Romans 5:3-5 -- On Tribulation, Patience, Hope, and Love

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:3-5


This strikes me today because I think it is saying there at the end that we can't be ashamed of hope because the Holy Ghost helps us to ground our hope in things as they actually will be... the happy ending, in other words, is real. :)

I'm not sure I enjoy learning patience, but it is a very good teacher, and learning it more and more improves our lives, helps us to get some perspective and experience, and teaches us hope and love.

Today, let's embrace the opportunity to learn, even if it is through trubulation sometimes... and let's grow in hope and love and in faith in the Lord and the surety of his promises.

Isaiah 18:3 -- On Readiness

"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye."
Isaiah 18:3


The flag and the trumpet here are probably symbolic, but a good reminder to look out for them anyway. When God tells us that he will lift up an ensign (flag/sign), or blow a trumpet, he is telling us that there are signs, if we have our eyes and ears open to him, and basically that we should be ready.

Today, let's improve our readiness by sticking close to the Spirit through prayer and scripture study. Let's be of service to God and our fellow beings. As we follow God's commandments and work to do his will, we'll be more prepared to see the signs of God's coming as they are presented.

Isaiah 15:3 -- On Bad Days

"In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly."
Isaiah 15:3


This doesn't sound like a good day. I was thinking though... just like the cloud of darkness or the storm or the dark and dreary waste that all come when we are trying to seek God... God warns us that there are bad days to come. That even though we are trying to stay on the path, storms and darkness are going to beset us and we have to hold on to the iron rod to make it through.

God also promises us that after all the bad days will come a glorious happy eternity though, and that is the goal that we should have our minds set on... the whole "Think Celestial" idea is about that happy eternity that comes after we weather the storms and the trials... and even though it is absolutely not fun in the moment... it is heartbreaking and desolate to go through the sackcloth and weeping stages... those things, if we use them to motivate ourselves and stick close to God... they can help us learn and help us become the better, Celestial people that we have the potential to be.

Today, let's work on learning from the bad days and trusting in God for the good eternity to come. :)

Isaiah 5:7 -- On Trusting and Following

"For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry."
Isaiah 5:7


I like the explanation of the symbolism here, and a good warning about being careless or cruel with our fellow humans. Today, let's trust in God and work with him to make things better. He has prepared all things, and offered his help. We just have to accept that help, and follow his instructions.

Proverbs 19:11 -- On Letting Go

"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
Proverbs 19:11


I like the idea here of deferring anger and passing over transgression. I think it is a message from God telling us that sometimes we just need to let it go. Maybe more than sometimes.

Today, let's try to let our anger go, and give people a pass when they do something wrong where it makes sense. That isn't always appropriate, but God can help us know what to stand up for and what to let go. Either way, let's work on being kind and forgiving wherever we can, embracing mercy, and trusting God to deal with necessary justice.

Proverbs 24:21-22 -- On Trusting God and His Changelessness

"My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?"
Proverbs 24:21-22


The "given to change" part is interesting... God is eternal and changeless, but individually, we definitely need to change in order to improve. I think the idea in this verse is more one of not fomenting the overthrow of the government or wanting to be ruled by someone besides God.

Maybe today we can work on recognizing the wisdom of God's will and his commandments. They will help us work towards a perfect society and towards becoming our best selves. That isn't always true of rulers, but it is definitely always true of God.

Nephi 16:10 --

"And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round aball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one bpointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness."
1 Nephi 16:10


I love this story for a lot of reasons. First, it is really cool just to wake up and find some new gadget at your door. More importantly though, God's guidance as a physical device? Wow. And it works just like the priesthood and the rest of God's power... if you are doing the right things, then you are in tune and it functions. If not, not. Self-limiting power like that is awesome as well. Incorruptible... you can't use the power if you are choosing the "dark side."

Symbolically, it is really God reinforcing his love through giving us the gift of his guidance... and although we don't all get a cool Liahona, we all can partake of that guidance in many other ways... the scrptures being perhaps the best example. With them, God can inspire him with different writing from time to time, just as he did with this device, and he can also teach us the way to go.

Today, let's work on following God's directions and being grateful for his gifts and guidance. :)

Proverbs 20:3 -- On Ceasing Strife

"It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."
Proverbs 20:3


I think sometimes about how the whole world would change if we all just followed one commandment... any one. If we all stopped lying for instance, or even just if no one stole. This one is interesting too, and it would change a lot of things for the better if we could let go of strife.

Of course the whole world doesn't have to do it for it to have an impact. Even if just one person follows a commandment, it makes a difference, to ourselves, to the people around us, and as we set those examples... that's what builds up to making a difference for the whole world.

