Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 8:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 8:7
"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up."

I've been thinking of late how I need to be a wise steward of my time. That it is so precious I must invest it in things that last for the eternities. For that would be the wisest investment of my time. Now I see it so with this verse. I could put my time and effort into things that are sown into the wind. That which is sown to the wind is not enduring or of an eternal nature. It's like departing from the principles of truth and cleaving to darkness and wickedness. There is no substance of a lasting nature. There is no lasting happiness. What is sown to the wind is what you reap, nothing. The price that is paid is there is no substance or anchor to ground you. The whirlwinds can carry you away.

Day 1445

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 7:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 7:14
"And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me."

What Hosea speaks of is what also Mormon saw at the end of his civilization.

"And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.
But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.
And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives." (Mormon 2:12-14)

All this made me think of people during the last mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. I was appalled when people actually said they didn't want our thoughts and prayers. They mocked those that even offered them. They saw no value and benefit, they were hollow words in their eyes, which they found insulting. Then the news stations started mocking the same thing. It brought such sorrow to my heart. For they had no idea the peace that prayers can bring. How the joined prayers of others can strengthen, lift and sustain you. I just prayed for them all the more.

Day 1444

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

I pondered on how I can go through the rituals and ordinances and not know God if I do not seek Him. I need to ponder on the meaning of the emblems and the sacrifice that was made. Knowing God is deeper than the outward expression. It is what is written on the heart.

Day 1443

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."

The reference is Doctrine and Covenants 101:8
"In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."

I pondered on how true this has been in my life. It wasn't until I noticed a pattern. I would go along doing my own thing and as soon as trouble hit I became more conscious of the things I needed to be doing. Then I would get on my knees and pour my heart out to God to rescue me. I realized this wasn't a good pattern because trouble just kept knocking on my door. I had everything backwards. It was only when I needed the Lord's help that I would start doing what I was suppose to be doing. I vowed to break that cycle and do what I knew I should be doing because it was the right thing.

Now I can't say all my troubles have left me, but there is peace now where there wasn't before. I do feel the Lord answers my prayers quicker than He did in the past, or at least presents the solution to me quicker. My relationship with God is better. I see more purpose in the trials I do go through because He is there to teach me.

Day 1442