Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 4:5
"And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia."
The chapter header describes what happened pretty well. "The Samaritans offer help, then hinder the work - The building of the temple and of the walls of Jerusalem ceases."
It appears because the "child of the captivity" (Judah and Benjamin) didn't agree to let the Samaritans help to build the temple that it caused the Samaritans to stop the work from happening. I reflected on if they should have let them help. Then I thought about the temples today. Would we let another group of people help build it? I don't think so. Why? because then they would also want to use it. The temple is sacred and only those worthy of a temple recommend can enter. So were the Samaritans "unclean"?
I read in the Bible Dictionary about the Samaritans, they were a mixed population partly Israelite and partly gentile. Their reaction in not being allowed to help in the rebuilding of the temple shows me they were not worthy to be in the temple. So, it must have been the right thing for Judah to do.
It is interesting that the same tactics to stop any good work is used today. The counsellors then are like our lawyers and politicians, putting up road blocks at every turn. Just like Judah would not get their temple for many years because of this, we as a nation can't seem to get any good work done either with all the infighting. Who wins in all of this? No one, to dig a pit for your brother is to fall into it yourself.
Day 982
Monday, December 4, 2017
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 3:5
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 3:5
"And afterward offered the continual burnt offerings, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord."
As I sat here tonight at the end of my fast reading my scriptures, this verse made me remember there was a new moon out tonight. It was a supermoon and the biggest full moon of the year. For some reason I never remember to go look when there is something special happening in the heavens at night. I had such a powerful feeling to stop reading and go look at that moon. My husband had told me this morning that with the storms today we might not be able to see it. I debated with myself if I should go look or stay the course and finish reading this small chapter first. Nope, get up go look, so I did.
It was amazing and I was so grateful the clouds were not covering it up. I took some time to gaze upon it and think of the people in that same verse looking upon such as moon as this. How amazing this supermoon is also on a fast day where fast offerings have been freely given. I realized I didn't have my camera so I went to go get it to take a picture of that beautiful moon. I came back and the moon was gone, the clouds that were lovingly framing it had now overshadowed it.
This caused me to ponder on my day of fast and how three times I had received impressions of the spirit. The first time I out thought the promptings of the spirit and ended up at church with a car and no keys. The error made me laugh at my foolishness for out thinking that prompting. The next prompting I followed through with immediately and I hope the other person felt my love for them. And tonight I was prompted to go look at the moon at the very moment it was there. I am learning that spiritual impressions need to be acted upon in the moment. The timing is the Lord's and if I listen and obey there are amazing sights to behold.
Day 981
"And afterward offered the continual burnt offerings, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord."
As I sat here tonight at the end of my fast reading my scriptures, this verse made me remember there was a new moon out tonight. It was a supermoon and the biggest full moon of the year. For some reason I never remember to go look when there is something special happening in the heavens at night. I had such a powerful feeling to stop reading and go look at that moon. My husband had told me this morning that with the storms today we might not be able to see it. I debated with myself if I should go look or stay the course and finish reading this small chapter first. Nope, get up go look, so I did.
It was amazing and I was so grateful the clouds were not covering it up. I took some time to gaze upon it and think of the people in that same verse looking upon such as moon as this. How amazing this supermoon is also on a fast day where fast offerings have been freely given. I realized I didn't have my camera so I went to go get it to take a picture of that beautiful moon. I came back and the moon was gone, the clouds that were lovingly framing it had now overshadowed it.
This caused me to ponder on my day of fast and how three times I had received impressions of the spirit. The first time I out thought the promptings of the spirit and ended up at church with a car and no keys. The error made me laugh at my foolishness for out thinking that prompting. The next prompting I followed through with immediately and I hope the other person felt my love for them. And tonight I was prompted to go look at the moon at the very moment it was there. I am learning that spiritual impressions need to be acted upon in the moment. The timing is the Lord's and if I listen and obey there are amazing sights to behold.
Day 981
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:62
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:62
"These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood."
Reading that made me see how important keeping track of their genealogy was to them at that time. They lost the priesthood because they could not find a record of the line they came through. The priesthood is not limited, but available to every worthy male today. It made me wonder how this verse applies to the church today. Then I found this.
