Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:11-12, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:11-12, 14
"And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"

The people believed having witnessed Paul healing a man with impotent feet since birth. The problem was they were idol worshippers and accredited it to their gods, and not Jesus Christ. They were ignorant and needed to be taught which Paul did. Then certain Jews persuaded the people to not believe and they stoned Paul and dragged his body out of the city. Thankfully he rose up again. I pondered on how witnessing miracles does not always convert. There must be a change of heart, and a true conversion to Jesus Christ. Repentance and receiving the Holy Ghost as our guide will keep us from being deceived by every wind of doctrine.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
(Ephesians 4:11-14)

Day 4156

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18
"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine."

It's interesting how they twisted things. They thought because they had stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven that was why the sword and famine came upon them. They had not understood it was because they had sinned against the God of Israel and did not repent that those things happened. They didn't follow all that the prophet had told them to do. You can't be half committed and figure you will have blessings. You are either all-in or all-out. Obviously, they were still committed to the queen of heaven and not the God of Israel.

Day 4006

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15
"And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.'

If you didn't read the chapter header you may think Ahaz is doing something good, he's making sacrifices.

"Ahaz reigns in wickedness in Judah—He offers his son in heathen sacrifice—He makes a new altar, destroys the brazen sea, and changes the method for sacrificing in the temple."

Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that he sent to Urijah the priest to make for him. This type of altar was used to worship false gods. With it Ahaz and Urijah set aside the altar of God. They replaced it, and not by the will of God. I can see that being offensive to Him. They are basically turning the God of Israel aside and rejecting Him. Ahaz then makes sacrifice on this replacement altar. After that more changes are made. They alter and destroy the brazen sea, and change the sacrifices. At that point they turned God aside and are worshiping in their own image. The sins and offenses of Israel becomes so great that it leads to no heavenly protection. They are besieged and carried away into Assyria. Only Judah was left. As I reflected on this it made me ponder apostasy. It can be slippery at first. Thinking this improvement or that change needs to be made. Until you've designed yourself a different God. We are not at liberty to alter the ordinances of God. A king had no authority to change the ordinances. Urijah was appeasing a king instead of doing God's work. At that point you've lost your way.

Day 3854

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: 2 John 1:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."

This made me think of how its only Tuesday and twice now this week I have had friends tell me stories of how they were approached from seemingly "good" members that are delving into really strange things, and tried to make them join too. As I listened all I could think of is how ignorant these individuals were of what lessons are learned from the Old and New Testaments. God warned his people over and over to not get involved in worshipping these false gods. It's littered with needing to destroy their groves were they worshipped. Just like the early church Satan is working overtime to destroy, and we have to be so careful. Ultimately, Satan did win and the apostasy overcame the primitive church. The difference is this time the entire church will not apostatize, but that doesn't mean everyone survives. We have had warnings in our day.

"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, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:7-9)

When someone says they have knowledge to share and it sounds nothing like you've been taught in church you need to do as the Lord advised.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

If they have not been called by the proper authority and have stewardship over this, then its best to run.

“Let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. …
“Perhaps most damningly, they deny Christ’s Resurrection and Atonement, arguing that no God can save us. They reject the need for a Savior. In short, these detractors attempt to reinterpret the doctrines of the Church to fit their own preconceived views, and in the process deny Christ and His messianic role.”
(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3324

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 19:26-27, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 19:26-27, 34

"Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

Paul's conversion of the Ephesus affected the livelihoods of those that made idols and profited from those that worshiped Diana. Paul wanted to go into the theater at Ephesus and speak to them but was persuaded not to. For two hours the people cried "Great is Diana of the Ephesians". This made me ponder on where is that theater and those that worshiped Diana today? They are all gone. Yet, the name of Jesus Christ lives on, and people still worship Him.

Day 3196

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 4:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 4:7

"And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

I find this so interesting because I quoted a very similar verse to a few others today. It is revelation given to Joseph Smith in being able to identify if someone is of God or has given the adversary power.

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

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

Knowing by what authority, and power someone has been ordained makes an absolute difference in how that person should be received when they say they speak for God. I do believe in a living prophet, and that is Russell M. Nelson. He has been ordained by proper priesthood authority and the laying on of hands. He is called of God to be prophet at this time.

