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: 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: Romans 8:35, 38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I pondered on being fully converted to Jesus Christ. This would be the only way, relying on Him, that you could endure all these things and not be separated from him. We can separate ourselves from God by sin. His love for us is always there, but we may have hid it. Enduring to the end is my favorite part of the gospel. It is how we come to know Jesus Christ.

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59:2)

Day 4178

Today's Favorite Verse: John 14:21, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: John 14:21, 23
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

I pondered on how the more you love the Father and the Son the easier it becomes to keep the commandments. You don't have to choose to keep them, you want to keep them.

Day 4135

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: Mark 12:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:30
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

I pondered on the challenge with this commandment. How am I sure that I love God with all my heart and soul? Are there things that I place greater importance on at times? Does my mind wander? It certainly takes all your heart and strength to make sure you place nothing above God. I really appreciate my scripture time when I can evaluate my course and direction, and make corrections are needed.

Day 4093

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

When life is over that is the conclusion. Did we fear, or as I think of it, love God and keep his commandments. God will be the final judge on it. Nothing in our life is hidden from Him. He know all our little secrets, whether they are full of good acts or favorite sins we chose to not wash away.

Day 3966

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:1-2
"I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."

I pondered on why I Iove the Lord. Is it because He listened to me? As I pondered on this I realized that it was having prayers answered that made me realize He was truly there. Once that realization is known I cannot stop from calling on him for the rest of my life.

Day 3941

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9
"If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:"

There were a lot of hard laws given, especially an eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. I am grateful I live in a time that the law of Moses was fulfilled and I live a higher law with a broken heart and contrite spirit. The one law that stays the same is to love the Lord God. Keeping the commandments, and to walk in His ways show that love. That will never change.

Day 3803

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:15-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:15-17
" And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him."

I pondered on how even though Joseph had earlier forgiven his brothers, they had not forgiven themselves. He had told them it was for a purpose.

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life."
(Genesis 45:5)

The hardest part of forgiveness is forgiving yourself. People can tell you that you are forgiven over and over again, but it will not register until God speaks that to your heart and soul. I learned after many years that if you cannot find peace in the matter then make it a matter of fasting and prayer. Then the Lord will say "I love you for who you are today, and you need to forgive that younger version of yourself."

Day 3762

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:14, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:14, 16
"And the Gods said: Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form an help meet for him.
And of the rib which the Gods had taken from man, formed they a woman, and brought her unto the man."

I wish I could recall what I was reading about the creation of Eve. Adam was given Eve as a help meet, it almost sounds like they had no choice. The idea though was as spirits in the pre-existence they would have known each other. Heavenly Father would have known the perfect companion for Adam. They would have been the greatest gift to each other. It would still be a love story for both of them.

Day 3742

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 30:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 30:1
"Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought."

I pondered on fearing man. I thought about how the fear of the Lord is really love and respect for Him, not trembling that you will be punished. You follow Him because you want to be like Him. On that same thread the fear of man could also be our love, respect and worship of a man instead of God. You rely on their wisdom and strength, instead of the Lord being your strength.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
(Proverbs 29:25)

Day 3619

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 12:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 12:8
"And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."

The word that came to mind is hypocrite. To try and assist in God's work without humility, love, faith, hope, charity, temperance or care, one would smell of hypocrisy. I thought of those that have fallen away because they found such among men in the church of God. It is a sad thing and much will fall upon their heads when the Lord judges them. None of us are perfect and have much to work on, but to be lacking in all areas they would be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Day 3601

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 8:24

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 8:24
"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean."

I love this verse, and how I love to wear my beautiful garments. I love the house of the Lord. The covenants I make there strengthen me. I wondered how those that are not a temple going people would understand this verse is Isaiah 52? I also pondered on how there are some that once they have the beautiful garments don't think of them as beautiful and reject them. What a difference it makes, what we love today is what we will take with us on the other side.

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful. "
(Alma 41:10, 12-13)

Day 3379

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 5:3
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

I pondered on "commandments are not grievous", meaning burdensome, or oppressive. Somewhere over the years I have had a change of heart on this. I used to wonder how close can I come to being wicked, without being wicked? Oh, the follies of being a youth.

I've not heard commandments referred to in this manner, but they are joyful to me. Commandments have become a source of protection and offer security. It is an honor to keep them. Like many laws there are reasons for them and those reasons are to keep me and others safe. I'm not going to go swim in the ocean if there is a sign that says "No swimming, shark infested waters". Of course, I have my moments and I am not wise in all the ways commandments can be broken. But, what I do know I am grateful. I know God has patience with me as I repent and try to do better at keeping his commandments. In many ways that continued dialog makes me feel loved and watched over.

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."
(1 John 2:3)

Day 3323

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

I sat and pondered on all the ways that I am showing a love of the world. The conclusion I came to is my love of the world has changed over the years. One little thing that gives me an indication is how I spend my down time. There are movies that I used to love that I just can't watch anymore. I thought about my Facebook posts and how they reflect what is meaningful to me. It's full of my love of the scriptures and news of the church. As I reflected on areas I need to address I found it interesting that my desire to have them has changed too. It's not like you are giving something up, its that you want something better.

The other day I had something happen that I had every opportunity to be angry and lash out. Instead of ranting to others I sat down and had a conversation with God to help me get past it. It really helped. The desire for God's blessings was greater than the world's justice. I think that over everything showed a love of God over the world. It's not just things that are markers, its were you find comfort or even if you want it. Earlier, I would have just relished in a good old rant. Oh, there still are triggers that want to bubble things up but I keep whacking them down like weeds. I want a clean lawn not a wild untamed one.

Day 3320

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.'

Does peace only come if we are perfect? Being perfect is not obtainable in this life. What is obtainable is being made perfect through the atonement of Jesus Christ. When one seeks to repent perfectly, and daily, the heart is more willing to be of one mind and live in peace and love with others.

"Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."

(Deuteronomy 18:13)

I also think Paul was not saying for them to be perfect individually, but being perfectly joined together.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

(1 Corinthians 1:10)

Day 3250

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 reflect on the beauty of forgiveness. I had a bad situation where I was abused, lied to, and stolen from. Each of these individuals I forgave in my heart and turned the situation over to the Lord as he saw fit. I stayed away and did not cause grief or contention. Three of these individuals within the year have asked my forgiveness. It was truly such a wonderful thing, because I had already forgiven them. It was a matter so quick to put to rest, to embrace them and tell them that I forgave and loved them. One having fallen on hard times is now living in the tiny cottage behind my house. Another stops in from time to time. The last I went out to lunch with today because I could tell they were feeling overwhelmed and needed comfort. We had a lovely time chatting with each other. Friends once lost are now found.

“When we take the position of withholding forgiveness from our fellow men, we are attempting to block his progress towards salvation. This position is … not Christlike. We are endeavoring to impede the progress of a living soul and deny him the forgiving blessings of the atonement. This philosophy is saturated with impure motives that are designed to destroy the soul” (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, 2 vols. [1993], 1:314; see also D&C 64:9–11)

Day 3239

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The only one capable of separating us from the love of God is ourselves. Our sins may separate us from his Spirit, but His loves does not cease. Everyone will have the opportunity to hear the gospel message, to accept or reject it. Death does not prevent that from happening if we had no opportunity in the flesh.

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

(Isaiah 59:2)

Day 3213