"And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent."
Luke 4:42-43
I like this scene where the people loved him and wanted him to stay with them, but he couldn't, and had to move on, and I imagine that he wanted to stay sometimes, and wished that he had more time, both in those limited moments and overall in his life. And then in my mind I am contrasting this with 3rd Nephi where he comes and stays for a long time, and he was able to get at least some of that time that he didn't always have during his mortal ministry.
To me, I think that this relates to all of us in some way. Sometimes we have regrets about not being able to do something we wanted to do in life. We wish we could have learned or done something, or had more time with people we care about. Because of Jesus Christ, someday we too are going to get that extra time, and be able to learn more, grow more, spend more time, and be reunited with those we love.
It's a small thing perhaps, but what a miracle that God gives us in guaranteeing that the goodbyes that we are faced with today, no matter how permanent, are not the end. Today, let's work on seeing past current limitations to the eternal life and goodness that God promises us ... beyond goodbyes.
Friday, September 30, 2022
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Psalms 9:18-20 -- On Letting the Lord Prevail
"For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah."
Psalms 9:18-20
Earlier in this chapter it mentions that "the Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth," which is an interesting idea. Abraham chose God because, at least initially, he saved him, and when Moses and the Children of Israel laft Egypt they were known by the ability the Lord had to protect and save his people. Society perhaps gets led astray at times because they don't have any more modern examples of the Lord's hand than that... it is easy to decieve ourselves into believing that there is no God when we observe evil prospering, however temporarily, and watch how badly the poor and the needy are treated. We might draw the erroneous conclusion that the Lord doesn't care, since he allows it to happen.
I think that is one reason why this verse is here... to remind us all that the world that we have made with what the Lord has given us is not a paradise, but is unfortunately deeply flawed. The Lord is trying to teach us as we go, and encourage us to make improvements, and hopefully we are making some, but until we have achieved what the City of Enoch did in Moses 7:18 (see also Deuteronomy 15:4-8), there remains work to be done... and what we don't do, the Lord assuredly will, for he will prevail in the end, whether we work with him or not, and make things right, whether we stand in his way or not. Today, let's work to do his will and stand on his side by helping the people around us and remembering that we are "but men," and the Lord's plan is a law and an unstoppable force, not just a really good ideal. :)
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah."
Psalms 9:18-20
Earlier in this chapter it mentions that "the Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth," which is an interesting idea. Abraham chose God because, at least initially, he saved him, and when Moses and the Children of Israel laft Egypt they were known by the ability the Lord had to protect and save his people. Society perhaps gets led astray at times because they don't have any more modern examples of the Lord's hand than that... it is easy to decieve ourselves into believing that there is no God when we observe evil prospering, however temporarily, and watch how badly the poor and the needy are treated. We might draw the erroneous conclusion that the Lord doesn't care, since he allows it to happen.
I think that is one reason why this verse is here... to remind us all that the world that we have made with what the Lord has given us is not a paradise, but is unfortunately deeply flawed. The Lord is trying to teach us as we go, and encourage us to make improvements, and hopefully we are making some, but until we have achieved what the City of Enoch did in Moses 7:18 (see also Deuteronomy 15:4-8), there remains work to be done... and what we don't do, the Lord assuredly will, for he will prevail in the end, whether we work with him or not, and make things right, whether we stand in his way or not. Today, let's work to do his will and stand on his side by helping the people around us and remembering that we are "but men," and the Lord's plan is a law and an unstoppable force, not just a really good ideal. :)
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Proverbs 15:31-33 -- On Reproof, Instruction, and Humility
"The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
Proverbs 15:31-33
The "reproof of life" here might be how, often, life goes badly when we're sinning or otherwise not in tune with God. We're not happy, and we don't always understand why... but if we make that connection, and change, we'll find a way to happiness.
The second verse of the selection seems to go along with this... if we refuse instruction from God, we aren't hurting or offending him; we're only destroying our own chances at learning some of this essential life lesson stuff.
In the last verse of the selection I really like the "before honour is humility" part. We likely all want to prove ourselves worthy at some point, and recieve honor and praise, especially from God, but before that can happen, we need to be humble enough to learn. This is true throughout life, at home, at school, in the workplace, etc. Before we can be the brilliant, amazing, and super cool people we all want to be, we have to acknowledge the brilliant amazingness of others and learn from them, and especially God.
Today, let's work on the patience and faith and humility it takes to recognize our imperfections and to work to improve. Let's recognize the strengths of others and honor them and learn from them, and turn to God for help in everything that we do as well... and be willing to hear his reproof and make changes.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
Proverbs 15:31-33
The "reproof of life" here might be how, often, life goes badly when we're sinning or otherwise not in tune with God. We're not happy, and we don't always understand why... but if we make that connection, and change, we'll find a way to happiness.
The second verse of the selection seems to go along with this... if we refuse instruction from God, we aren't hurting or offending him; we're only destroying our own chances at learning some of this essential life lesson stuff.
In the last verse of the selection I really like the "before honour is humility" part. We likely all want to prove ourselves worthy at some point, and recieve honor and praise, especially from God, but before that can happen, we need to be humble enough to learn. This is true throughout life, at home, at school, in the workplace, etc. Before we can be the brilliant, amazing, and super cool people we all want to be, we have to acknowledge the brilliant amazingness of others and learn from them, and especially God.
Today, let's work on the patience and faith and humility it takes to recognize our imperfections and to work to improve. Let's recognize the strengths of others and honor them and learn from them, and turn to God for help in everything that we do as well... and be willing to hear his reproof and make changes.
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
1 Nephi 7:10 -- On Remembering
"How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?"
1 Nephi 7:10
I was thinking about this, and it reminded me of Alma 12:10-11 where it says
"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
I think that is probably what is going on with Laman and Lamuel... they had this magnificent experience seeing an angel, and yes they were chastised, but I mean... an angel, right? We know the impact that angel had on Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, after all. The difference here is that they opened their hearts to the truth, and didn't harden themselves against it... so they were able to learn and grow and change... with God's help making a difference in the world and healing where they had previously harmed.
Laman and Lemuel on the other hand hardened their hearts, and in so doing, lost a lot of what they had previously known or had access to.
What this really says to me is that we can't sit on the fence with God, trying to have it both ways. We're going to be gaining knowledge and spirituality, or we're going be losing it... if we harden our hearts, we can lose parts of ourselves rather than tapping into the spirit and building on that foundation with God to become better than we ever dreamed we could be. And it's sad, because we're tearing ourselves down and apart... no one else is doing it to us.
Today, let's take some time to remember. Moroni asks us to do just that in Moroni 10:3. Let's remember and ponder all that God has shown us and done for us, and tap into the Spirit of the Lord through prayer and study. As we do, we'll be feeding our spirits, and building ourselves up. Let's do everything in our power to retain our experiences, memories, and knowledge of God, and not to lose parts of ourselves as Laman and Lemuel did.
1 Nephi 7:10
I was thinking about this, and it reminded me of Alma 12:10-11 where it says
"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
I think that is probably what is going on with Laman and Lamuel... they had this magnificent experience seeing an angel, and yes they were chastised, but I mean... an angel, right? We know the impact that angel had on Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, after all. The difference here is that they opened their hearts to the truth, and didn't harden themselves against it... so they were able to learn and grow and change... with God's help making a difference in the world and healing where they had previously harmed.
Laman and Lemuel on the other hand hardened their hearts, and in so doing, lost a lot of what they had previously known or had access to.
What this really says to me is that we can't sit on the fence with God, trying to have it both ways. We're going to be gaining knowledge and spirituality, or we're going be losing it... if we harden our hearts, we can lose parts of ourselves rather than tapping into the spirit and building on that foundation with God to become better than we ever dreamed we could be. And it's sad, because we're tearing ourselves down and apart... no one else is doing it to us.
