Exodus 14:14 -- On Holding Our Peace

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:14


This is right after Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt. The people see the Egyptians following them and they complain to Moses that it would have been better to stay slaves than to die free in the wilderness. This is part of Moses' response. And of course the Lord did fight for them, and things worked out.

I wonder how often things like this happen in our lives, and we are just as prone to complain as the Israelites were. God asks us to do something, and we do it halfheartedly and it doesn't immediately work out the way we wanted it to, or it isn't as easy as we thought, or tragically we have to expend some effort... and we are back to complaining, asking God why he asked us to start down this road, why the commandments exist, why we pray or go to church, or even question our belief in God because things aren't going perfectly, as we think they should.

At times like that, perhaps we should remember this verse, and hold fast to our peace. Things are going to happen according to the Lord's timing, not ours... and his is infinitely superior anyway. Doing things the Lord's way will always work out in the end. There will probably be setbacks along the way, and even the promised land is going to require a lot of effort. It's all still worth it though, and all of it together is designed for our good, to help us to become the incredible beings that we have the potential to be.

Today, let's hold our peace a little more and complain a little less, and listen to the Lord and do his will rather than our own. As we do, we'll be led and blessed, and we can be sure that things will turn out well in the end. God has already written the happy ending.

Proverbs 24:16 -- On Rising Up Again

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
Proverbs 24:16


I like the idea here that the right thing to do is keep trying. It includes the assumption that everyone is going to fall sometimes... and we know from Moses, Nephi, Noah, etc. that those things are true even of prophets. What makes the difference between the wicked and the just here is getting back up again... wading back in and making those incremental improvements that eventually stack up into a better and better life as we go along. The wicked fall and then just slide into something worse.

Today, let's be on the team that rises up again. Let's keep going and keep progressing even when there are setbacks that tempt us to lose hope. And, even if we have slid farther in the past, let's get up now. God is still holding his hand out, ready to help. Let's be strong, try again, and get a tiny bit better this time, until we get it right. :)

Isaiah 60:1-2 -- On Shining

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."
Isaiah 60:1-2


I love the idea here that not only can there be light in the midst of darkness, but that we can be that light... like the moon, reflecting a brighter light to the world around us. The idea that God's light can rise upon us, even when the rest of the world is dark is incredibly hopeful. And being able not only to drink in that light, but to help provide light to others, is even cooler.

Today, let's remember these verses written for the last days, which is where we live. :) We can be okay, filled with light and happiness, even when the world seems dark. Let's look to God, and arise and shine, for our light is come. :)

Psalms 51:6-10 -- On Inward Truth

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Psalms 51:6-10


I like the "truth in the inward parts" line. God makes his biggest changes on the inside. As we learn to live his way, we learn a new and better way of thinking and evaluating. We make better choices, and become better people. He doesn't do this against our will of course, which is why it *is* a choice. We have to let him in, and invite him to help us change.

If we want all of these things, to have our iniquities blotted out, to have clean hearts, truth rooted in us, etc. then God can help us get there. :) Let's seek for that true internal change and the chance to be so much better than we could ever become alone. :)

Mosiah 15:26-27 -- On Justice and Progression

"But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.
Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim." Mosiah 15:26-27


This is another message that seems harsh when we first hear it, but again I don't think that this is God wanting us to be afraid of him, but rather wanting us to realize what undiluted justice will *do* to us, if we don't take advantage of the mercy of Christ. If we don't repent and we die without taking advantage of God's atoning gift, by rejecting that chance that he gives us to grow and change and become better, then the full weight of justice for all we have done falls on us... and that isn't going to be fun. If fear is going to motivate us, then let's be motivated by that fear... the fear of the consequences of our own actions, delayed but catching up to us.

Luckily, there isn't a reason to be afraid at all if we can manage just a touch of humility, and confess our faults to God and work to do better. As we do that, Christ will help us to keep progressing and changing until we're the kind of people that don't have to ever worry about those consequences falling on us, and that space that the atonement grants us will have saved us quite thoroughly. :) Today, let's realize how much we need God in our lives, and call on God for help, strength, and mercy as we continue to progress and work with God's help to become better and better.

