Isaiah 28:17-18 -- On Covenants With Death

"Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it."
Isaiah 28:17-18


I like this poetic description of the Lord cleaning house. :) In context, the covenant with death and the agreement with hell are agreements that men try to make with something other than God in order to save themselves, and they don't work. 

The idea of God being able to break agreements like that is awesome though, because I think that we sell ourselves too often for things that can never save us, and knowing that God can triumph over anything is important.

Today, let's look forward to the perfect judgement of God when all falseness will be washed away, and in the interim, let's look to God when we need saving, and not to poor substitutes like death or hell. :)

Matthew 26:53-54 -- On Accepting Loss

"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"
Matthew 26:53-54


This is part of Christ's response to his disciples when the "multitude" came to take him, and they wanted to defend him. He assures them that they could prevail, but that he is choosing not to... instead bending to the will of his father.

I think it is a very hard lesson to learn that sometimes the best thing to do is lose when you could win. To allow mistakes or injustice when you could correct them... to let things go when you are in the right.  It's an amazing example of meekness and putting the Lord first.

Today, let's remember that sometimes we're not supposed to win, but rather do as God asks.  In the end, even losses that we accept due to God's will become triumphs, just as Christ's life was, despite tragedy.  Let's work on trusting in God's long-term will, which always leads to our happiness.

Psalms 139:1-3 -- On Knowledge, Love, and Friendship

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."
Psalms 139:1-3


I find it comforting on a deep level that God knows us completely, and still loves us. I think that is something that we want from regular people, but rarely get (or give), but in our relationships with God, it is a given. He doesn't hate us for our mistakes, but rather loves us and asks us to let him help us to make things right.

Significantly, he doesn't justify or condone our sins, dragging things on or making them worse. He isn't the type of friend that will help us "bury the body" because that kind of friend doesn't love us at all--they have no investment in helping us to be the best people we can be, but rather in helping us destroy our lives. God is the best kind of friend, who doesn't condemn us, but instead loves us enough to not only ask us to make better choices, but to help us do it, and to be there during the recovery process.

Today, let's work on feeling "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15), and remember that we can talk to God about anything at all, and he will be there to help us. We can trust him to give us good advice and to stand by us and support us as we strive to improve. God is the best friend that we could ever have. Let's treat him that way. :)

Hebrews 11:24-26 -- On Faith and Confidence

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."
Hebrews 11:24-26


I like the idea here of seeing God as the right choice even when other choices seem better/happier. I definitely don't think that God wants us to always choose affliction or reproach, but sometimes those things do comes, and if we are putting God first, maybe those things don't even matter as much as they would normally, because we have confidence that better is coming.

Today, let's let our faith be stronger than our negative experiences. Let's have faith in Christ that his path is the right way, and that it still leads to more overall happiness, even when we have to let go of a choice that seems temporarily more fun.

Revelation 3:10 -- On Patience and Temptation

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
Revelation 3:10


I had already been thinking about patience, and then I came across this verse, which lets us know that patience helps us with temptation. Definitely lots of natural consequence mixed in there, but I love that it is also a promise from God that if we can be patient, he will keep us from temptation.

So today, an additional reason to learn patience. Patience will make our lives better, will help us think things through, and will also alleviate some of the temptations that we would otherwise encounter. Let's take this seriously and work on accepting God's timing rather than trying to rush things on our own schedule.

Luke 21:19 -- On Patience

"In your patience possess ye your souls."
Luke 21:19


Praying for patience can be scary, because it usually delivers a situation where we need to be patient, and that's hard.  Nevertheless, I like this advice... to make patience a way of life, and a part of our spiritual practice.

I wonder how different our lives would be with the addition of a talent for patience. At least in mine, I think that a good dose of patience would solve a *lot* of problems, forcing me to think things out a little more and eliminating my tendency to say things that I don't really believe because I speak before I think it through.  Likely, some patience could improve all of our lives.

 

Today, let's take Christ's advice and work on building up a talent for patience.  I think our lives will become a lot cooler and calmer as a side effect of working that into our talent mastery. :)

D&C 133:57-61 -- On the Weak

"And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity—
To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight.
And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit.
And for this cause these commandments were given; they were commanded to be kept from the world in the day that they were given, but now are to go forth unto all flesh—
And this according to the mind and will of the Lord, who ruleth over all flesh."
Doctrine and Covenants 133:57-61


It's always interesting to read background explanations of God's purposes. The reason for the gospel and the reason for the commandments (clearly overlap there, but not sure if it is fully synonymic). To partake of glory and to prepare the weak (I assume including us) for things to come, and then mention of things that the weak will do. Confound the wise, and thresh the nations. Pretty cool accomplishments considering the weakness.

