Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:13
"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

When the devil departed from tempting Jesus for a season I wondered when he came back? Could the devil have any power to tempt Him anymore? I will have to watch for that as I continue reading the New Testament. One reason the devil had no power to tempt Jesus is because the Holy Ghost was with Him. The Spirit led Him in the wilderness and he was there for forty days. It was only after He ended his fast that the devil had power to come near and tempt him. When we are in a weakened state the devil tries to break us. Even so, the Joseph Smith translation shows how the Spirit was still with Jesus. Eventually, the devil leaves because these temptation have no power over Jesus. It is similar with us, when we are committed to do what is right in a particular area the devil can no longer tempt us on that thing. I thought about the various things I am not tempted to do. Some I don't feel I ever felt a temptation regarding them. Others, I had to learn to chose a different path, until it's no longer even a consideration anymore. The key is to live in a manner that the Holy Ghost can be a constant companion. That will help with temptations not overpowering us.

Day 4101

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:18, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:18, 27
"And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore he said: Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
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."

I pondered on the agency of man. How God has given us this great privilege, the ability to choose and act for ourselves. This mortal life would not be a true test if we were forced in any way. Our hearts must be free to choose to follow Him. The battle over the agency of man continues here on earth. Lucifer, the devil, was cast out of heaven due to his desire to take away the agency of man. He and his followers, comprising one-third of the host of heaven, desires nothing more than the misery of man. One of the ways he does this is to lie to bring them into bondage by a variety of sins. He allows man to dig a pit for their neighbor and then rejoices when they fall into it themselves. It is a great deception that Satan will bless his followers, he may for a season, and when he is done with them he spits them out.

I can understand by witnessing the tactics of man right now why the prophet said, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

How do you answer the question, do I side with those that are for man's agency to choose, which includes legalizing sin? or do I side with those that want to take away man's agency under the guise of politicized religious zeal? It's entirely possible someone that thinks they are being religious may be more wicked then those openly sinning, when you consider God's esteem for the agency of man. Even if sin is legalized it doesn't mean you have to participate. Under the crux of politicized religious zeal I fear we are about to loose our religious freedoms.

Day 3373

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:11-12

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

This verse was actually quoted by the devil when he tempt the Lord at the beginning of his ministry.

"And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."

(Matthew 4:6)

Which was followed by the Lord saying

" Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

(Matthew 4:7)

I pondered on how even Satan can quote scriptures. That we are to be ever watchful and not deceived. When on the Lord's errand angels truly will have charge over us. Then I pondered on the angel sent to the Savior in Gethsemane to strengthen him.

"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

(Luke 22:43)

Day 2728

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 50:7-8, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 50:7-8, 13

"Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;

But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.

Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question - unto what were ye ordained?"

This is such an important chapter to understand. It grieves my heart for those that are being deceived, and have fallen into priestcrafts and occult practices giving the adversary power, like law of attraction and energy healings. There is hope for those once deceived, repented and get out, for they will be reclaimed. But, those that continue to preach false doctrine and deceive will one day have to answer to the wrath of God. The important thing to ask when anyone tries to offer you "greater light and knowledge", and secrets only for the "chosen", is to ask "unto what were ye ordained?" If what they teach or preach is not a known doctrine from one of proper authority, then it is the doctrine of devils. All the more reason to continually search the scriptures so you will know when the hypocrite is there to deceive.

Day 2053

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 14:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 14:10
"And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not of the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth."

I have come to feel that it doesn't matter which church anyone belongs to, including mine. That you can have people that belong to the church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil there. It all depends on where a person's heart is. Live up to what knowledge you have, keep the commandments and keep the faith. Greater light and knowledge comes as we learn to follow the Lamb of God.

Day 1777

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:19-20
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

I found this point on faith without works is dead something to ponder on today. For even the devil and his angels know who Christ is, yet it is by their works that we know them. How much more important is it for a person of faith and belief to do good works as the Savior did.

"When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not."
(Luke 8:28)

This video is of another story of Jesus healing a man possessed, but the story is the same the devils knew who Christ was.



Day 1721

Today's Favorite Verse: John 16:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: John 16:2-3
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whoseover killeth you will think he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."

The absolute deception of the adversary to make man call good evil.

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
(Isaiah 5:20)

To get so caught up in self-righteousness that you totally miss the mark of what your behavior really is. To confuse the ideas of right and wrong and consider it God's service to take another person's life for their beliefs. It's beyond me to think people can do this, but yet there are actions like this around today in much simpler things. Isn't that how deception begins. Satan never drops it on face value but has to carefully lead us down to hell. I guess the key is to always self-evaluation my actions. Is what others are saying truly what God would do? The only prevention is to known the Father and the Son.

Day 1586

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:5, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:5, 9
"And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
And he said asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many."

This was a man possessed by legions of devils. What stood out to me is that he was cutting himself with stones. I hear of people now cutting themselves. Might not be a popular things to say, but could this be an indication of demon possession? I read it often in the New Testament where Jesus is casting out unclean spirits, but it isn't discussed right now. I would think that some stories I read in the news that demon possession could account for a lot of their actions. No one in their right mind would do what they do.

The beautiful things about this story is Jesus had compassion on the man and cast the legion of devils out. He was found sitting, clothed and in his right mind. He could then publish it about what Jesus had done, and all men marveled. It makes me wonder how many people could be helped if they only turned to the power of the priesthood.

Day 1537