Genesis 22:16-18 -- On Putting God First

"And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
Genesis 22:16-18


This is part of the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac, and I know that the story can read like God is asking something mean or playing games with Abraham's emotions, but honestly I think this was an essential trial that Abraham had to go through before he could realize the true relationship between himself and God. Since Abraham's story involves almost being sacrificed himself, human sacrifice was one of Abraham's hot buttons, and one reason that Abraham followed the Lord is that the Lord saved him from that, and he knew that there was hope with him for a future and a legacy of family. So, he goes through a lot with God and gets to know him better through his life, and gains the gift a miraculous son, promised to him by God... and then is asked to give up all the things that matter to him... the reasons he started to follow him in the first place.

I think it was God helping Abraham to realize that God was more important than everything else he had wanted. ... And I think that a similar realization comes to all of us at one point or another. Perhaps not in the same dramatic way, but it's something we have to learn in order to put God first in our lives, rather than whatever else we believe comes first instead. Today, let's consider our priorities and try to learn the lesson of what comes first in life before it hits us more dramatically. :) As we do, we will find that the blessings of Abraham are natural products of putting God first in our lives.

Jeremiah 31:29-30 -- On Bitterness and Shadows

"In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge."
Jeremiah 31:29-30


This chapter is talking about the last days and this part is interesting to me because to me it seems like there is going to come a time where we aren't paying for the sins of our fathers anymore. Fathers overall, symbolically, but thinking about problems that have stretched on generation after generation, doesn't it seem amazing and miraculous that someday those things just won't be there anymore to haunt any of us? The idea that we could really not have all of that history hanging over our heads, and bad situations woouldn't be passed on to the next generation--I love that idea.

Not, of course, that all of history is bad, or that I am anti-ancestor ... I feel sure that most of them were much wiser than I. I do like the idea that we don't have to pass our mistakes on, but that we can bear the consequences ourselves. We definitely won't always like that, but pulling the consequences back to the individual more will certainly present us with some direct, honest learning opportunities and we'll lose some of the actually kind of creepy power of making other people suffer for our mistakes. Perhaps (hopefully) that will help us make fewer of them.

Honestly, the idea also freaks me out a little bit, because looking back over my life I realize how often I skated out of consequences, and not being able to do that ever again is super scary... but significantly, it doesn't say here that God will never forgive us or tell us to go and sin no more. I think it's talking about larger and deeper pervasive and unrepented sins that just last and last, casting a shadow on everything around. The bitterness passed down from the experiences of others. Things like racism perhaps, and other biases, and abuse certainly, and other ways of seeing others as objects rather than people, of twisting things that should be good into evil, and teaching others so. Praise God for lifting those burdens from us all. Today, let's work to live as if this were so already, and pray to be able to cast off and live without those shadows, and never to pass them on.

Isaiah 60:18 -- On Something Better

"Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."
Isaiah 60:18


I wonder what life would be without violence or wasting or destruction. It's hard to imagine, because those things are all around us, in media if not closer, but I think scriptures like this are inviting us to imagine: what if? Not imagining worse, but imagining better. And what better to do with our imaginations or our lives? God invites us to dream of good things, and focus on a better future. And not just imagine, but trust and believe in what God will bring--a better world, a better life.

Today, let's think of a life without violence, and work for the future that God has promised. Rather than settling for the violence and imperfection of the world around us, let's dream and live for something better. :)

Isaiah 59:8-9 -- On Paths and Peace

"The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness."
Isaiah 59:8-9


I like this idea, that we walk in darkness because we haven't learned peace. We wait for light, but we can never find it because we make crooked paths and walk there, rather than in the path of God. ... I don't like it because I want us to be in darkness, but I like it because if we know what is wrong, maybe we can do something to fix it. Maybe we can find brightness if we remember that the source of it is in God, and we can turn to him and learn peace, and gain light. Today, let's try God's path rather than our own imperfect one, and look to God for light.

2 Nephi 4:35 -- On Asking Not Amiss

"Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."
2 Nephi 4:35


I think that it is interesting that the limitation here on gifts from God is focused on not asking for the wrong things. I think that is actually a huge hint to us, perhaps helping us to realize that we need to learn more about God and the world and to know how to ask, and what things to ask for. So many positive things could be good things to ask for, but unfortunately far too often we ask for things that aren't good for us, or that could harm other people. Sometimes we ask for what could be good things, but we ask for the wrong reasons, and we have to purify those intentions so that we understand what God's gift is about.

