Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:7-8
"For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."

Was Paul married?

"Paul’s words of counsel—“I would that all men were even as I myself” and “It is good for them if they abide even as I”—have led some to mistakenly believe that Paul was unmarried and promoted the celibate lifestyle as being superior to marriage. However, Paul probably was married or had been at some point. Most scholars acknowledge that Paul was either a member of the Jewish ruling body—the Sanhedrin—or a close associate of the group. To comply with the Sanhedrin’s membership requirements, Paul would have had to be married. Even if Paul was simply a representative of the Sanhedrin, he would have been expected to be in harmony with all accepted Jewish customs and therefore be married. In addition, Paul clearly taught the importance of marriage and family life .
Many of Paul’s instructions in this chapter were likely meant to help Church members understand that marriage was appropriately delayed for full-time missionary service. The Joseph Smith Translation supports this conclusion:
“But I speak unto you who are called unto the ministry. For this I say, brethren, the time that remaineth is but short, that ye shall be sent forth unto the ministry. Even they who have wives, shall be as though they had none; for ye are called and chosen to do the Lord’s work. …
“But I would, brethren, that ye magnify your calling. I would have you without carefulness. For he who is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord; therefore he prevaileth.
“But he who is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife; therefore there is a difference, for he is hindered” (Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 32–33 [in the Bible appendix])."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 38:1 Corinthians 1-11")

Day 4193

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11
"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

I pondered on the times I have seen and listened to a prophet and apostle of God in person. How the spirit would testify of the truthfulness of their words. It would strengthen my faith and anchor it. I imagine for the saints being able to hear Paul would be the same. How blessed I am for the day I live in. With the internet I can hear their words right in my home. I don't have to wait for an apostle to come to my area. I know the great apostasy happened with the early saints, and now with the restoration of the gospel the church as a whole will never fall into apostasy again. I think being able to hear the words of the prophet and apostles so frequently is one of the ways that is possible. We are continually being nourished. It's up to us to feast on it.

Day 4171

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34
"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Paul first warned them of the voyage they were to undertake. They didn't listen. Then he is visited by an angel to encourage and direct him. They then start to listen and finally everyone on the ship is saved. It made me ponder on listening to prophets and apostles. Not listening and following the counsel they are inspired with can put us in peril. We are also entitled to personal revelation for what we have stewardship over. .

Day 4169

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16
"And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;"

I pondered on how the Lord does not appear to man unless there is a purpose. The purpose for Paul was to be a minister and witness of Him. What a powerful testimony it was because Paul as Saul was the complete opposite of who you would have thought to do so. It makes his conversion and testimony all the more powerful.

Day 4168

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26-27
"Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him."

Paul wanted to appeal unto Caesar. While Festus waited king Agrippa came to Caesarea to salute Festus. Learning of Paul he wished to hear him. Festus hoped that from this he would have something to write as a cause against Paul. Each of these situations is providing a way for the Lord's words to be fulfilled.

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
(Act 23:11)

Day 4167

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 23:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 23:11
"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

There were certain Jews that vowed to neither eat or drink until they killed Paul. The chief captain had the soldiers bring him into the castle for his protection. It was that night that the Lord came to him. What must that have felt like for Paul to have confirmation from the Lord himself of how he had testified of Him? The last time the Lord visited him it was on the road to Damascus.

It reminded me of Alma the younger, and how the same angel appeared twice to him. First, when he was with the sons of Mosiah going about to destroy the church. The angel appeared and told him to stop trying to destroy the church or he would be cast off.

"Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.
And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed."
(Mosiah 27:16-17)

The second time the angel appeared it was when Alma was preaching in the city of Ammonihah and had been cast out. Interesting that the messages for both Paul and Alma are to have cheer, and rejoice there is more work to do.

"And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:
Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you."
(Alma 8:14-15)

Day 4165

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 22:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 22:7-8
"And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest."

What must it have been like for Saul to hear the name Jesus of Nazareth. What he heard and comprehended completely changed his course for the remainder of his life. I sat and pondered on it. There must have been a feeling of profound guilt, repentance and forgiveness in one great wave.

Day 4164

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 11, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 11, 13
"And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

I pondered on why Paul still went to Jerusalem when it clearly says by the Spirit he was at least told twice not to go? Did he have a death wish? Then I reflected on how much was gained by Paul actually going to Jerusalem, eventually he testified before king Agrippa. Yes, Paul would suffer, but he was determined to do God's will at whatever cost it meant. That is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.

Day 4163

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 16:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 16:9-10
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them."

Paul is first forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel in Asia. Then when they came to Mysia they were told not to go into Bithyania. When they got to Troas Paul is told by the Holy Ghost that he needed to go to Macedonia. Paul was obedient to all of this and they had success there. They were also thrown into prison. All of this prepared the way for greater things. We do not always know the course we should take but the Lord is ever guiding us.

"While serving a mission in England in 1840, President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98), then one of the Twelve Apostles, was prompted by the Spirit to go to the south of England. Through his efforts and the efforts of others serving with him, about 2,000 people were converted in the area of Herefordshire, Worcester, and Gloucester. Reflecting on this extraordinary period of his life, President Woodruff wrote: “The whole history of this Herefordshire mission shows the importance of listening to the still small voice of God and the revelations of the Holy Ghost. The Lord had a people there prepared for the Gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 91).