Today, let's cease from strife. Let's understand what triggers anger and bitterness in ourselves, and learn to first avoid, and eventually overcome those weaknesses, with God's help. Let's find ways to work with other people positively, and when we can't, at least we can learn to let go of the poisonous emotions that threaten our peace.

Let's remember that it is always possible to repent and change and improve with God's help, and let's ask for that help and work for better selves and a better world.

Proverbs 23:4 -- On Trusting God's Wisdom

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
Proverbs 23:4


Good advice here, reminding us that we shouldn't set riches as the ultimate goal of our lives, and not our own wisdom either. Instead of these things, we should be trusting God, and what he has to say. And if we're not getting a specific revelation today, then we always have the scriptures, the commandments, and the words of the prophets to fall back on. God is merciful to us and gives us guides and instructions that we can follow, no matter what level of spirituality we have obtained.

Today, let's remember to listen to God first, and prioritize what he asks us to prioritize... love, generosity, kindness, etc. As we do, then God's blessings will flow to us so that we can continue to help and to make the world better. Putting God first is the bast way to prepare for everything. :)

Proverbs 27:5 -- On Openness

"Open rebuke is better than secret love."
Proverbs 27:5


This strikes me today, because it isn't just talking about honesty, but about openness... revealing who we are to others rather than hiding it. On the most basic level, it is just about being real with people rather than being fake.

I don't think that God needs us to be open with everyone... it's okay to keep details from scammers for instance. :) I do however, think that openness and vulnerability is part of what we need to learn about love. We can't both remain untouched by emotion and experience the full depth of emption that love requires.

Today, let's work on our authenticity... really being present with people and being our true selves. That doesn't mean just being heartless and cruel... we should work on our true selves if those are the things that bubble up to the top... but it does mean being open and not hiding who we are. We have to admit who are (sometimes discover who we are) before we can improve it, after all. :) Let's stick with God and work on staying open to love and to positive change.

Isaiah 65:17-19 -- On Reaching for God's Promise

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
Isaiah 65:17-19


I love the idea of new heaven/new earth... not only because it will bring joy and do away with sorrow, though of course that is huge. I think though that I like ti more because it symbolizes for me everything that God wants to do for us. He isn't just offering us a patched-up second chance. Everything that he offers us is new, and better. We're not aiming for some boring heaven, but one that is zillions of times better than anything we could possibly know now. So good that it will swallow up all the sorrow of today, and let us move on without psychological scarring.

Today, let's be thankful for all that God offers us, and be willing to reach for that promise.

Isaiah 6:8 -- On Volunteering For God

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Isaiah 6:8


Reading this today, I was thinking about the way that God deals with us as his children, and I think the primary way is like this... he asks us to volunteer. He wants us to pitch in and learn to help each other and make a better world. And yeah, we might not know how to do that at first, or even how to not completely screw things up, but as we try, he has something to work with, and as we are open to it, that effort allows us to learn from him and incrementally get better.

Today, let's be willing to volunteer for God, and to be open to his advice as we work on improving ourselves and lightening the burdens of others.

Proverbs 7:2-3 -- On Commandments

"Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart."
Proverbs 7:2-3


Important reminder today to keep God's commandments, and good advice to keep our focus and dedication on that committment so that we can't easily be led astray.

Today, let's talk with God about how to always remember and permanently etch our committments onto our souls in some way, keeping God's protection in our lives, and saving ourselves from the pits and traps we inevitably fall into when we attempt to go our own way.

Genesis 11:1 -- On Common Language

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech."
Genesis 11:1


The idea here of languages coming about as a punishment that led to divisions rather than division leading to different languages is interesting. I think it would be really cool to someday have a common language with everyone, and as other scriptures hint at, a language that is more pure and carries more meaning / power / beauty than any of the ones that we have. Perhaps a language that transcends mere speech but reaches into the mental and spiritual realm. I wonder... would that make literature and poetry more beautiful, or perhaps make them completely unneccesary, because you could convey all of that meaning in a word or a thought?

Today, let's use our language for good and to thank God rather than trying to challenge him. Let's seek the Lord and his help, and someday maybe we'll get to know what a society with a common language and a united purpose is capable of... and get to be part of it.

Jonah 4:4 -- On Stepping Back from Anger

"Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?"
Jonah 4:4


A question from God that pretty much answers itself, but a good thing to think about. God doesn't ask because he is wondering, but because we (in this case, Jonah, but likening it unto ourselves) need to reevaluate what is driving those feelings and perhaps learn to expand our perspectives, understanding the other sides to the situation, but especially God's perspective, which is long-term and perfect.

Today, let's step back from our anger and remember that God is the weaver of the tapestry that we are all part of, and he can teach us and help us to see the pattern more clearly, if we seek him.