Today, let's be willing to talk to God and ask for what we need, but also to examine ourselves and understand why we ask what we ask, and work on purifying those intentions. We're not always going to get it right, but we can talk to God about all of it, and he can help us learn better how to ask, and what to ask for as well. :)

3 Nephi 4:7 -- On Intimidation Tactics

"And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers; and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood."
3 Nephi 4:7


This is the Gadianton robbers marching to battle with the Nephites, and the scene seems pretty scary. And I feel like that is what secret combinations, and maybe just evil/satan in general, tries to do to us all the time... intimidation tactics, trying to scare us into compliance with their wishes. Scams, ransomware, human trafficking, abuse, and all the rest... some of the evil of all of it is making us think that they are in control, and we become afraid of trusting others, and also scared to try to help, for fear of retaliation or whatever. We get into a state where we think that there is so much evil around us that we aren't able to do any good. It's probably not quite that bad, or God would be plucking the branches to be burned already, but it can definitely be scary.

If we turn to the Lord though, remember that HE is always in control, he can help us focus on the good and show us hidden allies. He'll help us know what to do and how to help. We can survive, thrive, and even make a difference in the world as we look to God for protection rather than giving in to evil. Let's work on that kind of trust and faith.

Matthew 7:4 -- On Avoiding Hypocrisy

"Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?"
Matthew 7:4


This is an interesting verse, because we're taught that the first commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neighbors. One lesson is probably that pointing out people's faults is not part of loving them... but then again the Cain and Abel story suggests that at least in some circumstances we *are* our brother's keeper, and depending on our responsibility to another person, there are probably circumstances where that is part of loving them... a parent or a bishop for instance might need to help someone see a fault before being able to help work through it.

I think what the mote/beam story is about is similar to the command to "first seek to obtain my word" (D&C 11:21). The idea is not to say that we shouldn't help people who have things in their eyes, but rather to make sure that we are applying lessons and commandments to ourselves first, and that we aren't asking other people to live something that we aren't willing to live, or actively living. ... It's telling us to work on not being hypocrites. Perhaps we all need that lesson, at least to some extent.

Today, let's work on avoiding hypocrisy and making sure that we are living the way that we ask other people to live, treating people the way we would prefer to be treated, and being humble enough to hear God's warnings when we're messing things up. :)

James 5:7-9 -- On Long Patience and Examples of Suffering

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."
James 5:7-9


All of this is good, but the phrase that stuck out to me was the "example of suffering affliction" part. God is asking us to be patient, not just in this moment, but until he comes again, and I think an example of suffering affliction is proof that he knows how hard patience is, and knows that we are all going to suffer afflictions.

Going farther, he asks us to stablish our hearts (probably an obsolete meaning of the alternative spelling establish meaning "to make firm or stable"). As part of that, he doesn't just ask us to follow his example and those of the prophets, but to "be thou an example of the believers" (1 Timothy 4:12) as well. Everybody teaching everyone else how to get through hardships and get through life. :)

Today, let's work on having "long patience" and helping other people to endure trials as well. Obviously this doesn't mean constant suffering, because the Lord also reminds us to find happiness (Mormon 9:14), but it does mean that things are going to be hard and go wrong sometimes, and that's okay. It doesn't mean that God hates us or that we are getting things wrong (though we'll sometimes do that too). It just means that is part of life and how we learn things. Let's "grudge not" and be helpful examples of goodness and positive ways to endure affliction instead. :)

Deuteronomy 4:8-9 -- On Law and Taking Heed

"And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;"
Deuteronomy 4:8-9


I love this question from Moses to his people, asking who has laws as awesome as God's laws... and he makes a good point. God's laws don't just forbid actions. They help us become better people, moving towards our ideal selves and tending towards perfection. His law is designed to bring out the best parts of ourselves and help us learn to be patient and selfless and kind... the best sort of people.

Today, let's take Moses' advice and take heed to ourselves and not forget or dismiss the blessings of the Lord to us through his law, and every other way as well. Let's rejoice in his goodness and teach it to others, always keeping it near our hearts, knowing that God designed all of it for us.

