Moroni 7:47 -- On Love at the Last Day

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."
Moroni 7:47


It's a good day to look back, and look forward. I thought it was interesting here how it talks about being found with charity at the last day. If this were the very last day rather than just the last day of this year, I wonder how we would fare. I could certainly use some more time to get it right, so that it will be well with me. :)

Today, let's work on embracing the pure love of Christ and integrating it into our lives... let's be ready before the true last day rolls around, so that it will not only be well with us, but already much better for everyone we interact with between now and then. :)

Micah 6:6-8 -- On Offerings and Sacrifice

"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


I like these verses because they seem to illustrate that what God wants from us isn't high drama. Yes, we need to make sacrifices sometimes, but it isn't about death and drama but rather about priorities. The daily sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, not "he who suffers the most wins." God asks us to break our hearts enough to let him in--he isn't trying to destroy us and stomp on our remains. It can be very, very difficult to overcome ourselves, but it shouldn't be soul-destroying for ourselves or others.

Today, let's walk in justice and mercy, putting the Lord's will before our own, and being clean and kind. Let's crack our walls enough to love others and embrace God. Let's be humble enough to recognize that God is wiser than we are and that we have a lot to learn from each other. Let's walk his path and learn to love as he does. That is what the Lord asks.

Micah 6:13-15 -- On Wholeness and Happiness

"Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.
Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.
Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine."
Micah 6:13-15


These verses remind me today of the danger of sin--it makes us think that we can get something for nothing, find happiness in doing iniquity, and so many other things that are just contrary to reality and the nature of happiness. As the verses indicate, even the things we work for, when based in sin, will be empty... because there is that God-shaped hole there within all of us, and if God isn't filling it, nothing else can, no matter what we throw in it, or whatever temporary respite we find. Nothing else works. Today, let's choose God and wholeness rather than sin and emptiness. Let's not confuse good and evil or think that we can find happiness through a false path. Let's realize that our choices have consequences and choose the path that leads to joy... the path that God has shown us.

D&C 24:6 -- On Being Ready for the Moment

"And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing."
Doctrine and Covenants 24:6


I like the idea of God blessing us with perfect timing for whatever we need in that moment. It reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15 where it tells us to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." God blesses us in the moment, but that means that we have to also be willing to open ourselves to those moments and be willing to open our mouths or to write... to take that leap of faith to begin, and trust God to be there in that moment with us to help us.

Today, let's be willing to put ourselves out there for God, and to begin the process, so that we can partner with God to do his will in whatever we are facing. Let's be open to the Spirit and ready to follow its promptings, and not give up. If we keep trying, God will make a way for us to do his will.

D&C 98:23-24 -- On Patience and Peace

"Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you."
Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-24


The chapter continues, talking about additional rewards for additional acts of patience, etc. but I just wanted to talk about the "just measure" part. If we are smitten (assuming this doesn't just mean physically, but really not sure), and we freak out about it and complain (which sounds kind of like me, unfortunately), then the no reward for freaking out and lowering ourselves to their level. :)

That honestly seems very just to me... but if we take it patiently, and we cope a little bit more maturely with the wrongs done to us, then we will be rewarded. At least part of the reward is probably from learning to master ourselves better, but still, God is showing us clearly the better way to handle that sort of situation. The trick is figuring out how to get into that mind space where we don't freak out at something like that, and I think as with so many other things, it has a lot to do with being in constant contact with God, and keeping the Spirit with us so that God can help us with staying calm and patient.

Today, let's learn more about keeping our cool with God's help, and not trying to hurt others that hurt us, or contemplating revenge. Instead, let's follow in Christ's footsteps and work on being people of peace, and happier without anger or revenge in our minds and hearts.

Ephesians 6:8 -- On Doing and Receiving Good

"Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
Ephesians 6:8


I really like the idea, and the equality, here, that we all are rewarded with good when we do good. The world seems mightily biased sometimes, but God loves all of his children and offers us all the choice of salvation, and rewards us for our good works, no matter what our position or privilege on the earth.

Today, let's do good and reach for the promises of the Lord which are available to all people.

Jeremiah 3:22 -- On Healing Our Backslidings

"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God."
Jeremiah 3:22


I like the idea here that if we are sliding back into old habits that we can return to God and he will heal our backslidings. It's so much different than saying "become perfect so you will be worthy to approach me" ... instead God is saying come back now, the way we are, and he will help us cure the problems that are raising a barrier between us.

