Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30
"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."

Why would you glory in your infirmities? Then I thought of these words.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
(Ether 12:27)

Through our weaknesses we can become humble. With being humble we can find God's grace and mercy, and our faith can grow. In these we receive strength greater than our own. It is a thing to glory in.

Day 4213

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:9
"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"

I struggled to decide which verse was my favorite in this chapter. I decided on this one because not only have I seen this, it also made me think of something President Nelson said. I just couldn't remember what talk it was in so I spent a lot of time tonight looking for it.

"In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I invite you to remember Jesus Christ. Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would. As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.
At this point you may be thinking that this message would really help someone you know. Perhaps you are hoping that it will help him or her to be nicer to you. I hope it will! But I also hope that you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride or jealousy that prevent you from becoming a peacemaker."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", April 2023 General Conference)

I loved that wisdom in looking at ourselves and not just pointing the finger that someone else needs to do better. It is the same when you think we are more righteous that others, and then we despise or mock those that just sin differently than us. We are all in need of the Lord's mercy and grace, and we need to in turn give it to others. The world seems to be losing it's humanity. It all just makes me really sad.

Day 4115

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

It has only been more recently that I saw these verses a little differently. I used to think I would always stand with Israel, why would you not? Then with more recent events I realized what I think is happening is not always what is happening. There might be real reasons all the nations come against Jerusalem. Their leaders may behave politically really badly. They may be causing world wide unrest. Why would the Lord then destroy all those nations? Well it could be wickedness in them too. I think more likely though, that in the midst of Jerusalem being destroyed a miracle needs to happen. The Lord appears, showing mercy to them. They will recognize the hands, feet and side that were pierced because their fathers crucified the God of Israel. They will come to know Jesus is the Christ and mourn and repent.

Day 4051

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Before reading in the Old Testament I was reading in the Book of Mormon, where Jesus Christ appears to the Nephites after his resurrection. He gives to them what was taught on the Sermon on the Mount. The part on mercy stood out to me, as it does now in reading Hosea. How grateful I am for mercy.

"And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
(3 Nephi 12:7)

“Mercy is not showered [indiscriminately] upon mankind, except in the general sense that it is manifest in the creation and peopling of the earth and in the granting of immortality to all men as a free gift. Rather, mercy is granted (because of the grace, love, and condescension of God), as it is with all blessings, to those who comply with the law upon which its receipt is predicated. That law is the law of righteousness; those who sow righteousness, reap mercy. There is no promise of mercy to the wicked; rather, as stated in the Ten Commandments, the Lord promises to show mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keep his commandments.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 484.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The Ministry of Hosea: A Call to Faithfulness (Hosea)", (10-31)

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)

"And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;"
(Daniel 9:4)

"Behold, I, the Lord, am merciful and will bless them, and they shall enter into the joy of these things. Even so. Amen."
(Doctrine and Covenants 70:18)

Day 4034

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 86:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 86:15
"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

I reflected on how Jesus Christ embodied all of these characteristic when he came to earth. How He is the same same yesterday, today and forever.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
(Hebrews 13:8)

"For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him."
(1 Nephi 10:18)

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
(2 Nephi 27:23)

"And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever."
(2 Nephi 29:9)

"For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?"
(Mormon 9:9)

"And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men."
(Moroni 10:19)

Day 3931

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 34:18-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 34:18-21
"Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening."

This made me think of our family prayer tonight and praying for all our loved ones in the path of this terrible hurricane. And all those still trying to recover from the last one. I thought of all the humble people praying in their homes this night for the Lord's mercy and protection. Our prayers will continue morning, noon and night for all of them.

Day 3478

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 26:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 26:20-21
"Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent."

There is a purpose in sin when we repent. When we feel God's mercy, forgiveness and redeeming love our hearts are forever bound to Him. We are willing to submit to His will, and be an instrument for good in bringing others to Him. We rejoice in His amazing grace.

Day 3470

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:5
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts."

Before I was reading this I was reading in Exodus 9 and 10 and noticed the footnotes. Every time it said "And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" in the footnote it is corrected and says "And Pharaoh hardened his heart". At one point Moses is told "for he hath hardened his heart, and the hearts of his servants, therefore I will show these my signs before him;" (JST Ex. 10:1) The Lord God does not harden his heart against his children. His arms of mercy are always extended towards us if we will repent. It is man that will harden his heart against God. Pharaoh was given every opportunity to repent and soften his heart. Sometimes we pass through hard things before we are humble enough to do it.

Day 3410

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

I pondered on how trials come to both the wicked and the righteous. As I thought about being a partaker of Christ's suffering I reflected on his atoning sacrifice. That sacrifice was not just for my sins, it was to also succor me in all my pains and grief. To afford me mercy and grace. His glory being revealed is when he carries me through all those fiery darts of the adversary and restores my soul. I am glad, and there is joy.

Day 3314

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 5:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 5:8
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;"

I wondered "Have I learned obedience by the things I have suffered?" The answer would have to be yes. The only way I have come through my trials and suffering is to turn to the Father and the Son. For His grace and mercy have strengthened me. When you experience that, and come to know Him, you want to follow him. That does bring a desire for greater obedience to His will. To love Him is to follow Him.

