Acts 4:34-35 -- On Learning to Love and Trust and Give to One Another

"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
Acts 4:34-35


I love this idea of everyone caring about, and trusting each other enough that they are willing to pool their resources. I think heaven is exactly this idea, and the more people that we feel that way about, the more we are learning, and becoming, heavenly. Today, let's pray for this kind of faith, and expand our circle of love and trust and learn how to love people this way, and treat people this way.

John 12:24-25 -- On Love and Life

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
John 12:24-25


This is Christ very soon before his death, and so part of this is a prediction of that, but maybe a general principle here as well. Not actual hatred I think, but perhaps recognition always that this isn't the ideal... the perfection is to come, and right now, we should always be repenting, changing, improving... not being satisfied with this life, but always seeking for better. And the better life is of course the one that God gives to us as we follow him on the path to everything good and better. :)

Today, let's remember that the better life is always beyond us, and let's not get complacent and stop reaching for God and continuing to grow and become better.

Luke 9:25 -- On Worlds and Selves and Winning and Losing

"For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"
Luke 9:25


This is similar to verses in Mark and Matthew, but instead of "lose himself" the others say "lose his own soul," which is also part of how the Joseph Smith translation alters the wording here. Clearly that is a good interpretation, but I like the phrasing here because it makes me think of how we in our society often talk about "finding ourselves."

Christ here is explaining that to gain our ideal selves, and eternal life, we have to lose our old selves, and let go of some of what we think of as our lives now. Christ talks about it here as taking up our cross, or losing our lives for Christ's sake in order to find our (better) lives, but in Matthew and later in Luke he explains it as seeking the kingdom of God first, and then other things will be added. It is the same concept... we have to let go of our chokehold on one thing before God can give us another. We have to lose to win, let go of this toy before we can get another, better toy... we have to give up/lose our sins to know God--let go of the bad parts of ourselves and focus instead on God in order to grow into/win our good potential and eventually-perfect selves.

It isn't easy, and I don't think it is really meant to be. Part of it is figuring out that we really need the Lord's help in order to change and realizing that our relationship with God is more important than those parts of ourselves that we are losing, and that who we are working with God to become is much better than who we have been. Those are hard things to learn because part of learning them is letting go of some of our self-esteem security blankets, realizing that we aren't all that, and that we could really use some self-improvement.

That kind of makes us feel like the whole King Benjamin less than the dust of the earth thing, but of course we also know that God loves us, we are his children and therefore of infinite worth... it's trying to balance those things that brings us fill circle to this verse again, since the verses leading up to it are talking about saving our lives to lose them, and losing our lives to find them. Parts of ourselves are dust bunny prey, and parts are the precious metals God is refining and purifying. We're good *and* bad... part to lose, part to find.

Today, let's work with God to let go of our evil selves and discover our awesome, glowy, good selves. It won't happen overnight, but this is the process of becoming saints and angels and gaining heaven... slowly replacing the bad parts with good parts until we are entirely new and perfect. :) Let's focus on God, where yoked together with Christ we can overcome even the obstacles that we put in our own way, becoming better and making the world and our relationships with other people better as well.

Galatians 5:22 -- On the Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith"
Galatians 5:22


This verse explains some of the fruits of the Spirit, and so if we want the things on that list... love, joy, peace, etc. then getting and keeping the Spirit in our lives is the path. There are so many other ways that the Spirit helps us as well... teaching us, helping us remember, etc. That connection with God is really the answer to pretty much everything.

The challenge is that we need to make some real effort to have the Spirit with us in our lives. The Spirit doesn't hang out with us when we are angry or have negative thoughts about someone. We have to work on our lives and put in some time getting our heads and hearts in the right place.