Today, let's take some time to remember. Moroni asks us to do just that in Moroni 10:3. Let's remember and ponder all that God has shown us and done for us, and tap into the Spirit of the Lord through prayer and study. As we do, we'll be feeding our spirits, and building ourselves up. Let's do everything in our power to retain our experiences, memories, and knowledge of God, and not to lose parts of ourselves as Laman and Lemuel did.
Monday, September 26, 2022
Doctrine and Covenants 8:10 -- On Asking in Faith
"Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not."
Doctrine and Covenants 8:10
I like the idea here that faith is part of everything that we do... I think that it helps to think that we already have a little faith in our lives already, and that we just need to recognize it and build on it rather than inventing it out of nothing. :) It is important not to trivialize what God is offering, but it is also important to take hold of the offer and learn how to work with God to improve our lives and the lives of others. That part "ask in faith" is a commandment as well... something that we need to master in order to move forward along God's path.
Sometimes we ask for crazy things from God, which we shouldn't, but other times we're scared to ask at all, thinking that nothing we do or want passes the "important enough" test. We have to figure out a middle ground for trying, but our relationship with God defines what is off limits, not an arbitrary line. If one person asked to save the life of a loved one, for instance, that would be appropriate, but in another case, when they know that it is against God's will, then it would be very inappropriate. Same thing with asking for anything else... it depends on the circumstances and our communication with God.
Today, let's remember to avoid asking for things against God's will, but also not to be frightened of asking. Let's remember to trust God and ourselves enough to try to "Look unto [God] in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36) and remember that he wants us to ask and to include him in our lives.
Doctrine and Covenants 8:10
I like the idea here that faith is part of everything that we do... I think that it helps to think that we already have a little faith in our lives already, and that we just need to recognize it and build on it rather than inventing it out of nothing. :) It is important not to trivialize what God is offering, but it is also important to take hold of the offer and learn how to work with God to improve our lives and the lives of others. That part "ask in faith" is a commandment as well... something that we need to master in order to move forward along God's path.
Sometimes we ask for crazy things from God, which we shouldn't, but other times we're scared to ask at all, thinking that nothing we do or want passes the "important enough" test. We have to figure out a middle ground for trying, but our relationship with God defines what is off limits, not an arbitrary line. If one person asked to save the life of a loved one, for instance, that would be appropriate, but in another case, when they know that it is against God's will, then it would be very inappropriate. Same thing with asking for anything else... it depends on the circumstances and our communication with God.
Today, let's remember to avoid asking for things against God's will, but also not to be frightened of asking. Let's remember to trust God and ourselves enough to try to "Look unto [God] in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36) and remember that he wants us to ask and to include him in our lives.
Sunday, September 25, 2022
1 Nephi 4:6 -- On Improvisation versus Spiritual Preparation
"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."
1 Nephi 4:6
God is a fan of preparation. He tells us in D&C 38:30 "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." And yet here is Nephi walking into a situation with seemingly no preparation. In fact, the plans they had made previously all fell apart. Although on the surface it might seem like improvising, I think the key here is that the kind of preparation the Lord wants and the kind of preparations we think to make are often different. Nephi didn't know what was coming, but God did, and had everything ready. God thinks much, much more long term than we do.
One reason that God asks us to read the scriptures every day is so that we can "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us]" (1 Peter 3:15). This worked in a much more immediate way when I was on my mission. There, often whatever scriptures I read that morning I would find being directly applicable to the discussions that we would get into with people later in the day. But even beyond full-time missionary work, we need those scriptures in our brains to help us in every situation that we get into... to offer hope, to help us think of good solutions, etc. It is the Word of the Lord, downloaded into our brains in that slow, plodding way of reading every day... but that way works, and that is a preparation that the Lord suggests that will help us face future trials.
Another significant preparation that Nephi had here is his ability to be led by the Spirit. That comes through daily practice too... learning to recognize the spirit first, then following promptings, and then trusting the guidance of God over our own less-wise inclinations. :) It took guts to not give up after repeated failure, and to walk into this situation when Nephi knew that Laban would probably order them murdered on sight. And yet, he had the preparation that he needed spiritually to not balk and to trust that the Lord would see him through the obvious dangers of the situation. The previous failures might even have been part of the preparation here, because to do what came next it was probably much easier on Nephi knowing that Laban was a thief and at least an attempted murderer.
I'm definitely not knocking other forms of preparation, but today let's think about how Nephi was prepared for this moment, and take some time to think about our own spiritual preparation, and what we have going for us if we have the word of the Lord in our heads all the time. Let's up our scripture study game and be more prepared for all the things that we don't know about yet. :)
1 Nephi 4:6
God is a fan of preparation. He tells us in D&C 38:30 "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." And yet here is Nephi walking into a situation with seemingly no preparation. In fact, the plans they had made previously all fell apart. Although on the surface it might seem like improvising, I think the key here is that the kind of preparation the Lord wants and the kind of preparations we think to make are often different. Nephi didn't know what was coming, but God did, and had everything ready. God thinks much, much more long term than we do.
One reason that God asks us to read the scriptures every day is so that we can "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us]" (1 Peter 3:15). This worked in a much more immediate way when I was on my mission. There, often whatever scriptures I read that morning I would find being directly applicable to the discussions that we would get into with people later in the day. But even beyond full-time missionary work, we need those scriptures in our brains to help us in every situation that we get into... to offer hope, to help us think of good solutions, etc. It is the Word of the Lord, downloaded into our brains in that slow, plodding way of reading every day... but that way works, and that is a preparation that the Lord suggests that will help us face future trials.
Another significant preparation that Nephi had here is his ability to be led by the Spirit. That comes through daily practice too... learning to recognize the spirit first, then following promptings, and then trusting the guidance of God over our own less-wise inclinations. :) It took guts to not give up after repeated failure, and to walk into this situation when Nephi knew that Laban would probably order them murdered on sight. And yet, he had the preparation that he needed spiritually to not balk and to trust that the Lord would see him through the obvious dangers of the situation. The previous failures might even have been part of the preparation here, because to do what came next it was probably much easier on Nephi knowing that Laban was a thief and at least an attempted murderer.
I'm definitely not knocking other forms of preparation, but today let's think about how Nephi was prepared for this moment, and take some time to think about our own spiritual preparation, and what we have going for us if we have the word of the Lord in our heads all the time. Let's up our scripture study game and be more prepared for all the things that we don't know about yet. :)
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Joshua 20:9 -- On Context and Changing
"These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation."
Joshua 20:9
The idea here about protecting people who killed others accidentally is interesting. It sounds like they were doing it specifically to give time for some kind of trial before someone took it into their own hands. Making a space where mercy could temper justice perhaps, which is what the atonement is about... giving us some space between sin and judgement so that we can change, improve, learn to be different people and make different choices. So often we get into ruts in our lives and we try to solve the same problems in the same way, and fail over and over again... or just give up.
With God though, we have the time and space needed, and the assistance of God in changing not just our actions, but our hearts. He helps us to think about things differently... perhaps like these people, who had a city to flee to which gave them a new context for their lives and maybe a new way to think about who they were.
Today, let's be slow to wrath, and be willing to hear people out before we judge them... but also let's remember that we need this sort of new perspective sometimes too, in order to change and not keep making the same mistakes. Let's step away from our sins and learn to do better in the time allotted to us before judgement.
Joshua 20:9
The idea here about protecting people who killed others accidentally is interesting. It sounds like they were doing it specifically to give time for some kind of trial before someone took it into their own hands. Making a space where mercy could temper justice perhaps, which is what the atonement is about... giving us some space between sin and judgement so that we can change, improve, learn to be different people and make different choices. So often we get into ruts in our lives and we try to solve the same problems in the same way, and fail over and over again... or just give up.
With God though, we have the time and space needed, and the assistance of God in changing not just our actions, but our hearts. He helps us to think about things differently... perhaps like these people, who had a city to flee to which gave them a new context for their lives and maybe a new way to think about who they were.