Today, I was thinking that one thing we should remember is that, even at our weakest, we are part of God's plan, and God has important and meaningful work for us to do. ... And also that God is always preparing us for something better. Let's work with God as he helps us prepare, and look forward to the bright future and the glory before us.

D&C 130:18-19 -- On Intelligence and Advantage

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."
Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19


I like the idea of being able to take our gained intelligence with us into the eternities, but the idea of "advantage" seems somewhat confusing on the surface, just because a Zion society doesn't really seem like one where there is competition or advantage in that sense. Thinking about it as an advantage that would propel us forward towards our own perfection though makes more sense.  Not an advantage over someone else, but an advantage over who we would otherwise be, or the progress we would have otherwise made, perhaps.

Something to think about today... who we are becoming, and the opportunity we have now to work for whatever advantages we can get in preparation for the afterlife.  Let's learn all we can, and prioritize things that will actually carry over into eternity. :).

Philippians 3:8 -- On Losing and Winning

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"
Philippians 3:8


The thought of being willing to lose everything in order to win Christ is a powerful idea, although of course we always want to win without losing anything. :) It's a good thing to consider as we go through the ups and downs of life. It's sort of the same idea as the happy ending, or everything working together for our good, but perhaps in a clearer way on some level.

Thinking about wins and losses helps us to see real loss in our lives and realize that it is normal, and inevitable, but that those losses along the way are still leading us to an overall win, because, with God, all will balance out in the end.

Today, no matter what we've lost, let's remember what we are striving to win, and not allow other less important goals to get in the way.

Mark 5:34 -- On Faith and Wholeness

"And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
Mark 5:34


I like the idea that faith in Christ can make us whole. It seems like maybe tapping into truth... understanding and believing in what Christ can do in our lives, even if we don't know exactly how. This woman had every reason not to believe that she could be cured, but Christ gave her hope, and tapping into that power brought her healing and wholeness.

We all want to be whole, but it's a tough thing sometimes, having faith. We absorb the world too much, learning to doubt--and we trust ourselves a little bit too much as well, thinking that we know better how life works than God does. It's hard to let go of doubt and pride and to draw on that childlike faith that God can and will make things better.

Additionally, even when we do dare to think that, it's almost as a demand. We want a miracle on our terms, on our timetable, rather than trusting God to do as he wills. I think faith is somewhere in-between a simple hope and an urgent demand... the way Christ prayed "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).

Today, let's work on our trust in God, learning not only to believe that he can do miracles, but that he wants to help us become whole, and that he knows best about how to answer our prayers.  Hope and belief are huge, of course, but I think that is the bulk of faith... being willing to accept whatever God has in store for us.

2 Nephi 7:3 -- On Clothing the Heavens

"I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."
2 Nephi 7:3


I was thinking about what the heavens would look like without that clothing of blackness. It makes me think about the veil, and how strange/amazing it would be to have what we think of as the blackness of space just peeled away to see... something else. But whether the words have any literal meaning, or are wholly symbolic, still they are an amazing reminder of the unimaginable power of God, and how all-encompassing his plan and his creation is.

Today, let's remember that God works with the stuff of the universe and that his work, on that vast scale, is all designed for our happiness. :) There is always hope in turning to him.

3 Nephi 21:23 -- On Building a City of God

"And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem."
3 Nephi 21:23


I like the idea of building a city of God. Temples are amazing by themselves though... that idea of being God's house. I think the idea of a City dedicated to God is that feeling just magnified even more.  The city that is discussed here is not quite heaven, but almost so... theoretically the place that the City of Enoch will return to, which was taken up into heaven.

Today, let's learn a little more about becoming a Zion people, and learning how to build such a city, spiritually as well as physically--how to be the kind of people that could live in a community with God.

Matthew 8:34 -- On Being Unpopular

"And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts."
Matthew 8:34


What struck me today was that even Christ was (at least at times) unpopular and unwanted. It isn't our lack of perfection that allows those types of things into our lives... it's just part of the human experience. 

Sometimes our experiences with rejection or hostility encourage us to believe that we are unloved or even unlovable, and even the scriptures seem a little critical at times, telling us that we are "less than the dust of the earth" (Helaman 12:7, Mosiah 4:2), or that God can't "look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (Alma 45:16), which, you know, can make us as imperfect beings a little nervous.  