Mormon 9:9-10 -- On Unchanging Perfection

"For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles." Mormon 9:9-10


I like that one of the perfect things about God is his firmness and solidity... always there, never changing. Change (the positive kind) is something *we* need desperately, because we still have far to go to reach perfection, and if we got stuck the way we are, that would be a tragedy in terms of lost potential. God though has everything together, and he offers all the good sides of sameness and consistency. Something to rely on, to trust in, to lean on when we stumble or need help standing. Always, always there when we need him (which honestly is always). Today, even though it's tough to do, let's change for the better and work towards some consistency in our lives as well, remembering that "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8). Let's make good decisions, and reach towards God as our anchor, emulating him in trying to purge the bad and embrace the good so that someday we can find our own perfection as well.

3 Nephi 3:5-6 -- On Slimy Lies, Demands, and Manipulation

"Therefore I have written this epistle, sealing it with mine own hand, feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe to be right, and your noble spirit in the field of battle.
Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon you."
3 Nephi 3:5-6


This letter is from the Gadianton Robbers to the Nephites, basically telling them that if they don't give up they'll be killed. It's said in a really slimy way, as though any of it were justified, and as though Giddianhi (the leader of the robbers) actually cares about Lachoneus (the governor of the Nephites) and his people. It reminds me of demanding ransom (for people or livelihoods I suppose, but more about people)--the whole thing is supposedly so civilized, and the bad guys pretend that the choice is all on the good guys, that *they* have responsibility for the lives or livelihoods that will be lost if they don't do the "smart" thing and give up. "Feeling for your welfare" seriously.

Lachoneus is a hero to me because he wins against this kind of impossible situation, I am certain with a lot of help from God. He doesn't give in, and the Nephites eventually triumph because they take away the robber's ability to live off of theft and plunder and basically starve them out. He doesn't give in to evil, even when it seems like the only way to survive. He has faith that God will deliver them, and God does. :) (God is also an even greater hero, of course.)

Today, let's not listen to anyone's lies when they claim that we are responsible for the bad things that are done to us, or that we are required to meet their demands to join them, enrich them, or to do the wrong thing. Let's not give in to evil when it seems like the only way. Let's always turn to God for another option, staying true to God and to goodness no matter how the world tries to manipulate us into other choices.

Mosiah 17:1 -- On Avoiding Poor Choices Such as Murder

"And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death."
Mosiah 17:1


This is part of the story of King Noah and Abinadai... just a very small part, and not even the first time that the kind commanded his death, but it made me think of how dramatic we are. Someone disagrees with us or embarasses us, and we're ready to kill them. We let words compel us to action without stopping to consider the consequences. The king even considers letting him go at one point, worried about what he is doing, but he lets his priests goad him into following through on his command. In a general symbolic way, we're much too quick to shout "off with his head" when someone does something we don't like.

Part of the king's impulsivity, and probably of ours as well, was the influence of the people and society around him. On a more basic level though, isn't it the "natural man" part of ourselves? We know that part of ourselves is an "enemy to God" (Mosiah 3:19), but I think we often forget that and think that is the "true" part of ourselves and the spiritual part is foreign... we argue for the supremacy of the natural man quite a lot. Christ however, has shown us a better way, and God will help us as we work to bridle our passions... not giving up our needs and desires, but satisfying those valid physical and emotional in righteous ways.

Today, let's think about the parts of ourselves... not for the purpose of hating ourselves, but for putting things in perspective. Let's take some thought and prayer and start letting our spiritual side be in control more often, finding ways to learn to be whole and calm by finding positive outlets for our feelings and other needs. Let's not let the high drama of our society influence us more than God, and let's definitely remember King Noah as a bad example and not follow in his footsteps, not only in refraining from murder, but also in not letting criticism or personal embarrassment turn into rage and poor choices.

Luke 6:31-36 -- On "Be Ye Therefore Merciful"

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."
Luke 6:31-36


I like all of this in the same context, because it makes it clear that when God asks us to treat others as we would like to be treated, he isn't asking us something normal, like people being nice to us when we are nice, or trusting us when we are proven to be trustworthy. He's asking us to do something unusual and exceptional, yet still something that we wish from others. Forgiveness and kindness even when we are clearly in the wrong. Love in return for impatience and even antipathy. Generosity even when we have nothing to offer in return.