Today, let's be slow to wrath, and be willing to hear people out before we judge them... but also let's remember that we need this sort of new perspective sometimes too, in order to change and not keep making the same mistakes. Let's step away from our sins and learn to do better in the time allotted to us before judgement.
Friday, September 23, 2022
Doctrine and Covenants 1:19-20 -- On Breaking and Building
"The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—
But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;"
Doctrine and Covenants 1:19-20
This is interesting because it is talking about breaking things, but kind of breaking them to build them better. Here, perhaps, breaking down the power structures of the world so that people can see where the true power is, which is with God, or just breaking us so that he can heal us of some of the faulty growing we've done in the wrong direction or something?
Today, as we are pondering the pain that seems to be caused by heaven, let's recognize that a lot of it is just correcting some of our mistakes, and none of it is sadistic, but rather compassionate, working to hold us together sometimes when we are falling apart, or turn us down a better road when the one we were travelling was leading us astray.
But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;"
Doctrine and Covenants 1:19-20
This is interesting because it is talking about breaking things, but kind of breaking them to build them better. Here, perhaps, breaking down the power structures of the world so that people can see where the true power is, which is with God, or just breaking us so that he can heal us of some of the faulty growing we've done in the wrong direction or something?
Today, as we are pondering the pain that seems to be caused by heaven, let's recognize that a lot of it is just correcting some of our mistakes, and none of it is sadistic, but rather compassionate, working to hold us together sometimes when we are falling apart, or turn us down a better road when the one we were travelling was leading us astray.
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Isaiah 40:30-31 -- On Waiting upon the Lord
"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:30-31
The idea of waiting on the Lord is powerful in a couple of ways. It indicates that the people referenced are putting the Lord first in their lives, letting his will overpower theirs when there is any difference in goals. (I think that difference diminishes as we grow closer to God and understand his purposes more. We realize that he has our best interests at heart, and only wants us to be more amazing than we are... to be become those people we've always wished we could be.)
That idea of putting the Lord first is a powerful tool for our lives, but perhaps even stronger is the idea of waiting. So much of the pain in our lives could be avoided with more patience. We should of course be anxiously engaged in a good cause, but not recklessly engaged, and I think perhaps we don't always perceive the difference, and perhaps it takes a little more study and a little bit more prayer to know... but there is definitely a difference between doing good where we are and moving forward until the Lord suggests a course change and stopping until the Lord tells us where to go, or even going in a certain direction because the Lord hasn't answered us yet and we're tired of waiting.
Today, let's think about what waiting upon the Lord means, and how we can improve our priorities and our patience as we work to walk the Lord's path.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:30-31
The idea of waiting on the Lord is powerful in a couple of ways. It indicates that the people referenced are putting the Lord first in their lives, letting his will overpower theirs when there is any difference in goals. (I think that difference diminishes as we grow closer to God and understand his purposes more. We realize that he has our best interests at heart, and only wants us to be more amazing than we are... to be become those people we've always wished we could be.)
That idea of putting the Lord first is a powerful tool for our lives, but perhaps even stronger is the idea of waiting. So much of the pain in our lives could be avoided with more patience. We should of course be anxiously engaged in a good cause, but not recklessly engaged, and I think perhaps we don't always perceive the difference, and perhaps it takes a little more study and a little bit more prayer to know... but there is definitely a difference between doing good where we are and moving forward until the Lord suggests a course change and stopping until the Lord tells us where to go, or even going in a certain direction because the Lord hasn't answered us yet and we're tired of waiting.
Today, let's think about what waiting upon the Lord means, and how we can improve our priorities and our patience as we work to walk the Lord's path.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Revelation 10:5-6 -- On Time and Teachings
"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer."
Revelation 10:5-6
The whole time no longer thing is pretty stunning. So much of how we percieve things seems to be wrapped up in that time thing. Eternal beings do seem to be much more immutable that we are. Then, of course we have the story of the creation which talks about periods of time and resting... which seems to convey at least some sense of time... so is it more like "the earth is out of time, we're done," or is it really what it seems to be saying, and the way that we see ... everything... needs to change on a fundamental level? Maybe that is part of the veil being drawn... a vast change of perspective that allows us to being in this life where there is space between action and reaction?
I'm just speculating of course, so please don't take anything I say as gospel... but maybe what we can learn from thinking about these verses is that there are SO many things that we still don't understand about God, and there is so much more to learn, let's remember that and never feel like we know it all or that we don't need God to teach us anything else. :) There is still plenty more to come, and so much to learn if we stick with God.
And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer."
Revelation 10:5-6
The whole time no longer thing is pretty stunning. So much of how we percieve things seems to be wrapped up in that time thing. Eternal beings do seem to be much more immutable that we are. Then, of course we have the story of the creation which talks about periods of time and resting... which seems to convey at least some sense of time... so is it more like "the earth is out of time, we're done," or is it really what it seems to be saying, and the way that we see ... everything... needs to change on a fundamental level? Maybe that is part of the veil being drawn... a vast change of perspective that allows us to being in this life where there is space between action and reaction?
I'm just speculating of course, so please don't take anything I say as gospel... but maybe what we can learn from thinking about these verses is that there are SO many things that we still don't understand about God, and there is so much more to learn, let's remember that and never feel like we know it all or that we don't need God to teach us anything else. :) There is still plenty more to come, and so much to learn if we stick with God.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Isaiah 39:5-8 -- On Consequences, Acceptance, and Endurance
"Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days."
Isaiah 39:5-8
Hezekiah had been sick, and pleaded with the Lord for more time, and his life was extended by 15 years, so maybe he is still high on life at this point... happy to be alive, happy that things would be okay while he was still king, and perhaps truly faithful, accepting of what the Lord had in store and not wanting to press his luck pleading for another intervention. After all, he had just shown the son of the King of Babylon every treasure he owned. It does strike me as a little out of character for him though, since he went to the Lord so many times in the past to try to change something that seemed inevitable. On the other hand, God had saved the kingdom in the past, and at least his sons would be alive, so maybe it was better than several alternatives he could think of, and maybe the Sprit was telling him that God wasn't going to step in on this one.
The thing is, he couldn't change it alone. He couldn't go back and undo what he had done, and I feel like we all have times in our lives that are this way. We can't undo them, we know that the consequences of our actions aren't always things that we can change, or run from. God isn't always going to intervene. Some things are baked into the pattern, or "fixed moments in time" as Doctor Who likes to say. :) ... It isn't always going to be ideal or fun, or less than heartwrenching, but sometimes we have to accept it, and move forward anyway. Hezekiah did. We can't see it in this verse, but I doubt that it was easy for him, but God was asking him to live with it, and he tried to find the positive. In our lives, I'm not saying that we shouldn't plead with the Lord to help us out of the jams that we get ourselves into... just that when we know it is something we have to face, we should as Hezekiah, and also Christ, did, and accept the Lord's will ahead of our own. Sometimes he will save us even then, as he did Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son. But sometimes he won't, as in this case with Hezekiah, and as with Christ. Sometimes things have to be lived through. Today, let's plead for help as much as we can get, and live with the rest, knowing that God will strengthen and help us with things that we need to endure, and that even the hardest things will fade to nothing in comparison with the joys of eternity.
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days."
Isaiah 39:5-8
Hezekiah had been sick, and pleaded with the Lord for more time, and his life was extended by 15 years, so maybe he is still high on life at this point... happy to be alive, happy that things would be okay while he was still king, and perhaps truly faithful, accepting of what the Lord had in store and not wanting to press his luck pleading for another intervention. After all, he had just shown the son of the King of Babylon every treasure he owned. It does strike me as a little out of character for him though, since he went to the Lord so many times in the past to try to change something that seemed inevitable. On the other hand, God had saved the kingdom in the past, and at least his sons would be alive, so maybe it was better than several alternatives he could think of, and maybe the Sprit was telling him that God wasn't going to step in on this one.