Today, let's remember who the Lord our God is, and return to him, and be thankful for his help in healing us and helping us to repent and change into better people who keep improving over time. :)

Zechariah 2:6-7 -- On Gathering and Delivering

"Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord.
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 2:6-7


Sort of an amusing one for Christmas, but also some great stuff here. This is the Lord in the last days, telling Israel to gather home again, and I kind of love that "deliver thyself" is part of it... God is going to strengthen and help, but it sounds like this is finally when God says, okay, enough, we're done... which is scary definitely, but also amazing and glorious and perfect, because the earth has dealt with wickedness for so long. We see people working to defraud others and they very often profit from it. We see human trafficking and other atrocities, and finally, after all of the longsuffering that God has gone through allowing it and watching people hurt, he is going to make it right.

Today, let's make sure we are fully current on our repentance so that when God makes things right, he doesn't have to go through us to do it. And let's look forward to the end to evil that the Lord will bring, and the better world to come.

1 Nephi 18:3 -- On Communicating with the Lord

"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."
1 Nephi 18:3


I think this is a good reminder of the importance of calling upon God and taking time to communicate with Him. Attending the temple is also a good lesson here (the mount is symbolic of the temple), and I think the importance there is to get away from life and seek the Lord without any distractions from the world, which is difficult elsewhere. It also helps that we are making the effort to meet God on his holy ground... it helps us to understand and value the importance of the communication.

Today, let's work on our communication with the Lord, and look forward to the great things that the Lord has to show us.

Mormon 9:14 -- On Hope and Happiness

"And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still."
Mormon 9:14


I have talked about this scripture several times, but it popped into my mind today again, and I think it is a good one to remember often. God is trying to teach us to be clean and righteous and happy here, now, not to wait and suffer and someday in far-off eternity to be all of those things.

It isn't easy, for sure, but if we trust God as the author of the story to bring us to the happy ending, then it is something we can hope for and believe in now. Life is confusing and hard sometimes, but we can still find the joy, the lovely, and the good, if we look for them... and even more, and better, we can *be* those postive things for other people.

Today, let's live "after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5), even in the midst of the struggles, and work to become those stain-resistent, resilient, and joyful people that we've always looked up to. :) With God's help, we can do it... happiness is what he wants for us, and the purpose of creation.

1 Chronicles 6:31-32 -- On the Service of Song

"And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after that the ark had rest.
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order."
1 Chronicles 6:31-32


I like the idea here of the service of song, and how important these people seem to be in laying out their genealogies. It helps us understand that music is important to the Lord, and that singing can be service. I think we sometimes get trapped in the idea that service to God has to be ultra serious, or something that we don't enjoy, but rather "endure." And of course there are a lot of things that we face in life that we don't like, and lessons to learn that are difficult... yet God still wants us to learn to be happy now (Mormon 9:14). I think though that sometimes the best sacrifice is letting go of our negativity, and embracing hope and joy, and giving praise to God. Not necessarily easy, depending on what else is going on with us, but those are perfect ways to serve as we learn to focus on the good, to lift and praise, and to walk with God, making the world a better place as we go. Today, let's think about the service of song, and other ways to serve that can uplift others and fill us with joy.

Proverbs 12:18 -- On Healthy Tongues

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."
Proverbs 12:18


This caught my eye today, I think because it's good lesson for me as well. :) Always good to remember that even if we know we can win the argument, the best outcome is not to have it in the first place. God wants us to be healers, not those who harm.

Today, when we are tempted to complain or argue or say something unkind, let's take a step back and remember that the tongue of the wise is health, not the piercings of a sword. Let's say something that will make people smile rather than something that will hurt, even a little. Even good and righteous correction can be done gently. Let's word to be clean and kind in collaboration with God.

D&C 9:6-7 -- On Intention and Effort

"Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me."
Doctrine and Covenants 9:6-7


This is a lesson that we can probably all learn. God asks Oliver to be patient in a previous verse, and then here cautions him not to murmur, because he is clearly not happy about the whole thing... and then he explains that he needed him to jump in and work on figuring it out rather than just passively waiting.

I think that is what the prophets do... God asks them to accomplish some goal, and they jump right in, trying to figure it out. They don't always get it right at first, but they keep trying, and God helps them as they try.

