Isaiah 9:2,6 -- On the Greatest Gift of Christ

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
. . .
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:2,6


Skipping a few verses in between here, not because they aren't interesting, but because I wanted to skip ahead to the light that the first verse is referencing, which is Christ. The wording here may have been what the angel was referencing in Luke 2: "Unto you is born this day ... a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." That "unto us / unto you" phrasing emphasizes the nature of the event as a gift.

I think sometimes the problem is that we don't accept the gift in our lives. We focus on the trappings of the season, worried about making sure everyone has gifts and stocking stuffers and food, being "careful and troubled about many things," but we forget to step back and focus on the "one thing [that] is needful" (Luke 10:41-42).

Today, let's ponder the greatest gift that we have been given, for this Christmas and all other days: the gift of Jesus Christ: his teachings and his atonement. Because of him, we have a path to study and use as an example. Because of him, we know that we can all be resurrected and live again. Because of him, we know that we can repent and change, being renewed not just in body, but if we choose, also in soul--being able to leave behind our mistakes and regrets and become new and better.... like Scrooge, and the Grinch, and the Prodigal Son. All stories of redemption are ultimately stories of Christ, who made it possible. :) Let's rejoice in our families and the time we have together, but not get so caught up in the trappings that we forget the most important thing of all. :) Jesus Christ has always been our greatest gift.

James 4:17 -- On Acting on Good Impulses

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
James 4:17


I like this... today, let's determine not to smother any good impulses, but rather to spread as much good as we can. :)

James 4:13-15 -- On Planning and the Lord's Will

"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
James 4:13-15


On a day of anticipation such as this, it was interesting to read about not knowing what shall be on the morrow. I like the perspective of not trusting in our own expectations, but rather in what the Lord wills. Maybe today we can add the "if the Lord will" caveat to our plans and thoughts, which will help us realize how dependent we are on the Lord, and perhaps us help us to be a little bit more humble and thankful for what the Lord has given.

James 4:7-8 -- You Are Part of the Plan

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
James 4:7-8


I like these simple steps. It doesn't always feel simple, but worth it to think about it on a basic level... don't resist God, but DO resist Satan. Choose who you are opening your soul to, and be wise. Work on having a relationship with God and he will match and multiply your effort. Don't give up or assume that prayer, or church, or whatever else is "not your thing" ... God has the power to help any of us, and even all of us, to be his true children, heirs of the Kingdom, and worthy. Ask for it, work for it... God is here to save us, not to reject us. Today, let's cleanse our hands and purify our hearts and know that the gospel is for us, individually as well as collectively. God didn't leave any of us out of his plan. Let's think about these verses today, and grow closer to God.

James 1:19-20 -- On Being Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
James 1:19-20


Such great advice, and applies to email and posting online as well. :) Today, let's take our time and be deliberate and calm, avoiding wrath and learning from God how to have inner peace. :)

Matthew 2:1-2 -- On Wisdom

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
Matthew 2:1-2


I love that God helped so many people to know about what was happening, and how important it was. As Paul comments later in Acts, these things were "not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). I think this is true today as well. God still help us to learn wisdom, and lets his prophets and those that have the spirit with them know what he is doing in the world. God can help us to know what to prepare for, and also help us with decisions and everything else that we need, if we look to him for wisdom (James 1:5).

John 13:34-35 -- Love and the Path to Heaven

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:34-35


Right after he sent Judas off to betray him, Jesus says this to the remaining disciples. Part of it was that they were going to face a lot of opposition in the near term and they needed to stick together... but I think Christ was reminding them how much he loved them, and that there is a deeper lesson here about how we treat each other in general. As we are learning to be heavenly, so that we will be comfortable in heaven, this is a crucial lesson. Zion (the idea of heaven on earth) is a place we build together. It isn't an isolated place, but rather a community of people who are trying to learn to live and love more perfectly. The city of Enoch was able to achieve this, and many other groups were able to sustain it for long periods of time. We have to help each other get there though, gathering, learning, teaching, practicing, apologizing, repenting, and trying again. Like any relationship, it takes work, and it takes learning to love and respect others and treating them like valuable, treasured friends.

Today, let's imagine what it would be like to treat more people like we do our best friends. What would change? Maybe something to try, as we experiment and try to get closer to heaven.

John 14:2-3 -- On Many Mansions

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
John 14:2-3


I like the comforting idea that Christ is preparing a place for us. Since he loves us so much that he was willing to die for us, I think that means he will prepare it with love and care, and it will be a good place.

