Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I have come to learn that God has a plan and I'm just stumbling and feeling my way around. Sometimes things seem harsh but looking back I can see they had a purpose. The roads I have traveled in life, hard as they have been, have been for my good. They bring me to a better place. I have come to know that I have to trust the Lord knows what he is doing far better than me. He can see a far off and knows all that is ahead of me.

Day 3988

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 4:6
"And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent, (for he had drawn away many after him,) and he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world."

I thought about how comforting it is to know that Satan doesn't know the mind of God. Satan or Lucifer knows parts of the plan of salvation, and knew us in the pre-existence as spirit children of God, but not everything. We ourselves don't even know the mind of God. How trials and difficulties, the road blocks of life caused by others, God will use them for our good. It will direct and move us into paths to further His work and our progression. All while allowing us to choose for ourselves and learn from experience. I often think of the mobs that persecuted the saints. In turn driving them to the rocky mountains where the church could blossom and establish itself and the headquarters of the church. We needed the roots and strength of spirit to flood the earth with his word. God knows his children well. He knows what combination of children won't play nicely in the sandbox together. Any mother can tell you this. On this earth are some of the greatest spirits, and then some of the most wicked. All of them are needed to bring about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. All of us free to decide which side we are on.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
(Isaiah 55:8)

Day 3733

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:14
"Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my people—you have many things to do and to repent of; for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways."

This is really good counsel, to not counsel the Lord, and to take the counsel given. The Lord's house is a house of order and if man just disregarded or disobeyed counsel it would be anything but a house of order. Now is man perfect? No, and neither do we expect others are either. We are all learning, growing and in need of repentance. The road to repentance is better than the road to apostasy. The other day someone was talking to me and mentioned something questionable that a former bishop was doing. It wasn't really grievous. It was more they were expecting perfection. They couldn't believe this man had been a bishop. I tried to turn the conversation around and began with describing the mantle of a bishop. How I've seen changes in men that are called, and they are stronger and able to carry the load when that mantle in upon them. Then when they eventually are released it is no longer there. I would not question the Lord's choice for he qualifies and strengthen his servants. It has no bearing on the person's actions today. This lead us to a wonderful conversation on how we have witness this change that comes upon those called and serving. We don't need to question the Lord's ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9)

"Some actually question God’s capacity, this in the face of His assurance to us: “I am able to do my own work.” Therefore, murmuring can be another form of mocking God’s plan of salvation. Yes, such individuals say, God has an overall general plan, but we don’t care for His specific timing. Yet the scriptures specifically advise us that “all things must come to pass in their time.
"Yes, such individuals may acknowledge God, but they criticize His ways. We want things to be done in our ways, even though our ways are much lower ways. "
(Neal A. Maxwell, "Murmur Not", Oct 1989 General Conference)

Day 3645

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 15:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 15:3
"And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone—"

God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We cannot hide anything from Him. He knows our sins and earnest desires. He is a perfect confidant and friend.

"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."
(Doctrine and Covenants 6:16)

“For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”  (Mosiah 5:13)
Now, you will still be startled, as President Benson said you would be, to realize how familiar the face of our Heavenly Father is. But when you see him, you will know his voice, because you will have prayed, listened, obeyed, and come to share the thoughts and intents of his heart. You will have drawn nearer to him."
(Henry B. Eyring, "To Draw Closer to God", Apr 1991 General Conference)

Day 3604

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 10:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 10:16-17
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

This is an amazing covenant and promised blessing. Repentance and that mighty change or heart is priceless.

"And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"
(Alma 5:12-14)

Day 3302

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 8:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 8:10
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:"

I read this in the New Testament Student Manual.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) noted that although Jews in New Testament times generally rejected this new covenant, it would again be offered to them at a later time: “Christ, in the days of His flesh, proposed to make a covenant with them, but they rejected Him and His proposals, and in consequence thereof, they were broken off, and no covenant was made with them at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect: no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should be a willing people;—and He would write His law in their hearts, and print it in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities He would remember no more” (in History of the Church, 1:313)."

The early saint went into apostasy because they rejected the new covenant. It made me stop and ponder on how much emphasis we had in the past general conference on keeping our covenants. Now I understand those words, and the urgency in it. We must be a people that have written His laws on our hearts and minds, our thoughts and actions.

Day 3300

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

I always wondered about that two edge sword, it just seemed so violent. It can cut going in and coming out. Then I thought on how it is used to divide the soul and spirit, and it can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. I had a memory come back to me of when I was young and we would harvest our chickens. My father would rock the chicken asleep by placing its head under its wing. Then he would stretch out its neck on the chopping block, and with a quick wack of the axe he would chop its head off. He would then throw the chicken and us kids had to chase after them. They would run all over the yard and into the fields without their heads. One time we had a chicken bounce up the ladder and onto the roof. I also remember helping my mother pluck the chickens. We would dip them in boiling hot water and then pluck the feathers out. I can remember sitting there and looking at the little dismembered chicken heads. They would blink their eyes and open and close their beaks. These chickens had no idea they were already dead. They ran around really fast with no heads, and opened and closed their eyes and beaks with no heart attached. Then once slaughtered and defeathered my father would finish dressing the chickens. As he removed the inners he would explain the process and the importance of the order. He always took great care in removing the bile duct. Seeing the inside of the crop and gizzard and what it contained was always so fascinating to me. We saw everything and knew that chicken inside and out by the time the harvest was done.

