Today's Favorite Verse: James 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: James 5:7
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

This verse made me ponder on the wheat and the tares. I guess I had always thought more on the tares. How by their wickedness the tares would be plucked up and thrown into the fire. This made me think of how the Lord is waiting for the wheat to be fully matured and ready. What determines the harvest is that the wheat is finally ready.

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:
But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
(Doctrine and Covenants 86:1, 6-7)

"Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:65)




Day 1724

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately on the parable of the ten virgins and have really come to feel I am seeing it happen right now. It grieves me to see saints being lead away by the false doctrine of men, and a spirit of apathy in doing what the prophet has counseled, in particular reading the scriptures daily with their families. They will not have oil in their lamps when they need it the most, which is actually right now in the day we are living.

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived - verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57)

I wish I had saved the link to a post I read this morning. A mother related how she told the story of Noah and the ark to her child, and the little one asked "What happened to all the children?" The mother replied "Their parents didn't make sure they were on the boat." Isn't that just the saddest thought! I had never pictured little children dying in the flood due to the foolishness of their parents. It's made me think of that comment all day long. Right now if we are not doing everything in our power our children won't get on the boat. They won't know to put oil in their lamps or even have one. At the very least we should do what the prophet asked for them.



Day 1682

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 8:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 8:10
"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

I pondered how merciful the Lord is to speak in parables. I am not accountable for what I do not understand, when I am trying to. The beauty of the gospel is to learn line upon line, precept upon precept as I am ready to receive. The only condemnation comes when I am not even trying to learn or understand. I have loved these moments when understanding comes. The combination of personal experiences and other scriptures have made the parable take on new meaning. I can be months from the experience or scripture verse when reading the parable again makes it suddenly become clear. There are times I read a parable and see something, then come back later and see more. There is beautiful depth and simplicity in the parables. Something for all, even when just grasping the message on the surface. The practice of what is learned is what makes us better. Whatever I understand is what the spirit wanted to teach me. It doesn't matter the depth. I have learned to be very patient with myself in understanding. There isn't a quiz at the end and the one with all the answers wins. The Lord wants all to win if we just open our hearts and seek for understanding. The spirit will help us along the way as we ponder them in our hearts and seek to live up to what has been given..

Day 1556

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 17:2, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 17:2, 12
"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the King of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;"

I pondered on the Lord's use of parables throughout the scriptures. That those that have eyes to see and ears to hear will understand them. In this chapter He knows they are rebellious so he gives part of the meaning. These are keys to understanding the full meaning if they would just ponder on it. I think it is through the act of pondering on the words of God that the spirit has the chance to testify and instruct. The Lord was trying to get the rebellious to open that door.

Day 1394