Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16
"And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

I have learned that what I used to picture as end times is not how things are turning out. I never pictures things would become as they are. One thing I used to picture is that I would always stand with Israel. Oh, the whole world could come against them, but I knew they would prevail. Now I see this a little differently. The way things are going the world could absolutely have cause to come against them. Never would I picture how things are lining up. I have left off from trying to figure this all out. The only thing I do know is I want to be right with the Lord and not leave anything left undone. Prophesy will be fulfilled in the Lord's own way and time. The only thing that needs hurrying is the gathering of Israel, helping others to come to Christ, on both sides of the veil. As for wars and oppression of others I want nothing to do with it.

Day 4023

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 25:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 25:17
"And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."

I thought about how this would be a very hard way to come to know the Lord. There is another option. It's to search for Him. Read and ponder the scripture to know His voice. Keep His commandments, and believe and trust in Him. Do all that He asks and those that sincerely seek Him will find him. They will be able to say they know the Lord. I would much rather know the Lord that way then to have furious rebukes wake me up.

Day 4019

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 32:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 32:27

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"

I pondered on this question and if there was anything in my life that I thought was to hard for the Lord to handle for me? I have to acknowledge how small my problems are compared to His ability to create the universe, and all the miracles he has performed. I thought about the times throughout the day that I asked for His help. Nothing is to hard for Him or to small from Him. I think one thing I have learned over the years is to catch things when they are small so I have the guidance I need to take care of them.

Day 2936

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 11:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 11:12

"Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble."

This made me think of our favorite sins, and how hard they are to give up. That idols and false gods would be the same way. I thought of different things that people worship, that take them away from God. It doesn't have to be false religions it can be so many material things. Things that fill us with pride, and give us a sense of superiority over others. Things of man that we put our trust into, and feel will save us. I pondered on how Satan has his hands is so many facets of life. He is spread throughout social, educational, political and philosophical doctrines which run counter to the gospel. The key is to not be deceived. Come unto Christ, is our only hope.

Day 2915

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:10

"Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."

I pondered on how you are not chosen because you suffered. People can suffer and turn away from God and curse him. The furnace of affliction is the refiner's fire. That is when you learn more about God because you turn to him during your suffering. This is my favorite part of the gospel, enduring to the end. Through it comes a personal relationship with the Lord, otherwise you cannot endure. He becomes your refuge and stay. That is truly when we have been chosen because we chose Him.

Day 2886

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 147:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 147:3

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

I pondered on how the Lord does this for any that come to him. You don't need to be perfect before he will heal you. He takes you as you come, as long as you are coming towards him. His embrace, comfort and healing power is extended to everyone that "Come, unto Christ."

Day 2784

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 128:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 128:1

"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways."

This made me think of how "God is no respecter of persons". All have an opportunity to "come unto Him".

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"

(Acts 10:34)

"For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion."

(Doctrine and Covenants 1:35)

"And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons."

(Doctrine and Covenants 38:16)

Day 2765

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 22:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 22:17
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Today, I finish the book of Revelation and the New Testament. I'm always a little sad to see a book of scripture end because it has become such a wonderful friend. Then I think about how I will read it again the next time I circle around. It takes 1,581 days to read the entire standard works a chapter a day. That is 4.3 years. I am grateful for footnotes and references that bring them altogether for me. They are truly one in my hand.

"Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
(Ezekiel 27:16-17)

As I read this last chapter in the New Testament I looked for the final message. I chose this verse because it says to Come. The message to come to Christ is free to all. His hands are forever stretched out still. He has warned and forewarned us, now the decision is ours to come. We have been given our free agency to choose or not. The reward for eternity is ours to make. What choice did you make?

Day 1762

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:30
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

I sat and pondered on my life. Is it easy to live the gospel? At different periods of my life I would have given different answers. So what makes living the gospel easy? I realized then it's only hard when I tried to straddle the fence and serve two masters. There is no peace when you do that. To take on the yoke with Christ you need to give your whole heart to it. Then you see the full blessings. The answer is in verse 28.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Come unto Christ is the only way.

Day 1515