Moroni 10:20 -- On Faith, Hope, and Charity

"Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity."
Moroni 10:20


These are super-important, essential ingredients to salvation, but ones that I think we gloss over sometimes, trying to survive with their opposites, doubt, despair, and hatred. Experiencing these things on a limited basis won't kill us of course, and overcoming them is part of the test of life, but they are things that can kill us if we give up and live with them, inviting them to stay.

Today, let's call upon God for help in eradicating these killing things from our lives. Let's look up with faith and hope, trusting in the positive outlook and the happy ending that God promises us, and let's above all learn from God how to love. That's a tough thing, especially people who have been unkind to us or who are our enemies in some other way... and yet, hatred kills us just as doubt and fear do over time. We have to learn to love other people, even people that are very different from us, or ones that (gasp!) disagree with us. :)

God can help us with all of this, if we ask. Let's do so this day, and every time we feel ourselves slipping back into a dark place.

2 Nephi 7:5-7 -- On Trusting in God's Help

"The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
2 Nephi 7:5-7


The conviction here that "the Lord God will help me" seems to be the reason that the narrator can endure the intentions of the smiter and the spitter, and yet remain outwardly unaffected, willing to suffer temporarily because of that trust in eventual deliverance.

I feel like our trust in God is massively important to our perspectives, and thus how we deal with everything. If we don't feel like God (or anyone else) is there to save and support us, we're much more likely to become bitter and defensive or depressed and resigned. But if we *do* trust God to help us, then everything just becomes part of the middle of the adventure story... yeah, the hero might be facing a giant, or a famine, or a flood, but with God we know all of those things can be overcome or survived, and the happy ending will eventually come.

Today, let's work on really believing that God will help us... that we don't have to go through anything alone or unsupported as long as we have the Spirit in our lives--and even when we have strayed off the path, if our intention is to get back on it, he will help us with that too, so we're still golden. (We just can't ask him to help us in leaving him or in doing evil, because that just isn't going to happen. He loves us too much to ever help us destroy ourselves.) Let's work to make sure we are on God's path, and trust that his help will always be there... and as we have that assurance, let's make sure we are adjusting our behaviors appropriately, and remembering that it is God's approval and his measures of success that we are working towards. Let's set our faces as flints as well, and show love to others, even when they behave badly, so that we can learn to trust in God and not "the arm of flesh" for our deliverance.

Ether 2:22-23 -- On Questions

"And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?
And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have awindows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire."
Ether 2:22-23


Here, the Brother of Jared and God ask each other some questions. The questions are interesting. The Brother of Jared is worried that the Lord is going to ask them to spend a long time in darkness, and God is asking a question to get the Brother of Jared to come up with a plan.

Our questions and the questions that we ask the Lord are similarly interesting because I think they also often reflect our fears and God, trying to get us to think our way through a problem. Perhaps we could carefully craft a few questions that we really want answers to, and really listen to what God asks us through prayer, or scripture reading, or even just the same question here: "What will ye that I should do?" ... Do we know that, when we are talking to the Lord? Do we know what we want, and do we understand the limitations around what we *can't* ask, as God helped with here? Sometimes the Lord presents limitations that have us disappointed or scrambling for a new plan, but he is always listening for what our new plan is... how we think that we can solve the problem in front of us.

Today, let's work with God work as the Brother of Jared did. Conference this weekend might be a perfect time for the Lord to point out some questions to us, so let's have ours for the Lord ready before then, and listen for his answers. :)

2 Nephi 9:12-15 -- On Perfect Knowledge

"And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.
And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God."
2 Nephi 9:12-15


The resurrection happens to everyone born on the earth... a blessing granted to us from the atonement. It is interesting though that the "perfect knowledge" that it grants seems to be a boon for some people (the repentant/righteous), and not for others... which means I think that our bad memories in this life are often actually a blessing, since we aren't beating ourselves up every day for the bad things we've done, although I think that God helps us to remember at certain opportune times in order to prompt us to repent.

It seems like we'll already know everything that God could bring up to us, so to me the whole appearing before God won't be about accusations, but more about mercy. We'll stand there knowing every bad thing that we ever did, and whether we repented and changed into a better person or not... and God will be as kind as possible about it. He already knows, but he'll help us know where we go from there, to live with other people similar to ourselves, which will be a curse for some, and a high honor and blessing for others.