Psalms 105:7-8 -- On Covenants

"He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations."
Psalms 105:7-8


It seems like so many things come back to the basics of honesty and integrity. God keeps his promises... even when we do not, and invites us back into that covenant relationship over and over when we repent and try to do better. He cares, and he wants us to be able to return home.

In our modern world of ransomware, romance scams, political polarization, power games, and petty manipulations, God asks us to be different--to be true to our covenants, to keep our word, to stand for honesty and kindness. Today, let's do as God asks and join him in his work, to make the world better, and to help people return to him.

Alma 21:7 -- On Centering on the Atonement

"Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?" Alma 21:7


This is a relatively simple question that could be answered with a word, but an interesting one to start a conversation about the gospel. I think the idea here was to jump to the center and find out more about the ways that this group's believes diverged from God's word.

It could also be a great question for us to ponder today, as we review our own faith. The atonement is the center of the gospel and can drive us to learn more about Christ and his role in our salvation. Let's take some time to learn and ponder about Christ today.

Alma 14:12-13 -- On Trusting God's Plan, and TIming

"Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.
And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not."
Alma 14:12-13


I like the reminder here that even in dire circumstances God is still (and always) in charge. If it isn't according to his timing, it isn't happening. Today, perhaps we can remember that God is in charge, trust his plan, and rejoice in God's plan... pleading in prayer for any changes we favor as well as working for them, since it is important to go to the source, even we have considerable control over the situation, and even more so when we don't. :)

Revelation 22:17 -- On Being Invited to Come

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Revelation 22:17


I like the invitation here to partake of the waters of life. As noted in a previous verse, those who keep the commandments of God have "right to the tree of life" and are able to enter the gates into the city, so this verse coming after that seems to be God inviting us in... not a temporary invitation, but a lasting one, because God wants to hang out with us in eternity.

Today, let's remember that we are all invited. However many tries it takes, however much we have to learn on the way, God still, always, wants us to come and stay with Him. Let's accept the invitation and do the work to make sure we can make that meeting.

Psalms 102:16-20 -- On God's Help

"When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;"
Psalms 102:16-20


I like this idea that the Lord will come to help the destitute, the prisoners, and the dying. People who society overlooks perhaps, but in other, more symbolic ways that could also mean most of us since we are desperately in need of things that we don't have and can't get alone. We are prisoners to our own addictions and all appointed to death. -- And I think that God is coming to help people in need physically and spiritually... to show love to those most in need and to help lift them up who no one else is helping.

Today, as much as we can, let's look after those people that are overlooked, and let's God's hands in making the world better. Let's also pray to God in our own need, and seek his help and his hope.

Psalms 98:4 -- On Joyful Noise

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
Psalms 98:4


I like the idea of a joyful noise here. What it brings to mind today is choice and focus... it is really easy to focus on the negative things in our lives and let them stress us out and control our perspective--but it isn't any less "real" to pay attention to and focus on the good things around us, and to praise God for the good that he has done and is doing... and will do. God is the realest thing around, and he wants us to be happy. Not in a forced or false way, but because even when bad things are happenings, good things are happening too. It is just challenging to notice them sometimes, and we need to train ourselves (with help from God) to see the good, in other people, in the world, and in ourselves when we forget.

Today, even though we might have every reason to cry, let's choose to rejoice instead, and sing praise to God who, even in the midst of trouble, is making a way for us to find happiness, and is blessing us with goodness and light. Let's look for the good, and make that our focus and our pursuit, as we follow God and learn to be forces for good in the world.

2 Nephi 7:10-11 -- On the True Light

"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of ayour fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. bThis shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow."
2 Nephi 7:10-11


Talking about light in these two verses seems to indicate that we have to trust in the true light from God, and that if we try to substitute the light from another source instead that we won't really be able to see. I think it is the same as when we feel a void in our lives and we try to fill it with anything that we can find to fill that emptiness, not comprehending that the hole is vast and God-shaped, and nothing else can fill it.

Today, let's look to God for the true light and the completeness that we are looking for, and accept no substitutes, because they will only end in sorrow.

2 Nephi 3:14 -- On Promises

"And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;"
2 Nephi 3:14


I like the idea of being sure of the promises of God way before they happen... even knowing that you would never be able to confirm it in your lifetime, but knowing still that God would do what he promised to do. .. And I think that we can all know that, and recieve assurances from the Lord about the things that he promises us as well. As we build our faith and our knowledge of God, we will gain confidence in his word. Indeed, it is our own word that we need to be careful of, since God is unerringly faithful to his.

Today, let's learn and study and grow our knowledge of, and our faith in, the Lord and his promises.

