Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 2:3. 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 2:3. 22
"Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not."

The children of Israel did not inhabit their lands alone. Not everyone was driven out. They had to live amongst people of other faiths, traditions and gods. They were left there by the Lord in order to prove Israel, and if they would serve Him. This made me think of opposition in all things. There is purpose in our trials and our temptations. Just because we are tempted does not mean we are made to be overcome. If we truly love the Lord we can walk in His ways.

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility."
(2 Nephi 2:11)

Day 3816

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 2:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 2:16-17

"Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so."

This made me think of something that was shared with me this week. This was an exchange that took place after a recent stake conference that Elder Gary E. Stevenson attended. The member asked, "What has the spirit been prompting you to focus your scripture study on most recently?" Elder Stevenson replied, "I've felt inspired to look at past scripture events and relate them to current events in our present day."

As I was reading this chapter I saw this as another example of past scripture events and how it relates to our day. Just like the children of Israel wouldn't listen to their judges we have members today that do not listen to the prophets. Anything that makes you not listen to the servants of God becomes other gods to you. This pandemic is a time of proving and testing the saints.

"That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not."

(Judges 2:22)

We must continue to hold onto the iron rod, and stay the course. As President Nelson said “the road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure. So, fasten your seatbelt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right.”

Day 2372

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 13:1-3

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

My thought turned to those that teach false doctrine and have and are leading people astray. I thought about the groups that promoted conferences, podcasts, and books highly vested in the last days, extreme prepping and things like energy healings. There are people claiming visions and dreams and people lapping it all up. They have polluted the gospel under the disguise of giving further light and knowledge. They deceive while using terms like "Come, Follow Me", and "The Doctrine of Christ", to draw unsuspecting people in saying they are faithful members of the church. In particular I thought about the Daybells. The devil will cheat your soul if you listen to false prophets.

I thought about President Dallin H. Oaks counsel in a recent General Conference talk.

"Many members of the Church have had visions or other inspirations to inform them about how things operate or are organized in the spirit world, but these personal spiritual experiences are not to be understood or taught as the official doctrine of the Church. And, of course, there is abundant speculation by members and others in published sources like books on near-death experiences......

We can all wonder privately about circumstances in the spirit world or even discuss these or other unanswered questions in family or other intimate settings. But let us not teach or use as official doctrine what does not meet the standards of official doctrine. To do so does not further the work of the Lord and may even discourage individuals from seeking their own comfort or edification through the personal revelation the Lord’s plan provides for each of us. Excessive reliance on personal teachings or speculations may even draw us aside from concentrating on learning and efforts that will further our understanding and help us go forward on the covenant path."

(Dallin H. Oaks, "Trust in the Lord", Oct 2019 General Conference)

In light of today's verse I see the importance of studying and pondering the scriptures. I must know what doesn't meet the "standards of official doctrine". I cannot leave the understanding of the gospel in other people's hands. I must know of myself what is true and right. Nothing can take the place of personal scripture study through the guidance of the spirit. The tests will come, for God will prove us and see if we will remain faithful, or run after other gods and serve them. If I love God with all my heart and soul I would not leave him.

Day 2325

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 3:1, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 3:1, 4
"Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canann;
And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses."

Why were not all the nations driven out of the land Israel was to inherit? It was so the Lord could prove them. To see if they could leave alone these other nations and not worship their gods. What did the children of Israel do? They let their children marry into the other nations, then they served their gods. Soon they forgot the Lord and war broke out again.

This all made me think of the quote "Be in the world but not of the world", which is shortened from Jesus great Intercessory Prayer in John 17:11, 14-15.

"And now I am no more in the word, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil."

That's just part. I sat and read the whole Intercessory prayer and wept. What beautiful promises if I do not become part of the world. Oh, to have such depths of humility as the Savior prayed to the Father. All that he did to bless me. How small a price it is for me to stay out of the world, and how great the benefits. I do like the side I am on. The only pain I have is seeing those that were once not part of the world join it.


Day 789

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 8:2
"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord they God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."

I pondered on how this verse gives the answer to the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  God needs a proven people, and this is how he proves what is in their hearts. I have known hard days, but if it was not for them I would have never come to know the Lord. Enduring to the end is the best part of this earth existence. It is how I come to know my Savior. I would not change a thing.


Day 736