That doesn't mean that God can't help us with that process, because he totally will if we ask him sincerely... but even that takes some work, because we actually have to want to change, and be willing to accept the Lord's help, even if He suggests something that we don't want to do. Today, let's sit down with the Lord and put in the effort to walk with the Spirit. As we do, the fruits of that companionship will become apparent in our lives. It's more than worth the effort... we just have to talk ourselves into it. :)

1 Corinthians 13:8 -- On Unfailing and Perfect Love

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
1 Corinthians 13:8


I found this strangely comforting today. The message today seems to be that no matter how much things seem to melt down and fly apart, one thing will never, ever fail... and that is God's love for us, and love in general, if it is the pure and good kind, that can solve problems that seem insoluble.

Today, let's latch onto that one true thing, even if we have no idea how it is possible, and let's hold on tightly to that matchless, perfect love that can get us through anything because it NEVER fails. Let's rejoice in that love towards us from God, and let's also pray and ask God to help us learn that same kind of love for other people, so that we can spread that hope in something that will never fail to others.

Hebrews 12:1-2 -- On Running with Patience

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2


I like the idea of running with patience, although I have not mastered it. :)
Today, let's run the race that God sets before us, looking to him for help to do it with patience and faith.

Acts 2:21 -- On Calling Upon the Name of the Lord

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Acts 2:21


I like scriptures that give us simple, direct things to do. Now, I don't think it is as simple as some people interpret it... this isn't referring to one prayer and done. Calling upon God is a lifetime process, and one that we can't ever just stop and check off a list... still, it is something that is straightforward and simple to start. Prayer can take lot of practice as well, but God will honor sincere attempts and help us learn as we go.

Today, let's try this simple thing, and call upon the name of the Lord in prayer. Let's remember God throughout the day, and work to include him in our lives. If we do, our lives can be happier, no matter what we are going through, because we can come to know and truat the Lord.

Exodus 10:3 -- On Humility and Joy

"And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me."
Exodus 10:3


This is part of the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, and this part made me think about how similar we are to the wicked Pharoah sometimes... kind of accepting God's word if it is interfering with our plans, but then going back to our selfish ways as soon as that particular impediment is past, and not learning the overall lesson of God's supremacy, our relationship to him, and our deep need for him both to learn from and to depend on for help and support.

Today, let's try to learn the basic lesson here of God's supremacy, so that we can move on to the gentler lessons and can feel the overwhelming love that he has for us and get his help with ... basically everything. :) Trying to live without him, or worse, oppose him or his plan, won't work out any better for us than it did for Pharoah. Instead let's dig in and learn more about God and why he does what he does. As we learn of him we will grow to understand his goals more, which allows us to trust him and participate in his plan more... and the ultimate goal of that plan is to help us all (even Pharoah) find joy, so I'm all in. :) The first step is just humbling ourselves enough to realize that God is there and that he has the power to help us find that joy..., and then to listen, and stick with the plan. :)

Micah 6:6-8 -- On Walking Humbly

"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 6:6-8


This is a good reminder that God doesn't want dramatic and inappropriate gestures that he hasn't asked for, but rather just wants us to be good. He's already told us the way, and if we try at all... read a few verses, whisper a prayer... anything that we do sincerely to try to follow his word, he multiplies our efforts and is there to help us persist and overcome our weaknesses.

Today, let's stop worrying about the gigantic things that we think we need to do in order to return to the Lord. It doesn't have to be big... in fact maybe it is better if we start small, establishing the little habits that grow into powerful change just through consistency. Let's pray, and read, and do the things that the Lord asks above... do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. As we do, we will find more real change and find ourselves closer to the Lord than we could ever be from a giant outward sign... God just wants to be able to spend time with us. He isn't asking us to jump through hoops. Let's be humble and do the little things that will bring us closer to him.

Alma 5:38-41 -- On Choosing the Good Shepherd

"Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.
For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.
Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him."
Alma 5:38-41


I think it is pretty scary to think about joining the fold of, or becoming a child of, the devil. And even though I don't necessarily like the thought, it makes sense that it is either one or the other... we're either getting closer to or further away from God. There is no neutrality in this. Choosing anything but God IS choosing Satan. Luckily Christ interceded for us, and we have our whole lifetimes to figure it out. Today, let's work on doing and becoming good... on choosing God over all the other choices, all of which just get us caught in Satan's web. Let's stick with the good shepherd who can keep us safe and teach us to become good, with a better and happier future than we can imagine.