The idea of "many mansions" has been explained as different kingdoms of glory, which already tells us that we'll be someplace we feel comfortable, but it also carries the ideas of spacious, well-furnished, comfortable, safe... a place where you can do things and hang out with people you love. We don't know a lot about what heaven will be like, but we know that much... that we can be with our families, and that sociality exists there as well, so presumably friends as well.

Today, as we deal with the immediacies of life, let's also remember the long-term goal of getting back to God, and being reunited and together with people that we care about in heaven. Let's not give that up for anything in the now, but rather have patience and work for something much, much better, with God's help.

Mosiah 2:34-35 -- On Debt and Choice and Perspective

"I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;
And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore, they are just and true."
Mosiah 2:34-35


I think the prideful part of us sometimes wants to rebel against the idea that we owe anyone, God or parent, everything that we "have and are." That's a huge burden that seems pushed on us. As we grow, we realize how many sacrifices our parents made for us and hopefully learn to respect that. Likewise, as we learn about God and all that he has done for us, we learn to respect that as well. Additionally, the fact that our parents want us to grow into our own people, and that God gives us help and direction and choice, allowing us room to make mistakes and to develop opinions and personalities helps us to realize that the whole system works because of love, not oppression.

The opposite is true with Satan and often with eartly oppressors. In the verse previous to the selection it tells us that choosing "the evil spirit" is like drinking damnation to your own soul. Our reward for following evil is never love, peace, or joy. It might be briefly rewarding in some way, but the end result is pain, guilt, and unhappiness. We ruin our own souls by mocking and harming others, and by choosing the short term thrill over the long term good. Everything that God does on the other hand is designed for our good, to help us rather than to hurt us. Warnings to avoid things that will harm us long term are spiritual "surgeon general" warnings. We can ignore them, which seems cool while we're being rebellious, but not later when we are suffering the consequences of our actions.

Today, let's work on overcoming the detrimental part of our rebellion, and really examine our actions and where they are leading... let's choose love over hatred, and to lift and heal and unite, understanding why God wants our hearts and learning to give them willingly.

2 Corinthians 4:6 -- On Light-Filled Hearts

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."



I love this image of light shining out of darkness, and the connection to us, showing that we can have that same light to drive away our darkness. Today, whatever darkness is preventing us from enjoying our moments or clouding our eyes so that we can't see the good in the world, let's turn to Christ and pray that God will shine similarly to us this day. Let's remember the hope and peace that God promises, that no matter what is going on around us, God can be our peace and our strength, enabling us to face anything external because his love is in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 15:19 -- On Eternal Hope

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
1 Corinthians 15:19


Paul is speaking here of the importance of the resurrection, and his point is well taken. God's plan isn't just for this life. This is just a tiny sliver of who we are. A huge, important sliver where we learn who we are and who we want and choose to be, and which will affect who we become for eternity... but a sliver nonetheless. If we focus too much on the now, we lose sight of that eternal goal and often make really poor choices, which is why the prophets tell us to "Think Celestial" ... long term thinking about who we are becoming and who we want to be long-term helps us to be wiser in our choices, and remember that we are eternal beings, through Christ who made it possible for us to grow beyond this life only.

Today, let's not wallow in the misery of limitation and death, but remember that Christ's hope is larger than a day or a season, and stretches into eternity. Let's stretch with it and become the amazing, eternal versions of ourselves that Christ is helping us visualize and become.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 -- On Gifts and Wishlists

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
1 Corinthians 12:8-11


I like the discussion of these spiritual gifts, given to us by God. I think sometimes, because we talk about them as "gifts," that we think there is no work involved... God either gives you faith, or interpretation, or he doesn't, and it is mostly just an effortless thing for you, if you have the gift. While I do think that we all have things that are easier or harder for us, I don't think any of them come with zero effort. That's why God encourages us to use our talents, and not to bury them.

Spiritual gifts and talents are given to us to use to make the world around us, our communities and families and relationships better... to lift each other us, and help even our enemies. If we go out and do good with them, then we're practicing and multiplying and making the talent better at the same time we're making the world better.

Even though it is also a tempting thought, I also don't think that we can get off the hook by saying that we aren't good at something or that God didn't give us that gift. He tells us to seek earnestly the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31 / D&C 46:8-9), and we can work with him to learn whatever is important to us.

