Luke 2:10-11 -- On Good Tidings of Great Joy

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11


Perhaps the feeling of failure is familiar to all of us, and along with that, at least occasionally, there is a save. You think you are failing, doing everything wrong, probably not going to get through this next part, but someone steps in to save you. Maybe it is a test, a trip, a financial obligation, or a personal goal, but with these and so many other things, we don't do it all ourselves. We have support and people who can make things a little bit easier on us. God is like that moment when you think everything is ash, and suddenly things work out anyway. He can save us from anything, and he's watching out for us as we go, to make sure we don't drown or walk out into traffic. ... Today, let's rejoice in the glad tidings that are always with us, that Christ lived and died for us, and that he continues to help us in everything we do, as our Savior, and King, and hero, and every other word that is good and right and amazing and loving and perfect, because that is who he is.

Alma 10:7 -- On The Lord Preparing the Way

"As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house."
Alma 10:7


What struck me about this verse today is the way that the Lord prepares the way before us. It isn't always this obvious and clear, but I think that the Lord intervenes in thousands of ways every day to help us all, as long as we are going in the right direction, towards God rather than away from him. I think this is part of the idea of all things working together for good to those that love God. All of creation is helping God's plan come to pass, and if we are working towards that as well, then everything, including angels, is going to be helping us get there.

Today, let's work on doing as the Lord asks and bringing more good into the world... and then watch, and see how God opens up a way for us all as we do more good.

3 Nephi 6:5 -- On Getting in Our Own Way

"And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression."
3 Nephi 6:5


It's interesting here that the only thing that could stop the people from prospering was transgression, and they did pretty well for a few verses, but then they started falling apart again.

This is often true on a smaller scale as well. We do really well for a while, but then perhaps we get used to prospering or forget that we need the Lord's help to be successful, and there we go, off on a less optimal path once again... or a highway to hell, if you will, unless we turn around and repent, heading back to God. ... Today, let's make sure we aren't getting in our own way by wandering away from God's path.

Alma 9:26 -- On Coming in Glory

"And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers."
Alma 9:26


Always good to take time to remember Christ, who came and will come again in glory, and who is always willing to listen and answer prayers. Let's take the time to pray today and remember and look forward to his coming.

Alma 9:8-9 -- On Remembering

"Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God.
Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness?"
Alma 9:8-9


Another good reminder that the scriptures, and other things that the Lord gives us to enlarge our memories of the gospel, can help us stay on track... and help us get back on track if we've gotten derailed somewhere.

Today, let's remember the commandments and the scripture stories, and liken them to ourselves, remembering that the Lord is willing to lead us all through the wilderness and to our own promised place. Let's be diligent and faithful, and not let the world lull us into forgetfulness.

Alma 5:6 -- On Remembrance and Instruction

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?"
Alma 5:6


I like the message here that reminds us of our history. Because God asks us to be one, our perspective has to change not only in terms of thinking outside ourselves, which is hard enough sometimes, but we also have to gain some historic perspective on the things that the Lord has done for all of us down through the passage of time. The cool thing about this is that it helps us learn the context of a lot that we do, and also learn more about God through his dealing with his people (collectively--those who choose to be his).

Today, let's try taking a step outside our own immediate trials and see the larger picture, and maybe get some perspective on God's hope and deliverance. The scriptures are a good instruction book, although prayer and working to be in tune with the Spirit are also imperative. With a historical perspective we learn that deliverance rarely comes on our schedule, but it does come, most often when we are humble and diligent in keeping the commandments. Following the instructions works. Let's try it. :)

Moses 6:33-34 -- On Walking With God

"Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you. Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me."
Moses 6:33-34


I love the invitation to walk with God here. A few verses later we read "no man laid hands on him; for fear came on all them that heard him; for he walked with God" (verse 39). Choosing God is one step, but walking with him seems to go farther, both in unity and in protection. And, yes, he is talking to the prophet Enoch here, but God's invitation is to us all, and we can all learn to walk with God. I think that is what Christ means when he asks us to take his yoke upon us... that he is inviting us to walk with him and that he will share our burdens.

Today, let's reach out to God and learn of him, being willing to walk with him and develop that relationship as we are willing and obedient (willing to follow the Lord's instructions to help us find joy). Let's pray, listen to the Spirit, and follow the promptings that the Lord gives us... that's how we can start learning to walk with him.

Luke 2:10-11 -- On Good Tidings

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11


A good reminder that the coming of Christ is the good news that we all still can be happy about. Christ lived and died for us, and lives again, eternal in his commitment to God's plan. As we follow him, we will find love, joy, and peace, and all the good desires of our hearts. Today, let's learn and pray and remember him, and learn better to keep his commandments and stay on his path.

