Today's Favorite Verse: John 13:4-5, 26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: John 13:4-5, 26-27
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him."

Twice Jesus offered service and friendship to Judas at the last supper. Jesus washed all the disciples feet, even Judas'. The dipping and offering of a sop was typically a gesture of kindness and respect when offered by a host to a guest. The other disciples just did not understand all that was said. Judas knew and he also had a chance to change his course of action. Once Judas is gone Jesus gives a new commandment to the rest of the disciples to love one another. Could love given to Judas have changed his heart? Regardless of others actions, we are still to love one another..

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
(John 13:34-35)

Day 4134

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:11-12
"And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—"

Joseph Smith is telling the saints the will of the Lord while in the Liberty jail. They are to gather up a knowledge of the facts of all the loses, sufferings and abuses the saints observed in Missouri. This chapter is one of the reasons the Church History Museum holds the largest collection of anti-Mormon literature in the world. What I pondered on was how this was not only important for them in their time, but this knowledge is also important for us in our day. What struck me is how there was no calls for retaliation or violence. They were to seek for justice in the courts of law, which was not successful. In the end they were driven out of Missouri and found refuge, kindness and compassion shown to them by the residents of Quincy, Illinois. I saw an article "New Sign in Quincy Commemorates Kindness of Residents to Latter-day Saints".

I also pondered on how men are deceived and blinded from truth, because they do not know where to find it. It is so important to know who you are listening to.

Day 3712

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

I wondered what "give place unto wrath" and "heap coals of fire on his head" meant. God will avenge or teach a lesson to those that are our enemies. I imagine you just have to give God space to do what he feels is best, and place it in His hands. Allow God to do what He will and stay out of the way.

Yet, we are called to care for our enemies. Wanting to heaping coals of fire on his head doesn't sound very peaceful, rather revengeful. I sat for the longest time pondering on what that meant. How would my head feel to have heaps of hot coals on top of it. Very hot, very uncomfortable. Then I thought of shame and embarrassment. How red I would turn and feel like my whole face was on fire. The shame and embarrassment that comes by someone being kind when you were terrible to them would be a great teaching moment. Then I realized this is a great thing to give them. Let them be ashamed of their actions and be embarrassed. That awakens them to guilt and the opportunity to repent and mend their ways. That can turn an enemy into an understanding friend.

Day 3217

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 10:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 10:24

"O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing."

I pondered on needing correction. There are times that I appreciated being corrected so I didn't continue is error or ignorance. I especially like to be corrected by someone not angry at me. If the Lord is correcting me I can see it with patience and loving kindness. His judgment is just and in righteousness. This would be something that is good for my soul. Yes, I could say "Lord, correct me."

"I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment."

(Ezekiel 34:16)

"And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness."

(1 Nephi 22:21)

Day 2914

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7

"And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."

Not only was David being kind to the house of Saul. He was honoring a covenant he made with his friend Jonathan. I pondered on how both keeping a promise and showing kindness is what the Lord would want us to do.

" And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul."

(1 Samuel 20:14-17)

Day 2435

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:14
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"

I pondered on this and decided I do to much of this. I need to do better. At least I could chuckle at myself, that it's not with "all things".  Funny how you have categories of pet peeves, I want none. I have to figure out a way to break that habit. With disputings it references contention and strife. Now I will have none of that. I end things quickly if contention appears, for the spirit flees at these times. I am fine letting others think they won the discussion, my opinions are my own. But, what I reflected on was politics and when is discussion right and wrong? There are times to reason things out. I guess the line is when you start to content with others, because no one gets anywhere with it. So I looked at murmuring and see if has the same line, it actually gets you no where. Language must have a useful purpose to improve and not tear down. I guess the things to ask myself is it helpful or kind?

Day 1678

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:10
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"

I have someone that is hard to love with ease. It is a struggle. Today as I was helping and listening to them in my mind came a story, and with it I knew the key to working with them. It was to treat them as a person going through a difficult time, not a person that was trying to be difficult. It was amazing to see how my heart softened towards them, and I could feel genuine love and patience towards them. If I could just remember this always, things would be much better.

I tried really hard to find that story but it escapes me now. I know it was an apostle speaking on advise he was given when first called. He was told that as he visited with others, if he treated them as someone going through a difficult time, that the majority of the time he would be right.

Day 1631