However, for one, Christ suffered an died to atone for us, so that our unacceptable "fallen" state could be overcome.  So that we didn't have to compare unfavorably to dust (the point being that dust is obedient).  And two, Christ suffered for us because we ARE worth something.  We are worth that suffering, and that pain, in God's eyes.  Our value as people is independent of what anyone thinks of us, and we are always loved and valued by God, who loves us enough to encourage us and to help us to improve rather than just stagnating. :)

Today, as we're struggling with other people who might not want to hang out with us, let's take a step back and remember that we're awesome and valuable even when other people don't think so... and even when we ourselves don't think so.  Doesn't mean we should just dismiss people or give up on self-improvement, of course.  We should love others and become better, but no matter where we are in that journey of learning to love and learning to be lovable, God still loves us, and we still matter. :)  Let's keep going forward, getting better all the time. :)

Genesis 31:24 -- On Listening and Calming Down

"And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad."
Genesis 31:24


I think it is interesting here that God warns Laban to chill. We see in other stories God counseling people to run away, but in this case, Jacob had already decided to leave, and perhaps Laban was a man that would listen to the Lord, so God intervened in a different way. Laban left angry, chasing Jacob down, but he made peace with him and everything turned out okay. ... I wonder if, in other stories, God attempts to warn people and they don't listen, which is why it turns out that people have to run away or there is a more tragic conclusion.

Perhaps in our own lives there are times when God warns us to chill/calm down, or to back down from our position, or to let go of our need for what we percieve as justice, but we aren't listening. Here, Laban thought he was in the right, but God led him to listen to Joseph's perspective, and he was able to let go of his anger. Probably a good model for us as well.

Today, let's work on listening to God, and being able to calm down when we are feeling angry or out of control. Let's let go of whatever it is that is preventing us from being kind or making peace, and learn to do things God's way.

Psalms 71:20-21 -- On Trouble and Paradise

"Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."
Psalms 71:20-21


The juxtaposition of great and sore troubles and being resurrected is interesting here, again highlighting the fact that trouble is part of the plan. :) Afterward though, there is increase and comfort... so just like Lehi's dream which begins with darkness and confusion, we are all going to face that being lost in the wilderness feeling in life. "Great and sore troubles" come to everyone, and as we learn to deal with those, we learn who we are, and what joy and love are. And, if we pursue the path that leads to it, the tree of life, or the paradise of resurrection, perfection, and joy is waiting for all of us.

Today, let's follow God's path. The middle chapters aren't always fun, but God offers us joy in the midst of the journey too, and there is a guaranteed happy ending waiting for all of us if we stay on the path that God shows us, and stick with him when he helps us along the way.

Helaman 5:24 -- On Taking Courage

"And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage."
Helaman 5:24


The timing here is what I find interesting. Nephi and Lehi had been in prison "many days" without food at this point, and this day they were to be executed, so I am guessing that they were a little worried before this. But then, as they came to get them to put them to death, God encircled them with a pillar of fire, and incidentally converted about 300 people that were in the prison as well. :)

This happens to us too, where we're worried sick over something, and God delivers us at the last minute. Some people say God is cruel for allowing us to suffer... that even when we are delivered in the end, that the suffering in the middle isn't worth it, and that it is some game that God plays with all of us.

I think though that when God says that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28), he doesn't just mean the nice things, but that all of our experiences, together, are not only what makes us what we are, but that they are part of each other... things that we can't understand alone, but we have to understand in the context of everything else. Kind of like in the movie Shadowlands: "The pain then is part of the happiness now." We look back sometimes and say that if we lived some part of our lives over again we'd do it differently. But we are who we are in part because of that past incarnation, and we had to learn from that person to become this person. :)

Today, let's remember that if God spared us all the pain, he would also be sparing us all of our choices and experiences. Let's take courage knowing that God is there and that he will deliver us. It might not be immediately, but it will happen.

Luke 4:18 -- On Distress and Deliverance

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
Luke 4:18


I like that the Spirit is about helping people in their distress. Sometimes we think that when things are bad that the Lord doesn't want to talk to us or doesn't love us, because we are such messes... but God loves us more than that, and especially wants to help us when things are wrong, because he knows that we are in pain. Even when our troubles are self-inflicted, God is there to show us the way out, and to help us get back on his path.

Today, let's remember that God is there for us in our distress, and be willing to turn to him in times of trouble.  And when things aren't quite as stressful, let's help him in his work, and reach out to those who are suffering, and help them as Christ would.