Day 3297

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

I can appreciate what Paul is saying but I cannot go to the depths of glorying or taking pleasure in my infirmities. Maybe in time I can, but for now I am satisfied to appreciate my trials and what I have learned from them. I have come to see "enduring to the end" as the best part of the gospel. Where we come to have a personal relationship with the Lord as we walk with him through the fire. How he makes me strong when I am weak. How He teaches me patience and trust that all will be overcome through His mercy, and according to His will and time.

Day 3249

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:2-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:2-4

"O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."

Habakkuk wants to know why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Why God allows those that are wicked to overcome his people. I think that is a question everyone has asked at times. I was reminded today of a difficult period in my life and after thirty-plus years I see it in a different light. I can see what I learned and how it marked my path. How I learned to rely on God and his grace and mercy offered me. Sometimes we are just so close to the pain and injustice we don't realize how the Lord is molding us into what he needs us to be. The master's hands are upon us the whole time. We do not pass through it alone.

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."

(Doctrine and Covenants 122:7)

Day 3063

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:8, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:8, 12

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth."

I pondered on how verse 12 doesn't change verse 8. No matter how how full of violence, lies and deceit someone is we are still required to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. We never know when someone will change. We never know when we are called to forgive and let them start a new. Even if they never change we can't let them change us for the worse.

Day 3058

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:4

"Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?"

It's interesting to see that Jonah was angry with God for showing mercy to the people of Nineveh when they repented. Yet, the Lord could have just as well left Jonah in the belly of the fish for his sins. He wanted to see others punished for their sins, but forgot the mercy God had shown Him. Does it do well to be angry? No, because you lose sight of what is important and don't see things that you should see.

Day 3052

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 24:14, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 24:14, 16

"I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. "

That's an absolute promise. In this chapter Ezekiel is given the parable of the boiling pot. It's not a pretty sight. It's another descriptive way to warn the people of what is coming for their wickedness. Then Ezekiel is told that the desire of his eye, his wife will die. He was not to mourn or weep. This lack of ability to mourn would be like the people when their dearest object, the temple is destroyed. They will just pine away. From the description it sounds like they are deeply depressed and unable to mourn. It's a very sad chapter. In a way I wondered if one of the reasons Ezekiel's wife is taken is so she wouldn't have to witness the absolute destruction of Jerusalem and its people. In a small way that is a tender mercy.

Day 2985

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 46:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 46:28

"Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished."

This made me think of the scripture where the Lord's hands are stretched out still. Even though this remnant of Judah and Jerusalem did not listen to Jeremiah, and went where they should not have gone, the Lord is promising to preserve a remnant of them. They will face correction and be punished, but with mercy some will survive.

"Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

(2 Nephi 15:25)

Day 2950

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:1, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:1, 9

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."

Been a really hard week, with things I simply could not settle because I had no control over them. Yet, I was feeling angry at those causing the issue. I knew it wasn't right and I couldn't get out of these chains that held me bound. What I needed was divine intervention and that meant going to the house of the Lord. I decided to go at my very favorite time, and do my very favorite ordinance. I felt like I had come home.

The very first thing I did was put the names of those at the root of the issue on the prayer roll. It seemed the moment I did that I left the problem at the door. Now I could pray that all our hearts would be softened and resolution could come. I was so glad I went to temple, where hope and peace could be restored to me, and greater insight could be gained. I didn't know how resolutions would come but I knew that they would.

I wasn't home more than an hour and the mail came. I opened a thick envelopment to find an accident insurance claim check inside. I had never counted on seeing that money. Now that I had it in hand I had the means to offer it to solve one outstanding issue. I told the party I would worry about being paid back later, but at least we could have this part resolved.

Then another party told me they received a phone call and in that call some decisions were made that showed mercy to another. That meant two issues were now starting to find resolutions. I can't be greedy and expect all issues solved within a day, even though I know God could do it. Everyone still has their free agency and regardless of promptings and needs they can choose to be difficult. What I do know is I go to bed tonight being grateful I went to the house of the Lord today. I poured my heart out to God, and He opened the doors to bring some relief.

Day 2759

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:1

"I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications."

This made me ponder on how would I describe what this means? There are two different ways someone could take its meaning. I think the difference is between feeling entitled or gratitude. With entitlement you love someone because they did what you wanted. With gratitude the love was already there without conditions. You're acknowledging the mercy and grace extended to you, and that endures them to you all the more.

Day 2753

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:8

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."

I thought about how grateful I am these are attributes of God. The slow to anger truly does show how gracious and merciful He is. He has given me time to realize my mistakes and repent of them.

Day 2740

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 86:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 86:15

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

I pondered on how these are attributes of Christ, and how grateful I am for them. I want Him to show compassion and mercy towards me. I need his grace and longsuffering to bear with me as I grow. I need His words of truth that will direct my life. Then I pondered on how I am to become like Him, and follow the example he set. These are the attributes I need to develop when I am working with others.

Day 2723