Today, let's take a moment to consider whether we want to spend eternity with other people like ourselves, or if we've been getting along so well with others because they are much better than we are. If the latter, perhaps we should think about upping our game a little, so we don't get stuck with the other rude snarkmasters, or whatever it is that illustrates our own sinful streaks. ... And if we do want to go to a better place than we are already headed, the way is always Christ. Let's pray and ask him to help us improve and find a way to be better than we are, and he will gladly work with us and show us the way.

Alma 32:38-42 -- On Nourishing the Word

"But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.
And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
Alma 32:38-42


Kind of a long one today, but of course totally worth a few extra moments of eye strain, because this is important stuff. Alma 32 isn't just about people trying the experiment of the word of God and joining the church, but it is also about continuing in the word of God and sticking with it as it pays off long term.

Nourishing the word goes well beyond believing or just seeing if the word is good/delicious -- whether it makes our lives better. It means continuing to feast on God's word, and learning more about it... studying and working to understand the parts that seem strange, and resolving the conflicts between our behavior and what God asks as we learn to walk more perfectly.

Today, let's take time to nourish the word. It is easy to stop and assume that our initial faith and belief will last and get us through, but there is a lot more there--starting on the path of the gospel is only opening the portal to a completely new world, being born again in God, and there is a lot of exploring and learning to be done. It is the work of more than one lifetime. Luckily, we have eternity, but let's do ourselves a favor and start now, when it will help us the most, and build that relationship and that reservoir of all that is good so that we can draw upon it in hard times. :)

Hebrews 4:12-13 -- On the Quick and Powerful Word

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
Hebrews 4:12-13


Reading this today, the thing that first struck me was the word "quick" ... which could be saying that God's word is fast, immediate, or that it is alive (as in "the quick and the dead" (1 Peter 4:5), or perhaps both. I am kind of liking the idea of God's word being immediate. God doesn't have to think about it... he already knows exactly what to say in every circumstance, which is amazing.

As we continue reading, he also knows each of us down to the core, which partly makes me think of the other definition. He knows our lives, how to create and how to heal both physically and spiritually.

Today, perhaps we can ponder this and remember that God is never running behind on understanding us or what we want. If there is a misunderstanding there, it is on our side, as we often pursue our own goals rather than the Lord's. If we need to talk something out, God is happy to do so, but it is a teaching moment for us, not because he doesn't understand. Let's remember God's words, and when we need instant answers and someone to cut right to the heart of the matter, let's go to God, who will always help us to understand the real truth behind the illusions of the world. It isn't always the answer we want, but it is always the correct answer, and the one that we need as we learn to walk with God in the truth.

Luke 17:12-14 -- On Believing and Acting

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed."
Luke 17:12-14


I like that they were healed "as they went." They took action at God's word and started off, without proof, to go see the priests. If this parable had one of the men sit back down and not do as God asked, we'd probably think he was insane, but I feel like that is similar to the actions that we often take with God. Somehow we think that God worked in the scriptures one way, but in our lives another. Perhaps we think that healing had to be miraculous back in those days when we had a poor medical system, or we think that God isn't really offering us the same things that he offered these people for whatever reason.

Whatever our reasons for holding back or doubting, I think that we are cheating ourselves out of a lot of miraculous help because we aren't first believing and second acting on the things that God promises us. Christ is willing to heal us, just as he healed these men, and all the people in Luke 6:19 or 3 Nephi 17:9.

Today, let's stop thinking that we are exceptions in negative ways, and work on our faith. Let's believe God when he says that he can help us, and whatever he asks of us, let's do it. As we believe what God says, and then act on it, God will be able to work miracles in our lives.

Revelation 3:20-21 -- On Answering the Door

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
Revelation 3:20-21


The idea that God is knocking and waiting at the door is an important one for us I think. It reminds us that it's our actions that are standing in the way of that relationship... we have to go and let Christ in so that we can communicate with him.

God offers us everything, and he is here, in our lives, at the door, making an effort to seek us out. Today, let's respond... let's let him in, and learn from him, and do all we can to join him and learn what he can help us do, and be, as we let him in and walk with him in our lives.

1 Peter 1:23-25 -- On Considering Eternity

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
1 Peter 1:23-25


It is good to remember, though also a little sad, that this life is extremely temporary. More happily though, all that God offers us is eternal. Being born again through baptism in him is that first step towards a far, far better existence.

