Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Timothy 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Timothy 4:18
"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

I love these words of faith. Paul knew that being delivered and preserved was not for this life only. Through trials and afflictions its best to have an eternal perspective and think celestial.

"When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial!
Consider the Lord’s response to Joseph Smith when he pleaded for relief in Liberty Jail. The Lord taught the Prophet that his inhumane treatment would give him experience and be for his good. “If thou endure it well,” the Lord promised, “God shall exalt thee on high.” The Lord was teaching Joseph to think celestial and to envision an eternal reward rather than focus on the excruciating difficulties of the day. Our prayers can be—and should be—living discussions with our Heavenly Father."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3288

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:2
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

This reminds me of President Nelson and "Think Celestial!"

"Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency. Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god. You look to it rather than to Him for solace. If you struggle with an addiction, seek the spiritual and professional help you need. Please do not let an obsession rob you of your freedom to follow God’s fabulous plan. ”
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3269

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 4:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 4:16-17

"And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended."

I pondered on the seed sown on stony ground. These individuals accepted the word of God with gladness. That is such a good thing. Yet they are in danger and oblivious to the condition they are in. They were planted on stony ground preventing their roots from going deep. They were members only on the surface. They were not spiritually feeding themselves to grow deep roots in the gospel. This made me think of something that has be germinating in my mind since general conference.

This quote of President Nelson's has stayed with me since he first became prophet. This last general conference three apostles also quoted it. It's a warning.

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

Then when President Nelson spoke he told us to "Think Celestial".

"As you think celestial, you will view trials and opposition in a new light. When someone you love attacks truth, think celestial, and don’t question your testimony. The Apostle Paul prophesied that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

"There is no end to the adversary’s deceptions. Please be prepared. Never take counsel from those who do not believe. Seek guidance from voices you can trust—from prophets, seers, and revelators and from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, who “will show unto you all things what ye should do.” Please do the spiritual work to increase your capacity to receive personal revelation."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial", Oct 2023 General Conference)

He's telling us our roots have to be deep or we will not survive the conditions we find ourselves in. It takes time for roots to grow deep. The need for deep roots in now.

Day 3120