1 Nephi 17:13-14 -- On The Promised Land

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem."
1 Nephi 17:13-14


This is interesting for many reasons... the progression of the promised land *being* Jerusalem (or at least part of it, when the Israelites were led out of Egypt), and then Lehi and his whole group being led from there to somewhere else, and that new place being the promised land. Perhaps Egypt was the promised land temporarily too, as Joseph was placed there so that he could save his people from famine. Perhaps all lands are promised lands at one time or another... or perhaps we all have different places in our lives that are promised in the sense that it is clearly where we need to be, and we have a work to do there.

That's another thing that is interesting... the whole idea of promised land not as just a destination, but as a stepping stone to another thing.  The whole "After ye have arrived" thing reminds us that arriving isn't the end, and just the whole situation emphasizes that too.  They get to this land and there aren't cities to take over... there is just wilderness.  So it was a promised land, but also a huge challenge.  And I think that is what promised lands are supposed to be.  Being led there is totally right, but it isn't an intro to a life of perfect ease ... it's an invitation to meaningful work.  God intends to deliver us not just from the destruction of the body, but from the mind-numbing destruction of purposeless existence.

Today, let's not "stop beyond the sea in the wilderness" but "come forth even unto the land of promise" (Ether 2:7).  Let's find the place that God has prepared for us, and let's engage in the meaningful work that we can accomplish.  ... And if we don't know what the place or the work is yet, well... that's exactly what prayer is for.  Let's talk to God and get on the same page with him about where we should go and what we should do--allowing him to be the light in the wilderness to lead us to the promised land... and then, after we arrive, let's stick with him and do our good work. :)

3 Nephi 24:10 -- On Proving the Lord

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
3 Nephi 24:10


Usually testing/tempting the Lord is a bad thing (Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7), because it indicates a lack of faith, and an unwillingness to believe the proof that the Lord has already laid before us.  However, in this verse, we're asked to try or prove the Lord... to take an action and let God show how much he will bless us.  It's a pretty cool offer too, because this is one of those commandments that we can actually measure if we want to (unlike the difficulty in judging how well we are keeping the "be ye therefore perfect" commandment for instance).

Today, let's take the leap of faith that God asks of us, and then watch as the blessing pours into our lives in a way so abundant that we won't be able to receive it all.  Perhaps we will need to share our blessing with others, which can only lead to more good. :)

Ecclesiastes 4:6 -- On Handfuls and Quietness

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."
Ecclesiastes 4:6


This is some good wisdom. I like how God helps us to be happy and calm, and not stressed all the time, as we listen to him and stay close to his spirit... and I think too often the drama in our lives is caused by us, and not by external factors. Today, let's definitely do as God asks, but if that extra handful isn't important to him, maybe let's take a step back and enjoy the quietness. :)

D&C 64:20-21 -- On Individual Lessons and Community Improvement

"And again, I say unto you, that my servant Isaac Morley may not be tempted above that which he is able to bear, and counsel wrongfully to your hurt, I gave commandment that his farm should be sold.
I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some."
Doctrine and Covenants 64:20-21


This is interesting, where God customizes his commandments to each person. Isaac needed to avoid temptation, so his farm gets sold, but Frederick shouldn't sell his farm, because God wants to give some wicked people a chance to repent. This reminds me of a couple of things that I think God has been teaching me lately.

"It's about the story, not about winning."

One of my hobbies is playing online roleplaying games and participating in collaborative storytelling. Because I started out doing it as a game (like Dungeons and Dragons or Pathfinder), I think my perspective was that you had to win... all the bad guys had to die, the good guys needed to triumph, the mysteries needed to be solved, etc. And, looking back I can see some times when I actually ruined the story or made the game disappointing for others, just because I wanted my character to survive or to "win." Not cool, but I guess I was too selfish, or too focused on my individual character to notice the problem. Recently, I've been participating in some non-game stories, and it has helped to be a much better player in games as well, because I now realize what it is really about... the story that we are telling, with ups and downs and disappointments and triumphs... the experience. It is not about what happens to my *fictional* character, no matter how invested I am in her. :)

Perhaps this seems like the same lesson, but the second is "It's about us, not about me."

Just like my roleplaying experience, or God's commandments that might seem inconsistent, we need to see the larger picture to be able to interpret anything correctly or to help others to enjoy life rather than making it worse for them. Since we can't always see correctly, we need to trust God who *can.* ... In this case, not the blind leading the blind, but the shepherd leading his sheep, or the teacher leading his class, helping them to see how each person works together, complimenting each other in the tapestry of life.  Isaac and Frederick needed to make different choices and account for weaknesses in themselves and in others, and so do we.  But it isn't about the exceptions either... it's just about making things good for everyone.