The thing is, he couldn't change it alone. He couldn't go back and undo what he had done, and I feel like we all have times in our lives that are this way. We can't undo them, we know that the consequences of our actions aren't always things that we can change, or run from. God isn't always going to intervene. Some things are baked into the pattern, or "fixed moments in time" as Doctor Who likes to say. :) ... It isn't always going to be ideal or fun, or less than heartwrenching, but sometimes we have to accept it, and move forward anyway. Hezekiah did. We can't see it in this verse, but I doubt that it was easy for him, but God was asking him to live with it, and he tried to find the positive. In our lives, I'm not saying that we shouldn't plead with the Lord to help us out of the jams that we get ourselves into... just that when we know it is something we have to face, we should as Hezekiah, and also Christ, did, and accept the Lord's will ahead of our own. Sometimes he will save us even then, as he did Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son. But sometimes he won't, as in this case with Hezekiah, and as with Christ. Sometimes things have to be lived through. Today, let's plead for help as much as we can get, and live with the rest, knowing that God will strengthen and help us with things that we need to endure, and that even the hardest things will fade to nothing in comparison with the joys of eternity.
Monday, September 19, 2022
Isaiah 37:14 -- On Taking it to the Lord
"And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord."
Isaiah 37:14
This is part of a pretty cool story where this guy named Rabshakeh comes from Assyria to threaten the people of Jerusalem. He tells them not to trust in the Lord, because none of the other nations they conquered were able to withstand them with their "gods" so why would they be able to do better? And so they go to the king Hezekiah, and he sends for Isaiah, and Isaiah says don't worry... he'll hear a rumor and leave. ... And he does.
So then Hezekiah gets a letter from the Assyrian forces again, with similar threats and similar blasphemy against God, and this time he goes to the temple, and he spreads out the letter, and he prays. He knows there is an army out there and he knows they can't fight it, but he also knows that the Lord is real, and that the Lord can save them if he chooses to, so he pleads with him to do so. So, then the Lord sends Isaiah to tell him that the army won't come into the city or even shoot an arrow into it. Then he sends an angel and 185,000 of the enemy army just don't wake up the next morning, having died in the night. So, they retreat.
The story is super cool in showing us how the Lord preserves his people, and helps us when we can't help ourselves. I think we all have times in our lives that are like this too. We can't see a way out of the situation. If it were up to us, it would end badly... but the Lord is there, and willing to help us, and we plead with him, and things work out. That is a miracle... maybe our situation isn't as huge or dramatic as an army waiting to destroy us, but every time we call upon God and he helps us with something that we were *definitely* not ready to handle... still a miracle. Still an amazing rescue from the Lord.
I don't think the Lord is going to save us from everything, since we have to learn how to handle things, and stretch our capabilities, but that doesn't mean that we are ever totally on our own either. Even when the answer is that we need to handle it, God is there, making sure that we have the strength and the capability to do so. He is helping us even then. Today, let's take our problems to the Lord, and talk to him about how to solve them, and get his help. He loves us, and the more we trust him and welcome him into our lives, the more we will see his hand, and know that he is lifting us and sustaining us every day.
Isaiah 37:14
This is part of a pretty cool story where this guy named Rabshakeh comes from Assyria to threaten the people of Jerusalem. He tells them not to trust in the Lord, because none of the other nations they conquered were able to withstand them with their "gods" so why would they be able to do better? And so they go to the king Hezekiah, and he sends for Isaiah, and Isaiah says don't worry... he'll hear a rumor and leave. ... And he does.
So then Hezekiah gets a letter from the Assyrian forces again, with similar threats and similar blasphemy against God, and this time he goes to the temple, and he spreads out the letter, and he prays. He knows there is an army out there and he knows they can't fight it, but he also knows that the Lord is real, and that the Lord can save them if he chooses to, so he pleads with him to do so. So, then the Lord sends Isaiah to tell him that the army won't come into the city or even shoot an arrow into it. Then he sends an angel and 185,000 of the enemy army just don't wake up the next morning, having died in the night. So, they retreat.
The story is super cool in showing us how the Lord preserves his people, and helps us when we can't help ourselves. I think we all have times in our lives that are like this too. We can't see a way out of the situation. If it were up to us, it would end badly... but the Lord is there, and willing to help us, and we plead with him, and things work out. That is a miracle... maybe our situation isn't as huge or dramatic as an army waiting to destroy us, but every time we call upon God and he helps us with something that we were *definitely* not ready to handle... still a miracle. Still an amazing rescue from the Lord.
I don't think the Lord is going to save us from everything, since we have to learn how to handle things, and stretch our capabilities, but that doesn't mean that we are ever totally on our own either. Even when the answer is that we need to handle it, God is there, making sure that we have the strength and the capability to do so. He is helping us even then. Today, let's take our problems to the Lord, and talk to him about how to solve them, and get his help. He loves us, and the more we trust him and welcome him into our lives, the more we will see his hand, and know that he is lifting us and sustaining us every day.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Isaiah 35:10 -- On Happiness and Joy to Come
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorry and sighing shall flee away."
Isaiah 35:10
I like this reminder that there will be a happy ending, helping us to know that joy and gladness are ahead and sorrow and sadness will have an end.
Even though that happy ending part isn't here yet, we exercise our faith and live confidently in joy, trusting in God and the change to come. Let's try it. :)
Isaiah 35:10
I like this reminder that there will be a happy ending, helping us to know that joy and gladness are ahead and sorrow and sadness will have an end.
Even though that happy ending part isn't here yet, we exercise our faith and live confidently in joy, trusting in God and the change to come. Let's try it. :)
Saturday, September 17, 2022
3 Nephi 1:6-9 -- On Mockery, Murder, Fear, and Faith
"And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.
But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet."
3 Nephi 1:6-9
The first and last verse show a group of people progressing from mockery to murder, while the middle two verses show people who are afraid, but are not abandoning their faith. And I think had to be incredibly hard in their situation, because they couldn't read further and find out what happens. They didn't know what was going to happen, but they held on, kept praying, and didn't abandon their fellows and join the mocker-murderers.
The world feels a little like the beginning of 3rd Nephi to me. The amazing blessings that are coming later in the book aren't able to be seen yet (except by God), and there are external reasons to fear, but despite the huge trials and the destruction to come... the happy ending is waiting there on the other side. To get there, like the scared people in the middle verses here, we need to hold onto our faith despite our fear, and despite the mockery, and worse, from others.
Today, let's trust God and believe in the happy ending, even if others can't see it. Even if *we* can't see it yet, let's stick with God and have faith until the day that God opens our eyes. :)
And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.
But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet."
3 Nephi 1:6-9
The first and last verse show a group of people progressing from mockery to murder, while the middle two verses show people who are afraid, but are not abandoning their faith. And I think had to be incredibly hard in their situation, because they couldn't read further and find out what happens. They didn't know what was going to happen, but they held on, kept praying, and didn't abandon their fellows and join the mocker-murderers.
The world feels a little like the beginning of 3rd Nephi to me. The amazing blessings that are coming later in the book aren't able to be seen yet (except by God), and there are external reasons to fear, but despite the huge trials and the destruction to come... the happy ending is waiting there on the other side. To get there, like the scared people in the middle verses here, we need to hold onto our faith despite our fear, and despite the mockery, and worse, from others.
Today, let's trust God and believe in the happy ending, even if others can't see it. Even if *we* can't see it yet, let's stick with God and have faith until the day that God opens our eyes. :)
Friday, September 16, 2022
Isaiah 13:9-11 -- On Cleansing
"Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."
Isaiah 13:9-11
The fact that the world will be cleansed, destroying the sinners, seems hopeful in at least one way, because the perfection of Zion can't be accomplished, or the City of Enoch return to the earth without that. To restore justice to the world, God has to clear out the cause of the injustice. Unfortunately, we're part of that "sinner" definition here, so it is also scary.