Mosiah 18:26-29 -- On Grace and Generosity

"And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."
Mosiah 18:26-29


I like the overall idea here of the grace of God being way more important than money... money is used for helping others, supporting ourselves and the community, but it isn't the point or goal of any of it... God is, and if we love God, then we voluntarily help other people who are in need and work to build up the kingdom of God. Today, let's work on this idea of how to achieve a Zionlike society, sharing with others and working to make the world better and the people around us happier.

Proverbs 16:32-33 -- On Control and Chance

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."
Proverbs 16:32-33


These are some good reminders, that we should be slow to anger, and in control of our spirits, which in this case seems to be talking about emotions, but definitely could be more to it. I also love the second verse of the selection which basically tells us that God controls uncertainty and randomness, which I really like. Everything fits into God's plan, and he can turn even chance to work for our good and his kingdom. :)

I think the question here for me today is, can we trust the Lord to take care of the randomness while we take care of ourselves? Too often we try to fix things that can't be controlled... and here it clearly tells us that our job is to rule ourselves. God is in control of all the rest. :) Let's work on that. :)

Alma 41:10-11 -- On Restoration and Happiness

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness."
Alma 41:10-11


The idea here that being without God is being without happiness is interesting. I am sure that many would disagree, but I have found this to be exactly the case in my life. There is always something missing, no matter how much you have... and even if you can forget that void for a while, it comes back. God is the source of joy, and pulling away from him deadens our ability to reach that pure joy that uplifts and infuses us with hope.

Today, let's remember restoration... that we are going to get back what we put into life, and let's start living better so that won't be painful for us. Let's repent and be the kind of people to others that we would want to hang out with... because our behavior is going to determine who we get to hang out with in the afterlife.

Let's stick with happiness by sticking with God, and pray and ask God to help us become the better people that we want to be, but aren't sure how to be. He will help us.

Ether 14:1-2 -- On Iniquity and Memory

"And now there began to be a great curse upon all the land because of the iniquity of the people, in which, if a man should lay his tool or his sword upon his shelf, or upon the place whither he would keep it, behold, upon the morrow, he could not find it, so great was the curse upon the land.
Wherefore every man did cleave unto that which was his own, with his hands, and would not borrow neither would he lend; and every man kept the hilt of his sword in his right hand, in the defence of his property and his own life and of his wives and children."
Ether 14:1-2


I find it interesting here that losing things is indicative of a curse on the land, rather than forgetfulness. Although I suppose that could be part of it, but it sounds like this was a widespread issue. And I am guessing that there isn't anyone reading this that is unfamiliar with that feeling, on one level knowing that you put something in a certain place, but on another level thinking that you must be crazy because it isn't there. :) I have no idea how things like that work, other than the hint in the verse here about it happening because of the iniquity of the people, but before we jump to the conclusion that we are similarly cursed, let's remember how deep the iniquity ran with these people. This is very close to the time when they exterminated themselves because they couldn't let go of their hatred with one another. I am guessing if our land is cursed, it is still on a much lighter level since there are still a lot of us that aren't trying to kill each other.

We're told though that the Spirit helps us remember at least the things of God (John 14:26), which is interesting as well in this context, because if forgetfulness is part of the curse, it could be because they don't have the Spirit. ... In any case, most of my ideas about the curse are just speculation, but the real point of the verses beyond that is that we curse ourselves, spiritually if not in any other way, when we follow a path of iniquity. If we aren't progressing towards God we are regressing and losing parts of ourselves (Alma 12:11), until we have forgotten everything. Let's not choose that path and forget everything that we care about on a spiritual level. Especially let's not lose our connection with God, because that is what these people lost, and why they couldn't let go of their hatred. Today, let's remember and cleave unto the Lord and let go of anything that can prevent us from being filled with his love.