"And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose name are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the church, as well as the lesser priesthood, or the members, in that day shall not find an inheritance among the saints of the Most High;
Therefore, it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the priest, as will be found recorded in the second chapter and sixty-first and second verses of Ezra."
(Doctrine and Covenants 85:11-12)
This is showing how very important it is to remain faithful, and not have my named removed from the records of the church. No man knows the hour or the day of the Lord's coming, or when a reckoning needs to be given of priesthood authority, or the rights of inheritance are to be given. I could not help but think that what the Lord did in old he will do again. How I hope and pray I never do anything that would have my name removed from the records of the church or the book of remembrance. I hold my baptism in the Lord's church as my most treasure possession. My testimony is earnestly watered, nurtured, feed and tended so it will continue to go. The biggest fear I have is apathy because then I know I can be lead carefully down to hell. This is something I absolutely don't take for granted.
Day 980
"These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood."
Reading that made me see how important keeping track of their genealogy was to them at that time. They lost the priesthood because they could not find a record of the line they came through. The priesthood is not limited, but available to every worthy male today. It made me wonder how this verse applies to the church today. Then I found this.
"And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose name are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the church, as well as the lesser priesthood, or the members, in that day shall not find an inheritance among the saints of the Most High;
Therefore, it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the priest, as will be found recorded in the second chapter and sixty-first and second verses of Ezra."
(Doctrine and Covenants 85:11-12)
This is showing how very important it is to remain faithful, and not have my named removed from the records of the church. No man knows the hour or the day of the Lord's coming, or when a reckoning needs to be given of priesthood authority, or the rights of inheritance are to be given. I could not help but think that what the Lord did in old he will do again. How I hope and pray I never do anything that would have my name removed from the records of the church or the book of remembrance. I hold my baptism in the Lord's church as my most treasure possession. My testimony is earnestly watered, nurtured, feed and tended so it will continue to go. The biggest fear I have is apathy because then I know I can be lead carefully down to hell. This is something I absolutely don't take for granted.
Day 980
Friday, December 1, 2017
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 1:2-3
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 1:2-3
"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charge me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem."
I did some pondering on Cyrus and why someone that was not Jewish would receive a charge to build a temple in Jerusalem, liberating the Jews from captivity to do so? He must have been a good man capable of listening to the light of Christ within.
"...the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia..." (verse 1)
I found this quote by President Henry B. Eyring from the Oct 2010 conference talk "Trust in God, Then Go and Do".
"I have come to know that we can trust God to fulfill the promise of Alma that"behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that the should have".
God does not rule in nations, but He is mindful of them. He can and does place people in positions of influence who want what is best for the people and who trust in the Lord."
The more I pondered on this situation I could see it possible for a president of some nation, even mine, to one day help Jews that are still scattered to return home to Jerusalem and build their temple. Even giving them treasures to build it. A modern day Cyrus. My feelings turned from why to why not? This is something the Lord would do. I love how President Eyring says "God does not rule in nations, but He is mindful of them". I really pondered on that. Actually made me feel a little better about my changed feelings on politics and now much attention I give to it. I now give far more attention to the Lord. I know the leaders of our nations are exactly what the Lord feels we as a people deserve.
Day 979
"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charge me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem."
I did some pondering on Cyrus and why someone that was not Jewish would receive a charge to build a temple in Jerusalem, liberating the Jews from captivity to do so? He must have been a good man capable of listening to the light of Christ within.
"...the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia..." (verse 1)
I found this quote by President Henry B. Eyring from the Oct 2010 conference talk "Trust in God, Then Go and Do".
"I have come to know that we can trust God to fulfill the promise of Alma that"behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that the should have".
God does not rule in nations, but He is mindful of them. He can and does place people in positions of influence who want what is best for the people and who trust in the Lord."
The more I pondered on this situation I could see it possible for a president of some nation, even mine, to one day help Jews that are still scattered to return home to Jerusalem and build their temple. Even giving them treasures to build it. A modern day Cyrus. My feelings turned from why to why not? This is something the Lord would do. I love how President Eyring says "God does not rule in nations, but He is mindful of them". I really pondered on that. Actually made me feel a little better about my changed feelings on politics and now much attention I give to it. I now give far more attention to the Lord. I know the leaders of our nations are exactly what the Lord feels we as a people deserve.
Day 979
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)