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

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:5-6
"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Those that are without are not members of the church. We have to be so careful how we speak and act around others. Sadly, people judge a group by the worst members among them. I know there are times I have been a bad example of a member of the church. I've said things I should not have said. I had one friend in elementary school that I loved and I really enjoyed visiting her over the summers. She had a wonderful mom that I loved talking to. We had great gospel discussion even though they were not members of my faith. My heart still aches over the words I said to her when we were in Jr. High. We had different friends at school and she didn't fit in with mine. I basically told her we couldn't be friends anymore. We never spoke again. When my guilt and remorse finally got to much I went to find her and apologize, only to discover her family had moved away. Half a decade later I still wish I could ask for her forgiveness. I hope and pray in life she encountered another member of the church, that was a far better example than I was.

Day 3270

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

This reminds me of President Nelson and "Think Celestial!"

"Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency. Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god. You look to it rather than to Him for solace. If you struggle with an addiction, seek the spiritual and professional help you need. Please do not let an obsession rob you of your freedom to follow God’s fabulous plan. ”
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3269

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:21-22
"(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

There are somethings we should just not touch, taste and handle as we seek to follow the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine and philosophies of men fall into what we should leave alone. Knowing the difference between what is of God and what is of man is vital to our eternal salvation. When you mingle the two you are in danger of preaching false doctrine. One sure way of keeping things straight is by using the right sources.

On the churchofjesuschrist.org website or app go to Gospel Library and click on "Topics and Questions". Under Contents go to "Seeking Answers to Questions", and then "Consult Reliable Sources". It's best to read this section in its entirety but this one helps the most.

"Become familiar with Church resources. In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the best sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook. The Church has also published additional resources to help you better understand some of the most common questions Latter-day Saints have about Church history and culture. You may find these to be useful starting points as you investigate your questions."

This guidance on which resources to use is not only wise when answering questions we may have but also when we are teaching others at church. There are so many wonderful gospel resources the church has provided for us, its vital for us to make sure what we teach is found there.

Day 3268

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:11
"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"

Needing patience and being longsuffering does not sound like a recipe for joyfulness. What is joyful is knowing and relying on the source of strength that gets us through it. It is recognizing the Lord's hand in our lives and the miracles he performs in our behalf. Knowing He walks the path beside me, strengthen me to be patient and longsuffering. The yoke that joins us together brings sweet relief and joy.

Day 3267

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16
"And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea."

The footnote tells me the epistle of Laodicea is lost scriptures and not found in the bible. I took time to look over the list of scriptures referenced by other verses that are not found anywhere. Then I looked in the Topical Guide over "Scriptures to Come Forth".

"And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true."
(1 Nephi 13:39)

"And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate."
(Doctrine and Covenants 9:2)

As I pondered on these I noted the Bible as the stick of Judah, and the Book of Mormon as the stick of Joseph, and wondered what other books would come forth. When Nephi wrote of other books he had no idea the Jaredite record, the Book of Ether would be included in with the Book of Mormon for his people. When Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were told of other records they didn't know the Book of Abraham and Moses would both come forth. I love the scriptures and now I wish to live to see more come to light. 

Day 1684

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

As the world is darkening this counsel if more important than ever. From this verse I thought of the General Conference talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry, where he referenced John 15:19 and says, "From the teachings of the Savior we have adopted the common saying in the Church, 'to be in the world, but not of the world.' Normally, when this saying is used, we are emphasizing our need to stay free from sin and materialism which are so prevalent in the world in which we live."
(L. Tom Perry, "In the World", General Conference April 1988)

I have totally decided that the counsel "to be in the world, but not of the world, or not focusing my thoughts and affections on the things of this earth, are part of what brings peace in the midst of the storms. There is always hope that fills your heart of better things to come.

Day 1683

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately on the parable of the ten virgins and have really come to feel I am seeing it happen right now. It grieves me to see saints being lead away by the false doctrine of men, and a spirit of apathy in doing what the prophet has counseled, in particular reading the scriptures daily with their families. They will not have oil in their lamps when they need it the most, which is actually right now in the day we are living.

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived - verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57)

I wish I had saved the link to a post I read this morning. A mother related how she told the story of Noah and the ark to her child, and the little one asked "What happened to all the children?" The mother replied "Their parents didn't make sure they were on the boat." Isn't that just the saddest thought! I had never pictured little children dying in the flood due to the foolishness of their parents. It's made me think of that comment all day long. Right now if we are not doing everything in our power our children won't get on the boat. They won't know to put oil in their lamps or even have one. At the very least we should do what the prophet asked for them.



Day 1682

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:23
"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;"

How important it is to survive these days spiritually to have our faith grounded, settled and not moved. I am so grateful when I began to read the scriptures that the spirit told me to read the scriptures, and not books about the scriptures. Because now looking back I fear I would have started to look at the gospel through the eyes of someone not grounded in sound doctrine. When you have the spirit as your guide, not mingled with the doctrine of men, you can read the scriptures, the words of the living prophet and apostles and remain grounded, settled and not moved in what is truth.

Day 1681