Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:4-5
"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

I want to be one that flees when a stranger tries to make me follow. I don't want to stray from the Lord, but always know His voice and follow Him. I pondered on several experiences I have had when I had to flee. When the Spirit whispered "That's a priestcraft don't follow them.", "Throw that book away!", "That is a false preacher, turn that video off!", "He is lukewarm, spit him out." I don't ever want to lose the ability to hear that warning voice.

Day 4131

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28
"And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?"

This is something the chief priests, scribes and elders asked of Jesus. Now in this chapter Jesus did not tell them by what authority, because he wanted them to answer him first on if the baptism of John was from heaven or men. The scribes could not say, because they feared either option. In doing so neither would Jesus tell them.

I pondered on how their question was a good one, and similar to a question the Lord would have us ask when faced with false spirits, false teachers, and hypocrites. It is important to know if those trying to lead us actually have the authority and have been ordained to do so.

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

Day 4092

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:12, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:12, 16

"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Paul is speaking to the Church members who are straying because they are listening to false teachers. One issue was those that were Jews telling the Gentile converts they needed to practice the dead law of Moses, and the ritual of circumcision. I noticed that whenever I hear that discussion I remove myself from it. I feel it's a dead law and concern, and can just move on. This time I stopped. The thought I had is that today we may not have these discussions between church members, but it's very possible this discussion may return. What about the Jews of today that convert to the gospel of Jesus Christ? The situation then will be in reverse. Also the restoration of the gospel is on-going. What may change in the future that will cause us to pause like the early church members? The lesson is so important, we live by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by outward signs and rituals in what was once dead laws. Policies, procedures, traditions and culture may vary or change but not the requirement for faith in Jesus Christ universal to us all.

Day 3252