Significantly, God doesn't leave us with *only* the do unto others commandment, which we often seem to misinterpret in different ways, but he follows it up with "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Note that he doesn't ask us to be "just" as he is, and in fact in the next verse asks us not to judge. Instead he asks us to emulate his mercy instead, which I think says a lot.

Today, let's think about doing the exceptional for God. Let's be kind to the unthankful and the evil, as he does, and work on being merciful, as he is.

Exodus 9:13-14 -- On Plagues and Hearts

And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth."
Exodus 9:13-14


This is part of the story of Moses getting the Israelites out of Egypt, which we don't often personalize to ourselves. Some stories we relate to one side or another, but in this one I think we usually relate to Moses and the "good guys" trying to do what God wanted, and it boggles our minds that Pharoah could be quite that stubborn.

I mean, me too... but then I was thinking about the phrasing here "plagues upon thine heart," and that reminded me of the scripture in 1 Kings 8:38 and knowing "every man the plague of his own heart," and I started to think about being in Pharoah's position. ... Maybe we can't relate much to Pharoah in terms of the plagues of his heart in this context, but we all have our own, and perhaps we all know what it is to be just as stubborn about our own plagues as he was about his.

Today, let's think about where in our lives we are resisting God... holding something back. Maybe it isn't Israelites, but it is surely something. And then let's let down our walls a little, and talk to God about it. Let's tell him how we feel and what we think, and why we feel we need to resist. God will listen, and he will understand. And maybe it won't be solved today or anytime soon, but if we are willing to "reason together" (Isaiah 1:18) with the Lord, some day it will be, and we won't have to lose everything that Pharoah lost in the process of his resistance. With God's help, let's work on curing the plagues of our hearts before they destroy us.

3 Nephi 11:4-6 -- On Hearing vs Understanding

"And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:"
3 Nephi 11:4-6


Weird place to break, I know, but what I wanted to focus on is the process of understanding here. It reminds me a little of a bad-news phone call I got once.  Even though I heard all the words correctly and understood their meaning, my brain perhaps was not processing the emotion behind the message, and even though it made it worse, I just stood there spluttering "what? ... WHAT?" until all of that emotion caught up to the plain meaning of the words.

... And maybe that is what happening here as well, as God speaks to the people. They've been through a lot, and then they are addressed by God. Either of those things by itself could break your brain a little, but both at once... the stress and the overwhelming emotion... is a lot.  It takes a bit for them to focus in and really have the capacity to hear what he is saying. And wonderfully, patiently, God understands this and repeats himself several times for them.

I think maybe it also teaches us a little bit about how to overcome our own deafness to the Spirit, which we all have sometimes.  If we can't feel or hear God in our lives, it doesn't mean that he isn't there reaching out for us, because he is.  It means that we have to stop, turn towards the voice, refocus completely on it, and do everything we can to listen.  As we do, we'll start to understand.

Acts 17:27-29 -- On Bringing God into Focus

"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device."
Acts 17:27-29


I like a lot of things that are packed into these verses. Paul and Silas are talking to the Athenians and explaining that God isn't like one of the idols that they worship, and they God's nature as compared to us... we feel after him, we are his offspring. And if we are, then God isn't gold or stone, but more like us (except perfect of course). We live in him, have our being in him, and we feel after him... he gives us life, he has emotion, and he is not far from us. We can find him through prayer. :)

It's a challenge sometimes thinking about God because he is so far beyond us that it is hard to imagine his thoughts or contemplate his power... and yet, he is our Father, and desires to have a personal relationship with us. I think we usually focus too far away from him, thinking of him as totally foreign, or we focus too close, seeing him as fallible and imperfect, just as we are. The challenge is developing a relationship with him and learning more about him so that he comes into focus and we can see his power and his mercy and light, but also realize that we have the potential to be like him (although of course it might take eternities to get to that perfect day). I think that knowledge changes us as we understand not only God better, but also who we are in relation to him and the potential locked inside us all.
Today, let's seek the Lord and work on learning as much as we can so that he comes into focus, and we understand more and move about him, and ourselves.