To solve that, I think the only recourse is to make sure that we work on not being sinners. We can try helping and serving others more, repent and get the big sins off of our chests, and work to make the world a better place. We can try to be part of the builders rather than the destroyers, and maybe we can someday see the amazing time *after* the destruction, where people start turning to the Lord, hopefully much as we see in 3rd Nephi. Today, let's work with God to cleanse our hearts and souls and work to be the best possible version of ourselves. :)
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."
Isaiah 13:9-11
The fact that the world will be cleansed, destroying the sinners, seems hopeful in at least one way, because the perfection of Zion can't be accomplished, or the City of Enoch return to the earth without that. To restore justice to the world, God has to clear out the cause of the injustice. Unfortunately, we're part of that "sinner" definition here, so it is also scary.
To solve that, I think the only recourse is to make sure that we work on not being sinners. We can try helping and serving others more, repent and get the big sins off of our chests, and work to make the world a better place. We can try to be part of the builders rather than the destroyers, and maybe we can someday see the amazing time *after* the destruction, where people start turning to the Lord, hopefully much as we see in 3rd Nephi. Today, let's work with God to cleanse our hearts and souls and work to be the best possible version of ourselves. :)
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Joshua 10:11 -- On Reminders
"And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword."
Joshua 10:11
I think this event, and many events in our lives, are designed to remind us that God is in charge and in control. We do our part, but he does way, way more than we can. And I think that these reminders are good, because they keeps us humble and help us remember that we are reliant on the Lord. He teaches us to walk, to learn to be like him, but in this life we aren't going to master that or get even close to his level. Maybe after a couple of billion years of eternity we'll be closer, but right now, we have very little reason to boast (Mosiah 2:24).
Today, let's stay humble and realize that God is in control. Let's turn to him for help, and involve him in all that we do, remembering that he can see farther and knows so much more than we do, and that he welcomes us asking for help.
Joshua 10:11
I think this event, and many events in our lives, are designed to remind us that God is in charge and in control. We do our part, but he does way, way more than we can. And I think that these reminders are good, because they keeps us humble and help us remember that we are reliant on the Lord. He teaches us to walk, to learn to be like him, but in this life we aren't going to master that or get even close to his level. Maybe after a couple of billion years of eternity we'll be closer, but right now, we have very little reason to boast (Mosiah 2:24).
Today, let's stay humble and realize that God is in control. Let's turn to him for help, and involve him in all that we do, remembering that he can see farther and knows so much more than we do, and that he welcomes us asking for help.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
2 Peter 2:19 -- On Liberty and Bondage
"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
2 Peter 2:19
This is talking about people who tempt others to sin, who say they are offering liberty, and might even believe that, but who don't realize that they are the servants of their own sins, trapped in the bondage of corruption with no happy ending in front of them... just a dead end. If we are those people, to escape something like that, first we would have to retrace our steps and repent.
And if we are the ones being tempted, then God wants us to be able to see clearly that *he* is the one offering us the true freedom... unburdened by the chains of sin and guilt and corruption, and with greater light and knowledge we gain more and more opportunities and possibility. Sin only offers false freedom, telling us the horrible lie that the laws of God are there to hold us back, rather than to save us from danger.
Today, let's realize where liberty and bondage are really coming from, and not fool ourselves into being the slaves of sin.
2 Peter 2:19
This is talking about people who tempt others to sin, who say they are offering liberty, and might even believe that, but who don't realize that they are the servants of their own sins, trapped in the bondage of corruption with no happy ending in front of them... just a dead end. If we are those people, to escape something like that, first we would have to retrace our steps and repent.
And if we are the ones being tempted, then God wants us to be able to see clearly that *he* is the one offering us the true freedom... unburdened by the chains of sin and guilt and corruption, and with greater light and knowledge we gain more and more opportunities and possibility. Sin only offers false freedom, telling us the horrible lie that the laws of God are there to hold us back, rather than to save us from danger.
Today, let's realize where liberty and bondage are really coming from, and not fool ourselves into being the slaves of sin.
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
James 1:8 -- On Faith and Commitment
"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
James 1:8
I think that our double-mindedness in life is a little about uncertainty, and a lot about commitment. If we aren't sure about things, then we can go to God for answers. Not overnight ones typically, but he is willing to teach us his ways if we are willing to open our hearts and learn. Too often though I think we get stuck in the uncertainty area and we don't exercise any faith, assuming that we don't need to do anything and have no responsibility or obligation to the Lord unless he throws a lightning bolt, literally or figuratively, and proves that he is who he says he is. ... But it doesn't work that way. We can't give God deadlines or ultimatums. He will help us, but he is immune to our petty manipulations.
Our relationship with God is just like our relationship to other people or to a job opportunity perhaps. We aren't always certain that this job is the 100% best job for us out of all the jobs in the universe, but we still have to make a commitment if we are going to start earning money. ... And we might not know that this friend is going to be our best friend forever, but if we don't commit to being people's friends, then we just won't have any. Developing a testimony is a process, but we can't balance on a tightrope where we say, well, if God does this or that for us, then we'll believe, or stay in the church, but if not, then not. It will never be about God conforming to us. It is always about us conforming to God, who is the master of all creation and the source of everything good, and when we try to embrace heaven but take all our little souvenirs from hell with us, we're inherently unstable, as the verse explains.
Today, let's let go of our double-mindedness and commit to the Lord. That commitment and acceptance (often expressed through baptism, but also varies depending on when we are figuring out our faith) is the *beginning* of our journey with God, just like marriage is the beginning of a journey and not the end goal. If we never make a commitment to God, then we are never going to find all the rest of the wonder that awaits us on the path. Let's take the step and find out where faith will take us.
James 1:8
I think that our double-mindedness in life is a little about uncertainty, and a lot about commitment. If we aren't sure about things, then we can go to God for answers. Not overnight ones typically, but he is willing to teach us his ways if we are willing to open our hearts and learn. Too often though I think we get stuck in the uncertainty area and we don't exercise any faith, assuming that we don't need to do anything and have no responsibility or obligation to the Lord unless he throws a lightning bolt, literally or figuratively, and proves that he is who he says he is. ... But it doesn't work that way. We can't give God deadlines or ultimatums. He will help us, but he is immune to our petty manipulations.
Our relationship with God is just like our relationship to other people or to a job opportunity perhaps. We aren't always certain that this job is the 100% best job for us out of all the jobs in the universe, but we still have to make a commitment if we are going to start earning money. ... And we might not know that this friend is going to be our best friend forever, but if we don't commit to being people's friends, then we just won't have any. Developing a testimony is a process, but we can't balance on a tightrope where we say, well, if God does this or that for us, then we'll believe, or stay in the church, but if not, then not. It will never be about God conforming to us. It is always about us conforming to God, who is the master of all creation and the source of everything good, and when we try to embrace heaven but take all our little souvenirs from hell with us, we're inherently unstable, as the verse explains.
Today, let's let go of our double-mindedness and commit to the Lord. That commitment and acceptance (often expressed through baptism, but also varies depending on when we are figuring out our faith) is the *beginning* of our journey with God, just like marriage is the beginning of a journey and not the end goal. If we never make a commitment to God, then we are never going to find all the rest of the wonder that awaits us on the path. Let's take the step and find out where faith will take us.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Galatians 3:26-28 -- On Worldly Distinctions and Oneness
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:26-28
I like the idea here that distinctions that are important to the world become unimportant before God. Not that God doesn't care about our individuality, but rather that the things that divide us... classes, ranks, distinctions of all sorts... become unimportant before the unity that we achieve by being the children of God. No one is excluded from that club; no one is lessened or made secondary. All of us, in Christ, are the same... we all need to repent and change and grow and prepare for eternity, and unified in that cause we can work to help each other towards that goal.
The closer we get to God, the further away those worldly differences are, and the less we need to play the parts given to us by society, and the more we can rejoice in the oneness given to us by God. People of different socio-economic groups, people of different and sometimes very strict gender roles, people whose ranks are very high and very low in certain societies... and so many more differences that can limit us in the world, we can let go of when we come before God. We can all come together, rejoice together, and let those barriers melt away as we worship and build each other up.
