Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

When life is over that is the conclusion. Did we fear, or as I think of it, love God and keep his commandments. God will be the final judge on it. Nothing in our life is hidden from Him. He know all our little secrets, whether they are full of good acts or favorite sins we chose to not wash away.

Day 3966

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:11
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

If man was immediately punished after committing sin or evil works then man would learn to not commit sin simply to not be punished. Instead there is time for justice to seek his work. Time is given for man to repent on his own. Time for remorse and a mighty change of heart. Time to come to know the Lord. Those that learn no lesson will find justice served one day.

Day 3965

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:13
"Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished."

When we stop learning or being willing to change we soon grow foolish. We are to become as a little child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, otherwise we cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 18:4)

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
(Mark 10:15)

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."
(Mosiah 3:19)

"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."
(3 Nephi 9:22)

Day 3964

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

I don't always know where to find specific verses in the scriptures, so it always makes me happy when I come upon the familiar, especially when songs. I had to go listen to The Byrds "Turn! Turn! Turn!". That song was on the radio a lot when I was growing up. It helped me understand at an early again there would be seasons to my life. As I have gotten older I understand there is even purpose in the wicked among us. Even now they are fulfilling prophesy to all that was foretold before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Day 3963

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

This is the sum of our quest in life. I am so grateful to know that fearing God, is loving Him. To keep His commandments is to have his protection. These are not hard things to live by.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, godly fear dispels mortal fears. It even subdues the haunting concern that we never can be good enough spiritually and never will measure up to the Lord’s requirements and expectations. In truth, we cannot be good enough or measure up relying solely upon our own capacity and performance. Our works and desires alone do not and cannot save us. “After all we can do” we are made whole only through the mercy and grace available through the Savior’s infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice. Certainly, “we believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel”  

Godly fear is loving and trusting in Him. As we fear God more completely, we love Him more perfectly. And “perfect love casteth out all fear”. I promise the bright light of godly fear will chase away the dark shadows of mortal fears as we look to the Savior, build upon Him as our foundation, and press forward on His covenant path with consecrated commitment."

(David A. Bednar, "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears", Apr 2015 General Conference)

Day 2830

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

We never know the effect we have on others. Plant little seeds or cast bread upon the waters, along the way it will find a home. One day it goes full circle and the influence we had in bringing others to Christ will be shown to us. If not in this life than in the next.

Day 2829

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:8

"He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."

I understand the digging a pit and falling into it. I wasn't sure what breaking the hedge and a serpent bitting you meant. Then I thought about tearing down walls around you, why would you get bit? The walls must be a form of protection. When you remove protection you can get hurt. I'm thinking that if a person can dig a pit for someone else, he can be capable of taking down a wall to harm someone else, but get harmed himself. Couldn't that be like any type of vice like drugs, or breaking covenants. You remove them and you will get bit. Makes me think of people that tear down their spiritual walls of protection to take a break from the gospel. They want to go party and drink. The problem is once you are without protection that great serpent Lucifer can grasp you and never let you go.

Day 2828

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:2

"All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath."

What is universal among all men? That we were born and that we will all die. We will all be brought before God and judged. No man can escape these things. Even though the verdict may not be the same in all cases, the judgment will be just.

"Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye."

(Mosiah 27:31)

"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come."

(Doctrine and Covenants 88:104)

Day 2827

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:8

"There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it."

Do I really not have power to retain the spirit? I thought I could have the spirit always to be with me if I kept from sin. Then I thought of places where the spirit cannot be. I have felt the spirit leave in such cases. I have been in the presence of people that make the spirit leave from the room. I cannot say I've been left alone and to my own devices in such times. For I have been guided in what needed to be done. But, that feeling that you have when the spirit is gone is still there. Not really sure what this all entails but it seems the spirit is never forced to stay because of anything I do. It must be why this verse also connects the spirit leaving a person at death. You cannot force it to stay when it has been commanded to leave.

Day 2826

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

I remember when I was 8 years old and baptized. I had it in my head that I would be perfect and do nothing wrong after it. I wanted to stay clean. The day wasn't even over and I already got in trouble. I was devastated and thought I blew it. It took time to grow and mature and realize I can never be perfect by myself. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth and atoned for my sins. It was a infinite and eternal atonement. One that covered all sins, and helps carry my burdens. I am so grateful for the gift given by my Savior Jesus Christ. Seems such a fitting night to reflect on this.

Day 2825

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 6:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 6:3

"If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he."

If a man have everything, a long life and many children, but he be evil it profits him nothing. It is better that he was stillborn, for at least he would be at rest with God. Does that answer the question of what happens to stillborn children?

Day 2824

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."

