Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5
"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites."

Solomon was wise, but not wise in what he studied. I think Solomon's downfall is a great story to learn from. He allowed his love of his wives to take him down a path of destruction. I'm sure in an attempt to understand them, and the people around him, he studied their gods. Then in that study he build high places for them to worship their God, until he began to worship them too. It was a slow process that left him when old on the wrong side of the Lord. In all his wisdom he was foolish. The Lord had strict rules on who the children of Israel could marry and he broke that with his wives and concubines from other nations. Then he allowed his heart to follow after their gods until he was lost to the God of Israel. I keep this lesson with me as I discern what I will read and watch.

Day 3845

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 23:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 23:20-21
"Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."

Saul had 85 priests slaughtered, and then killed men, women, children, babies, and animals of the city of Nob, because they helped David escape. It made me ill that Saul dares to say to the person he sent to kill these people, "Blessed be ye of the Lord". It makes me sick when wicked people say words giving the impression their evil acts are righteous. Then Saul says "ye have compassion on me." Again it's all about Saul and no feeling for any of the innocent people they just slaughtered. None of these actions are of the Lord. I pondered on how we have to be so discerning about who we follow and support, even when they give an impression they are doing God's work.

Day 3831

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 46:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 46:27
"And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God."

I was reading an interesting post today about a group of apostates and how people have been deceived and follow them. I know it's important for me to have discernment to tell if a person is of God or not. Identifying if they are preaching false doctrine or truth. In fact I have had occasion to identify these wolves in sheep clothing. As I read this verse I am also grateful for bishops that protect their flocks. They have been given the gift of discernment in these matters. It is marvelous how the Lord has put these things in place.

Day 3635

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

I always wondered about that two edge sword, it just seemed so violent. It can cut going in and coming out. Then I thought on how it is used to divide the soul and spirit, and it can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. I had a memory come back to me of when I was young and we would harvest our chickens. My father would rock the chicken asleep by placing its head under its wing. Then he would stretch out its neck on the chopping block, and with a quick wack of the axe he would chop its head off. He would then throw the chicken and us kids had to chase after them. They would run all over the yard and into the fields without their heads. One time we had a chicken bounce up the ladder and onto the roof. I also remember helping my mother pluck the chickens. We would dip them in boiling hot water and then pluck the feathers out. I can remember sitting there and looking at the little dismembered chicken heads. They would blink their eyes and open and close their beaks. These chickens had no idea they were already dead. They ran around really fast with no heads, and opened and closed their eyes and beaks with no heart attached. Then once slaughtered and defeathered my father would finish dressing the chickens. As he removed the inners he would explain the process and the importance of the order. He always took great care in removing the bile duct. Seeing the inside of the crop and gizzard and what it contained was always so fascinating to me. We saw everything and knew that chicken inside and out by the time the harvest was done.

I pondered on how all this applies to spiritual death. The separation of soul and spirit. When you're spiritually dead you can be running around here and there, to and fro, and not even realize you are already dead. Even though the person may appear alive by blinking their eyes and moving their mouths its a lie. There is no way to hide the truth from someone that has eyes that see and knows and understands. The master knows you intimately inside and out. He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart. It is the power of discernment.

How did they get into this condition? Because they turned away from the word of God, his commandments, and kept not their covenants. They lost their souls. The division is so quick and powerful you don't realize that its happened. You cannot hide your condition from the man of the harvest. His house is a house or order, and no unclean thing can live there.

Day 3296

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 5:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 5:13-14
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil."

The subject of the milk and meat of the gospel has been one I have strong feelings over. Years ago, I remember my husband and I being late for Sunday School, so we cut through the gym. On the way we met this brother that took the chance to speak with us about how much he disliked Sunday School. He said he was tired of only getting milk and never being taught the meat of the gospel. I left feeling rather unimpressed by his perceived superiority. I've heard several rants like this over the years and it does nothing but cause my spirit to hurt for them. I think the milk of the gospel is extremely important.

One day I was enjoying eating a bowl of homemade Zuppa Toscana brought over by a neighbor. As I was eating I noticed how every time I dipped my spoon into the milk up came pieces of meat with it. I could not eat the meat unless I had a spoonful of milk. I then reflected on the milk and meat of the gospel and how they go hand in hand.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"
(1 Peter 2:2)

What I love about the verse in Hebrew is that meat comes to those that through experience discern good and evil. If I put that with the verse in Peter it comes by growing on the sincere milk of the word. If you push away the milk you will never understand the meat. Understanding just grows deeper and more sure over time.