Proverbs 14:6 -- On The Path of Understanding

"A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth."
Proverbs 14:6


This verse seems to be saying that finding wisdom and gaining knowledge are easier the less we scorn and the more we know, or in other words, the more we follow God's path... which reminds me of Alma 37:46 which talks about the easiness of the way.

The idea is interesting because we rarely think of our lives and the perfection that God has asked of us as easy, but perhaps there is an easier way if we are more in tune with God and his plans... if we truly understand God better by learning of him and walking his path. If we work on being more in tune, then I think we'll find that the way has been prepared before us, and the miracles and "coincidences" that we run into along that path will be prepared by God ahead of time, that narrow path for us to walk in.

That isn't to say that there won't be trials of course, but if we are on the path, then we know also that these are the trials prepared for us, the ones that we need to learn from and not a pit we dug for ourselves. We know that there is a way through, because if we are on the path, we know the path goes somewhere. It doesn't lead to a dead end. :)

Today, let's learn of God, and grow to understand him more. Let's work to be in tune with him and truly walk the path that he has prepared for us... and I think we will find that wisdom and knowledge, and most other things will be easier... even if not easy, still easier to bear, because God will be with us, and we will have confidence that despite the obstacles that our path is going someplace very good. :)

Psalms 13:1-2 -- On Enduring

"How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?"
Psalms 13:1-2


Perhaps we all feel like this at some point in our lives, despairing and thinking that the Lord has forgotten us. And there are many responses in the scriptures already about God showing that he hasn't forgotten us, asking what limits on suffering we think that we need, noting that Christ suffered more than anyone, etc. Unfortunately, all of those things are hard to hear in the moment that we are going through our own dramatic trials.

Perhaps a better approach here is to answer the question of the Psalmist about how long it will feel that way... definitely not forever. Joy cometh in the morning. God will not leave us comfortless. Sometimes the enemy wins, and sometimes we get into chapter 5, or 15, or 50, of our story and things aren't looking too great for our hero. But the eternal truth here is that God doesn't write horror. His stories always have a happy ending, if we can endure the scary part in the middle and continue reading, trusting in that happy ending to come, even if sometimes it is beyond this life.

If everything were perfect all the way through, the hero wouldn't learn what is necessary for the eventual triumph. It wouldn't even be a good story... Adam and Eve lived in the garden forever, not realizing their potential. Not great. Instead, they fell, as do we all sometimes, and it's tough to get back to paradise... but not impossible by a long shot, because God is here, in our lives, coaching us and yoking himself with us, taking on our burden, making it possible. ... Today, let's open our eyes and our hearts and realize that he is here, helping us, and that our pain can be swallowed up in his joy if we turn to him, accept his will, and work for that happy ending. Let's turn the page, keep reading and trusting the author of all things good. It gets better. ... So much better that these hard moments will seem like minor irritants. We just have to keep living the story and believing in and working for that amazing ending. God will not fail us. His promises are sure.

Philippians 2:2-3 -- On Seeing Others

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Philippians 2:2-3


I like this idea of how to find unity and oneness with each other. Instead of feeling competitive with other people, or like we are in power struggles, the idea is to feel like we're surrounded by cool, interesting people that we can learn from. I don't think that is always an easy thing, but if we ask Christ to help us, yoked together with us, to see others as he does, to feel love for them and see how cool they are, individually, then of course with God all things are possible, even the things he asks us to do that are hard, like loving our enemies. :)

Today, let's join with Christ and with his help really see others... see the good in them, see how to love them and help them, and see that we are not superior to any of them, but rather part of them, working together with them to make a better world, and that they each have something to teach us.

Jacob 6:5 -- On Returning God's Love

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts."
Jacob 6:5


I like the idea that God is cleaving unto us, showing how much he loves us and wants us to succeed and be able to return to his presence. I think sometimes we misunderstand God, because of the broken way that we sometimes deal with love in this life... using people's love as a way to manipulate them, for instance. But just because God won't be manipulated into giving in to our way of thinking doesn't mean that he doesn't care.