Today, let's think about how to do that... to help God "save some" and to make the world better in whatever way we can, with his help.

Joshua 9:19 -- On Oaths and Honor

"But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them."
Joshua 9:19


This is from a story where the people in the land where the Israelites are headed dress up like people from far away, wearing old clothes and bringing moldy bread, and get the Israelites to agree to peace through deception (although it is pointed out also that they should have asked God about making peace with them). In any case, I find it impressive that they stuck to their oath despite having been deceived. When they swore in the name of the Lord, it meant something to them and they felt honor-bound to live up to that.

This story makes me wonder how lightly we take our oaths in our own lives, and whether we could make the world better by being more honest and more honorable, even when other people aren't... because how else do we uphold standards? If we lower ours because other people are lowering theirs, then we just end up in a world that has been made worse overall, not in Paradise.

Today, let's work on being honest and honorable--treating people with respect even when they don't return the favor.  Let's be an example of the believers (1 Timothy 4:12).

Mosiah 15:8-9 -- On Justice, Mercy, Repentance, and Perfection

"And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—
Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice."
Mosiah 15:8-9


I like the idea here of Christ standing between us and justice. Justice is definitely a good thing, and the second verse here notes that the demands of justice were satisfied... no cheating. :) The atonement is what made it possible for God to be "a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also" (Alma 42:15).

Repentance is what allows us to grasp God's mercy in our lives. Justice says that we need to be pure and perfect to qualify for heaven, and to live in that Zion-like society. Clearly, we are not Zion people yet... haven't quite reached that perfection threshold. :) God in his mercy allows us a way to mess up and then keep trying and working toward that "perfect day" (D&C 50:24) though, and that is repentance... God giving us nearly unlimited chances to keep going back, trying again, until we eventually, with his help, can qualify for everything good. :)

Today, let's work on repenting. Not saying we're sorry when we're not... that's not even part of what we're talking about. Instead, let's legitimately work on perfection, just a tiny bit at a time, and do better today than we did yesterday. With God's help, and as long as we don't even give up, our slow progression will get us back to him, and to a better existence than we've ever dreamed.

Joel 3:15-16 -- On Hope Amidst Disaster

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel."
Joel 3:15-16


I like this assurance that God will be our hope even in the worst circumstances, when things seem literally blackest. That way, when we actually get to that point, we can remember that God is still there, and is our hope.

It's true literally and also figuratively.  When our own personal lives reach the lowest point, God is our hope, and our way back to light and sanity whenever we are lost.

Today, let's trust in God who is always there for us, making "an anchor to the souls of men" (Ether 12:4, Hebrews 6:19), helping us see the way out of even disasters of our own making. :)

Haggai 1:9 -- On Expectations and Priorities

"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house."
Haggai 1:9


Doesn't this just seem like the way life feels sometimes?  We want something big, and it just doesn't work out the way we wanted it to.  I don't think that life is always that way, or that God is always actively limiting our success, but at least in this historical case, God had a hand in it because he wanted the people to start thinking of something outside themselves, to remember God and prioritize that relationship.  ... That isn't God being more self-centered than anyone. :)  That is God reminding us that he is there to help, and that he knows the way and we don't.  He's trying to help us, but when we focus on ourselves, everything else goes out of focus and we're going to lose sight of a lot of important things.

Today, let's make sure that we're setting realistic expectations with the Lord in mind. :)  Let's make sure that we put the Lord first, and consider the needs of others rather than just ourselves.

Psalms 102:16-22 -- On Reaching Out

"When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord."
Psalms 102:16-22


This is talking about the Second Coming and I like the idea here of helping those most in need, regarding the prayer of the destitute, and not turning away from the poor.

When it talks about listening to prisoners and those that are appointed unto death, that even more so makes me think that God is coming to help those people who are overlooked and shunned by society... that he is setting out specifically to right some wrongs... which also makes me think about how we can help.  God calls out specific groups, here and elsewhere in the scriptures.  The poor, prisoners, orphans, widows, the fatherless... and in the scriptures he helps people who other people aren't helping, shows compassion to people that other people judge, and offers salvation to those that others might not feel are "deserving."

Today, let's try to walk in God's footsteps and reach beyond ourselves and our own personal biases to embrace people that are on the outskirts of society, or that aren't getting the help that they need.  Let's work on ways to help, as Christ would do... and will do, when he returns in glory.