John 12:16 -- On Remembering and Understanding

"These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him."
John 12:16


The whole 'understood not at first, but later remembered' thing is one that I think we are all familiar with. It's the whole 20/20 hindsight thing, right? We don't understand what God's specific plan is even while we are living it, and don't always recognize it until afterward. Then, looking back it often falls into place, and we see God's genius and understand the overall plan, at least in part.

Maybe something we can learn from that is faith... the more we look back and see the plan, perhaps the more we can trust that the plan will always work, knowing that God really watches out for us and that things are going to be okay. I think that's one of the reasons that the scriptures often ask us to "remember" (Moroni 10:3 for instance), because we can learn similar things from the enlarged memory of the scriptures as well.

Today, let's take some time to look back and understand God's plan in our lives, and then look forward and trust him more. :)

Psalm 38:4 -- On the Burden of Sin

"For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me."
Psalm 38:4


We all feel this sometime I think. We make mistakes, and sometimes they are really bad ones, and it's hard to imagine picking up the pieces, or even knowing how to start making things right. When we're feeling overwhelmed like that it is hard to imagine how things could get better, or how to dig ourselves out of the hole that we both dug and then jumped into.

Luckily, with God's help, those overwhelming situations can be overcome. God can help us sort things out... even the hardest ones. He says to us as he said to the woman taken in adultery, "Go, and sin no more." He offers us repentance and forgiveness if we come to him with our whole heart. The trick is letting them go. That's often hard to do until we get to that overwhelmed stage and it really hits us how messed up our lives are, and how we want things to be different. Sometimes we have to go through that pain and almost-crushing disappointment in ourselves in order to be willing to let go of the sin and turn instead to God.

Today, let's do our best to drop our burdens of iniquity and look to God for our redemption and salvation as he gives us another chance to change and to be encircled in his protective embrace.

Daniel 10:12 -- On Hearts and Words

"Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words."
Daniel 10:12


What struck me about this verse is that God listens to us, and our words make a difference. I mean, God listening to us... that's amazing all by itself. Our prayers aren't just the smoke of praise, filtering into nothingness, but it is actual communication with the divine. And that communication matters and makes a difference in our lives... we can build a relationship with God, just like we can with a relative or friend. ... Well, maybe not "just like" since in this case the other person is infallible, unimaginably powerful, and immortal, but still. Our Heavenly Father wants to have that relationship with us and teach us and help us. He sent an angel to talk to Daniel because of his prayers, and he will also help us when we pray and ask.

Today, let's do as Daniel did, and set our hearts to understand, and chasten ourselves before the Lord (meaning repent I believe). As we make a regular habit of prayer, we'll develop that relationship with the Lord and learn to hear him, and to keep his Spirit near us. The closer we get to God, the more involved he can be in our lives, and the more we can learn and the more help we can get to do his will in helping others and accomplishing cool/great things.

Amos 5:14-15 -- On Seeking Good

"Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph."
Amos 5:14-15


I like this because it seems like a simple thing, but it can mean a lot. Too often in our lives I think we forget to think about what is good and what is evil and instead we think about what is easy and what is hard, or what is immediately pleasing and what is immediately displeasing. If we think harder about overall, long-term good then we'll be more in tune with the Spirit, having God with us to help us to be better and better people, granting us power to assist others and even to improve the world around us.

I also think that we get trapped in the idea that the world is falling apart and that there isn't anything that we can do to make it better--but even the smallest things can help, like looking for the good, and when we find it, showing it to others. So much of the world is looking for the bad and dwelling on it, a change in perspective can help others as well as ourselves.

Today, let's seek good, that we may live more happily, in tune with God, be powerful forces for good in the world, and be good examples in the world around us.

Psalms 51:10-12 -- On Missing the Company of God

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."
Psalms 51:10-12


I like the idea of wanting the spirit with you enough to talk about it this way... to miss the company of God, to miss the joy, and to ask for help and support from God to get it back.

Today, maybe we can ponder the joy and peace that the spirit brings into our lives, and place a higher value on the company of God, so much that we miss it when it is gone. Surely that will help us place God higher in our priorities.

Jeremiah 25:4-7 -- On a Better Way Forward

"And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt."
Jeremiah 25:4-7


I liked the phrase 'the works of your hands to your own hurt" in this selection.  I feel like that's exactly what we are doing to ourselves when we don't listen to God.  When we aren't putting God first, we're in control, and we unfailingly screw that up, harming ourselves because compared to God, we're stumbling around in the dark, tripping over things, harming ourselves and others.