The Brother of Jared, for instance, worked hard on the barges that God taught him to build, but there were problems, so he asked God for more... air and light. God gave him and idea for the air, and then he gave him a hint for the light, explaining some things that wouldn't work, and left the Brother of Jared to figure it out.

Nephi and his brothers tried several things to get the plates of brass as they had been commanded, but it was only through continued and persistent effort that they eventually accomplished their goal.

God will bless us just as he blessed the prophets... we will be able to do as he asks and to find our way in life, and become closer to our ideal selves, but the choices are ours, and we make them in large part by what we choose to focus and work on.

Today, let's recognize this pattern so that we can work with God on the things that truly matter to us. Let's spend time on the things that will make the world and ourselves and the people around us better, and dump things that are making things worse in the dust.

D&C 20:71 -- On Accountability

"No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance."
Doctrine and Covenants 20:71


I like the idea here that it matters to God whether we understand what we are doing or not. God is understanding and merciful to our ignorance, not holding us responsible for things that we haven't learned or grasped yet.

Does that mean it is better to stay ignorant? I don't think so at all. Baptism is just a bare beginning, and once we have that foundation, there are so many more amazing things to learn and build upon from there... and we would miss out on most of that if we didn't understand. Plus, I think willful ignorance is likely not covered by the same rule. :)

Today, let's be thankful that God loves us and understands where we are, and takes all of that into account as he guides us home.

Proverbs 20:11-13 -- On Sleeping and Doing

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread."
Proverbs 20:11-13


A good reminder that we need to be out there observing and learning and doing good rather than just sleeping all day. Sleep, like food, isn't something we can give up, and it isn't a bad or negative thing, but we should get a healthy amount and not make it the center of our lives. :) Anything that we focus on more than God can be a detriment. :)

Today, let's learn and do good, and think of ways to do even better. :) Let's get enough sleep, but also make sure we're earning our bread. :)

Mosiah 18:27-29 -- On Commandments and Choices

"And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, aevery 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 asubstance 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 awalk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."
Mosiah 18:27-29


There is an interesting balance here between commandment and choice, which I think is everywhere in the gospel really, because God is about free agency. He offers commandments to help us, and never forces us to obey. For this one though, it seems even less strict. Alma commands them, and they chose to help each other... so he was kind of helping them to know what a good thing to do would be, but they chose how to take action.

It reminds me of D&C 9:7 where God says "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me." ... Almost everything we get from the Lord requires effort. We have to be engaged in thinking it through, doing what we can, praying and having patience and faith that the Lord will hear us and help us. Sometimes it is a lot of effort, sometimes a little, but even with small things we sometimes get frustrated and give up because we're impatient and we want it to be easy.

Today, let's remember that in order to learn anything, especially from God, we have to be actively engaged and learning, praciticing, and doing what is suggested. We can't just cram if we want to get into heaven. We actually have to learn to be a little bit more heavenly each day. :) Let's impart of our substance and help others, and make the effort in other areas of the gospel as well. The more we are out there trying to be good, the more God can multiply our efforts.

Revelation 10:5-7 -- On Time and Mystery

"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:
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
Revelation 10:5-7


I can't imagine what "time no longer" would be like. I try, but probably because I am mortal and everything, the whole "without beginning" thing throws me for a loop. I also don't know what finishing the "mystery of God" means, but perhaps just that God won't be a mystery to anyone anymore, but instead a simple reality. I like that idea, of a world with a shared understanding of God as a plain fact.

Today, let's think long-term rather than short term, and prioritize choices that will help us with eternity and our relationship with God rather than impatient immediacy.

Alma 26:32 -- On Overwhelming Love

"For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren."
Alma 26:32


This is about a group of people who had been in the habit of taking human life casually... if your servant failed at a task, execute him... that sort of thing. And when they were converted to the Lord, their perspective on the value of life changed completely, and they were willing to let their enemies kill them rather than fighting back and risking killing anyone else.

I'm not necessarily saying that everyone should be exactly like that, because there are also righteous people who defend their homes and countries in the scriptures... but I am impressed by the idea here of loving other people so much that you refuse to harm them. When God asks us to love our enemies, this seems to be a shining example.