Isaiah 1:25-26 -- On Purification

"And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city."
Isaiah 1:25-26


I like this because God is talking about fixing things... fixing his city, and earlier in the chapter talking about fixing people (verses 16-18). The part about people was somewhat gentler (although still making it clear that there were consequences either way (verses 19-20), but these verses make it clear that even the purifying process is going to be a painful one. ... The end result though, will be pure and perfect, as it was designed to be.

Perfection and purification, both of our world and of ourselves, sometimes seems impossible, and may well be painful, as most change seems to be.  With God, it is possible though, and I think it can be gentle or hard, depending on how willing we are to do as God asks, and also depending on what it is we're changing.  We probably all have parts of ourselves that we have a hard time letting go of.  Whether gentle or difficult though, we have to go through that reconstruction stage to get to the new improved everything.  Things might seem broken for a while, and incomplete--but it won't stay that way.  God will help us feel whole again--a better whole. :)

Today, let's welcome God's purification in our lives, even when it is hard, remembering who we want to be, and what we are working for.

2 Nephi 24:7-8 -- On Finding Rest and Joy

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing.
Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and also the cedars of Lebanon, saying: Since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us."
2 Nephi 24:7-8


I like the idea of rest, quiet, and singing--the rejoicing of being able to rest from sorrow, fear, and bondage (verse 3). I also love that the trees are rejoicing. This chapter is about the Millenium and Satan being bound and unable to affect anyone or anything, and it sounds like it will make all the difference. It makes me wonder if we realize how much we are actually influenced by Satan in our lives, and how much Christ can help us find peace and joy with his influence to balance and center us again.

Today, let's work with God to find rest from the sorrow and fear in our lives, and with his help, invite more peace and joy into our lives. And let's look forward with hope to a day when that rest and peace can be made permanent.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 -- On Being Appointed to Salvation

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10


I like this. I know sometimes we get down on ourselves and think that we are destined to fail... foreordained to misery, or are just not good enough to bother trying for the whole heaven thing. These verses tell us that none of that negativity could be true though... we're appointed to salvation. Christ did what he did so that we could live together with him.  We are greatly loved... all of us, and God will work with us and help us to grow and change and *succeed* in being able to return to him.  Our job is to keep trying, and not to give up.

As part of not giving up, we're advised to "Rejoice evermore" and to "Pray without ceasing" (verses 16-17), which are also good reminders to keep turning to God for help, and also to work on finding the good, and finding ways to enjoy life rather than to curse it and hate it. :)

So, a couple more jobs, but still not as overwhelming as we often feel. :)  Today, let's look up with hope, having faith, and work on not giving up, but also some rejoicing in the glory that awaits us as we grow closer to God and to our best selves.

Psalms 25:1 -- On Lifting Up our Souls to God

"Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul."
Psalms 25:1


I like the idea of lifting up our souls to God. We're asked in other scriptures to lift up our voices, to lift up our hands, our heads, our eyes, and our hearts, and those things are talking about missionary work, rejoicing, and other specific principles, but this one... this one just seems like prayer. Like coming before the Lord and realizing that he sees us for exactly what we are, and trying to make that core self better and purer before him.

Today, let's lift up our souls to the Lord, and listen to his advice. Let's allow him to direct our paths, and live his commandments. :)

Zechariah 8:3 -- On A City of Truth

"Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain."
Zechariah 8:3


This is about the last days/Second Coming, and there are a lot of cool and interesting things in this chapter. The one that I was thinking about when reading this is the "city of truth" part. Later in the chapter it says "Speak ye every man truth to his neighbor" (verse 16) and talks about not imagining evil against our neighbors (verse 17), and I was thinking, what would it be like to live in a "city of truth?"

I feel like falsehood is so pervasive now... it's hard to know who is telling the truth, and even when you aren't hearing lies, sometimes the truth is so skewed that it results in deception anyway. It's significant that God is "a God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16, Ether 3:12, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 31:5), and that his glory is "light and truth" (D&C 93:36).  As we work to become like him, and learn how to live in a Zion society, we need to learn how to become people of truth.

How can we embrace the truth more in our lives.  Are there ways that we can be clearer and kinder in our communication?  For instance, instead of lying and saying nothing is wrong, could we ask for more time to process something, or are there ways of de-escalating our emotions so that we don't say things that we don't really believe "in the heat of the moment" when we are angry or otherwise emotionally compromised?

Today, let's work on being people of truth as we worship the God of truth and strive for a truth-filled future. :)