Today, let's practice using our gifts to make the world a better place, and let's remember that God is ready to teach us more. Let's talk with him and tell him what is on our wishlist, and that we are willing to work for. :)

Mosiah 6:7 -- On Building Celestial Communities

"And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for the space of three years."
Mosiah 6:7


I really like the idea here of the king worried about "being burdensome" to his people, and that he participated in the work of the community. I think that is part of God's recipe for Celestial/Zion people--that we all care about and work for each other, no matter our current position or status. It brings to mind stories about General Authorities leaving all of their clothing behind except those they are wearing, because as they traveled someplace, they ran into people who needed those things more than they did.

Today, let's think more about the people around us, and make sure that we're lifting and helping and contributing rather than being burdensome. :)

Mosiah 4:13 -- On Love and the Spirit

"And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due."
Mosiah 4:13


This is part of King Benjamin's address to his people, and he is talking about the love of God here. The idea of "living peaceably" is tied in with helping rather than hurting, and specifically not taking advantage of others, but "rendering" according to what is due, which I take to mean paying our debts, and giving credit to others for their ideas and hard work, etc. All of this seems tied in to our ability to feel the Spirit, because the Spirit helps us to do all of these things, but learning to feel that and knowing what the Spirit is prompting us to do takes experience and practice.

Rendering to others might be more than earthly wealth and credit too. We all have different gifts, and sharing those with others could also be involved. All of us are learning step by step and we have strengths and weaknesses. If we are stronger in one thing, then we help others in that thing, so that we can all learn from each other, cover our own weaknesses, and be perfected together. :) You could argue that we owe people that help, not because it is an earthly obligation, but because we all are part of God's recruitment drive to get everyone signed up for the return trip to heaven. Not just on a proselytizing level, but on a helping-each-other-learn-how-to-be-decent-people level. :)

It all comes down to that love of God that began the sermon. When we love people, we don't treat them as less then ourselves and think that we deserve a better share or a bigger piece of whatever pie. We *love* them, and that means doing things for them and helping them and surprising them with cool things that will make them smile. Today, let's double-down on learning to love, really love, not just fulfil an obligation. Let's pray to feel God's love for others, and make it our own. Then our minds will change, so we won't want to injure... but also our hearts will change and we will look at everyone in a new way.

Luke 17:20-21 -- On the Kingdom of God

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 17:20-21


I like this. The kingdom of God is not an Earthly place, but a united people, dedicated to God, independent of any national boundaries. Perhaps at the Second Coming the whole thing will be a little bit more literal, but until that day, we serve God's kingdom by uniting in serving the Lord, not by flying any particular flag or preferring one country over another. God asks us to lift each other up, to learn to love and help... that's the way that we can become part of his kingdom.

Luke 14:15-24 -- On the Lord's Supper

"And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."
Luke 14:15-24


This parable seems similar to the one in the parable of the ten virgins, where five of them go in and five of them are shut out because they weren't ready. In this case, it isn't necessarily that they aren't ready, but the guests each prioritize something else over the invitation, finding excuses not to come. Part of this I think is showing that the people that seem important, that were the invited guests, are not the ones that are going to be eating of the Lord's supper, perhaps because they feel something else is more important. Rather, those that are humble and regonize the invitation for what it is will drop everything else and be ready to attend at the last minute.

The last part is the point that seems central. Here, hopefully we aren't the invited guests, but rather the ones that are being scooped up from the roadside, and we need to be ready to drop everything, and put the Lord's invitation above everything else. The ten virgins story does give hope to the invited guests though... in that story at least half of them made it in, so as long as we have oil in our lamps and don't prioritize other things over God's invitations, we're good.

I think that part of life is learning that last point though, and we shouldn't despair completely if we haven't been putting God first and responding to his invitations in a timely manner. We can repent, and learn better to recognize the Spirit and act on those promptings. The warning of the story is that we need to be working to learn this before it is too late though, so today, let's take God seriously and work to place his will before our own.