I pondered on how all this applies to spiritual death. The separation of soul and spirit. When you're spiritually dead you can be running around here and there, to and fro, and not even realize you are already dead. Even though the person may appear alive by blinking their eyes and moving their mouths its a lie. There is no way to hide the truth from someone that has eyes that see and knows and understands. The master knows you intimately inside and out. He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart. It is the power of discernment.

How did they get into this condition? Because they turned away from the word of God, his commandments, and kept not their covenants. They lost their souls. The division is so quick and powerful you don't realize that its happened. You cannot hide your condition from the man of the harvest. His house is a house or order, and no unclean thing can live there.

Day 3296

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:14-15
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"

I pondered on how you cannot be a light to anyone when you murmur or argue over points of doctrine or just things in general. Individual like this are not that nice to be around. I know when I get that way I don't even like being around me! I've been working on keeping my mouth shut, that seems to be getting easier. Now, I just have to control the thought in the first place.

It made me think of this talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer about "Worthy Thoughts" and how the "mind was like a stage". It was made into a film strip which has stayed with me all these years. I often tell myself to kick that thought off the stage. I wondered if I could find it online, and I did.

Day 3264

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:17

"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

When you go contrary to the will of the Lord, or the inspiration he has given you are unwise.

“When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish”

(2 Nephi 9:38)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."

(Isaiah 55:8)

Day 3261

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:15, 21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:15, 21-23

"There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

This reminds me of some discussions I have had with others on boycotting things. I don't believe because some company does X that it means it will poison me, if I go to that store or use that service. I'm pretty sure if boycotters looked at everything with such a fine tooth comb, they would soon find there was no place to shop.

Now granted there are places I don't go to, like bars for example, because they are selling what I don't want. Yet, there are times I have gone. My car once broken down when it was freezing cold outside. This was long before there were cell phones. The only place around was a bar. Going in to use the phone and sit and wait for my father didn't pollute me. If fact it probably saved my life. The difference is what I internalize and embrace and that temptation and danger can be anywhere. I recently had to separate myself from a family chat, because their discussions affected my thoughts and my heart. I had to ask myself "Will if affect my eternal exaltation if I no longer participate in a family chat?" The answer was no, but it probably would if I stayed around any longer, so I left. My heart has been all the better for it. Evil comes from within, and that is why by their fruits ye shall know them.

Day 3123

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:34

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

This made me ponder on something that happened over 30 years ago. My husband and I had a situation that if the worse case scenario happened it would have been absolutely devastating to us. This worse case scenario weighed on my mind and caused such extreme anxiety. I literally would tremble and shake at the thought of it. I could find no relief, because there was nothing to prevent the worse case scenario from happening. All we could do is our best, which we had done. I finally turned to the Lord for relief and was told to not worry about the matter, unless I needed to worry about it. If that day came then I would deal with it. I then left it in His hands, and the fear and anxiety left me. When about 10 years had past I realized the worse case scenario never did happen. That chances of it ever happening then were practically non-existent. Having done our best in the matter, and leaving the rest in God's hand had protected us. I had lived in peace all those years because I took no thought on the matter as I had been advised. I have lived that advise all those years since.

Day 3094

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 1:10, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 1:10, 13

"Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD "

The Lord is telling Israel why their offerings were not acceptable. They wouldn't as much as kindle fire for the altar without being paid for it. The offerings they did give were not clean and pure as required. They gave what was of the poorest quality, their rejects. They were going through the motions without thought or feeling, maybe with duty, but not with love. It made me ponder on my attitudes sometimes.

Day 3085

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

I selected this verse because it is so odd I read this today. I had a phone call this afternoon from someone that I haven't spoken to in a while. They told me that they needed the rain that maybe coming. They have not had rain all summer. It has been so dry that the trees had buds that never opened. There never were blossoms. It made me wonder what kind of crops would be harvested this year with those conditions. Such a small simple conversation, then I read these verses. What are the odds of that timing? It always make me think about how God knows what I will read today, so he gives me a little experience to make it more meaningful and thought provoking. I do rejoice that He is in the details.

Day 3065

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

In Sunday School class our teacher said something that stayed with me. He said that when he read a couple of chapters in Isaiah that week the voices in his head quieted. He struggles with those inner voices and all their noise. The chatter was gone after reading the scriptures. I knew what he was talking about. I have turned to the scriptures when I am under a great deal of stress and just need peace. The scriptures will bring comfort to my soul.

"But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge."

(Psalms 94:22)

Day 2731

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."

I pondered on not having God in all your thoughts. That is such a foreign concept to me, yet I can recall when it wasn't. What a filter it is in your life to have God in your thoughts. It keeps you out of a lot of trouble. I never feel alone. Having God in your thoughts brings peace and comfort as you walk through life. It's knowing things will work out not matter what that means.

