.
It is significant that Balaam is referred to as a soothsayer or diviner, somewhat on the order of Simon of the New Testament (compare Joshua 13:22; Acts 8:9–24). Although he acknowledged Jehovah and professed his dependence on Him, Balaam was willing to go against the Lord’s counsel and accompany the men of Balak. To assure his responsiveness to God’s will, the Lord sent an angel to threaten him with death should he curse Israel.
One of the remarkable things about Balaam’s blessing of Israel is the Messianic promise of Christ."
(Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, "Numbers 13-36: Wilderness Wanderings, Part 2")

Day 3792

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:18-19
"And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations."

I pondered on how Jacob knew which of Joseph's son should receive the greater blessing. It was the younger son Ephraim, just like Jacob himself being the younger son. It seemed like Rebekah had tricked Isaac in giving the birthright blessing of Esau to Jacob, but in truth Isaac gave the blessing the Lord would have him give. Just like now, Jacob is giving Ephraim the second son the greater blessing. No one can take someone else's blessing.

Day 3761

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 39:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 39:5
"And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field."

Not sure how to express this. This made me reflect on my prayers I have had for others, that know not God, but I will help them. I will often prayer that they do not suffer, so I do not suffer trying to help them. I do feel that our prayers and obedience to God helps others around us.

"Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.
But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent."
(Alma 10:22-23)

"And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared."
(Alma 62:40)

Day 3758

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 31:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 31:3
"And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee."

I pondered on how Jacob stayed with Laban, his wives' father, until the Lord told him to leave. Sometimes situations will change making where we are at uncomfortable. The Lord wanted to bless Jacob further but he could not stay with Laban, or Laban's sons. Where Jacob is told to go back to the land of his father, it is not comfortable for him either. He did not know if Esau would kill him or his wives and children. It took faith to return to the land of his fathers. The reunion with his brother Esau is very touching. The Lord will prepare the way when we are obedient.

"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept."
(Genesis 33:4)

Day 3756

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:21-23
"And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"

This made me ponder on how important it is to always give credit to the Lord for the blessings we receive. Abram did not want the king of Sodom to later take credit in any way that he made Abram rich. Abram was already very rich because the Lord had blessed him. Abram raised his hands in faith unto the Lord, giving all the credit past and future to Him. If the king of Sodom took credit it would cast a shadow on the Lord's blessings. For Abram principles came first before material things.

Day 3750

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 24:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 24:13
"Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons;
And these things ye shall not do, except it be required of you by them who desire it, that the scriptures might be fulfilled; for ye shall do according to that which is written."

What stood out to me was "require not miracles". That's probably because the past two days I have been sick. Wasn't sure what I was coming down with until yesterday. I realized I was feeling pleurisy spots on my lungs. I've had it in the past and its just miserable. I was just figuring this was going to be a long ride. My husband was probably more concerned than I was and offered to give me a blessing if I wanted one. The thought hadn't even entered my mind until then. Yes, a blessing would be nice. I have to say I wasn't expecting a miracle and probably not even relief. I just wanted to be strong enough to get through this new trial. I can do that when I rely on the Lord. The blessing was sweet and comforting and I was blessed to be healed. I knew I would be when the time was right, even if I had to go through this pain. I decided to go to bed early and left to get ready for bed. I'm not sure how long after the blessing it was, less than an hour? I realized that overwhelming exhaustion was lifting. It had been such a profound exhaustion earlier I actually felt like I was going to pass out. My headache was lifting. By the time I crawled into bed I was breathing without the pleurisy pain. I was feeling better. I went to bed and when I got up this morning I still felt better. I have not felt this well in a while. It is a curious thing waiting on the will of the Lord and how and when he wishes to bless and heal us.

Day 3613

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 1:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 1:5-7
"But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.
Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

I do believe that anyone that was brought to the America's was led here by the hand of God. Only He knows the purpose. My ancestors came many decades ago and fought to found this nation. My husband's family came more recently and he is first generation American. War, civil unrest, religious persecution, even those with evil intent have been led here. Those that are here may serve the living God or bring captivity and cursing. The test is for us on how we respond and treat others. Regardless, the blessing is still here if you remain righteous.

Day 3372

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

This reminds me of the other day while I was sitting in the Emergency Room with someone in a lot of pain. They were bemoaning all the terrible things that had happened to them lately, and said they just wanted it to stop. Couldn't they just get a break. I told them, "No you can't, and it won't stop, because this is what life is all about." Each trial makes you stronger and you learn from them. You develop a resilience you would never have otherwise. Then I pointed out some of the blessings I had seen happening to them lately as they went through these trials. How they were a stronger person and in a better place because of them. It turned the conversation around and we counted blessings and reasons for hope and good things out of the bad. As they were preparing to leave the hospital they were grateful for the nice crutches I had brought with me, because I knew from experience they would need them. As I helped them settle into bed at their home they were grateful for the large ice packs with the nice wrapper I had also brought along. They knew I had been on their journey before and because of that I could in turn help them. One day when they are strong they will help others with what they have learned. For now, they knew they were a strong person that can do hard things.

Though they have turned their back on God and I could not share all that I would have wished. Helping them see and recognize blessings in their life helps to open the door to who put them there.

Day 3313

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

This chapter shows Paul was a living example of what Jesus had promised his apostles in Mark 16:18, "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

God works in mysterious ways to testify of his gospel. Paul survives a shipwreck and then is bitten by a viper and feels no effect from it. Then he goes about healing the sick as they are brought to him.

Day 3205

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:10-11

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."

I pondered on the blessings that have come to me and my family as we have paid tithing. The blessings come both spiritually and temporarily. The particular blessing that stood out to me was he would "rebuke the devourer for my sake". The blessing of protection against evil. As this world grows darker being protected from evil means so much to me. I do not want to be deceived or devourer by the adversary. I want the blessing of having the spirit always to be with me. I want wisdom to use the blessings God provides me with. I can make do with little, while a rich man can have money flow through his fingers like water. Easy in and easily devoured. In reality he just can't hold onto it. It is devoured upon his lusts. Wealth is no measure of God's blessings falling upon you. It's what you can do with what He has given that shows wealth.

Day 3087

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."

This made me reflect on the building of temples in our day. There are currently 315 temples in various phases or operation around the world. I wonder what will be announced this General Conference? What a blessing the temple is to the saints.

"By making and keeping temple covenants, we learn more about the Lord’s purposes and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost. We receive direction for our lives. We mature in our discipleship so that we do not remain perpetual, unknowing children. Rather, we live with an eternal perspective and are more motivated to serve God and others. We receive increased capacity to fulfill our purposes in mortality. We are protected from evil, and we gain greater power to resist temptation and to repent when we stumble. When we falter, the memory of our covenants with God helps us return to the path. By connecting to God’s power, we become our own pororoca, able to go against the flow of the world, throughout our lives and into the eternities. Ultimately, our destinies are changed because the covenant path leads to exaltation and eternal life."

(Dale G. Renlund, "Accessing God's Power through Covenants", Apr 2023 General Conference)

Day 3076