Today, let's pray and ask God to teach us how to apply this lesson to the modern world, to learn to love the people that we feel at odds with, and find in our hearts what these people had... an abundance of love so strong that they refused to cause harm. Our world could probably use some of that. Maybe instead of sacrificing our lives we will need to sacrifice something else... perhaps time, or pride, or we'll need to change our perspective. Any sacrifice is going to be difficult, by definition... but learning that kind of love is well worth it.

Proverbs 5:21-23 -- On Escaping Our Own Traps

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."
Proverbs 5:21-23


These verses seem to illustrate the fact that when we choose not to follow God that we are really cursing ourselves... making our own ropes and chains with which we are bound. In addition, we are missing out on the blessings that God offers us, such as his instruction and help.

Today, let's work to free ourselves from the traps that we have laid for ourselves, and look to God for help, remembering that he is trying to save us, not just from external influence, but from the dark consequences of our own choices, if we are willing (with his help) to repent and change.

Revelation 7:13-17 -- On Clean Robes and Clear Eyes

"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Revelation 7:13-17


I like the question and answer series here, and how it calls attention to those that have suffered and will suffer no longer. We understandably get caught up in our mortal challenges and suffering sometimes, and it can feel like God isn't listening. He always is though, and if we accept his help and his love, and stand clean before him at the last day, he will banish all of our sadness and suffering completely and permanently.

Today, let's trust in that future day, remembering that nothing that we suffer is permanent, and that God will help us in due time as we remain faithful and learn from our experiences.

Alma 4:1-3 -- On Remembering and Learning

"Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor wars in the land of Zarahemla;
But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.
And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty."
Alma 4:1-3


This is a good illustration of the pride cycle. In this part of it the people are suffering... "every soul had cause to mourn" sounds like a very sad time... and they used that time in a positive way, remembering the Lord and turning to him. And yet, three verses later in the beginning of the 8th year, they are lifted up in pride again.

Today, let's learn from this, and instead of waiting to be humbled and then remembering the Lord, let's remember him now. Let's let go of our pride and humble ourselves, recognizing that we need the Lord constantly, not just in the bad times. Let's work on breaking the cycle and learning to be truly good.

Romans 8:26-28 -- On Unspoken Needs

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:26-28


So many good things in here. I love the ideas that the Spirit helps us even when we can't articulate our needs, and that all things work together for good... that if we are part of that positive system, everything will be on our/God's side, and help build and strengthen us (within the framework of God's plan of course.
Today, let's reach out to God, even if we don't know what is up with ourselves or why we are acting like we do. Let's let God know what we can in words, and trust that he will help us with the rest that we can't say as well. If we are on God's side, God will always be on our side. :)

Mosiah 9:17 -- Remembrance and Deliverance

"Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers."
Mosiah 9:17


I think when we get into difficult situations we are more likely to remember God, maybe because that's when we need help. And maybe that's one reason we need difficulties in our lives sometimes too, because they help us see differently, and remember that we need God, and each other.

Today, let's remember, even if we aren't in the middle of a really difficult situation, and perhaps cry mightily anyway, that God will keep us from temptation and help us to have the strength to face whatever comes, and to stay true to what we believe. Kind of praying for deliverance beforehand, but a good thing to plan ahead and not wait until we're in a tight spot. :)

Moses 3:7 -- On Spiritual Creation

"And I, the Lord God, formed man from the adust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the bbreath of life; and cman became a living dsoul, the efirst flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word."
Moses 3:7


It says here that all things were spiritually created before they were physically created, which I think means that all things have some sort of soul, right? The idea that everything is part spiritual I find really interesting, and also cool, because that means everything is eternal in a way as well. Plants and animals and the earth and the stars... eternal because spirits can't die, and I love the idea of everything being alive and part of God's plan. In Luke 19 Christ tells the Pharisees that if he were to rebuke his disciples that "the stones would immediately cry out" ... and maybe that is absolutely literal. So many things seem to have additional meaning if we think of the spiritual side of all creation.

Today, let's think of the spiritual side, not just of rocks and plants and wildlife, but of the people around us. Let's remember that they are eternal along with all the rest, and that we are part of a great whole, with God at the center. Maybe we should stop for a minute and make sure that we are working for the good of all of it, as God directs, seeing the bigger picture instead of focusing only on our immediate surroundings. :)

Mosiah 3:11-12 -- On Atonement and Salvation

"For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."
Mosiah 3:11-12


I really like the idea here that God isn't out to "get" us, or trap us into failing in any way. He actually is doing everything he can to give us a fair shake, to help us to return to him. Mistakes and ignorance, even though we judge those things harshly amongst ourselves, God is willing to let go of... and even for things that we intentionally do in open rebellion, he is willing to forgive.