Day 2647

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 79:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 79:2

"And I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go;

I have to testify that this is true. That the Comforter does teach truth, and will direct us in the way we need to go. I have experienced both and I am in awe of how it works. For at times I can feel like it's my own thoughts, yet it is knowing I am nothing. All inspiration comes from God, through the Holy Spirit. The more I acknowledge the true source, the more inspiration I will receive.

Day 2082

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:3, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:3, 7
"For it a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

I saw a connection in this chapter I wasn't aware of before. It actually answered a question for me on some false doctrine I've seen floating around, taking verse 7 out of context. It is not God's law to think something into being. If you were to think yourself already popular, successful and rich when you are not, then you are deceived. If you are deceived then God won't be mocked, or answer. Oh, I know people are obtaining things by these occult practices. They are reaping benefits and attracting things to themselves, but they are not being answered by God. To be deceived is against God's law. It always come down to my will or God's will and who will answer. What God wants is an honest heart that is seeking his will.

I am reminded of a part of the Joseph Smith, Jr. history that the Pearl of Great Price doesn't have in full. Here is the part with the warning.

"[Moroni]...added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.
(Joseph Smith - History 1:46)

What I recalled that is missing is the part of Joseph's thoughts as walked to the hill, and how he was unable to obtain the plates because of them. I was finally able to find part of it in a conference talk by Marion G. Romney.

"The principle of obedience to the laws of the gospel is fundamental. It lies at the base. The Prophet Joseph Smith learned it very early in his ministry. He learned it when he went that first morning, after the visits of Moroni, to the Hill Cumorah. He had gone there under the direction of the angel, who had told him that he should have no thought in mind other than to bring to pass the righteousness of God and the accomplishment of his purposes in the earth  (JS—H 1:46) Joseph's family was very poor, and as he walked toward the hill, he thought about the intrinsic value of the things that the angel had told him were buried there. He wondered if the plates, or something else to be found with them, could not be used to relieve the poverty of his parents and their family. When he uncovered the box and saw the gold plates, he reached to take them out and received a shock that set him back. He reached again and received a more severe shock. Then the third time, thinking all he needed was physical strength, he reached with all his might to take the plates and received still another shock which sapped his strength  (JS—H 1:53) and he cried out, "Why can I not obtain this book?" And unexpectedly to him, the angel said, "Because you have not kept the commandments of the Lord." And then Joseph received a great manifestation that I have not time here to tell you about, but it kept him reminded all the days of his life that he had to obey in order to receive the promised blessings. The angel told him that he could not get the plates then, and that he would not be able to get them until he was not only willing to obey the laws of God but also was able to do so.
(Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Oct 1946, pp. 73-78)

As Joseph had been warned and soon found out, these thoughts were a temptation from Satan. When Joseph reached for the plates he received a shock. He could not obtain them with no other objective then to glorify God. Thoughts are very important and Satan will use them to deceive us into all types of things that seem good. For God to bless and answer us it has to be with no other objective in mind then to do his will.

Day 1670

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:1
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

At first I thought of the saying that when you point a finger at someone there are three fingers pointing right back at you. Meaning what you see in another is often the very thing you have an issue with. You know their sins because they are your own. Then as I was pondering on this I realized it was also talking about something else. In reality when I judge someone else, even when it's true, I have condemned them. They need mercy just as much as I do. We are all sinners and have much to be forgiven for. We all need the gift of repentance in our lives.

These thoughts made me remember a scripture that struck me so powerfully.

"And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the Lord; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them."
(Ezekiel 11:5)

With that verse I had pondered on how powerful my thoughts are and now they can condemn me. How I really needed to control them and even be careful what I judge and say to myself about others. The root of where sins often begins is by the thoughts that I entertain in my mind. If I could just control what I entertain inside my head angels would be my associates. From those holy thoughts I knew this would be lifelong goal to achieve, but such a worthy one.

"Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence was strong in the presence of God."
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)

Day 1621

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:10
"Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought."

This is speaking of the battle of Gog and Magog. I've heard it both ways that it's before the second coming and after the millennium's thousand years of peace. All I know is that this made me think of something that has been on my mind. Why and how would Satan be let loose after a thousand years?  Then I read this verse.

"And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth."
(1 Nephi 22:26)

It is because of the righteousness of the people that Satan has no power. So to loose Satan they would need to listen to him. In this verse in Ezekiel I see it begins with an evil thought. What a incredibly simple thing to have the millennium end because of a thought. It sure shows how powerful the mind is, no wonder Satan tries so hard to destroy our peace by putting thoughts into our heads. All the more reason to watch our thoughts for they can become our downfall. All the more reason to value reading the scriptures and pondering them. It blocks out the thoughts Satan wants to shake us with.

Day 1415

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:1
"In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."

I pondered on confusion, no sense of direction. It made me think of this verse.

"But if it be not right you shall have no feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget that thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
"Doctrine and Covenants 9:9)

If I went against the stupor of thought and did my own will, that truly would lead to confusion. Trusting in the Lord, means I listen to the prompting of the spirit. Acting upon His will would never put me to confusion.

Day 1124