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: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

This verse made me reflect on all that it has taken me to read the scriptures. I have been writing "Today's Favorite Version" daily for 11 years, 5 months and 14 days, and the road to it was not easy. Five years prior in 2010 I committed to reading my scriptures every day. It took so much patience to begin because I had been very ill and lost my ability to read and comprehend. The doctor suggested that I read out loud to myself or listen to recordings and follow along. I needed the combination of visual and audio to make the connections in my brain. Listening to the scriptures and following along was the perfect combination. It took four years before I could read on my own without following a recording. That was such a great milestone. Once that was achieved writing my impressions are what came next. I have come so far and learned so much building daily on what I have read and the Spirit has taught me. Truly my weaknesses have become my strengthens. There is a price we pay to understand the scriptures and it takes patience with ourselves and a slow and steady pace. The reward is not only knowledge but a peace and comfort that comes into our lives that nothing else can bring.

During these 15-16 years I have read the Book of Mormon 21 times. The Doctrine and Covenants 8, Pearl of Great Price 8, Old Testament 3, New Testament 6, the Apocrypha once, and all the Topic Guide scriptures covering Jesus Christ once. In 2014 my daily scripture reading lead to inviting my family to read together. We've done it nightly ever since. Our home is a holy place because we speak of Christ together every day. It is burned into the walls of our home. Reading the scriptures is my place of refuge from the storms.

Day 4185

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."

I pondered on how you could not go wrong if in all that you do, you sought the Lord. That you were humble and knew he was the source of your strength. You looked to the Lord, and seek after righteousness. It's when we forget the Lord that we stumble and fall.

Day 3862

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 16:17, 22, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 16:17, 22, 28
"That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes."

Was the hair growing back really the source of Samson being able to receive his strength? It's so easy to overlook the fact that after it started to grow back he called upon the Lord.

Was Samson's Hair Really the Source of His Strength?
"The biblical account of Samson reveals him as a man of extreme confidence and tremendous courage, qualities based on his recognition that his power was from God and that God would sustain him in the mission to which he had been called. But Samson did not realize that there is a rule that governs power in the Lord, which is, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45). Samson’s misfortunes began when his confidence in God turned into conceit and pride. Over a period of time he broke the vows of a Nazarite and violated other commandments, including the law of chastity.
Samson’s superhuman strength did not reside in his hair but in his confidence in God and in the Nazarite oath, of which the hair was the outward symbol. Delilah’s treachery and the shaving of Samson’s hair signified the final betrayal of his vows. Thus, he became a miserable, broken man with no power left."
(Old Testament Student Manual, "Judges 13–21; Ruth 1–4: The Reign of the Judges, Part 2")

Day 3821

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 30:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 30:1
"Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought."

I pondered on fearing man. I thought about how the fear of the Lord is really love and respect for Him, not trembling that you will be punished. You follow Him because you want to be like Him. On that same thread the fear of man could also be our love, respect and worship of a man instead of God. You rely on their wisdom and strength, instead of the Lord being your strength.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
(Proverbs 29:25)

Day 3619

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 22:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 22:2
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation."

This made me think of the hymn "The Lord is My Light". I had to find it and listen to it. So many times hymns say much better what I feel.

The Lord is My Light
The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.
[Chorus]
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me along.
The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?
[Chorus]
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me along.
The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r,
And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.
[Chorus]
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me along.
The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.
[Chorus]
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me along.

Day 3393

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

This reminds me of the other day while I was sitting in the Emergency Room with someone in a lot of pain. They were bemoaning all the terrible things that had happened to them lately, and said they just wanted it to stop. Couldn't they just get a break. I told them, "No you can't, and it won't stop, because this is what life is all about." Each trial makes you stronger and you learn from them. You develop a resilience you would never have otherwise. Then I pointed out some of the blessings I had seen happening to them lately as they went through these trials. How they were a stronger person and in a better place because of them. It turned the conversation around and we counted blessings and reasons for hope and good things out of the bad. As they were preparing to leave the hospital they were grateful for the nice crutches I had brought with me, because I knew from experience they would need them. As I helped them settle into bed at their home they were grateful for the large ice packs with the nice wrapper I had also brought along. They knew I had been on their journey before and because of that I could in turn help them. One day when they are strong they will help others with what they have learned. For now, they knew they were a strong person that can do hard things.

Though they have turned their back on God and I could not share all that I would have wished. Helping them see and recognize blessings in their life helps to open the door to who put them there.

Day 3313

Today's Favorite Verse: Philemon 1:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Philemon 1:6
"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

I pondered on how one way that I bear my testimony to others in a living way is acknowledging everything that is good comes from God. It is not by my own strength, it is by being strengthened by the spirit and blessed of the Lord.

"By acknowledging that every good thing comes from Jesus Christ, we will communicate our faith more effectively to others. We will have courage when confronted with seemingly impossible tasks and circumstances. We will strengthen our resolve to keep the covenants we have made to follow the Savior. We will be filled with the love of God, want to help those in need without being judgmental, love our children and raise them in righteousness, retain a remission of our sins, and always rejoice. These are the remarkable fruits of remembering God’s goodness and mercy.In contrast, the Savior warned, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.” I do not think that God is insulted when we forget Him. Rather, I think He is deeply disappointed. He knows that we have deprived ourselves of the opportunity to draw closer to Him by remembering Him and His goodness. We then miss out on Him drawing nearer to us and the specific blessings He has promised."
(Dale G. Renlund, "Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God", Apr 2020 General Conference)

Day 3292

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:13
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave some good advise on how to not weary in well doing. As much as we can tell ourselves to not weary, there are actual things we can do to prevent it. I have had times where to assist others I needed to pray for strength greater than mine own to accomplish it. Those prayers have been answered, but that is only for short bursts. It's the long sustained acts of service that we need to be realistic about ourselves and what those limitations are.

