Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17
"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

This reminds me of Ammon in the Book of Mormon, as he rejoiced in their labors among the Lamanites and how many souls had come to Christ. His brother Aaron rebuked him saying, "I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." Ammon says he boasted of my God.

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
(Alma 26:11-12)

Day 4212

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

This chapter reminds me of fast offerings, where we skip two meals and give the cost of it to the Lord. Fast offerings are gathered the first Sunday of the month, then distributed to those in need. I truly love to hear of all the ways the church uses our fast offerings. When I was first married I really didn't know how much to give. Was the cost of the two meals a bowl of soup or oatmeal? Sometimes that was what I gave especially when I included all the members of the family. Then I heard a bishop talk on this and he mentioned he used the price of eating out as his guide. I embraced that idea and over time included the cost of better restaurants. What a difference this more generous fast offering has made in our lives. I'm sure it has blessed others, but all I can compare is my life. Between paying tithing and a generous fast offering we have sufficient for our needs.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Day 4211

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Paul is speaking of the condescension of God. Where Jesus Christ voluntarily stepped down from His high, divine glory and status to enter human mortality and experience life, suffering and death with humility. Jesus descended to face the most extreme humiliation and suffering that mortality could inflict. He had the riches of the eternities yet he came to earth to be born of a women in a stable and lay in a manger. At the end he had nothing as in riches but he raised to eternal glory. His gifts of atonement and resurrection enabled us all to have eternal life.

Day 4210

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."

Why would godly sorrow cause revenge? Out of everything Paul listed as being the result of repentance with godly sorrow, why would revenge be amongst them?

Today's definition: Revenge is the act of retaliating against a person or group to get even for a real or perceived wrong. A desire for retribution or vengeance, often driven by anger, a need to restore honor, or a "bitter desire to injure another".

That sure didn't sound like what Paul was referring to, nor praising the saint for. I could see restore honor, but now I wonder if it could be a translation issue? I decided to search online for the meaning of revenge and learned that the word translated as "revenge" in the King James Version (KJV) means vindication, justice, or the punishment of wrong, rather than personal malice or spite.

Vindication would show the church proved itself innocent and serious about following God's commands. It cleared its name through proper church discipline. Paul was commending them for taking serious action against unrepentant sin in the community. The church disciplined the wrongdoer, removed complicity, and restored moral and spiritual order. Now that I can understand.

Day 4209

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

This makes me think of opposites. In particular the reason Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden. She would know from her own experience good from evil, pleasure and pain, sickness and health, trials and hardships and the joy of redemption.

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
(Genesis 2:16-17)

After they were removed from the garden they earned bread by the sweat of their brow, and gave birth to children with all its highs and lows. Through the living of life they came to know you can have sorrow and yet rejoice. You can have nothing but yet have everything. What more can you want then to be redeemed and have eternal life.

"And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters."
(Moses 5:9-12)

Day 4208

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

With faith it matters not what you can see with your eyes, or hear with your ears. What matters is having the Holy Ghost testify of Christ and his words and promises. We all start with faith believing and move forward, trusting in Christ. We find that He will carry out burdens if we humbly let him. Over time it matters not that we see or hear Him, for we know He is there. Having this witness and the profound assurance the Spirit brings, we have eyes that see, and ears that hear, that know and understand.

Day 4207

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

How can you look at things that are not seen? I asked myself that and realized I do that all the time. I look forward with hope and faith in an eternal life with my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to promised blessings and hope of better days. The lens I view life here is tinted with the colors of eternity.

Day 4206

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11
"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

Paul is speaking of the law of Moses being done away. It was glorious but even more glorious the time they lived where Jesus Christ had fulfilled the law. It made me ponder on the time I live in. In the not to distance future we will live a new way with Jesus Christ's second coming. I have no idea what the millennium will look like, but things will only get more glorious.

Day 4205

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

This made me think of those that were wayward and apostatized and left the church. Doing much harm and damage to the church with lies and intrigues. Then their eyes are opened and they come back. We must have open arms to all that come back. We must embrace and love them as our brothers and sisters. Even if they never come back, especially with our family members, we must always love them.

Day 4204

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

Paul was anointed and sealed an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today, I listened to another apostle of the Lord speak of receiving the "Holy Spirit of Promise". That even though we participate in ordinances they are not ratified until we received this sealing. I look forward to reading and studying Elder Bednar's talk in the coming days.

“The covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity” to receive divine purpose, direction and strength in life. Faithfulness keeps these credentials valid to receive the promised blessings.
The Holy Ghost is described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies the righteous acts of God’s children as acceptable to Him. “When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven.” During mortality, that seal is conditional and can be forfeited through unrighteousness."
“Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.”
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4203

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all your things be done with charity."

Charity has really been standing out to me the past few days. After today's sessions of General Conference I was talking to the family about charity too. We had a discussion on how at the end of the Nephite civilization Mormon and Moroni speak of charity. I think the message was especially important because the people had lost it. I feel like I'm seeing charity die in our society too. All the more for us to obtain it so we can be found worthy when Christ comes again.

Day 4202

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41
"There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory."

There is knowledge of the degrees of glory in the New Testament. I've known this since childhood, I've read about it in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Though it is a foreign concepts to other faiths. The highest degree of glory is the celestial glory, it is as the glory of the sun. Those that dwell there are in the presence of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The sun has and gives off its own light. The next degree is terrestrial, which is the glory of the moon. The terrestrial glory is borrowed or reflected light from the sun. Those that reside there will enjoy the presence of the Son and the Holy Ghost. The only reason these individuals are not celestial is because they were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus.They were blinded by the craftiness of men. They receive glory but not the fulness of the Father. We cannot live on borrowed light we must have our own testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel.