I think it actually means that he cares more, at least on one level, because if we are trying to talk him into allowing us to do something that is going to harm us and that has long term negative consequences, someone that loves us should be trying to talk us out of it, not joining us or helping us cover things up... and God will always be trying to talk us out of it. He tries to save us from ourselves, even after we've dug ourselves into a big hole and offended him. Like in the story of the Prodigal Son, he won't force us to stay with him, but if we return he will always welcome us home.

Today, let's reach out to God, recognizing that he cares more than we can understand, and will always be there, welcoming us home. Let's choose to turn to him and return that love.

James 2:1-3 -- On Having Faith For Everyone

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:"
James 2:1-3


This selection ends a little strangely just because I left off verse 4 which comes after the colon and completes the phrase, but this part captures what I wanted to talk about, which is how we treat each other based on external factors. We're instructed here clearly not to allow that to be part of our faith, but I think too often we allow it to creep into the way that we think about and treat others... which is one of the reasons why the temple is so cool, actually, because changing into white clothing on some level helps us all to see each other as equals.

On the other hand, even white clothing doesn't cover up other differences, and we discriminate against others sometimes based on language, skin color, accent, citizenship, marital status, age, amount of children, calling, cleanliness, grammar, and so many other things. :)

Today, let's take a look at ourselves and our own biases, and make a serious effort to not let them leak into our faith. Let's talk to the Lord about learning to love other people and let go of the markers that we each use to divide people into groups, and learn to be more accepting and inclusive in the way that we think about everyone. Not to fulfil some societal norm, but because every single person is a child of our Heavenly Father, and he loves them infinitely... let's try to grasp that idea, and find the beauty that exists in each person we meet, whether or not they happen to share our political values or any other opinions or physical, mental, or social similarities.

It's not an easy thing. In our society we learn at a very young age to judge and divide people into groups and titles and we want to be part of one group and not another in various ways... but God asks us here to try to not let those things infect the way that we live the gospel, so let's see if we can solve our own predjudices little by little as we learn to love a wider variety of types of people. :)

Alma 40:4 -- On Resurrection and Eternity

"Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall acome forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed."
Alma 40:4


A good reminder of the power of the resurrection, a gift that Christ gives to all.

Today, let's take a few moments to consider the resurrection and to thank God sincerely for our opportunity to live on in eternity.

Helaman 16:1 -- On Tag-Teaming With God

"And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord."
Helaman 16:1


I love this tag-team conversion, where Samuel preached, and Nephi baptized. The thing about this team is that there is no indication that they knew each other, so it was God actually directing it all, both prophets coordinating through God.

I think that this is directly applicable to our lives, because even though we can't always see it, all of us are tag-teaming with other people, directed by the Lord. We can't see the person whose life was blessed when we miss our flight, but that person is there, and God knows and uses that opportunity to bless someone. We can't see what happens and who is touched because of a single gospel conversation, but God knows all of those people, and that conversation allows him to touch hearts.

Today, let's remember that our good works never go to waste. They are never pointless or useless just because we can't see any positive effect in the world. God is working hard to multiply our efforts and bless the lives of others. Let's do good, no matter whether we can see the benefit or not. :)

Helaman 11:15-16 -- On Trying Again

"Yea, O Lord, and thou seest that they have repented, because of the famine and the pestilence and destruction which has come unto them.
And now, O Lord, wilt thou turn away thine anger, and try again if they will serve thee? And if so, O Lord, thou canst bless them according to thy words which thou hast said."
Helaman 11:15-16


I love this passage because it shows a prophet and God, both wanting to help the people, and hoping that they have become sufficiently humble that they will not destroy each other anymore, but instead turn to God. The people had started a war, and Helaman asked God to change it into a famine instead--which does seem safer spiritually--and the Lord did that, and then the people started realizing again that they needed God, and calling on his name. Not the best way to learn, but sometimes only dramatic things get through when we are stuck in a rut, forgetting that we need God and trying to do things in our own way.