Today, even though we are caught up in the cares of our temporary existence, let's spare a thought and consider eternity, realizing that we need to plan for that future with just as much care (and hopefully more) as we put into planning our lives now... and that possibility and hope comes through God to us, so let's read his word and listen to his plan as he works to ensure us a good place in that "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

James 1:26 -- On Bridling the Tongue

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain."
James 1:26


This is a good reminder that we need to be careful about what comes out of our mouths... not just in a temporary way to please a grandparent, but in a long-term really wanting to change who we are sort of a way.

Perhaps it is part of learning to love other people, to be polite and kind. I don't think God is asking us to not have personalities or quirks of speech, but instead he is asking us to be intentional... to choose carefully, to not say anything that we don't mean, to not offend people unneccesarily, and to show love and charity in our speech... basically to match our speech to our hearts, and to show our religion by our words/works, right?

Today, let's make sure that we aren't hypocrites in what we say, but instead match our words to what we believe and to who we want to be.

John 6:5-9 -- On Thinking Past Limitations

"When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"
John 6:5-9


The idea here that Christ asked Philip this question in order to prove him is interesting, and what popped into my mind as a comparison is the conversation that God had with the Brother of Jared about providing light and air for his barges. In that case God solved the air problem for him, but left the light problem open, only telling the Brother of Jared the things that wouldn't work... he left it to him to come up with something that would work.

Perhaps the conversation here was similar, Jesus posing a problem and drawing their attention to what wasn't going to work before he illustrated how to solve it, asking them (and us) to change their mindsets from just thinking about limitations to thinking about possibilities.

Today, let's experiment with this idea a little, in facing our current challenges. Instead of giving up on something good because it seems impossible, let's work through what we can do, and what God might be able to do. Let's stretch our minds a bit and include the possibility of miracles. As we consider that possibility in more and more situations, I think we will become capable of more, both in our capacity and our ability to work with God to reach beyond our capacity.

Galatians 5:16-17 -- On Walking In the Spirit

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Galatians 5:16-17


This goes along with the idea that the "natural man," or in other words our physical bodies, are enemies to God. Those desires and our spiritual desires are very often in conflict, and so we have to make sure that our Spirits, or the "selves" that existed before this earth life, are the priority, and we don't become just slaves to our physical desires.

This doesn't mean that our physical selves have to be unhappy for eternity though... only that we have to find righteous ways to fulful our physical needs/desires, or tutor ourselves to want something better. God didn't give us bodies just to starve them out, but as part of his plan of happiness. If we look to God for help, and make sure we are putting his will first, he will help us tame and satisfy our physical needs in righteous and happy ways... the different parts of ourselves have to be on the same page and working towards the same goals, but as we do, God helps us to find a cooperative way to move forward rather than being at odds, until we eventually are "one" in ourselves, just as we work to become united with others and with God in similar ways, working together for a common goal rather than fighting each other.

Today, let's walk in the Spirit, and ask God to help us put his will first, and also how to find unity in ourselves and with others.

Colossians 4:6 -- On Seasoning Our Speech

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Colossians 4:6


I like the idea of seasoning our speech here, and it seems like the idea behind it is taking the time to prepare our words, rather than just blurting them out like an underprepared raw meal. We need some time and seasoning so that our speech is palatable.

This idea seems to go along with the general ideas of patience and treating other people well, preparing ahead of time, etc. Today, let's be careful with our speech, taking the time to get the message across that we want to get across as we translate what is in our heads into the actual words that we want to say. Let's avoid hasty and thoughtless conversation that can so easily offend and make sure that we are taking the time to treat other people with respect and kindness.

D&C 136:36 -- On Handling the Powers of Heaven

"That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."
Doctrine and Covenants 136:36


This is the "one lesson" (verse 35) that God says that a lot of us don't learn that we should. To me, this verse basically says that superpowers can't be used for evil.... which if it were fiction would be an awesome plot twist for the good guys, but perhaps also make the story a little boring since the bad guys could never have a real chance of winning. As soon as they tried to do something bad with the awesome power, bzzt, it would fail.