Today, let's do our best to let go of worldly biases and labels as we go before God and interact with his children. Who we are to God, as his children, is what matters, and we are all siblings in that. Part of each other, and he asks us to help each other to find our ways back to him.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:26-28
I like the idea here that distinctions that are important to the world become unimportant before God. Not that God doesn't care about our individuality, but rather that the things that divide us... classes, ranks, distinctions of all sorts... become unimportant before the unity that we achieve by being the children of God. No one is excluded from that club; no one is lessened or made secondary. All of us, in Christ, are the same... we all need to repent and change and grow and prepare for eternity, and unified in that cause we can work to help each other towards that goal.
The closer we get to God, the further away those worldly differences are, and the less we need to play the parts given to us by society, and the more we can rejoice in the oneness given to us by God. People of different socio-economic groups, people of different and sometimes very strict gender roles, people whose ranks are very high and very low in certain societies... and so many more differences that can limit us in the world, we can let go of when we come before God. We can all come together, rejoice together, and let those barriers melt away as we worship and build each other up.
Today, let's do our best to let go of worldly biases and labels as we go before God and interact with his children. Who we are to God, as his children, is what matters, and we are all siblings in that. Part of each other, and he asks us to help each other to find our ways back to him.
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Romans 5:7-8 -- On Sacrifice and Eternity
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:7-8
I was thinking about physical rescues... risking your life to pull someone to safety, get them out of a burning building, stand up to someone who is harming them, etc. and as the verse says, a lot of time we don't put our lives on the line for others because it seems too risky or we're afraid, or maybe we just don't know how to intervene and aren't sure if it is our place or if it will do any good.
I think that the idea of being physically saved makes a good comparison here, because Christ willingly sacrificed his own will and years of his potential earthly life to die for each of us. He was willing to figuratively rescue us all from the burning building of our lives and heal us and create a safe space for us to recover and mend. He didn't do it just to save the best and the brightest... he did it to give all of us, even the lowliest in the eyes of the world, the chance to triumph over our own weaknesses and have a chance to live with him, for eternity... he wants us there; he suffered and gave up his mortal life so that it could happen.
Today, let's honor Christ's sacrifice and do all we can to be there as well, to rejoice together, and with Christ, and find out what an eternity in a true paradise is all about. Libraries on every corner? Delicious calorie-free food? The time and motivation to bring our best ideas to life? ... I don't know for sure either, but I think that it's worth all of our effort to find out. :)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:7-8
I was thinking about physical rescues... risking your life to pull someone to safety, get them out of a burning building, stand up to someone who is harming them, etc. and as the verse says, a lot of time we don't put our lives on the line for others because it seems too risky or we're afraid, or maybe we just don't know how to intervene and aren't sure if it is our place or if it will do any good.
I think that the idea of being physically saved makes a good comparison here, because Christ willingly sacrificed his own will and years of his potential earthly life to die for each of us. He was willing to figuratively rescue us all from the burning building of our lives and heal us and create a safe space for us to recover and mend. He didn't do it just to save the best and the brightest... he did it to give all of us, even the lowliest in the eyes of the world, the chance to triumph over our own weaknesses and have a chance to live with him, for eternity... he wants us there; he suffered and gave up his mortal life so that it could happen.
Today, let's honor Christ's sacrifice and do all we can to be there as well, to rejoice together, and with Christ, and find out what an eternity in a true paradise is all about. Libraries on every corner? Delicious calorie-free food? The time and motivation to bring our best ideas to life? ... I don't know for sure either, but I think that it's worth all of our effort to find out. :)
Saturday, September 10, 2022
D&C 1:10-12 -- On Measures and Preparation
"Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:
Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh."
Doctrine and Covenants 1:10-12
I think this is a little scary. If it was, you know, how well we took care of ourselves, or even our favorite person or our family... that's hard, but basing it on how we treat everyone... wow. I'm remembering some poor interactions that I very much don't want thrown back in my face, or you know, even "restored" in a nicer way. We get what we have given... and isn't that one of the largest lessons of life? if we want the world to be better, it starts with us being better... we have to be whatever we want to see the world become.
The giant blessing in all of this though is Christ, who gave us the power to repent. And if we do, then those past sins that we regret and truly repent of... those won't be restored to us. Those are the things that Christ died to save us from, or we wouldprobably definitely all be in a lot of trouble. We still have to learn the lesson though and do better... become those better people. But thankfully Christ suffered for our mistakes along the way, so that we don't have to, as long as we do the work and repent and change.
Today, let's think about what we are measuring to our fellow men, and let's start doing better and making sure we are never giving out anything we don't want to get in return.
Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:
Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh."
Doctrine and Covenants 1:10-12
I think this is a little scary. If it was, you know, how well we took care of ourselves, or even our favorite person or our family... that's hard, but basing it on how we treat everyone... wow. I'm remembering some poor interactions that I very much don't want thrown back in my face, or you know, even "restored" in a nicer way. We get what we have given... and isn't that one of the largest lessons of life? if we want the world to be better, it starts with us being better... we have to be whatever we want to see the world become.
The giant blessing in all of this though is Christ, who gave us the power to repent. And if we do, then those past sins that we regret and truly repent of... those won't be restored to us. Those are the things that Christ died to save us from, or we would
Today, let's think about what we are measuring to our fellow men, and let's start doing better and making sure we are never giving out anything we don't want to get in return.
Friday, September 9, 2022
Isaiah 11:2-4 -- On Truth
"And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."
Isaiah 11:2-4
The idea that Christ won't judge after teh sight of his eyes or the hearing of his ears is interesting here, and I think letting us know that he can't be decieved. In our world of fake news, deepfakes, and other blatant and pervasive deception, Christ still knows the truth.
Today, let's trust the Lord to know the truth, and follow him firmly, even when the world around us follows another path. He is the source of truth, and the one that can help us when we don't know what or who to believe. We can always believe in and follow Him.
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."
Isaiah 11:2-4
The idea that Christ won't judge after teh sight of his eyes or the hearing of his ears is interesting here, and I think letting us know that he can't be decieved. In our world of fake news, deepfakes, and other blatant and pervasive deception, Christ still knows the truth.
Today, let's trust the Lord to know the truth, and follow him firmly, even when the world around us follows another path. He is the source of truth, and the one that can help us when we don't know what or who to believe. We can always believe in and follow Him.
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Isaiah 1:25-27 -- On Purification and Redemption
"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.
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness."
Isaiah 1:25-27
The message that comes across to me here is that redemption seems to be a process, and it is going to take time and work. We probably don't lose all of our impurities overnight, and judgement and righteousness aren't things that just suddenly happen. Even after Christ returns, it seems that we will, like the people he visited during his earthly ministry, have to learn from him and change our ways. We still have to learn to be a Zion people. Hopefully it will be much easier with him taking charge, and teaching us directly, but He isn't going to snap his fingers and make us automatically become perfect, nice as that might seem. :)
Today, let's remember that turning into really good people is a process, and that we don't have to be there instantly in order to be on our way there. Let's press forward, staying on God's path, and making progress. Let's try to be more patient, less stressed, more loving, and less defensive. Let's be thankful and generous and kind... trying to be more like the person that God envisions when he sees our potential and less like our unforunate past mistakes. :) We'll get there... God will help us. We just need to keep working at it.
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.
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness."
Isaiah 1:25-27
The message that comes across to me here is that redemption seems to be a process, and it is going to take time and work. We probably don't lose all of our impurities overnight, and judgement and righteousness aren't things that just suddenly happen. Even after Christ returns, it seems that we will, like the people he visited during his earthly ministry, have to learn from him and change our ways. We still have to learn to be a Zion people. Hopefully it will be much easier with him taking charge, and teaching us directly, but He isn't going to snap his fingers and make us automatically become perfect, nice as that might seem. :)
Today, let's remember that turning into really good people is a process, and that we don't have to be there instantly in order to be on our way there. Let's press forward, staying on God's path, and making progress. Let's try to be more patient, less stressed, more loving, and less defensive. Let's be thankful and generous and kind... trying to be more like the person that God envisions when he sees our potential and less like our unforunate past mistakes. :) We'll get there... God will help us. We just need to keep working at it.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
D&C 4:4 -- On Doing the Work God has Prepared for Us
"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul."