Matthew 15:29-31 -- On Healing and Helping

"And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."
Matthew 15:29-31


This is amazing. I think sometimes this healing gets overshadowed because after this is the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, which is of course also amazing, but not more miraculous. :) Wherever Christ went, he healed and helped. In following his example, these are things that we can also do... perhaps not as miraculously, but with God's help, we can still make a difference in other people's lives.

Today, let's look to God for the healing that we need, and also to help us know how we can help others.

Matthew 13:27-30 -- On Gathering the Tares and Being the Wheat

"So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."
Matthew 13:27-30


This is an interesting parable from our perspective as the plants. :) Later in this same chapter Christ gives the interpretation. The thing that stands out to me is in verse 41. "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of the kingdom all things that offend...," and, since that happens in the parable before harvesting the wheat, that's something that could already be happening. In the allegory of the olive trees God tells us that he removes the bad branches as the good will grow, and this seems similar. The idea seems to be that we need to thrive and do a lot of good, and as we grow to fill the world with good, the bad will be removed to give place for the good.

Today, let's be decidedly wheat, striving to grow well and to do good, and be part of the wave of goodness that enables God to selectively clear away the bad and make everything better.

Matthew 5:14-16 -- On Lighting the World

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16


A good reminder that Christ wants us to light the world... to do good, to set an example, to offer light and hope to others. ... I think we have to be careful not to act superior or like *we* are the amazing ones, and to make sure we're glorifying God rather than just drawing attention to ourselves, but we clearly shouldn't be hiding under a bushel either. :)

Today, let's think and counsel with the Lord about how we can share God's light through good works and example... and then let's jump in and do it. :)

Mosiah 29:12 -- On Justice

"Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just."
Mosiah 29:12


I think sometimes we expect God to be unjust because we are unjust, and we're used to living in an unjust system. With God, we never have to worry about injustice. That's purely a mortal thing. And imagining a future where there is no injustice is amazing, and something to look forward to.

Of course, what we do need to worry about before then is justice, because we so often want advantage and preference rather than true justice.

Thankfully, because of Christ's atonement, we have the chance to repent and change and learn before we get full justice for all of our actions. Christ tempers justice with mercy, paying the price for us so that we can recover from our mistakes and learn to be wiser and kinder.

Today, let's show mercy to others as we desire it for ourselves, and let's learn to be better people and do good, so that when our works are restored to us, it will be a happy day rather than one to be frightened of.

Mosiah 27:16-17 -- On Obedience and Options

"Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.
And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed."
Mosiah 27:16-17


This is an interesting angelic appearance. Most of the stories I hear about angels are stories of comfort and protection, but this is clearly one of rebuke. It is awesome that Alma and his friends, all of whom were pretty evil at the time, turned their lives around after this. They chose to listen and obey, rather than continue to rebel, unlike Laman and Lemuel in the early chapters of the Book of Mormon, who also saw an angel. I think from that example we can conclude that the repentance was not a foregone conclusion, or something that any of us would do when confronted by an angel, but rather a specific choice that Alma and all of these men made to change their lives and try to make up for the harm they had done.

Today, let's remember that the Lord rebukes us because he wants to help us change for the better... and let's do as Alma did and open our hearts and our lives to God and allow him to change us as we follow his advice and do his will.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 -- On Vexation of Spirit

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."
Ecclesiastes 4:6


This sort of reminds me of the Mary-Martha conversation that Christ had in the New Testament, where Martha was really busy working to help everyone, but Mary was sitting and listening to Christ. Martha wanted help, but Christ inferred that Mary had made a good choice, and it wouldn't be taken from her.

The Lord loves effort, but he also provides us, and himself after the creation, with a day of rest. It's hard to strike the right balance between lazy and way too stressed out, but perhaps today we should think about it from both sides. What can we do for the Lord, and also how can we find peace and return our spiritual center, which is Christ?

Let's take the time to find enough quiet and calmness to listen to the Spirit before we launch into the next way-too-busy thing. It's the holiday season... there is a lot to do, but also let's remember what this is all for, and take time to connect with people and with God.

Proverbs 11:12 -- On Holding Our Peace

"He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace."
Proverbs 11:12


I think this is some really good advice, as far as remembering that hate is never wise, and contention benefits noone. Today, let's try to remember that, even in the most trying circumstances, and turn to God rather than to hatred and mockery. He will always help us to find peace and hold it close.

Mormon 8:19-20 -- On Restoration and Repentance

"For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lord.
Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay."
Mormon 8:19-20


This is a good reminder of the law of restoration... that we'll have our actions reflected back at us, good for good, bad for bad, although repentence helps us avoid the negative consequences. If we truly change, then we fall under the atonement and Christ pays for us.

I don't think any of us want back all of the things that we have dished out over the years, so today, let's be careful to not judge rashly or to smite. Let's be peacemakers, and generous, and kind. Let's go to God in prayer and work out our repentance with him. God will make all things right in the end. Let's just worry about what we can do to make the universe a little better wherever we go.