It's not one of those things that we can solve by continuing to stumble around, figuring we'll eventually learn to avoid those obstacles in the blackness.  That's entirely the wrong goal anyway, which is actually pretty typical when we sever our connections to God... it's hard even to think straight.  The answer, of course, is to turn around and make it back to the light, turn it on, and let it illuminate our steps.  That's what God does for us, if we allow him to.

Today, let's hearken to God, and incline our ears to hear him.  Let's turn away from evil and stop trying to solve our problems by continuing to stumble around without the Lord's guidance.  Instead, let's ask for his help, and trust in his light, by which we can see a better way forward.

Isaiah 41:17-18 -- On Water from Dry Land

"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."
Isaiah 41:17-18


I love the idea that the Lord hears the pleas of people in need of water and returns not just some water, but massive amounts of it... rivers, pools, springs. He doesn't just bless us when we are in need, but as we turn to him for help, he pours down the blessings. And, just as water in dry land, often the blessings come unexpectedly, according to his timing.

Today, let's believe in the abundance of blessings that the Lord has in store for us, in his goodwill and desire for us to learn and grow and prosper and bloom into selves unbelievably better than we are now. Let's trust that he will help us and abundantly bless us, and turn to him in our need, trusting in his timing and not doubting that he can find water in the dry land. ... Let's also join with him and bless the lives of the poor and needy more abundantly as well.

2 Corinthians 9:5-7 -- On a Matter of Bounty

"Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 9:5-7


I love the idea here of giving from a mental position of abundance rather than worrying about how the treasure is divided. I think about the widow's mite, journeys to the promised land, and the parable of the talents, and I can't help but think that one aspect of faith is committing to go all-in with God. We can't hedge our bets just in case he's not real or he doesn't come through. Faith is committing, not just hoping... it's taking hope and building it into something bigger. That substance and proof out of the intangible, the abundance out of belief. We give not because we have too much--who can really say that? We give because we love, and we know that God will grant us more, if we are wise (in a gospel sense) with what we have, using it to help and lift others.

Maybe another thing we run into is the division that we make between people. If one person asks us for something and we are willing to give, does that change when it is a different person? If we're coming from a mental position of abundance, we probably don't have to save all of our resources for only a small group of people... we can learn to give without begrudging anyone.

Now, I'm not saying that this is easy, or that we should give up healthy boundaries and just give away everything we have and are as we are asked for it... unless it is God asking. However, I think Christ lived closer to that ideal than he did the "collect all of the things" one, and that we should probably skew our own behavior in the same direction. God tells us that if we pay tithing that he will pour out a blessing and "there shall not be room enough to receive it" (3 Nephi 24:10). That's a position of abundance. :)

Today, let's work on our faith and our attitudes, and be more willing to give "as a matter of bounty." :)

Alma 33:11 -- On Sincerity in Prayer

"And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."
Alma 33:11


The thing that strikes me about this verse today is the word "sincerity." It's a good measure perhaps of the openness and honesty and purity that needs to exist in our communication with the Lord. I mean, we decieve even ourselves sometimes in this life, but between ourselves and God, there are not even any shadows. All is seen and clear, and any deception that exists is within ourselves, saying things that we don't really mean or just going through the motions.

I think there are some things that can help us with this:
--Being fully present while we're talking with God--not rushing through so we can get to something else, or distracted and thinking about something else while we are concentrating on God. It's kind of like the Sabbath Day. Prayer time belongs to God, and we need to set that time aside just for him.
--Not overstating anything. Sometimes we don't really know what we think until we express it, so let's go before the Lord with the attitude of talking things out with him and telling him what we think and feel rather than jumping to a conclusion we haven't thought out yet. Give him a chance to influence the conversation.
--If we do find ourselves wandering off on a tangent or mumbling something we aren't really invested in, let's not just walk away. Let's stop, apologize, and try again. God understands that is going to happen sometimes, but ackowledging and correcting the problem is going to help us improve our prayers and build a better relationship with God.

Today, let's work on our sincerity with the Lord. Let's be honest with ourselves and with him, and move forward together from that core of honest truth and reality.