Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13
"Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me."

I thought about how the Lord is hastening his work. That the days are shortened for our sakes.

"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened."
(Matthew 24:22)

This made me ponder on how I am part of the Lord's work, not only is He shortening the days for me, He's also hastening to deliver and help me when I call.

Day 3916

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16
"I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out."

This reminded me of the principles of self-reliance and the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not enough to help the poor by feeding and clothing them. What is truly needed is a help up so they can provide for themselves, and in turn help others. I love how the "Light the World Giving Machines" have donations that do just that. Chickens are not for people eat. They are to raise and sell eggs, and continue to replenish their flocks. Goats are not to eat. They are to raise and start a business to sell milk and cheese. There are seeds to grow crops to feed themselves and begin a business. Helping people to sustain themselves and their families effects generations.

Find a location near you. 

Day 3898

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 20:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 20:26-27
"And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and forever; and I will govern him no more—
And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee. For the king was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them."

I pondered on how hearts are changed when you show care and love towards others. It was Ammon's love for Lamoni that softened the kings heart. He asked nothing for himself, but only to defend and help his friends. It reminded me of how important it is to be a peacemaker too.

Day 3464

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3-4
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

I have heard those that don't believe in God speak of fear of where things are possibly headed. Yet, they don't want you speak of how God's arms are stretched out still to them. There is comfort, peace, help and a refuge for God's people even in the midst of a storm.

"For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:10)

"For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead."
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:36)

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-67)

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 3391

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 5:22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 5:22
"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure."

I really liked this quote from John Taylor. Basically, I don't withhold relief from those that suffer because I don't like the flavor of their sins. Helping someone doesn't mean I partake in their sins, or they tainted me in anyway because I showed them charity and compassion.

"Treat all men kindly, no matter who they may be—whether they are insiders or outsiders, or apostates, or anybody else—treat everybody kindly. But do not be partakers of the practices of the wicked. Do not mix up with the corrupt and evil. If they are hungry, feed them; if they are naked clothe them; if they are sick, administer to them; but do not associate with them in their abominations and their corruptions. Come out from the world and be ye separate, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord, and let “Holiness to the Lord" be written in every heart; and let us all feel that we are for Zion and for God and His Kingdom, and for those principles that will elevate us in time and throughout the eternities that are to come."
(John Taylor, "The Gathering", JD 26:66)

Day 3283

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:9

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

Door = Colossians 4:3

"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:"

Effectual = GR energetic, efficient

I pondered on how when the mysteries of Christ are spoken, or the prophets speak, that adversaries will gather. Satan was doing all that he could to destroy this primitive Church of Christ. Satan is doing all he can to destroy it today. As I pondered over this chapter I see that Paul has the same counsel that President Nelson gives us today. He wants them to accepting, conduct in peace, be watchful, stand fast in faith, be strong, have charity, help and to labor.

Day 3237

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: Psalms 146:3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 146:3, 5

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:"

I was reminded today about what sorry consequences can befall someone that has left the church. Once they separated themselves how even in their need they cannot bring themselves to ask for help. How do you ask for help when all you have done is talk against the very people and their God that would help you? Trusting in the arm of flesh will let you down.

Day 2783

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 121:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 121:1

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

This made me think of the temple and the angels that have charge over us as we leave there.

"And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 109:22)

I pondered on the strength I receive for going to the temple. Then I thought of President Nelson and the promised blessings mentioned this recent general conference from attending the temple.

"We rejoice that more temples are being built across the world. With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary."

(Russell M. Nelson, "What is True?", Oct 2022 General Conference)

"Spend more time in the temple, and seek to understand how the temple teaches you to rise above this fallen world."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

"I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Focus on the Temple", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2758

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:13, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:13, 23

"Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."

I found so many verses in this chapter that applied to what transpired today. I even had someone quote me a different verse. Interesting how that works out. I chose these two verses as a recap of what I felt today. I felt protected and watched over. I marveled at the timing of different events that had taken place. They built upon each other to build a strong case against someone that tried to cause great harm. I really do marvel at how things have turned out. The Lord has truly helped me. Someone trying to cause harm has actually brought great healing to others, because they failed.

Day 2755

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 15:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 15:10-11

"Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

I pondered on how I have never experienced grief for helping someone in need. I've only experienced it when I haven't helped as I knew I should.

Day 2327