Today, let's make try again, just as God is trying again with us, and be sure that we are listening to God and remembering him in our lives. Hopefully that wasy we won't need a reminder like this, and God can bless us as he desires to, rather than having to watch us suffering before we will choose to call upon him for help.

Titus 3:3-7 -- On Changing Through Christ

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Titus 3:3-7


The first verse here reminds us that even the apostles and prophets were normal people like us at one point, and that it is possible to improve and change our hearts and our behavior with God's help.

The "hope of eternal life" helps us to visualize who we can be, who we want to be... who God can help us be, rather than the person we now are, and reach for more, and know that we can do better, and become better people.

Today, let's reach for that ideal self, not hating ourselves if we can't get there immediately, but praying for help, and making those small steps to try to be better than we were yesterday. That's what Christ offers us... help to reach our potential, even though it would be impossible without him. And he offers that same opportunity to everyone, so that someday we can hang out with the ideal version of everyone else as well. :)

Colossians 1:17 -- On God

"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Colossians 1:17


This is an interesting wording, seeming to mean that God is in everything, which makes sense in a lot of ways because how else do you know everything and create everything really, and watch over it all... but really a mind-boggling concept from the point of view of us as earthly, mortal beings.

Today, let's remember in whom we trust... God, who made it all and is part of it all. He surely has power to keep his promises to us, as we struggle to keep ours to him. :)

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 -- On Planting Generosity and Goodness

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 9:6-7


This sounds like what is being sown are gifts or acts of generosity to others. Going back to the previous chapter, Paul explains "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: / But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want..." (2 Corinthians 8:13-14), and then later in this same chapter God explains that God blesses us when we bless others: "Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness" (verse 10) and clarifying as well that these are blessings for giving to the poor (verse 9), those saints in want (verse 12), and for what we give to all (verse 13). I actually also love verse 14, because it talks about some of the blessings coming because those that we have helped are praying for us.

Back to these verses though, I love the idea of sowing gifts and goodness to others. Today, let's cheerfully go out there and do good and give, not expecting anything in return, but planting the seeds for more goodness in the world, not just reaping that return for ourselves from God and others, but also paying the goodness of God forward, praying sincerely for others, and doing our part to fill the world with goodness and not evil or cruelty.

Let's repent of our short tempers and our harshness, and work harder on our generosity, and on planting good everywhere. As we do, we can trust that God will multiply our efforts and that all that goodness that we plant will not only catch up to us, but expand far as we all join in with God to take care of each other.

D&C 133:5 -- On the Dust of Evil

"Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord."
Doctrine and Covenants 133:5


This is a good reminder that God asks us to forsake the evil in our lives, to let go of the filthy and to be clean. Sometimes that means letting go of something, like a place or a thing or a person, or even a bad part of ourselves that we need to lose so that we can become much better.

The cool thing with God is that no matter what we sacrifice for Him, he always has better in store, waiting for us. :) Today, let's consider our ways and work on leaving the evil behind and cleaning up our lives wherever we're letting the dust of evil in.

Philippians 2:2 -- On Love and Priorities

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
Philippians 2:2


I like the idea that the way to fulfil other people's joy, specifically Paul's joy, and likely God's joy as well, as evidenced in 3 Nephi when Christ said that his joy was full, is to love others and get along with them, finding ways to agree rather than disagree.

The chapter continues with some suggestions on how to accomplish this... esteeming others as better than ourselves is good practical advice for avoiding the trap of thinking that we are better than anyone, and there is also some good advice about not only paying attention to our own things, but also to other people's things. I think this helps us to remember that we shouldn't take advantage of others or deal with treachery, seeing strangers as prey, but that we should treat everyone with respect, looking for ways that we can learn from or assist them rather than ways that they can help us.

We shouldn't take this to mean that we should embrace self-hatred, but rather just a shifting of priorities. Today, let's flip around our selfishness and put God and others ahead. As we learn to love others we will also learn more of God's love for us, and his way, and his will, as well as our place, and infinite potential, in his kingdom.