Jesus suffered to give us all of this... the space to make mistakes, and even to rebel, and to still be able to find our way back, to learn to change our minds and our hearts and become the people we want to be and that we have the potential to be, despite our setbacks. Praise to the Lord who gives us a chance to rise above our own imperfection, and with his help, become more than we could ever become alone. :)

Today, let's choose to repent and change, taking Christ up on his offer of salvation.

Psalms 34:4 -- On Deliverance From Fear

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalms 34:4


I like the idea here that God can deliver us from fear. God gives us a lot of advice about fear... if we are prepared we shall not fear, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, that perfect love casteth out all fear... and so many more. But here I think is the summation--that if we seek the Lord, he will hear us, and deliver us from our fears.

Sometimes fears are realistic, sometimes imaginary, sometimes irrational. But God says ALL. He can deliver us, and will deliver us, from all of them if we seek him. He will hear us, and help us. The only thing we should fear is having to face life, or eternity, without him.

Today, let's turn to the Lord. Let's seek his help, and tell him our fears. He will hear us and help us, if we are willing to take his advice.

Joshua 7:3 -- On Overconfidence

"And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few."
Joshua 7:3


This verse talks about an interesting situation where Joshua almost automatically does what he has before with the armies, and he accepts the spies' recommendation here, sending out a small army, which promptly runs away from the enemy, embarrassing the Israelites on the battlefield.

It seems the spies and the prophet expected the Lord to fight their battles for them, as he had done thus far, so without asking him beforehand, they just went through the motions, expecting him to back them up.

There are several lessons here in the story. One is obedience, but another I think is avoiding overconfidence, which I think is what faith turns into when we forget to include the Lord in our decisions.

Today, let's remember to counsel with the Lord rather than just living on autopilot. Let's talk to him and give space for him to tell us about any lessons we need to learn or any change of focus, so that our reminders don't have to be quite as dramatic.

Proverbs 16:32 -- On Self Regulation

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."
Proverbs 16:32


This verse reminds us how important it is to regulate ourselves... to control our anger and successfully learn to manage our emotions, as well as the other aspects of our whole selves, practicing righteousness and moderation.

Definitely not the most popular of the commandments, but one that perhaps today we should ponder and find ways to implement and strengthen in our own lives. Let's pray for help, and work to master this lesson.

Romans 14:19 -- On Peace and Edification

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Romans 14:19


This seems like a simple thing that we might be able to focus on and hold in our minds in order to make our lives better... peace and edification. And if it doesn't promote either, then maybe rethink it, because we're too quick to confront and dismiss, but we should be working to build people up, and to find common beliefs rather than arguing about areas where we disagree.

Today, let's try it... some good advice from God. :)

Proverbs 9:17-18 -- On Reality

"Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell."
Proverbs 9:17-18


Thinking about this one, I feel like this is describing something that happens to us when we stray from God's path and commit sin. In a way, we are attempting to create our own alternate reality where what we are doing is totally okay, and pretending that sin can bring happiness... and it seems to work, temporarily. Unfortunately, faith in a lie is doomed to fail, and at some point we find out that it is empty... like a graveyard, and we discover that our suffering is something that we have brought on ourselves.

Today, let's recognize that God is the center of reality, and that his law is designed to help us avoid the pain of self-deception and self-sabotage. He give us guidelines that will help us live more happily as we follow them. Not pain free, because pains and trials are part of the educational process, but more happily than if we try to go off on our own, which always ends up intersecting with Satan's traps.

Mark 11:24-25 -- On Belief and Forgiveness

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Mark 11:24-25


This is an interesting selection which seems to transition from one idea into another, but the thing that joins them together is prayer. Christ is talking about things to do when we pray... asking for things that we desire, believing that we recieve them, and also forgiving anyone that we have something against, so that God can do the same for us.

To me, it seems like learning that quality of generosity to others might be part of being able to believe in that kind of love and generosity from God... that they are tied together, and reinforce each other. Today, let's ponder these important and ambitious aspects of prayer, practicing our belief and our forgiveness, and petitioning God for help with both.