Helaman 11:14 -- On Prayer and Repentance

"O Lord, thou didst hearken unto my words when I said, Let there be a famine, that the pestilence of the sword might cease; and I know that thou wilt, even at this time, hearken unto my words, for thou saidst that: If this people repent I will spare them."
Helaman 11:14


A lot of cool things to like here. The idea that God listens to us, and grants us what we desire that is right, is really cool by itself. I also like the prophet calling out here that God wants to spare his people... even the worst prophecies all have that "if" clause. If we repent, God will welcome us back and has the power to spare us from the further consequences of our former mistakes.

Today, let's look into this whole repentance thing... another cool idea, honestly. To be able to really "undo" mistakes, even massive ones... the whole "though your sins be as scarlet" idea... we can be clean and free of guilt, despite whatever is in our pasts. Let's plead with God for help to change and be better than we have been.

Jacob 4:7 -- On Weakness

"Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."
Jacob 4:7


It's difficult to look on our weaknesses as anything but negative, but I like the idea here that weaknesses make God's hand in our lives clearer. When we can't do something ourselves, it might be easier to accept and appreciate God's assistance.

Today, let's do our best to be grateful for weaknesses, as good lessons in humility and for showing us the obvious hand of God in our lives. :)

Helaman 2:4 -- On Expertise in Words and Craft

"For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen."
Helaman 2:4


It's interesting here that things that sound like they would be good (being great at your job for instance) are instead bad... the difference being the use you put your skills to. God gives us so much, and helps us to grow, learn to choose, find how to succeed and what we enjoy, etc. And turning around and choosing to be the best at evil... that's scary. Not just because of the cost to others, but for the soul of whoever makes that choice and then wakes up one day on the other side of the veil and realizes what they did with their lives.

Today, let's remember to put God first in all things, even on things that we feel supremely talented and competent in. Let's use our powers for good rather than evil. :)

Mark 4:39-40 -- On Fear and Faith

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
Mark 4:39-40


What strikes me today while reading this is that Christ could face storms without fear, and that he knew his disciples could do the same, so it isn't something that only Christ *could* do, as the Son of God. I think that we fear many times because we don't know what is coming, and whatever it is, it could be bad. But perhaps what Jesus teaches here is that we're in the Lord's hands, and whatever happens, as long as that is true, things are going to be fine, and we can trust that, and we don't have to worry about the storms. We only have to worry about doing our part to help others and make the world better, as God asks. If something happens that we're worried about, we can still trust that God knows what he is doing and that the storm will pass and there will be peace again. He is in charge, and we can trust him. That's my takeaway on this one. :)

Mark 4:22-25 -- On Truth

"For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath."
Mark 4:22-25


I like the idea here that nothing is hidden forever, and that eventually the truth will come out. Our deception will come back and bite us, unless of course we repent. :) I also like the idea that there is a lot to learn in the scriptures and in God's word, and that we will be rewarded for seeking truth.

Let's dig into the scriptures today, and learn something. :)

1 Corinthians 7:21-24 -- On Freedom and Service

"Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."
1 Corinthians 7:21-24


The idea here seems to be that we are both free and bound in different ways, bought with a price, and yet freed to make our own choices. Our obligation to God is moral and spiritual, not forced on us with manacles or prods, and we should put our service to him above other service.

Today, let's worry less about our circumstances and more about where God is leading us. Let's work towards God's happy ending rather than being mired in worldly concerns. That stuff we need to deal with of course, but it requires only our surface attention. The real ideas, challenges, and joy is in following God on the bright path to perfection and joy.

1 Corinthians 6:7 -- On Eternal Perspective

"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?"
1 Corinthians 6:7


I think this is a good illustration of just how differently God thinks about things, and the effort that it takes as followers of God to think of the world differently. God is asking us to let go of our pride and to value other people over our need to be right, and over our desires for worldly goods.

Today, let's consider this counsel. It's a tough idea, going along with loving our enemies. God wants us to love as he does--despite our transgressions and betrayals. It won't happen overnight, but let's try to start thinking about people differently, and treating them differently as we allow God to teach us his perspective.

Psalms 50:7-14 -- On Thanksgiving. Vows, and Choices

"Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High."
Psalms 50:7-14


I like the idea here that God isn't asking for animal sacrifice for his benefit. Instead, he just wants us to be thankful for the blessings that he offers us, and for us to keep our agreements with him. We've come a long way since then as a society and people, but God still wants the same things... he wants us to be thankful and to keep our covenants.

Today, let's work on seeking and getting to know God, so that we can understand all that he offers us, and our relationship to him. He has everything... he doesn't want our stuff. He wants to help us and teach us, and for us to choose the life and happy ending that he offers us over the temporary, knock-off, illusory happiness that Satan offers. Let's look into the options and take God up on his better offer. :)