John 20:30-21 -- On Life Through His Name

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
John 20:30-21


The idea that there are so many things that happened in Jesus' life that we miss out on knowing is not really surprising... it's a whole life... but it is a little frustrating, because everything about Christ is interesting and cool, and I want to have insider access, not like a fan, but like a friend. Other people's lives can be similarly intriguing. I think everyone has their own way of being interesting and cool, but Christ's life obviously transcends everything else. I also really like the idea of all of this being written to help us. Hearing about him and believing in all that he did is our first step to having "life through his name," because he offers us more than we could ever have alone, including better selves. The chance to be the kind of people that we can currently only dream of... the good, true, pure, lovely, consistent, generous, kind, wise, gracious, happy, whole people that currently we just are not, but that we so want to be. Christ is the way that our impatient, flawed, unrighteous selves can actually have the hope to get there, and to be able to function in a society of people that currently would just be way beyond us. Life is the way there, and trust and repentance, and faith in the atonement that he died to offer us.

Today, let's embrace the hope of a better life through his name, and offer thanks, and work on becoming who he made it possible to become.

Luke 12:51 -- On Division and Peace

"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:"
Luke 12:51


It is interesting that Christ, the Prince of Peace, says this. It doesn't mean that promoting and publishing peace isn't a good idea. The scriptures reinforce elsewhere that this is a good idea. I think what Christ is talking about here is that peace isn't the ultimate, most important goal. If it were, then perhaps any peace would do... an ignorant sleep where we stop worrying about things and just go with the flow for instance. Christ is the champion of Good, and his peace is a peace of love, service, generosity, and good tidings. It is a peace where we help each other and lift each other up, working to repair relationships and heal hearts. It is a peace that does not embrace evil or sacrifice principles, but that loves people where they are, as they are trying to become better.

There will be division, as the sheep from the goats, or the wheat from the tares, but our job isn't to stop division or beat it into submission, but rather to show that God, and the peace and happiness that He brings is the right choice. We can help Christ as we work to get ourselves and other people over to his side, where we can learn His peace... a lasting, sustainable peace that stays in our hearts long after the holiday season is over. Eventually there will be peace on Earth, but first we have to work for it, and teach ourselves to be peacemakers, finding ways to do all that we do in His name and in His way, working to internalize his teachings and become the kind of people who can build a Zion society.

John 15:4-5 -- On Vines and Fruit and Opportunity

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
John 15:4-5


This is a good analogy and lesson. Every good thing comes from God, and we rely on him for health, strength, and power. It is his power that we exercise in our lives to do everything, and I think part of what the parable of the talents is all about. It isn't just this or that ability... it is every ability, the life force that we have, the life that we have. And what are we going to use those gifts for? What are we going to accomplish with our lives? This is our chance to make a difference, to choose what we will. Today, let's take Christ's gifts and use them for good, to make a positive difference. Let's build community and help each other and love everyone, and be unifying rather than divisive. Let's help other people know that they have the power to change and make a difference too. Let's be bold and do good things. :)

James 3:17-18 -- On Wisdom from Above and Growing Peace

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
James 3:17-18


I like this description of God's wisdom, and also the idea of "sown" peace... that it is something that we can plant and harvest, and that we are involved in growing it. Today, let's think about God's wisdom, both how to accept and apply it in our lives, but also how to plant and grow it, in our hearts and in the world around us.

Mosiah 15:14-18 -- On Publishing Peace

"And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!
And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!
And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;"
Mosiah 15:14-18


I love the idea here of publishing peace and bringing good tidings of good. It seems to me to be a call for us to be positive and focus on the good. I don't think that means that we should ignore evil... we definitely need to choose the good rather than just passively agreeing to evil, but I think the point here is that God is calling us to find ways to draw attention to the light, and to broadcast and multiply that light. God will work on pruning the evil as we grow the good. Today, let's follow Christ and establish and proclaim peace in all that we do. Let's show that there is a good, clear path in a confusing world where many people aren't sure where to look to find the good. Let's work with God to find and show others the good and peaceful things all around us.

Exodus 14:12-14 -- On Change and Peace

"Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:12-14


This is an interesting verse, as the children of Israel, escaping from Pharaoh, see the Egyptians coming behind them with an army, and are understandably concerned. They complain to Moses, saying that it would have been better to stay where they were, even though they were slaves. Moses reassures them, telling them that the Lord will fight for them.

I think this is something that happens to us a lot in life... not a literal Egyptian army following us, but that time between miracles when we fear and doubt, uncertain whether the next miracle will come, and uncomfortable with change, we wish we could just crawl back into our old life, even though it was worse. At least it wasn't so uncomfortable and exposed and scary and full of effort.