In real life it is more complicated because there are a lot of other rules around it, like belief and faith, and doing what God wants and not what we want, and we don't have the convenience of a plot with a limited number of characters that are clearly good and evil. :) ... The idea remains though, because the power of God will triumph in the end, no matter how long God grants us to live and learn to repent. We're looking forward to a happy ending if we stick with God, and that connection with God that allows miracles in our lives is accessible only through righteousness.

Today, let's learn righteousness. Let's learn how to establish and strengthen our connection with God, and how to trust in God enough that we are able to see and expect and influence the miracles in our own lives, and handle them to bless others lives as well, as God directs.

Romans 4:18-21 -- On Hope and Trust

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Romans 4:18-21


These verses are about Abraham and how he believed God even though God's promises to him often made no sense in a worldly way. And I think that is something that interferes between us and God as well. We just can't make that mental leap to actually believing what God says. Sort of like Naaman, who couldn't quite believe that just washing in the Jordan seven times would cure his leprosy. It just didn't make sense. Why would washing cure him, and why that river, and why didn't the prophet come out and talk to me personally, or cure me himself? ... Our pride and our confusion are impediments to our faith sometimes.

Today, instead of overthinking it, let's just try it. Do the experiment that it talks about in Alma 32:27, or ask, as Moroni 10 suggests... or just pray in the morning and see if your day goes better than if you don't. The proof of the gospel is in the practice of it, and in believing God enough to at least try it with an open mind. Going into it trying to disprove it won't work either, just like praying when our minds are only open to one outcome. We have to trust God, even if it is just a tiny bit, and give him a chance to work with us... and as we do, we can learn to trust him more, step by step.

John 15:4-5 -- On Abiding in Christ

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


The idea that we can't do anything without Christ is an interesting one that many would dispute, but perhaps we all feel the truth of it at times when we try to live without God in the world, and notice that without God's help, our efforts so often fall flat or are unsatisfying on a deep level.

To me, it seems like the same thing that we are asked to do when we pray always, or walk with God, or keep the Spirit with us. The idea is constant connection. God is the energy source, and we are his lights, but without his power, we don't shine the way we should... perhaps some flickering, but it's just residual battery power and we don't have a way to recharge without him.

Today, let's remember that we need God... that everything is better with him, and let's establish and strengthen that connection rather than uselessly fighting against the source of our power. Let's draw on that power instead to do God's work and to make the world better and the people around us happier. Let's trust God to always do good, and join with him in his righteous purposes, to bring us all back to him and to joy and peace.

Proverbs 6:23 -- On Light, Life, and Law

"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life."
Proverbs 6:23


The commandments are there to guide us and light our way... I like the reminder of that here because we often think of commandments as burdens rather than assistance, but they are there to help us and protect us from harming ourselves, like advice from our parents when we are young. Look both ways before you cross the street, etc. That's what God is trying to do for us. He doesn't want to lock us up inside so that we can't learn anything out there in the world, but he does want us to be able to avoid the traps and pitfalls and temptations that are waiting.

Today, let's remember that the commandments are there to help us, and that God's law is there to light our way. Let's listen to God when he counsels and warns us, and especially when he reproves us, and straighten our path and adjust our intentions so that we can once again walk in the way that God advises. No other is safe for us, and choosing to walk without God is the most dangerous of all.

Romans 13:11-12 -- On Gospel Urgency

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
Romans 13:11-12


The idea that we need to wake up, that our salvation is near, and that the night is far spent all give a sense of urgency to these verses. I think often we don't feel that in our daily lives... we think we have time to learn, to overcome, to repent, etc. And in some ways that is true. Christ died in part so that we *could* have that time to change.

The urgency I think comes because of our complacency. We are always putting off those essential changes in our lives, thinking that we can do it later, but there are things that we can't learn unless we lay the foundation. A lot of things take practice, and time, and dedication that don't work on a deathbed, or in a similarly time-limited situation.

The longer we wait, the more entrenched we become, whether it is in sin or just in inaction, so God is reminding us... wake up, get up, make some changes. Move forward on the path rather than stopping in the middle of the road to have yet another picnic. :)

Let's start today. A new habit of reading or praying will pay off over time, as we learn to communicate with God more closely. Waiting for later just delays us, and can result in frustration when we don't feel that same Spirit that others apparently do. Let's start a new project and find ways to do good. It might take time to build up the project, but as we work on it and are committed to God and to helping others, God will bless us and help us to become better and to do more good.

