Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 14:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 14:6
"And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done."

I've always been disappointed reading the story of Samson. As I child I thought the story of his long hair giving him strength was so impressive. When I got older and read the story in the bible I saw his flaws, lack of moral integrity and control. The story is so impressive where an angel of the Lord first comes to his mother and then both parents to tell of his birth. He is to be a Nazarite. He could have been such a great spiritual and physical leader for Israel, but to me he failed. Then I couldn't understand how in scriptures it would say "the Spirit of the Lord" came upon him. How? In my quest for understand I found this.

"(23-5) Judges 14:6. If Samson’s Life Was So out of Harmony with God’s Will, How Did He Have the “Spirit of the Lord”?
In the Church today when one speaks of a person having the Spirit of the Lord, he means that he is a spiritual person, that is, he is close to God, has a testimony, demonstrates spiritual power, and so on. And such spiritual power comes only through obedience and righteousness. So, could Samson have had “the Spirit of the Lord come mightily upon him”? That or a similar phrase is used three times in the account of Samson, but in every case it has reference to Samson’s demonstration of great courage and physical strength. Samson’s remarkable strength was a gift of God derived from and sustained by the Nazarite vow he was under. Perhaps when the author of Judges used the phrase “the Spirit of God” he did not use it as one does today, but used it more in the way that one would now use the phrase “spiritual gifts.” One may say of another, “The way he taught the lesson demonstrated that he has a spiritual gift.” Samson’s gift was strength, and each time he used that gift in a remarkable manner, the writer of the scripture gave credit to the Lord, the true source of the gift, by saying “the Spirit of the Lord” came mightily upon him."
(Old Testament Student Manual, "Judges 13-21; Ruth 1-4: The Reign of the Judges, Part 2)

Day 3820

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 3:7
"Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Paul is speaking about the qualification of a bishop. I pondered on the importance of others outside of our faith to hold him in good report. I hadn't really thought of that need. Then I reflected on the great damage some bishops have done when they have fallen by the snare of the devil. Those events have done so much damage not only in the church by outside of it too. For we look like hypocrites when that happens.

Speaking to bishops, President Gordon B. Hinckley identified similar qualifications needed for priesthood leaders in our day:
“You must be men of integrity. You must stand as examples to the congregations over which you preside. You must stand on higher ground so that you can lift others. You must be absolutely honest, for you handle the funds of the Lord. …
“Your goodness must be as an ensign to your people. Your morals must be impeccable. The wiles of the adversary may be held before you because he knows that if he can destroy you, he can injure an entire ward. You must exercise wisdom in all of your relationships lest someone read into your observed actions some taint of moral sin. You cannot succumb to the temptation to read pornographic literature or even in the secrecy of your own chamber to view pornographic films. Your moral strength must be such that if ever you are called upon to sit in judgment on the questionable morals of others, you may do so without personal compromise or embarrassment” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Shepherds of Israel,” Oct 2003 General Conference). (New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 47: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon)

Day 3281

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:3-4

"But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister."

This is a very sad story for what Amnon ended up doing was very wrong. As I reflected on what happened I see the greatest error was listening to a very subtil (cunning and crafty) man, that gave very bad advise. What should have Amnon done with his inappropriate feelings? I think the best would have been to seek counsel from the Lord in prayer, and been willing to do whatever he was told. Even if that meant he should leave his family and go somewhere else were he wouldn't be tempted. He also could have counseled with a priest or his parents. We just have to be so careful of who's advise we are listening to.

Day 2439

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

There are many ways one can defile the body.

Defile = GR spoil, corrupt, deprave.
TG Cleanliness; Filthiness; Holy Ghost, loss of; Pollution; Sacrilege; Uncleanness; Word of Wisdom.

Whatever it is that makes the Holy Ghost unable to reside with me, then that will defile the body. It makes me think of a PG movie I've been looking forward to and has just been released. I really want to see it. After watching the previews I have been debating within myself on watching it. The problem is there's one part that I morally cannot support, and can't sit through. It used to be I could pretty much tell by the rating if it was something I could watch. Not any more, because the standards of morality are so different in society now. By going to the movie I would just be supporting the movie industry in lowering our standards. At least that is what my argument has been. Financial support of what I shouldn't be supporting.

Now, as I read these verses I realize the issue isn't about me supporting the movie industry in immorality. It's about me watching immorality. The spirit would be gone at that point and I can't put myself in that position. If the spirit would be gone then I shouldn't be there either. Already knowing the spirit won't be there makes me not want to be there. I guess I have just solved the moral dilemma I've been having with myself over this. Once again I found the answer to my problem within the scriptures. 

Day 1638