Day 4158

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:11-12, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:11-12, 14
"And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"

The people believed having witnessed Paul healing a man with impotent feet since birth. The problem was they were idol worshippers and accredited it to their gods, and not Jesus Christ. They were ignorant and needed to be taught which Paul did. Then certain Jews persuaded the people to not believe and they stoned Paul and dragged his body out of the city. Thankfully he rose up again. I pondered on how witnessing miracles does not always convert. There must be a change of heart, and a true conversion to Jesus Christ. Repentance and receiving the Holy Ghost as our guide will keep us from being deceived by every wind of doctrine.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
(Ephesians 4:11-14)

Day 4156

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 9:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 9:4-6
"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

This made me ponder on judgment day when we will face the Lord. Like Saul, there will be no long speeches for justification for our sins and behaviors. It will be an absolute truth if we are found wanting. Thankfully for Saul he had years ahead of him to repent and be forgiven.

Day 4151

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

This chapter shows Paul was a living example of what Jesus had promised his apostles in Mark 16:18, "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

God works in mysterious ways to testify of his gospel. Paul survives a shipwreck and then is bitten by a viper and feels no effect from it. Then he goes about healing the sick as they are brought to him.

Day 3205

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:3

"Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently."

Paul is speaking to king Agrippa and ask that he be patient with him. Paul tell his conversion story in a manner that king Agrippa could understand. What stood out to me was patience. How important it is to have patience so we can come to a full understanding with someone. Patience truly is a Christlike attribute.

Day 3204

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:9-10

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."

When he mentions the fast is already past the footnote tells us it's the tenth day of the seventh month. The seventh month is October and after Oct 5th you no longer sail because winter is approaching. It's to dangerous to sail. It was not the right season. Paul wasn't just prophesying to them, he was aware of the laws of nature, and God works with them. Sometimes we're told to carry on, but in this case the spirit told Paul what would happen and that is why he warned them not to sail. It made me ponder on how if we are observant and wise to the times and seasons we will stay on safe ground. We do not need to be counseled in all things. But, it's even more important to heed the warnings of prophets and apostles when given.

Day 3203

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26

"Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write."

I learned something new in my study. King Agrippa was Jewish. I thought it was a curiosity that he wanted to hear Paul. Now I understand he had a more knowledge about the issue surrounding Paul, the Jews and Christians.

"Herod Agrippa II (also called Marcus Julius Agrippa) was the seventh and last king in the Jewish Herodian dynasty. He ruled the territory northeast of the Sea of Galilee from about A.D. 55 to 93. He was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who ordered the death of James and imprisoned Peter (see Acts 12:1–4); the grandson of Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded (see Matthew 14:1–12); and the great-grandson of Herod the Great, who ordered the slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:16).Agrippa’s kingdom lay to the north of Festus’s territory. Agrippa and his sister Bernice (whom some believed he was having an incestuous affair with) visited Festus in Caesarea while Paul was imprisoned there. Because Agrippa was a Jew and was therefore more familiar with Jewish affairs than Festus, who was a Roman, Festus hoped that Agrippa could help him understand the accusations against Paul and also help draft his letter to Caesar (see Acts 25:24–27; 26:3).."

(New Testament Study Manual, "Herod Agrippa II", Chapter 34: Acts 21-28)

Day 3202

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 22:14, 25, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 22:14, 25, 28

"And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born."

I pondered on how not only was Paul chosen, he was placed in such a way to be a free born Roman citizen. This would bring him to places to preach the gospel that he never would have lived to see. It is no accident where any of us are placed.

Day 3199

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 9-10, 12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 9-10, 12-13

"And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

I found it interesting that Paul an apostle had disciples, four virgins, a prophet called Agabus and others tell him not to go to Jerusalem. Yet, Paul did not listen to them. I thought about authority and who would have the greater claim to revelation and being inspired on his journeys. It would have been Paul. I thought about how we are not to counsel our leaders. We may think we know better but Paul's going to Jerusalem ultimately has a greater purpose. He was on the Lord's errand. His will was the Lord's will. His days would not be shortened until he completed it.

Day 3198

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 18:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 18:3-4

"And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

I didn't realize that Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He worked at his profession while preaching in Corinth on the Sabbath. It brings greater understanding when Paul says he was a burden to no one.

"I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."

(Acts 20:33-34)

"And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself."

(2 Corinthians 11:9)

"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

(2 Thessalonians 3:7-10)

This reminds me a king Benjamin and how he also labored with his own hands.

"I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God."

(Mosiah 2:12, 14-16)

Day 3195

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 13:5, 14, 42, 46

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 13:5, 14, 42, 46

"And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."

This reminds me of.

"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

(Matthew 20:16)

Barnabas and Saul first went to preach the gospel in the synagogues to the Jews. For they are the first. When the Jews rejected them they preached to the Gentiles, who are last. This is a pattern Paul continues throughout his ministry. The gentiles were the first to receive the gospel when the church was restored. In time the gospel will be taken again to the Jews. They will be the last when Christ returns.

Day 3190

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in [perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

These are things Paul suffered for his testimony of Jesus Christ. If he was false, if he was making up his experience on the road to Damascus, he would have folded at the slightest of trials. Sometimes the followers of Christ go through hard things as a testimony of faith to strengthen others.


Day 1662