The last degree of glory that Paul doesn't give by name is telestial glory. It is the lessor glory, the glory of the stars. They didn't receive the gospel of Christ, nor a testimony of him. They will only receive the presence of the Holy Spirit through the ministering of those terrestrial. I think of telestial glory as those that receive the world as we live in, but with all the good people removed. They will have an eternity to try to find some comfort in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Something they could have learned while living in this world. That is not a place I want to be.

It isn't immediately after death that people receive their eternal glory. There is a time after death and before resurrection where those that had never heard of Jesus Christ can be taught. Everyone will have fair opportunity before they stand at final judgment before the Lord. It is only after this judgment that our fate is sealed and our eternal reward is given us.

Day 4201

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

Covet - IE be eager, zealous

We are to covet and be eager to prophesy, yet I will never have a prophesy for the entire church. Not even my local ward. That is not my purview, or runway. That made me think of the times I was impressed on specific things happening in my life or the lives of my family that I needed to prepare for. That is the spirit of prophesy, even if it is only something the spirit instructed me about, and I told it to no one else. Such times when this has happened it has made my faith even stronger. I can see how prophesy is for those that believe.

Day 4200

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"

This made me think of a conversation I had a while back. A person was telling me of an interaction that had with someone I knew. They were very disheartened and disappointed because as they said, "They have no compassion." My friend explained how this person lumped everyone from a different culture in a bad light. They also appeared to rejoice in the taking away of benefits that helped support those in need. Reading about charity I see they fit many of the descriptions of someone without it. They were not kind, thought evil of others, and preferred their own. I can see how charity and compassion go hand in hand.

What I had reminded my friend of is the second great commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:39) The Lord did not say only love these people and not those. He said to love our neighbors. The great commandment Jesus was teaching was charity.

Day 4199

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

One body has many member that make up the whole, there is need for every member. So is there need for every member that makes up the body of the church. Some are given one gift and some another. Every gift is needful. So are the diversity of callings within the members. Not everyone can teach for who would be the student. If everyone spoke in tongues who would be the interpreter. The same with needing apostles, and prophets. There is order in the Lord's house and he calls and qualifies whom He will. I am so grateful for all the prophets and apostles and cannot wait to sit at their feet and learn this general conference weekend.

Day 4198

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

I reflected on how partaking of the sacrament is a very serious thing. We need to judge ourselves and repent to be worthy. Of course, sins of a serious nature need to be confessed and worked with a Bishop. As I pondered on this I thought about the need for daily repentance. Live your life to always be ready to partake of the sacrament. Then while the sacrament is being passed do more self-examination and self-discernment, so you are ready to renew the covenants with the Lord you have made.

Day 4197

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils."

This verse made me think of this verse on serving two masters.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matthew 6:24) (3 Nephi 13:24)

When the day comes for me to face the Lord I do not want to hear him say.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
(Luke 6:46)

Day 4196

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

Some of the greatest sermons are those done with silent service that go about doing good. When men know your good works they are more willing to listen to what you have to say. They will see with their own eyes the truth. There is nothing worse than a bad example of a member of the church.

Day 4195

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2
"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

Paul goes on to explain that the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols will not hurt them. Idols are nothing in the world. We may know this, but what we may not know is how our actions can hurt those that see if differently. Paul counsels us to not become a stumblingblock to others in their faith. As I pondered on this stumblingbock I thought of various people that were raised in a religion and then for whatever reason left it. To the point they have no faith and mock those that do. Whatever stumblingblock happened in their life to make them lose faith, prevents them from actually hearing the gospel when the opportunity comes. We should never destroy someone's faith, to the point they lose all faith and reject everything. Instead what is needed is to give them an opportunity to grow and learn more, and make the faith they have even stronger.

Day 4194

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8
"For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."

Was Paul married?

"Paul’s words of counsel—“I would that all men were even as I myself” and “It is good for them if they abide even as I”—have led some to mistakenly believe that Paul was unmarried and promoted the celibate lifestyle as being superior to marriage. However, Paul probably was married or had been at some point. Most scholars acknowledge that Paul was either a member of the Jewish ruling body—the Sanhedrin—or a close associate of the group. To comply with the Sanhedrin’s membership requirements, Paul would have had to be married. Even if Paul was simply a representative of the Sanhedrin, he would have been expected to be in harmony with all accepted Jewish customs and therefore be married. In addition, Paul clearly taught the importance of marriage and family life .
Many of Paul’s instructions in this chapter were likely meant to help Church members understand that marriage was appropriately delayed for full-time missionary service. The Joseph Smith Translation supports this conclusion:
“But I speak unto you who are called unto the ministry. For this I say, brethren, the time that remaineth is but short, that ye shall be sent forth unto the ministry. Even they who have wives, shall be as though they had none; for ye are called and chosen to do the Lord’s work. …
“But I would, brethren, that ye magnify your calling. I would have you without carefulness. For he who is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord; therefore he prevaileth.
“But he who is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife; therefore there is a difference, for he is hindered” (Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 32–33 [in the Bible appendix])."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 38:1 Corinthians 1-11")

Day 4193