I also saw today someone that is an absolute false prophet. They are a political leader that feels they were called like Moses to be a leader at this time. The only thing biblical about this politician is being the embodiment of a false prophet spoken there. I was amazed as I listened to them relate receiving revelation at night, and rising to political power. Parts of it were counterfeit to a story I heard of President Nelson. This politician's god is an unholy god, the adversary himself. How can you mix politics and religion I asked myself? Even Jesus Christ was not a political religious leader. No man is going to set that up for Him. It is so sad to see once good faithful people now being deceived.

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

(Matthew 24:24)

Day 3181

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 2:5, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 2:5, 8

"For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal."

This made me ponder on gratitude and recognizing where all our blessings come from. When we think what we have acquired comes from our own hands, and not from God, we run the risk of running after other gods. Even if that god is ourselves.

Day 3023

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:17-18

"Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?"

Pillows = HEB bands or coverings to the elbows (trappings for magical arts)

Why is it that woman are more apt to get into dark things? They play with things they should not. They are easily deceived into following false gods and play with the occult. I thought about the energy healers, tarot card readers and those that summon the law of attraction. They think they do good and help others with these devices of the devil, but instead they destroy their souls along with those they trap with them. When I would see once good members I knew fall into these things, I felt responsible to warn them. My rule was I would only mention it to them once. I found that warning never worked. Once they were promoting their priestcrafts to others my words meant nothing. I since learned to just hold my peace, and drift away. It may mean I stop following you on Facebook, because I don't want to watch your train wreck. The direction has been reinforced by President Nelson telling us to be peacemakers and not to contend. I figure if I hold my peace maybe someday when they are ready, they may seek me out with ears that will really hear. In the mean time I will pray for you.

Day 2974

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 19:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 19:4

"Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;"

The Lord tells Jeremiah of the destruction he will bring upon this place because of their worship of Baal. The reference to the blood of the innocents is because they sacrifice and eat the flesh of their children. I pondered on how "other gods" doesn't necessarily mean an organized religion. It can be any corrupt belief that is damaging to others, especially children. I pondered on several philosophies of man right now that are damaging to our innocent children, even to the point we mar their flesh. It also made me think of several general conference talks I heard today, about needing to teach our children the doctrine of Christ, and repentance. President Eyring's comment really stood out to me.

"The rising generation will become the nurturers of the generation to follow. … the Lord’s kingdom on earth will be prepared and ready to greet Him with shouts of hosanna. There will be peace on earth.”

(President Henry B. Erying, "Finding Personal Peace", Apr 2023 General Conference)

It made me think how the Lord's plan is to prepare a righteous people to receive him. Which is through our raising and preparing them. That Satan has his own plan to raise the most wicked generation. This is the most important battle of humankind, the battle of our souls. We know which side wins. It's a matter of which side we are on.

Day 2923

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 7:9, 18

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 7:9, 18

"Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger."

I pondered on the danger of creating or worshipping a god you know not. This made me think of Elder Renlund's excellent General Conference talk where he spoke of the fabrication some have created of praying to and worshipping a heavenly mother. I have read some of their stuff and they are most intense about what they think they know. I do not share their ranting's and feel it is most dangerous. I feel it is not a coincidence that many false gods mentioned in the scriptures have been feminine. There is a reason why we are to leave this alone.

"Very little has been revealed about Mother in Heaven, but what we do know is summarized in a gospel topic found in our Gospel Library application. Once you have read what is there, you will know everything that I know about the subject. I wish I knew more. You too may still have questions and want to find more answers. Seeking greater understanding is an important part of our spiritual development, but please be cautious. Reason cannot replace revelation.

Speculation will not lead to greater spiritual knowledge, but it can lead us to deception or divert our focus from what has been revealed.

We follow this pattern and direct our worship to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and do not pray to Heavenly Mother.

prophets...authorized to speak on His behalf...do no pronounce doctrines fabricated "of [their] own mind or teach what has not been revealed...Demanding revelation from God is both arrogant and unproductive."

(Dale G. Renlund, "Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny", Apr 2022, General Conference)

Day 2911

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 2:27-28

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 2:27-28

"Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah."

