Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 4:16

Today's favorite verse: Galatians 4:16

"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

I pondered on the telling of truth. When our souls are troubled the truth can be hard to bear. People can get angry with you. I have learned to hold my tongue than say something to make someone angry. I have also learned there is freedom in telling the truth. I have found the Lord's protection when I speak the truth about things. 

I was so troubled over the temple interview question, asking if I was honest with my dealings with my fellow man. I knew this was one weakness I had to overcome, simply because I was uncomfortable answering it. I don't feel I was ever a bad lier, but not always being honest is not good. Some situations I would stress over if I was completely honest. So, I experimented with trying to be completely honest. I found it was far easier to tell the truth. The peace in my heart, the clear conscious made facing the consequences less painful. In fact I feel I was protected from the consequences. 

I think the great lie comes from Satan that not telling the truth will protect you when in fact telling the truth you have the Lord's protection. As I've watched lairs now I see how angry they get when people tell the truth to them. They also forget what story they told you. If you just wait a while you can ask them again the same thing and if they feel comfortable the truth will come out. What a hard life it must be to always worry about what lie you told and to whom. I don't need added stress in my life. Being honest is so much easier, besides that the Lord protects you. Now I wonder if my working on telling the truth made holding my tongue easier too. When you know what the truth is inside you, and the other person wants their own version, I just don't feel I have to prove my point and make them see what I see. Internal peace with the truth is all I ever have control over.

Day 84 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:28

Today's favorite verse: Galatians 3:28

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

My heart was so broken yesterday when I first learned of 9 beautiful people being killed in a Charleston, SC church. As I heard their stories I mourned. I thought about how my daily scripture reading gives me comfort and peace. I'm sure since these souls were reading their bible before their deaths, they had peace in their hearts during such a terrible event. I think these senseless deaths effected me so much because they are my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We may not be of the same church, but we worship the same Christ. We all need to be the best of what our religion and faith will have us be.

I pondered on how believers in Christ are not immune to the evil acts of others, and God can always bring good out of it. As I heard the ministers talk on the news I could hear the message repeated, calling our country to turn to God and faith once again. This is what will heal our nation. I think we are going to have every warning possible give us until we do so. There has to be a special place in heaven for people whose lives helped get that message out. 

Day 83 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:16

Today's favorite verse: Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

I know Paul is referring to the law of Moses in this instant, because earlier he speaks of the division of those of the circumcision and not. Some of the other apostles would not eat with the uncircumcised. Paul in this verse is explaining how that is wrong.

I pondered over this verse because I know scriptures are not just a nice history lesson. Things people had to learn at a different time. I asked myself what would be the law today that separates people in His church? I could see it as going through any ordinances of the gospel, baptism, sacrament, temple ordinances for an outward appearance. It could not only be ordinances but traditional things, wearing modest clothing, obeying the word of wisdom, going to EFY, attending seminary, saying flowery prayers at church, bearing your testimony, men wearing white shirts to sacrament, eating funeral potatoes. I could go on and on and on. 

The concern is when we think we are righteous because outwardly we appear to be so. Even to the exclusion of others that don't follow these things. Even if they are of true importance or not. If I did any of this and had not true faith in Christ, being born again, all these actions are in vain. I have to check myself and make sure I don't do things for the outward appearance, but for my faith and love in the Savior. I am only justified according to my faith. Justification only comes through Christ. Once again I am reminded I cannot judge others on that outward appearance. Which made me ponder on wolves in sheep's clothing how easy it would be to appear faithful and not be and lead people astray. This scripture has a lot of meaning for today.

Day 82 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:10-12

Today's favorite verse: Galatians 1:10-12

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I pondered on revelation. How understanding the gospel comes by personal revelation. It is a witness to me. Yet I cannot receive revelation for the church. It is not my stewardship. There is a prophet on the earth that has that right. The organization of Christ's church will not change to please men or women. Otherwise it would be a man made religion and not founded on the truths of all eternity. When I see the changing world around me and all the insanity, and twisting of eternal truths, I am grateful that Christ is over his church and not man. God will not be mocked, and to try and persuade God or his prophets to do my will would leave me in a place I would never want to be. I have joy in my stewardship and the stewardship of my prophet. This brings me peace.

Day 81 Tami Fitzgerald Harris