Doctrine and Covenants 4:4
Ran across a German saying today: "Alles ist fertig: es muss nur noch gemacht werden." I looked it up in Google translate and it told me that it means "Everything is ready: it just remains to be done." And that reminded me of this scripture. I think when God tells us that the field is white already to harvest, he is saying that everything is ready--it just needs to be done.
That is true of a lot of missionary work, but also many other things. We delay doing things because we think that we need more planning or thought, and sometimes that is just fear or procrastination or delay tactics because we don't feel ready. Not saying that planning or awareness and safety aren't important, especially if you are doing something super dangerous like mountain climbing or cave diving or whatever... but with most things, there is a point at which it is enough, and if the proposed activity is something that God has indicated that we should go forward with, then we should trust that his preparation is much better than ours. If he could arrange for a fish to pay a tax collector, he can certainly arrange for whatever it is that we are going to need in the moment.
Today, let's do the work that God has prepared for us to do, whether it be our callings at church or our employment, schooling, or just life choices. God has prepared the way for us to make a difference for good. let's move forward boldly, always praying and listening to the Lord, but still trusting in the Lord and moving forward even when we aren't certain and we have to take some things on faith. Let's find what God has prepared for us to do, and do it.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:4
Ran across a German saying today: "Alles ist fertig: es muss nur noch gemacht werden." I looked it up in Google translate and it told me that it means "Everything is ready: it just remains to be done." And that reminded me of this scripture. I think when God tells us that the field is white already to harvest, he is saying that everything is ready--it just needs to be done.
That is true of a lot of missionary work, but also many other things. We delay doing things because we think that we need more planning or thought, and sometimes that is just fear or procrastination or delay tactics because we don't feel ready. Not saying that planning or awareness and safety aren't important, especially if you are doing something super dangerous like mountain climbing or cave diving or whatever... but with most things, there is a point at which it is enough, and if the proposed activity is something that God has indicated that we should go forward with, then we should trust that his preparation is much better than ours. If he could arrange for a fish to pay a tax collector, he can certainly arrange for whatever it is that we are going to need in the moment.
Today, let's do the work that God has prepared for us to do, whether it be our callings at church or our employment, schooling, or just life choices. God has prepared the way for us to make a difference for good. let's move forward boldly, always praying and listening to the Lord, but still trusting in the Lord and moving forward even when we aren't certain and we have to take some things on faith. Let's find what God has prepared for us to do, and do it.
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
D&C 4:2-3 -- On Being Called
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work."
Doctrine and Covenants 4:2-3
I like the idea here that if we desire to serve, we are called. It is easy to get anxious about what God wants us to do with our lives and to stress out about decisions and life choices, but as God says here, a lot of it is just opt-in. We don't have to serve God, but if we *want* to... then he grants us the calling, and makes a way for us to find our way in that effort. This section is usually associated with missionary service, but I think God calls us to a lot of other things as well, if we have a desire to help, he wants that help, and we can be granted that calling.
There are of course also things that God asks us to do that we don't necessarily want to do. Those may require a little more faith to accept and run with, but you know, I think it works the other way around too. The things that God calls us to, if we give them a chance, we can learn to love, because God knows that we'll do well and learn a lot, and that's why he calls us. It's part of our individualized tutoring from God. :)
Today, let's jump in, both with things that we want to do that God approves of, and with things that God wants us to do that we aren't that keen on. Either way, God will have our back and we'll be able to grow and be blessed abundantly.
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work."
Doctrine and Covenants 4:2-3
I like the idea here that if we desire to serve, we are called. It is easy to get anxious about what God wants us to do with our lives and to stress out about decisions and life choices, but as God says here, a lot of it is just opt-in. We don't have to serve God, but if we *want* to... then he grants us the calling, and makes a way for us to find our way in that effort. This section is usually associated with missionary service, but I think God calls us to a lot of other things as well, if we have a desire to help, he wants that help, and we can be granted that calling.
There are of course also things that God asks us to do that we don't necessarily want to do. Those may require a little more faith to accept and run with, but you know, I think it works the other way around too. The things that God calls us to, if we give them a chance, we can learn to love, because God knows that we'll do well and learn a lot, and that's why he calls us. It's part of our individualized tutoring from God. :)
Today, let's jump in, both with things that we want to do that God approves of, and with things that God wants us to do that we aren't that keen on. Either way, God will have our back and we'll be able to grow and be blessed abundantly.
Monday, September 5, 2022
Proverbs 16:3 -- On Works and Thoughts and Hearts
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
Proverbs 16:3
This is interesting as compared to the idea of "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) ... it seems that we have some evidence that our actions come from our thoughts, but this verse shows evidence as well that our thoughts come from our works. Perhaps what God is showing us here is that we can start either way, with actions or thoughts, and get to the right place (both united), as long as we are committed to God and open to the changes that he is making in us as we do his will.
One thing that helps us in doing this is committing, as is hinted at here, but another thing that comes to mind is the idea of the "mighty change" of heart that it talks about in many places, but my favorite is maybe Mosiah 5 because it also mentions that God can take away our desire to do evil: "...the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent .... has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). It also reminds me of the experiment from Alma 32:27 "...experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
Believing isn't instant conversion, even in the mighty change of heart, struck down by an angel stories. Maybe a dramatic or unusual experience is part of our testimony, but it can't be just that, or Laman and Lemuel would never have fallen away. We have to work at it, and make room for God in our hearts. So, we can start with a belief and get our actions to conform to what we believe with time, repentance, and effort, or we can do as this verse suggests and start with the actions, and pray and work and practice with feeling the spirit and listening to God, and knowing our own hearts, until our thoughts come into line. And honestly, probably some of both. We seem to be self-conflicted a lot, so becoming united internally is one of our biggest struggles. It is hard to learn to communicate with God when we don't even know ourselves very well.
Today, let's go to God with whatever we have, and pray for help to get the rest in order. He will help us, and teach us little by little until we get it, as long as we don't give up on him or on ourselves. :)
Proverbs 16:3
This is interesting as compared to the idea of "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) ... it seems that we have some evidence that our actions come from our thoughts, but this verse shows evidence as well that our thoughts come from our works. Perhaps what God is showing us here is that we can start either way, with actions or thoughts, and get to the right place (both united), as long as we are committed to God and open to the changes that he is making in us as we do his will.
One thing that helps us in doing this is committing, as is hinted at here, but another thing that comes to mind is the idea of the "mighty change" of heart that it talks about in many places, but my favorite is maybe Mosiah 5 because it also mentions that God can take away our desire to do evil: "...the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent .... has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). It also reminds me of the experiment from Alma 32:27 "...experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
Believing isn't instant conversion, even in the mighty change of heart, struck down by an angel stories. Maybe a dramatic or unusual experience is part of our testimony, but it can't be just that, or Laman and Lemuel would never have fallen away. We have to work at it, and make room for God in our hearts. So, we can start with a belief and get our actions to conform to what we believe with time, repentance, and effort, or we can do as this verse suggests and start with the actions, and pray and work and practice with feeling the spirit and listening to God, and knowing our own hearts, until our thoughts come into line. And honestly, probably some of both. We seem to be self-conflicted a lot, so becoming united internally is one of our biggest struggles. It is hard to learn to communicate with God when we don't even know ourselves very well.
Today, let's go to God with whatever we have, and pray for help to get the rest in order. He will help us, and teach us little by little until we get it, as long as we don't give up on him or on ourselves. :)
Sunday, September 4, 2022
Proverbs 15:2 -- On Using Knowledge Aright
"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."