I was thinking about having faith today, and how there is great peace of mind in the midst of what seems like dark days ahead. There is no fear when you trust the Lord. Money, politics, and material things cannot bring peace of mind or comfort in sorrow. If those are your gods then in hard times will they save you?

Day 2906

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 28:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 28:15

"Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:"

The mention of an 'overflowing scourge" made me think of this verse.

"And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.

But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die."

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:30-32)

I was reading in the Old Testament Institute manual and it said,

“The prophet confronts the rulers of Jerusalem with the assertion that their policy and behavior are bringing inevitable ruin. This time the fault is that they have deliberately entered into a covenant to serve, in return for protection, a god or gods other than their own. Death, maweth, is here the god of the underworld, Sheol or hell. Perhaps the Canaanite god of the underworld, Mot, is intended, or the reference may be to the Egyptian Osiris. It was customary for the prophets to speak of the alien deities as lies and falsehood. In contrast to this act of panic by the rulers, Isaiah declares that faith in God is the only secure foundation of Zion’s security, and that his justice and righteousness alone can erect a building that will stand. Those who in fright have sought to secure themselves by worshiping other gods as well, will experience in sheer terror the effects of Yahweh’s decree of destruction.”

(The Interpreter's Bible, 5:317)

This made me ponder on how worshipping anything but the one true God would be worshipping a false god. The worship can come in may forms like thinking you have power over the environment, or enough money or stores will save you from calamities. It is a comfort to me to know worshipping God and standing in holy places we will not be moved.

Day 2866

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 145:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 145:18

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."

I wondered how you could not call upon the Lord in truth? Then I thought of Elder Renlund's General Conference talk, and in particular this part.

"A third element of the framework is that personal revelation will be in harmony with the commandments of God and the covenants we have made with Him. Consider a prayer that goes something like this: “Heavenly Father, Church services are boring. May I worship Thee on the Sabbath in the mountains or on the beach? May I be excused from going to church and partaking of the sacrament but still have the promised blessings of keeping the Sabbath day holy?” In response to such a prayer, we can anticipate God’s response: “My child, I have already revealed my will regarding the Sabbath day.”

When we ask for revelation about something for which God has already given clear direction, we open ourselves up to misinterpreting our feelings and hearing what we want to hear. A man once told me about his struggles to stabilize his family’s financial situation. He had the idea to embezzle funds as a solution, prayed about it, and felt he had received affirmative revelation to do so. I knew he had been deceived because he sought revelation contrary to a commandment of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith warned, “Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit, when they think they have the Spirit of God.”

(Elder Dale G. Renlund, "A Framework for Personal Revelation", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2782

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 25:14, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 25:14, 25

"Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?"

Amaziah follows the words of a prophet in order to win a battle. Then he turns around and takes the fallen's false gods and worships them. The words of the prophet to Amaziah are so inspired. Why would someone worship the gods of those that were destroyed by the hand of the Lord? Yet, there are people that do the same thing today without realizing it. The answer is in the second verse.

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart."

OR wholeheartedly. When we are not totally committed to the Lord we can go through the motions but cleave unto the false gods of man and not bat an eye. When you try to serve two masters the battle is already lost because the heart is not true.

Day 2551

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:10, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:10, 14

"And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.

And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar."

Ahaz has a priest build an altar like he saw in Damascus. Then when he returns he put aside the brasen altar of the Lord and replaces it with his own. He changes other things that had been established by the Lord. Not only is it sad to see the house of the Lord defiled, but it's sad that a priest would listen to a man and change these things. I suppose man can only serve one master and this group has chosen a different one than who's house it is. It made me ponder on how easily we can set aside the Lord and replace Him with things of the world. It takes effort and thought to be faithful. It shows where our heart is.

Day 2488

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 14:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 14:3

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did."

When I read this chapter being told Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord didn't make sense, since he seemed to go off course. He didn't take away the high places, which means the people were still worshipping idols or false gods. He makes war with others and doesn't listen to Joash's warning. Then I realized it because you can appear to do what is right on the outside but your heart and intent can make it bad. You can be two-faced.

Day 2486