Helaman 5:40-41 -- On Clouds of Darkness

"And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: aWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?
And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you."
Helaman 5:40-41


The scriptures seem to come back to this theme a lot... escaping from darkness. Many times it is a literal physical darkness, as here and in 3rd Nephi after the destruction, and sometimes it is symbolic, as in Lehi's dream and in several conversions where the "dark veil of unbelief was being cast away" (Alma 19:6). In this case Aminadab, who had been part of the church at one point, he realizes what is going on and how to escape the darkness and he helps the rest of the people in the prison know what they should do.

I feel like this is something that we can relate to, because I am guessing that we have all felt darkness in our lives from time to time, and wanted to know how to escape it. The method is the same. We need to repent and cry unto God. Even when the darkness is self-created, God can help us escape if we are willing to let go of our sins and reach out to Christ for his assistance in finding our way back.

While we're in the darkness it is hard to see any hope, but if we listen for God's voice, it will be there, still trying to help us find a way out even in the darkest times. Today, let's listen, and reach for that connection, crying unto God for help, and he will hear us, and help us find a way out of the darkness.

Revelation 3:10-11 -- On Patience and Holding On

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
Revelation 3:10-11


I like the payoff for patience here, because patience is hard, and so it might help to have something to look forward to. :) I think most of the people who say "Thank you for your patience" are undervaluing it. It's huge. If we all were good at patience our lives would be much easier I think. It's that short-term thinking that gets us into most of our trouble.

I like the idea of holding on to what we have as well. From a spiritual perspective I think that means that we need to retain our testimonies and our faith. We build up so much history with God, and if we don't stop and remember that sometimes, we can make critical mistakes based on a limited perspective.

Today, let's remember our history with God, and hold on to the faith and the testimony we have. Let's trust that God will still help us, even if the current situation seems dire, or we don't understand what God is trying to accomplish this time. If we ask him to help us understand, he will. Not always immediately, but that's where the patience comes in. God's timing is always better than ours, so let's wait in hope, and trust in his love and wisdom.

Jeremiah 44:28 -- On God's Word and Finding Acceptance

"Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs."
Jeremiah 44:28


This is a good reminder that God fulfils all of his words and promises, and who is always going to win if we have any contest of wills with him.

Today, let's trust God to keep his word, and let's examine God's word and work with God to figure out the reasons behind it and what God wants, because accepting his word and moving forward is going to work out much better for us than trying to go our own way, or contesting God's will in anything.

Jude 1:3-4 -- On Earnestly Contending for the Faith

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jude 1:3-4


The idea of earnestly contending for the faith is important here, because I think, just like it was in Jude's day, there are many, even including ourselves sometimes, that turn God's grace into something that it isn't, because we either don't understand God's gospel or are actively working against it. Hopefully the former of course, because actively opposing God is risking our souls, while just misunderstanding God can be more easily rectified. :)

When it talks about "turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness" I think that gets into one of the basic fundamentals of the gospel that we often stray away from. God wants us to have bodies, but also learn to tame them... and when we (as we too often do) start talking about how we evolved this way, or were born with these desires, as though that is an excuse or even an argument for a certain behavior, then we're getting well off track in terms of what God has taught us. Learning to deny some of our desires or satisfy them in righteous ways... that isn't going against our own souls, but rather choosing our deeper and higher selves over our animal selves, which are part of us now and which we love, but which we also need to help grow up into appropriate and glorious vessels for our spirits.

Bodies are gifts, but they are tools for our Spirits to lead, not blind carnality for our spirits to get lost in. As we tame our bodies they can become our greatest assets, but if we instead allow them to lead us, then we become the "brute beasts" that Jude refers to in verse 10.

Today, let's make sure that we aren't mixing things into the gospel from the world, but instead are really following God's plan. Let's team with God who can teach us to triumph over the flesh rather than slipping further and further into the flesh until that is all we are, having supressed our higher nature and become only the beast within. With God we can become whole, the flesh and the spirit perfectly united and working towards the same goals. Let's contend for that higher self, and have faith in that, and so much else that God offers us, as we believe in and are willing to walk God's path.