Proverbs 15:2
I like the idea of using knowledge "aright" here. The Lord wants us to learn and grow, but sometimes when we know a lot we start thinking that we know better than God, or we start using our knowledge to exclude or belittle people. That's using knowledge awrong. :) (Okay, archaic word that went out of style long ago, but thought it was funny in context. Perhaps an example of using knowledge incorrectly.) :)
Today, let's make sure that we are using our knowledge and talents to be better people and to help others rather than using our gifts as tools in a quest to feel better than someone else. Let's be wise rather than foolish, and always remember to consult God, who knows much more than we do, even about ourselves. :)
Proverbs 15:2
I like the idea of using knowledge "aright" here. The Lord wants us to learn and grow, but sometimes when we know a lot we start thinking that we know better than God, or we start using our knowledge to exclude or belittle people. That's using knowledge awrong. :) (Okay, archaic word that went out of style long ago, but thought it was funny in context. Perhaps an example of using knowledge incorrectly.) :)
Today, let's make sure that we are using our knowledge and talents to be better people and to help others rather than using our gifts as tools in a quest to feel better than someone else. Let's be wise rather than foolish, and always remember to consult God, who knows much more than we do, even about ourselves. :)
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Alma 22:17-18 -- On the Price of Eternal Life
"And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
Alma 22:17-18
The king here I think at this moment in time realizes that God is real. (Also, just in case anyone hasn't read it, I should reassure you here that he isn't dead, but only having an extended conversation with God.) And I think he also realizes that everything that truly matters, God can bless him with. Salvation, eternal life--words that we say, but maybe don't really think about enough. The king wants to be raised from the dead, and that is part of it, but not nearly all. Christ paid the price for all of us to be resurrected and have a chance to repent. The eternal life he offers us isn't just extending our lives as they are now, but with perfect bodies that cannot die, or get sick, or age, and an eternity of good company as well, surrounded with people who are truly good and would never cheat or steal or desire to harm us. The price on our side, that the king is willing to pay, is to repent and work to *become* one of those people... the good ones that would never harm each other, and instead would do everything they can to help.
Today, let's consider what we would pay for eternal life in an ideal setting. In the stories, people spend fortunes and quest their whole lives to find the fountain of youth or to find a way to immortality, but here it is, right in front of us. God offers us the gift of eternal youth... only the ideal setting is in question, and that part is up to us. If we stick with God and work his plan, then we'll end up in a place with other people who have done so, and it will be an amazing place, without the evils that are unfortunately so common in this world. If we don't, again, we're going to end up in a place with other people like ourselves. I guess the question is whether we want to hang out eternally with other people like ourselves the way we are now, or if we want better company. If we do, then let's get working at becoming that kind of company. :)
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
Alma 22:17-18
The king here I think at this moment in time realizes that God is real. (Also, just in case anyone hasn't read it, I should reassure you here that he isn't dead, but only having an extended conversation with God.) And I think he also realizes that everything that truly matters, God can bless him with. Salvation, eternal life--words that we say, but maybe don't really think about enough. The king wants to be raised from the dead, and that is part of it, but not nearly all. Christ paid the price for all of us to be resurrected and have a chance to repent. The eternal life he offers us isn't just extending our lives as they are now, but with perfect bodies that cannot die, or get sick, or age, and an eternity of good company as well, surrounded with people who are truly good and would never cheat or steal or desire to harm us. The price on our side, that the king is willing to pay, is to repent and work to *become* one of those people... the good ones that would never harm each other, and instead would do everything they can to help.
Today, let's consider what we would pay for eternal life in an ideal setting. In the stories, people spend fortunes and quest their whole lives to find the fountain of youth or to find a way to immortality, but here it is, right in front of us. God offers us the gift of eternal youth... only the ideal setting is in question, and that part is up to us. If we stick with God and work his plan, then we'll end up in a place with other people who have done so, and it will be an amazing place, without the evils that are unfortunately so common in this world. If we don't, again, we're going to end up in a place with other people like ourselves. I guess the question is whether we want to hang out eternally with other people like ourselves the way we are now, or if we want better company. If we do, then let's get working at becoming that kind of company. :)
Friday, September 2, 2022
Doctrine and Covenants 38:7-8 -- On Purification, Hope, and Light
"But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;
But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day."
Doctrine and Covenants 38:7-8
The whole idea of seeing the Lord is amazing, and even though it sounds like seeing God could just burn us up, the possibility of being able to talk to him as many of the prophets have, face to face, seems worth the work and the risk. So how do we get there... apparently purification, so that we can abide the day. :)
When I think of purification, I think of Lamoni's father the king, who asked "what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast?" and maybe we all feel that way sometimes. We want to be better than we are and pure and holy and kind and generous and good through and through, but too often we betray ourselves and reveal our corrupt natures and our frequent unwillingness to be who God asks us to be. In answering the king's question, Aaron was also speaking to us: "If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest."
That's the way to escape the darkness intact, and survive to see God... we need to work on purifying ourselves--letting go of our sinful natures, and learning about and accepting God and his will into our lives. That's the way we rise above ourselves and become better than we could ever make ourselves if we had to do it alone. God will help us if we seek his help and earnestly seek that hope. ... Today, let's work on being the kind of people that can abide in the light after the veil of darkness is torn away, and see our hope in Christ.
But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day."
Doctrine and Covenants 38:7-8
The whole idea of seeing the Lord is amazing, and even though it sounds like seeing God could just burn us up, the possibility of being able to talk to him as many of the prophets have, face to face, seems worth the work and the risk. So how do we get there... apparently purification, so that we can abide the day. :)
When I think of purification, I think of Lamoni's father the king, who asked "what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast?" and maybe we all feel that way sometimes. We want to be better than we are and pure and holy and kind and generous and good through and through, but too often we betray ourselves and reveal our corrupt natures and our frequent unwillingness to be who God asks us to be. In answering the king's question, Aaron was also speaking to us: "If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest."
That's the way to escape the darkness intact, and survive to see God... we need to work on purifying ourselves--letting go of our sinful natures, and learning about and accepting God and his will into our lives. That's the way we rise above ourselves and become better than we could ever make ourselves if we had to do it alone. God will help us if we seek his help and earnestly seek that hope. ... Today, let's work on being the kind of people that can abide in the light after the veil of darkness is torn away, and see our hope in Christ.
Thursday, September 1, 2022
1 Corinthians 6:16-17 -- On One Spirit
"What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
1 Corinthians 6:16-17
This is an interesting analogy, talking about the idea of one flesh, and then telling us that we are part of the Lord on a spiritual level in a similar way. God talks elsewhere in the scriptures about being united, and says specifically "if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27), which shows us how serious he is about unity. To be a Zion people we need to be united in heart and mind, and have the spirit with us all the time, which in essence means that we are part of God and he is part of us, the way Christ talked about his relationship with his father.
Today, let's work on understanding what it is to be "one spirit" with God, perhaps like some of the ancient prophets who were told that they were men like God was, after his heart. As we learn more about God and how much he loves his children, and we pray for changed hearts and to be filled with his love... those changes will help us to be united with the Lord and know what he would do in different situations. And if we know that, and we do it, then God will trust us like he did them... to help his children and to be his true servants.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
1 Corinthians 6:16-17
This is an interesting analogy, talking about the idea of one flesh, and then telling us that we are part of the Lord on a spiritual level in a similar way. God talks elsewhere in the scriptures about being united, and says specifically "if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27), which shows us how serious he is about unity. To be a Zion people we need to be united in heart and mind, and have the spirit with us all the time, which in essence means that we are part of God and he is part of us, the way Christ talked about his relationship with his father.
Today, let's work on understanding what it is to be "one spirit" with God, perhaps like some of the ancient prophets who were told that they were men like God was, after his heart. As we learn more about God and how much he loves his children, and we pray for changed hearts and to be filled with his love... those changes will help us to be united with the Lord and know what he would do in different situations. And if we know that, and we do it, then God will trust us like he did them... to help his children and to be his true servants.