I think God was helping these people learn to readjust to freedom, but also to making bold choices and thinking for themselves... to becoming more than a cog, but realizing their own power and ability to do hard things and to become more than they had been. And he is doing the same for us. ... Promised lands are usually not at the end of a luxury cruise, or supplied with all of the comfort and amenities of home. It's a long walk in the wilderness, with tents and privation, and sometimes barges or arks. It's hard to set out for someplace new and break ground and start over.

As God taught Abraham, and Moses, the Israelites, the Jaredites, Noah, Lehi, Nephi, Joseph Smith, and so many others though... his path is the worthy one. He wants us to be the powerful people that we can be and make a change in the world. He wants us to step up and be a light, and be an example of strength and goodness.

Today, and the next time we get caught between miracles and Satan tries to get at us with fear and doubt, let's choose peace over panic. Let's trust that God has the next miracle in store, and keep going, and keep praying, knowing that our promised land is at the end of the journey. Let's not turn back, physically or spiritually as Lot's Wife did, but instead let's pray and follow the Lord's advice, accepting the discomfort of discovery and change in order to grow, trusting that the Lord will fight for us, and guide us to where we are needed.

John 14:27-28 -- A Better Peace

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
John 14:27-28


The peace that the Lord offers is definitely different than what the world offers. We're often attuned to the world where if comfort isn't immediate and tangible, it isn't worthwhile... the kind of short-term thinking that can get us into a world of spiritual trouble. God offers us peace that is more powerful and long-lasting, but it requires a change in perspective, like the understanding sought here. In death, Christ would return to our Father, which is a reason to rejoice. For the disciples at the time, and also for us, it seems difficult to rejoice when the focus is on now and not on eternity. This isn't to say that God doesn't have compassion for our sorrow. He wept for Lazarus and his family even though he knew that Lazarus would rise again. He gets it, but he also asks us to learn to get his perspective as well, and allow him to help us see further, so that we can focus on eternal consequences rather than earthly ones. Today, let's work on accepting a better kind of peace.

Zechariah 8:16-17 -- On Truth and Peace and Love

"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord."
Zechariah 8:16-17


These are some good things to focus on: truth and peace, which seem to encompass the other advice, but always good to remember specifically not to imagine evil against others (since that definitely doesn't lead to peace), and not to love lies either, since that doesn't help us stay dedicated to truth.

It's difficult to do sometimes, because our society has a different view, which is reinforced in a lot of our media... that some lies, deception, and violence are okay, depending on the people we're lying to. Indeed, the scriptures back this up in some cases, with people infiltrating opposing organizations or armies, wars fought against other nations, etc. God commands, and supports his servants in making decisions for the greater good. However, I think it is dangerous to assume that we are exceptions. That gets us into conditional obedience where we find ways to justify our actions, belittling others and seeing them as enemies of God so that we can justify our treatment of them. That is definitley not what God wants. He wants us to go way out of our way to love other people, as he did, whatever their sins.

Christ, during his mortal ministry, was popular and powerful. He could easily have started a revolution and led his people to victory. He could have chosen to fight his enemies and to conquer the world. Instead he chose to teach love, kindness, compassion, and peace. He fulfilled the will of his Father, promoting God's plan over individual desires, even though that led to his death. And in his suffering and death, he saved us all. Today, let's be willing to endure some opposing opinions and bad behavior in pursuit of God's goals of truth and peace and love. Let's speak the truth to others and ask God to help us change our hearts so that we don't imagine evil or love false oaths. Let's do ask God asks and not wish bad things upon our enemies, but instead find a way to love them, as he does.

Isaiah 45:5-6 -- On Power and Authority

"I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else."
Isaiah 45:5-6


I like this message from God to Cyrus that the blessings that he has seen in his life, the help, the strength... that was all God. Perhaps because he is speaking to a king, who is used to power, he explains that there is no one else that challenges God's power. He is at the top, and later warns against striving with your maker. :) For us, it's of course good to remember that we shouldn't ever assume that we are right and God is wrong. When one of us needs to change, it's always us. We're the children (and potsherds) here (see verse 9). I think more importantly though, it is good to remember that there is only one place to look to for salvation, and that is God's great plan of happiness through Jesus Christ, his son. We are his children and he wants the best for us... but we need to, at some point, stop fighting him, and let him into our hearts and minds and feelings so that he can teach us, and help us, and we can grow up into our best selves with his help. Let's open our hearts to him today, and listen to his advice. It's true that there is no one else to turn to... but also, he loves us.