I have always liked to go to the temple by myself. I like having time to ponder on the words I hear and the impressions that I have. When I go with others there is more of a tendency to whisper. It can be distracting to me when people are talking to loudly or at inappropriate times. I need the silence found in the temple to feel closer to God, to recharge my batteries and receive light and instruction for my path ahead.

I was trying to find this talk that I enjoyed, it spoke about the need to be more quiet in the temple. That we talked to much. It's been a while and I just can't place it. I did however find this video "The Quiet of the Temple". I loved this comment by Sister Sharon Eubank, “I need the silence of the temple to be able to hear the voice of God.”

Day 2823

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

I could not help but think of what happened yesterday. My son went out to the mailbox and slipped on the icy driveway. We heard his screams and looking outside I immediately thought, "I can't help him up by myself", so I told my husband to come help. But, first I got my walker, not only so I could safely walk out to the ice to help him, but also so he could use it to help pull himself up. Between the walker and my husband and I lifting him under his armpits, we were able to get him to his feet. Then with the injured knee and foot he could use the walker to support himself as he made his way back into the house. From there we could assess the damage, get him crutches to walk with and administer ice and pain meds. He was waited on the rest of the day to give the injuries time to rest. Only time would tell if he needed more attention than that. Thankfully, he is able to walk on it fully today. I am so grateful we were home to hear his cries. In this cold winter weather it would not take long for someone to freeze to death.

There is another type of death that family members can help prevent, and that is spiritual death. Our daily family scripture study not only helps us to grow spiritually, it can prevent spiritual death in each other.

Day 2822

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:5, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:5, 7

"A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"

These are my seasons. There is comfort knowing it is all in the Lord's hands and timing. Before reading my scriptures I happened upon this quote from President Kimball on prayers being answered.

"President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) similarly taught that we must put great effort into our prayers and that we must pray frequently:

Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation?

When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? Your Savior said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ (Rev. 3:20.)“… Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason”

(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 50, "Ether 1-5"); (“Prayer,” New Era, Mar. 1978, 17)

After reading this I actually sat wondering what have I been praying about recently? Was there something I was putting great effort into? Were those prayers being answered? Then I realized, yes there was. It was this whole season I am experiencing. Then immediately I realized, those prayers were being answered. I have been leaving it in the Lord's hands and just the fact I had to sit and think about what was my concern showed that those prayers were being answered. I had peace over the matter each time I left it in his hands and let him carry them.

Day 2821

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 2:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 2:11

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun."

I pondered on our mortal probation. All our labors would be for naught if it didn't bring us closer to God. King Solomon was rich beyond measure and had great wisdom. Yet in the end it meant nothing for he turned his back on God. The wealth and power he had on earth were vanity and fleeting. He could have had the riches of eternity.

Day 2820

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:10

"Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us."

As I have pondered on the frailties of man, his sins and his weaknesses I see that man is the same throughout all time. Doesn't matter what dispensation or period someone lived the natural man is the same. I have also come to see that the spirit never teaches me something new. It is only new to me. This comes into the law of witnesses and how I can understand what I have learned is truth because I will see if confirmed through other talks, scriptures or lessons. Every person that has walked on this earth has the same opportunities for sin and sorrow, pride or humility, happiness or pain. We all will be accounted for how we followed the laws of God, or the light of Christ that would guide us.

Day 2819

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

I pondered on how just these two simple things will bring eternal life. In the scheme of things not much is being asked of me. What it all requires in faith on my end to just do it.

Day 1246

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1
"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

Another way of looking at this is planting seeds that others in turn harvest. One day I will see the effect my life has had on others. Its pleasing when it happens in this life, but even a greater pleasure in the next.

Day 1245

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:12
"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."

What is "swallow up himself"? I think it is for someone to only speak or boast in themselves. So how is the wise man gracious? I pondered on how a wise man is capable of praising someone else solely to encourage and build. They do not tear down another to bring greater praise to themselves.

A few years back I was tired of finding fault in others. I devised a plan to not entertain the thought, but instead find a reason why that person was needed, and God loved them. I looked for their talents and gifts. I also tried really hard to complement others and speak positive encouraging words. It was an interesting experiment I felt a better person for it. It became easier to look for the positive instead of the negative. This is an experiment I think will never end. For there is much to be learned still until my heart it right in the matter.

Day 1244

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with they might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

I was just pondering the other day about how much harder it would be to repent, overcome an addiction, or other issues as a spirit. For I pondered on my trials and all that I have learned from them. If in the next life I have no trials how would I be tested and learn from it? Knowledge and wisdom come from the experiences I gain in this life. Unless I am continuing my work to bring others to Christ, then in the next life there is no other labor for me.

"And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given to us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."
(Alma 34:33)

Day 1243