2 Nephi 1:5 -- On the Road and the Reward

"But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord."
2 Nephi 1:5


I really like the phrase here "notwithstanding our afflictions." I think it gets across the idea that the reward is worth the road, right? They went through a lot, and the promised land that Lehi is talking about here... he still had to have faith in the future here. He didn't arrive and walk into a hotel where he was waited on hand and foot. It was an unpopulated wilderness and they had to start from scratch... continuing to use the survival skills they had learned along the way. That's another cool thing though--the way that God prepares us for everything ahead of time. We don't know why we are going through a trial, and then later we realize what God was preparing us for.

Today, let's trust in God and have faith in his plan, knowing that the reward is worth the road we take to get there... nothwithstanding our afflictions. :)

Revelation 21:4-7 -- On All Things New

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Revelation 21:4-7


There is a lot of cool stuff here... making all things new is amazing, I think because it includes us. We can let our old pains go because God has lifted us above all of that.

The primary thing to remember here though, at least for me, is that it is all possible. God isn't speaking here of some elite band of like twelve people who have done everything right and made the grade. Truthfully the only person who ever did that was Christ, and so all of the rest of us are in the same boat. We are all sinners and in need of God's grace and mercy and instruction and help so that we can learn and change into who we want to be... those people who can overcome the challenges of this world and inherit all that God offers.

It can seem impossible when we compare ourselves to God or even to other people, but God works with us individually to help us learn our own lessons in our own way, everything leading down the gospel path but not necessarily the same lessons in the same order, because we all have strengths and weaknesses and different things that we need and want to learn. It all leads back to God. Today, let's remember to walk God's path and keep learning... if we all keep doing what we can along the way, and keep seeking God, then he will help us drink of the water of life, and wipe the tears from our eyes so we can see everything new. Sounds worth it. :)

Revelation 20:13-15 -- On Lakes of Fire and Books of Life

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Revelation 20:13-15


I like the image here of death and hell being cast into the lake of fire. We know that Christ overcame death, and getting rid of it is awesome, once the whole period of mortality is over. Hell getting thrown into the lake of fire is weirder though, because I think those two things have a lot of crossover in our traditional idea of what hell is. I don't know the answer, but my opinion is that the lake of fire is temporary, symbolic of the pain of separation from God, which is what the second death represents. I think when we're resurrected and we remember who we were, both in our lives and before that, it is going to be painful to feel the difference, and then if we're judged and we know that we aren't going to get to be with God, that is going to be even more painful. I don't think it lasts for eternity though, because only people who are basically as bad as Satan are going to be without a kingdom of glory, and that's outer darkness, not a lake of fire. I could be wrong though... I suppose symbolically they could mean the same thing.

Either way though, a good reminder that we want to make sure that we are written in the Book of Life, and that we are going to be judged based on our works--so if we have good desires, let's also jump in and act on them, and remember to stay in touch with God and listen to the Spirit, so we don't have to go through that pain in the end, but instead finally get to live in a place where we can be with all of our loved ones again, and get to feel the love of God all the time. Today, let's work to be the kind of people who don't need to worry about lakes of fire.

Revelation 16:20 -- On Islands, Mountains, and Trust

"And every island fled away, and the amountains were not found."
Revelation 16:20


I've talked about this before, but verses like this are hard to wrap your mind around. No islands or mountains? That sounds like a wildly catastrophic event... and sort of sad for me because I like islands and mountains.

That feeling is good in some ways, because it helps us remember that God can see and do things on a level that we can't even imagine... but I think also that we are going to have to get over our unbelief, because when catastrophic things do happen to us... and all of us go through catastrophe at some point, whether physical or otherwise... at some point we are going to have to trust that all of this is part of the plan. Otherwise, how do we survive tragedy? God is the one that can make sense of it for us, and who can restore our hope.

Today, let's remember that when catastrophe happens, predicted in the scriptures or not, that God is still in charge, and that he will help us and still guide us to our happy ending (and eternity). :)

Revelation 13:9-10 -- On Hearing

"If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
Revelation 13:9-10


This is a good reminder that the things we do come back to us. Restoration of all that we have done... good or bad. A good reason to not only hear as God advises, but to pay attention to what we are giving out, and to repent and change, so that we won't hate what comes back to us.

Revelation 10:5-6 -- On TIme No Longer

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:"
Revelation 10:5-6


The whole concept of time... is it cause and effect, or the motions of the planets... day/night cycle? Since it is something we've learned all of our lives, it is hard to imagine what will be different.

One thing I was thinking though is that God is unchangable and we are very changeable... and somehow, if we are going to follow his path, we need to become unchangeable as well. ... Today, let's think about what this means and talk to God about it to get his help in understanding it.