1 John 5:14-15 -- On Asking the Lord

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
1 John 5:14-15


I think this is a pretty remarkable promise. If we ask God anything according to his will, he will both hear and grant us our desire. Of course the "according to his will" is critical, but since we know that God loves us as his children, that is a very wide range of opportunity.

God gives us other guidelines elsewhere in the scriptures about asking... we shouldn't ask to fulfil our own lustful/greedy desires, we should ask for wisdom that we lack, we should be faithful and humble, we should ask for things that allow us to help and assist others, to build up God's kingdom, to make the world better, etc. Those things are good to keep in mind, but just as with the Brother of Jared, we can be creative in our solutions, and honest with the Lord of course. We don't have to want what everyone else wants... as long as it is something good that won't harm us or others, God may consider it. :)

Today, let's have confidence that God loves us and wants us to succeed, and let's ask him for what we need, being careful and communicative with God, making sure we are asking for something truly good, and putting his will first. As we do, God will grant us what we need, according to his will and timing, and with love for us as specific individuals, for he loves us and wants to bless us according to our individual needs and desires, not just generically. :)

Isaiah 12:4-5 -- On Singing to, and Communicating with, the Lord

"And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth." Isaiah 12:4-5


A couple of verses before this, the speaker says that the Lord Jehovah is our strength, our song, and our salvation, which is alliterative and also amazing, talking about what it will be like to actually live with God during the Millenium.

The selection is also cool because it is talking about that same time and I feel like it gets the idea across that just being there will be perpetually astonishing. We'll always be wanting to sing and praise the Lord because the reality of it all won't fade. Christ will actually be there in front of us, and our whole souls will want to sing for the joy that we feel. :)

Definitely not diminishing the idea of that time, and hopefully we'll be working to get there... but I also submit that we can have a taste of that joy now, as we call upon God in prayer, read our scriptures, and pay attention to modern prophets. That is the way that the Lord can speak to us directly, and even if we don't feel a connection at first, as we keep working at prayer and scripture study, we will start to feel it, and learn to recognize the Spirit, which is God communicating with us.

Today, let's work on making that conneciton with God, which will not only help us move toward the joyful days of the Millenium, but also to have much more joy in our daily lives now. :)

John 13:17 -- On Knowing and Doing

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
John 13:17


This is a good reminder that important as it is, knowing is not enough. We have to put the gospel into action in our lives if we want it to have any power to make us happy. Today, as we strive to learn and understand God's will, let's also work to apply God's word in our lives, bringing it to life, and giving Christ's atonement a chance to take hold in our hearts and minds, changing us, and helping us not only to find happiness ourselves, but also bring it to others, as the Lord wills.

Psalms 10:2-3 -- On Imagined Devices

"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth."
Psalms 10:2-3


I think God has some pretty appropriate punishments, giving us back what we give out... if that is goodness, then we get goodness back, but if it is treachery or wickedness, then that is also what we will recieve. I think it is something that we need to be careful of, because too often we lean towards imaginations that we might not think of as wicked, but which fit the definition here... ones that might involve putting our heart's desire before someone else's, especially God's, and where the plan might unfortunately involve wealth and covetousness and taking advantage of the poor.

Let's make sure that on a personal or a professional level, we aren't involving ourselves with things that are going to return "devices" back to us that are not things that we prefer to imagine in our own lives. Let's consider eternity and "think celestial" as President Nelson advised today, making sure that we're putting God's ways first, and specifically being careful not to "put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [ano]ther’s way" (Romans 14:13).

Proverbs 3:9-10 -- On Honoring God with our Substance

"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."
Proverbs 3:9-10


This is another way to tell us that if we put the Lord first, then everything else will be added to us, but I like the specifics about being provided for in a material way, because we offer a material offering to God.

This is similar to what God commanded from the beginning, an offering given to him to help us to remember him, and also to point us to the offering of Christ for our sins.

Today, let's remember to look to God and honor him with our substance as well as in other ways. Let's pay our tithing, but also make sure we are using what we have to build his kingdom and to help others... looking to God in everything and being aware of what he is asking us to do, not just in going to church. :)