"The urgings for us not to weary in well-doing contain prescriptions to avoid such weariness. We are to work steadily, but realistically, and only expect to reap “in due season.” We are to serve while being “meek and lowly” avoiding thereby the wearying burdens of self-pity and hypocrisy. We are to pray always so that we will not faint, so that our performance will actually be for the welfare of our souls, which is so much more than just going through the motions."
(Neal A. Maxwell, "Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds", Apr 1991 General Conference)

Day 3278

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 15:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 15:5

"My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction."

I was actually curious about this 3 year old heifer. The footnote says "IE Zoar should still have been young and vigorous".

"Isaiah recognized that Moab was a youthful, vibrant nation. “A three-year-old ox, is one that is still in all the freshness and fulness of its strength” In spite of Moab’s vigor and strength, Isaiah foretold that powerful forces from the north countries would destroy her only three years hence (see Isaiah 16:14). This prophecy was fulfilled with the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib"

(Old Testament Student Manual, "A Voice of Warning to the Wicked (Isaiah 13-23)", 14-19)

Day 2853

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 121:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 121:1

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

This made me think of the temple and the angels that have charge over us as we leave there.

"And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 109:22)

I pondered on the strength I receive for going to the temple. Then I thought of President Nelson and the promised blessings mentioned this recent general conference from attending the temple.

"We rejoice that more temples are being built across the world. With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary."

(Russell M. Nelson, "What is True?", Oct 2022 General Conference)

"Spend more time in the temple, and seek to understand how the temple teaches you to rise above this fallen world."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

"I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Focus on the Temple", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2758

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 62:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 62:7

"In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."

I pondered on how you could only say this, if you knew from your own experience how God works in your life. This is the purpose of trials and being made to endure. It's how we learn to turn to the Lord for strength and refuge.

Day 2699

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:1, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:1, 10

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

I have felt God as my strength and refuge through a very trying week. I have been guided on the choices I needed to make. I also know that no matter what anyone else thinks or feels they know, I know God knows my heart. I can be still now and let God prevail.

Day 2683

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:39

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:39

"But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble."

That strength never fails me as I look towards the Lord. I pondered on how many times He has carried my grief, heartache and pain, and in return allowed me to have His spirit to be with me. Then I can receive the impressions needed to resolve the problems at hand.

Day 2674

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 22:33

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 22:33

"God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

The words that stood out to me were strength, power and perfect. Though I know I am hopelessly flawed and of myself will never be perfect, I can be made perfect through Christ. The Savior's atonement allows me to lean on Him as I repent and grow. I want to be like Him. He is my strength. He helps me to be strong in doing what is right, even though others might mock and try to tear me down for my faith, and trying to be obedient. He gives me strength to say what he wants me to say. His power is a protective shield He gives me. It is the power to overcome the fiery darts of the adversary, and stay the course ahead towards Him.

Day 2448

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:37, 40, 54

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:37, 40, 54

"Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.

Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.

And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war."

Twice in this chapter it mentions the tactic of turning neither to the left or to right. Both sides knew the moment they did that they would be surrounded and overcome. It made me think of the importance of staying in the mainstream of the church and not going into the fringes, to the far right or the far left. There are so many parallels in life that going to the extreme either way will cause you to become unbalanced and eventually overcome. 

Eventually Antipus army in the rear caught up to and fell upon the Lamanites. While the Lamanites were trying to overpower the army of Antipus the army of Helaman turned with its 2000 stripling warriors and fell upon them. The Lamanites were now caught in the middle and overcome. Teaching me that if I am faithful and neither turn to the right or the left, that when the time comes that I must stand against evil I will win when the Lord is on my side. 

"...Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall.."  (Alma 56:46)

Day 1914

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."

This made me reflect on my infirmities and what I have learned from them. It's interesting how I have learned different Christlike attributes through them. My recent one I am learning is patience. I think in the past year I've gone through the hardest part of learning patience. That is actually having it. Now I am learning the beauty and blessings that come from patience. I would have had a hard time saying I gloried in my infirmities when I first read this verse. After serious reflection I see glory is very fitting description. It's not the bragging about the affliction, it's the change that happens because of them, a weakness that is making another part of me strong. 

Day 1663

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 2:6-7, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 2:6-7, 9
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts."

These verses made me think of how the house of the Lord is a place of refuge. That as trying times come that shake men's soul the temple is my peace. As I leave it, I am given a strength from a light within, that fortifies me for the times I live in. There are times I have gone to the temple by myself and not left alone. 

"But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall life up their voices and curse God and die."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:32)

Day 1486

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:6
"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure."

I pondered on how I live in very unstable times. There are people that want others afraid to speak truth. I see so many things turned upside down and being good or righteous is a thing to be mocked and attacked. I cannot believe what I am seeing. So if these are unstable times what will make it stable for me? What wisdom and knowledge is it speaking of?  It is coming to know the Lord. Gaining wisdom through the scriptures, having knowledge through the spirit is the anchor that I need. My soul is not troubled even as the world is troubled. For I know the Lord is coming and these are just signs of the times. I know what a treasure my testimony of the gospel is, and it strengthen me.

Day 1287

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 27:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 27:5
"Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me."

I pondered on what is the Lord's strength that I need to take hold of? It is His greatest gift to me, His atoning sacrifice. It is through Christ's atonement and all it means for me, that I will have his peace with me.

Day 1281