Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:4-5
"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

I want to be one that flees when a stranger tries to make me follow. I don't want to stray from the Lord, but always know His voice and follow Him. I pondered on several experiences I have had when I had to flee. When the Spirit whispered "That's a priestcraft don't follow them.", "Throw that book away!", "That is a false preacher, turn that video off!", "He is lukewarm, spit him out." I don't ever want to lose the ability to hear that warning voice.

Day 4131

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 38:41

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 38:41
"And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness."

When I picture someone preaching in a warning voice it reminds of the evangelists that thump their fights and scream you're a sinner. In this verse we're told the warning voice is given in mildness and meekness. I pondered on how screaming damnation to a person is never conductive to change. The natural man tends to dig his heels in further. Mildness and meekness comes as a still small voice.

"And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
(1 Kings 19:12)

What is the voice of warning? What are we saying to people? I remembered the senior missionary couple that visited our ward. The sister stood and bore a short but powerful testimony that burned into my soul. She said "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ". Then she quoted parts of Doctrine & Covenants 1:2, 4
"For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days."
She said that here in this church as well as outside of the church we are to warn all people that Jesus is coming, and we ought to be prepared.

I know what she said was true, the spirit bore witness to me of it. I can definitely see that warning voice being spoken in mildness and meekness, for that is what I heard. The message is one of hope, and action. Preparation is for everyone, take it on whatever level is personal to you.

Day 3627

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: Doctrine & Covenants 5:19

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 5:19

"For a desolating scourge shall go forth among the inhabitants of the earth, and shall continue to be poured out from time to time, if they repent not, until the earth is empty, and the inhabitants thereof are consumed away and utterly destroyed by the brightness of my coming."

I had to pick this verse to ponder on because the whole world is in the middle of a desolating scourge. It was just this last week I was reading over an article and it mentioned of how we've had circumstances like this before.

"The world coronavirus pandemic will not be different, [President Russell M. Ballard] said during an interview March 24. “From the beginning of history there have been circumstances similar to this one. Somehow they got through them, and we are going to get through this one.”

(Sarah Jane Weaver, "The world will win the war on COVID-19, President Ballard says", Church News 26 Mar 2020)

What I pondered on is how the Lord said these scourges would be poured out from time to time. President Ballard confirms that they have. Why are the perspectives so different? Then I realized its where you stand in the middle of the scourge. Is it a voice of warning to the unrepented or is it hope in the time of trouble for those that repent? There is peace in the midst of the storm depending on the shelter you are secured in.

One thing I have realized is how quickly things can change. It was almost overnight we heard of this plague and then boom it traveled around the world. As the Lord's warning voice becomes louder and louder we know in time greater scourges will come. The important thing is to learn from where we are right now, so we are better prepared physically and spiritually for what is to come. I have often thought of those that don't respect what is happening. How easily Satan can deceive them in believing what comes later is nothing too. He will make sure there is no oil in their lamps.

Day 2008

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 23:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 23:23
"And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed."

This made me reflect on how the voice of the people, especially when prevailed upon by wicked leaders leads to destruction. It was in 70 AD that Jerusalem fell because they had crucified their King. It's not hard to see the voice of people being led by wicked leaders doing the same thing to us today.

"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people.
And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgements of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."
(Mosiah 29:26-27)

Day 1569

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:24
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

There have been times I wished I lived in a different age. I've always loved history and could easily live in the past. But, just yesterday when I was traveling in the car I thought about how grateful I was to live in this day. It is my day and I am glad of it. I'm sure that is why this verse stuck out to me in this chapter. The Lord made no mistake in the timing of my coming to earth.

I was made for this day. Living now is exactly what I need. Even when I see the wickedness and craziness in the world. I have to turn my face from them, even when I'm looking right at them. I just finished my 7 day social media fast and started to read posts and comments again on Facebook. I really am learning something about myself in being able to walk away from the multitude of voices. Not sure what I am seeing, but I know connections are forming. It's rather exciting when I know I am ready to be taught if I just listen, ponder and observe. These are exciting times to live in. The Lord is blessing his saints richly with the spirit. If we just turn to Him.

Day 1171