Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9
"If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:"

There were a lot of hard laws given, especially an eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. I am grateful I live in a time that the law of Moses was fulfilled and I live a higher law with a broken heart and contrite spirit. The one law that stays the same is to love the Lord God. Keeping the commandments, and to walk in His ways show that love. That will never change.

Day 3803

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 14:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 14:2

"Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."

I wondered what it meant to "render the calves of our lips"? The footnote scriptures didn't really clarify it.

"Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

(Doctrine and Covenants 59:8)

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

(Psalms 51:17)

I still didn't understand how calves lips applied. Then I read this.

"This verse deals with one’s resolves to do better. To present the sincere prayers of one’s lips as an offering to the Lord was as precious as the best offerings in the Mosaic law, which were young oxen or bullocks; hence, “the calves of our lips.”

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The Ministry of Hosea: A Call of Faithfulness (Hosea)", (10-38) Hosea 14:2 "The Calves of Our Lips")

Day 3035

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 61:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 61:2

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

This reminds me of when I shattered my wrist and the extreme pain I was under. It went on for days and weeks. It was so overwhelming at times. I remember all I could do in those moments was cry to the Lord for some relief. The pain didn't go away but my ability to endure did. I could feel His comforting arms around me. I wasn't in this journey alone. You can have peace and comfort in the midst of a terrible storm.

Day 2698

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

At first when I read "the lifter up of mine head" I though of pride. I knew that couldn't be right. Then I pondered on what it meant. I could then picture David being so broken hearted and discouraged that his head hung down. With the Lord he was comforted and could hold up his head again.

Day 2640

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 23:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 23:6-7
"And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them - yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren."

What stood out to me was the passage that they, "never did fall away". Then I could see why. They were fully converted unto the Lord. Meaning they were not joining the church for its programs or because of their love for the missionaries. They were instead converted to the Lord, that is what was deep and abiding. That is what a good missionary would do. Not win converts to himself, but point the way to Jesus Christ.

The other reason they never fell away was they remained righteous and that takes a conscious effort to stay on the path. They also were peacemakers and appear to have avoided contention. They also did not fight against God. Which I take it they didn't rebel or challenge when told the word of the Lord, especially when it comes from a servant of God. When you lay down your weapons of rebellion I am reminded of giving up all our sins, even our favorite ones. Their hearts were broken and they were born again.

Day 1881

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:17
"But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord."

This verse helped me understand something tonight I have been trying so hard to figure out. My heart was so broken until I realized why. I was disobedient to the errand the Lord had me on. For some reason I sought the permission of another to do it, and followed their counsel instead of the Lord's. Why did I even do that? What was I thinking that I needed their permission? I shouldn't have shared anything with them and just moved as directed by the Lord. This was in the realm of my responsibility, not theirs. I tried then to have another do my errand before it was to late, and that doesn't work either. When the Lord gives you an assignment you do it. I didn't, and it broke my heart. I will never, never do that again. The pain is to much to bare. I love the Lord and my actions didn't display that. The Lord has told me he made it right. They know all now. Yet it's hard to be consoled. Being plucked up and destroyed are pretty good words right now.

Day 1332

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:13
"That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?"

This chapter speaks of the Saviors second coming and who will endure it. I loved this verse for I think it is the key. I had a dream a couple years ago that answered my question on what broken meant.

"In the middle of the night I was woken up hearing the word "Broken" clearly spoken to my mind. The though immediately came to me that when a horse is broken it becomes tamed. I knew it was an answer to a little gospel question I had pondered off an on. How does one have a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Now I knew that to be broken meant to become tamed. I pictured then a beautiful horse with a rider galloping in unison together. The rider taking the reins was the Savior and he guided that horse where it needed to go. It could even go into battle and avoid all the traps that lay ahead of them.

I understood then that to be tamed meant I let the Savior have control of the reins. That my life would be beautiful no matter what lies ahead of me. He would always be with me. I had much to ponder on how horses are broken, and what better service they can render when they are tamed. It was a beautiful personal parable.

Maybe to others that is such a simple thing, but to me it had deep meaning. My spirit yearned to understand the things of God. I wasn't obsessed over wanting to understand it, I just knew some day when I was ready it would come. God works in his own way. Even if the answer comes in the middle of the night with a single word."

This experience changed me. I have since tried to let the Lord take the reins and I can only say the ride has been amazing. I stand in awe of the Master rider. He knows the way around the dangers and trials I have faced with a percussion and timing beyond my comprehension. Seeing further ahead then I ever thought possible. I will let him remain in control.

In context of the Savior's second coming. I know if I have a broken heart and contrite spirit I will be prepared to meet Him.

Day 1317

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 51:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

I looked at my notes from this LDS General Conference. It was Elder Goday that said in the Saturday, 31 Mar 2018 session, "Sacrifice...gives sacred things meaning." 

The sacrifice that God asks is a broken spirit and a contrite heart. I sacrifice any pride or my own will for a humble heart that will serve God. It makes me think of the experience I had a couple years ago.

"In the middle of the night I was woken up hearing the word "Broken" clearly spoken to my mind. The though immediately came to me that when a horse is broken it becomes tamed. I knew it was an answer to a little gospel question I had pondered off an on. How does one have a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Now I knew that to be broken meant to become tamed. I pictured then a beautiful horse with a rider galloping in unison together. The rider taking the reins was the Savior and he guided that horse where it needed to go. It could even go into battle and avoid all the traps that lay ahead of them.

I understood then that to be tamed meant I let the Savior have control of the reins. That my life would be beautiful no matter what lies ahead of me. He would always be with me. I had much to ponder on how horses are broken, and what better service they can render when they are tamed. It was a beautiful personal parable.

Maybe to others that is such a simple thing, but to me it had deep meaning. My spirit yearned to understand the things of God. I wasn't obsessed over wanting to understand it, I just knew some day when I was ready it would come. God works in his own way. Even if the answer comes in the middle of the night with a single word."

This experience changed me. I have since tried to let the Lord take the reins and I can only say the ride has been amazing. I stand in awe of the Master rider. He knows the way around the dangers and trials I have faced with a percussion and timing beyond my comprehension. Seeing further ahead then I ever thought possible. I will let him remain in control.

Day 1104

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 25:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 25:2

"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering."

This chapter goes on to explain the gathering and preparing of items for the tabernacle that the Lord revealed to Moses. When it spoke of the ark of the testimony, or ark of the covenant, I sat and wondered where it was, and if it would ever be found? Then I had the strongest impression, it wasn't needed anymore, that is why it is hid. For man at the time needed an intercessory to give their offerings through. Now what is needed is a broken heart and contrite spirit. 

The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God's presence with His people. A physical reminder of their deliverance and blessings. All that attention now needs to be drawn directly to my Savior and his redeeming sacrifice for me. For the ark to come back it would do neither. It would be a cursing for those that looked upon it as anything else. I am now satisfied that man foolishly hunts for it. I have no desire now to watch shows on where people think it may be. I can move on and cross that mystery off my list.   

Day 650

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 56:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:16-18

"Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!

Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs."

All I could think of when I read this is the poor man's love of money. I remembered how shocked I was to realize this was my sin. My heart pains now to hear poor people complain about the rich. Do they not realize they are guilty of the poor man's love of money by so doing? I cannot judge a man by his material possessions. I have no idea how much he gives to the poor in secret. Just because a man is poor gives no indication of their greediness. Only the Lord knows a man's heart and where it lies. Both the poor man and the rich man need a broken and contrite heart to enter the kingdom of God.

Day 475