Articles of Faith 1:9 — On Revelation and Knowledge

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
Articles of Faith 1:9


The idea here that God still has a lot to say and reveal I think is an important one as far as understanding God and our relationship to him. It becomes more difficult to understand a lot of things about the universe if we think that we already have all the information we need. Just like scientific theory should be open to gaining new information that might shift the way we think about the universe, faith in God requires us to acknowledge that God knows more than we do, and therefore that we might learn new things about existence.

God isn't playing games with us. He tells us what we can understand and what we need to know for our own salvation... but there is still much, much more to come. Let's remember, and look forward to, that today. :)

Acts 18:9-10 — On Speaking

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in the city"
Acts 18:9-10


This is a good reminder that God asks us to do things for a reason. There are people to find, and God will lead us to them if we are willing to do as he asks... trading perhaps a little bit of embarrassment against the chance of finding and helping someone who needs the gospel. The tradeoff is different in different cases, but it's often a case of personal comfort vs being where God wants us to be, so that we can help someone else. Let's do our best to be trustworthy and unafraid of any hardships that come as a consequence of doing as God asks.

Enos 1:12 — On the Work of Prayer

"And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith."
Enos 1:12


It's interesting here that Enos prays with many long strugglings and that that is the labor that he is referring to--labor in the spirit. I absolutely think that prayer takes real work, similar to an earthly relationship, but I think it unusual for us to think of prayer that way.

Today, let's take the time to think about the work that we are putting into prayer and our relationship with God. That is worthy and necessary effort, and probably deserves a little thought if we are going to learn to follow his path.

Isaiah 57:1 — On Considering

"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
Isaiah 57:1


This idea is interesting... not in an "only the good die young" way, because I am not sure that is universally true, but to me the critical thought here is that we aren't considering God's motives. Someone we love dies and frequently we get angry with God, sometimes wondering how God can even exist if such good people can suffer while other, presumably evil, people seem to suffer zero consequences for their deplorable actions.

When something like that happens, totally understandable to be upset, but if there was any time to trust the Lord rather than blaming, attacking, or denying him, that would be it. Through Christ's atonement we can be reunited with our loved ones after this life. Death is not the end, and through the lens of eternity, probably not even a significant bump in the road, though of course it feels otherwise to our limited senses.

Today, let's consider, and trust God... he knows what he is doing, even when we are facing a personal tragedy or significant setback. Maybe we lose one opportunity because God has something better in store. Perhaps our way is blocked to save us from a bad situation. Whatever it is, God isn't suddenly our enemy. He still loves us, and if we are patient and faithful, he will show us why, and all the good that he has in store for us.

1 Kings 3:7-9 -- On Asking Appropriately

"And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"
1 Kings 3:7-9


This is Solomon speaking, when the Lord prompted him to ask for something. I think it is a good example of humility and also some wisdom, even before he recieved his blessing, to ask for help with what he was worried about handling in such a responsible position.

The lesson for us I think is to not ask God for extravagant things like winning the lottery or the destruction of our enemies (see verse 11), but to ask for what we really need to be able to handle what we are facing on a daily basis. We aren't kings, but God offers us all blessings if we are willing to do his will, and he tells us to ask for what we need.

Today, let's ask for help in becoming better people, and knowing how to help the people around us. Let's look to God in faith for assistance with the specific things that we are facing, and as we put effort into doing the right things and following God, he will bless us.

Proverbs 4:4 -- On Commandments and Life

"He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live."
Proverbs 4:4


I like the idea that we can retain God's words in some measure, and I think the more of God's word we take in, the more the Spirit can remind us of it at appropriate times, and the more we will have help to know what to do in our lives.

Today, let's keep the commandments and live... and for help with that, let's read and listen and understand the commandments, and retain them in our hearts.

Abraham 1:1-2 -- On Journeys and Partnering with God

"In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;
And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers."
Abraham 1:1-2


I like Abraham's story for a lot of reasons, but part of it is right here. He seems like any of us. He was living with his family and knew he needed to move, and in thinking about that, he thought about who he wanted to become. He wanted to learn, and to follow God and gain instructions on how to become more than he was. And so his journey began.

Our journeys are similar. We see the need for change, and we seek a way to become more than we now are--and God is always the answer to that. He has the knowledge and the power we seek to help us to become who we want to be.

Today, let's do as Abraham did, and enter into a partnership with God. Let's seek his help and follow his instructions as we strive to become better people than we now are.