Day 1711

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:23
"But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?"

I always find it interesting when I read in the scriptures something I recently experienced. Twice yesterday, I had conversations where perceiving craftiness was the theme. I have decided this is the gift of discernment. One of the greatest of gifts we can possess in these the last days. Without it we can be deceived. This is why it is so desirable to have the spirit always to be with us. For it is by the spirit we can perceive things that otherwise can tempt or deceive.

Day 1568

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:32, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:32, 34
"And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any questions."

This encounter makes me reflect on the different kind of event that happened at our house yesterday. Two men came to our door proselytizing. There was an older man training a younger man. My husband answered the door and had a polite conversation with them. I sat at the computer working but could hear everything, even though they did not know I was there. My husband did well explaining our faith when they asked what he believed. Then an interesting thing happened. This older man's attitude changed. It was like I could feel him came in for the kill. Odd thing to say about another Christian. The spirit immediately left and the man started to contend. I could feel the moment the spirit left our home. That I will not have. If you remove the spirit from being in my home you leave.

I'm sitting in a wheelchair so it's not easy to get up and go to the door. But I had to end this, as I was getting up from my chair I had one goal in mind. I would say, "What is the point here? We both believe in God, but have different views. We just need to end this discussion." I would have wished them a nice day as I closed the door and ended it. Funny how when I finally got to the door I said something totally different. I said very firmly "This has to end now, have a nice day." and then I pulled the door between the two men shut and was done with it. It was curious that the first impression I had was to ask a question. When I got there the spirit shut my mouth from asking it. I hadn't wanted to be so firm. Then I realized to ask a question would have just opened it up for him to contend more. There was no point I won't have contention in my home that makes the spirit flee. My husband told me afterwards he was glad I had done it, because he had been trying to figure out how to end the conversation when it turned like that.

So, I wonder what that has to do with this verse? I'm really not sure. I would certainly think these men are not coming back to ask me any questions. I truly did not feel any desire to discuss things with them, particularly since they made the spirit flee. So I guess the question is why did the scribes dare not to ask the Savior any more questions? Well I think its because they didn't want to know the answer. OK, now I get it. I told my husband that one of the reasons I knew I had to stop the men at the door was because I did not want to hear anything from their mouths that would cast doubt, especially since they had already made the spirit flee. Any words they felt they needed to share by contenting would not be inspired by God. 

Day 1544

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:3
"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the time?"

I cannot tell you how many times yesterday and today I have had a discussion or heard one on discernment and deception. Even the article on President Nelson's talk in the Samoan Islands speaks of it. This is obviously the sign of our times we are living in.

“There are difficult days ahead,” he said. “Please protect your children. Help them to know the Lord and love Him and keep His commandments and be free from the shackles of addiction and bondage.”
“This Church, when restored in its fullness, will prepare the world for the coming of the Lord,” but not before Christ’s followers are persecuted, he said.
“Church members in the Samoan Islands will not be immune from being persecuted,” he said, warning them to “prepare to be persecuted, even every day,” and telling them they have a solemn duty to prepare for it.
“Please protect your families from the deception you will see in your future,” he said. “That’s why we are all busily engaged in this work. We have to fortify our people against attacks of the adversary.”
He told them not to become discouraged. He said God will provide them with revelation, strength and the ability to judge right from wrong."

The danger of these days is not wars, earthquakes, floods or famines, the greatest thing they can do is kill the body. The greatest risk in these latter-days is being deceived. That is the risk to both body and soul. That is my greatest concern. I pray and read and ponder the scriptures in my heart so I will know true doctrine and recognize when the doctrine is false. I have established rules for myself, and strive to keep the spirit always to be with me. There just isn't any other way to get through this.


Day 1520

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 36:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 36:11-12
"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge."

These words are only half truth, in fact in this chapter Elihu speaks one saying after another that just don't sit right. I know God will prosper his people but it does not mean this happens always with material wealth. There is purpose is trials. The wicked do not always see destruction, until they are fully ripe in iniquity. I cannot judge the matter on outward appearances.

I went back to the beginning of this chapter and Elihu even said he had yet to speak on God's behalf.

"Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf."
(Job 36:2)

I have to agree he did not start to speak God's words in the rest of this chapter either.

I reflected that I need to be careful when quoting scriptures. For sometimes words that are not true are recorded, simply so God can instruct upon the false concept later. There is a spirit of discernment needed to understand these things.


Day 1047