"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing."
Isaiah 14:7
I love this verse, especially in the middle of all of the chaos and destruction from the chapter before. It's like a little reminder from God that all of this is not random, but it is moving us towards a certain, peaceful end. It is God's caring hand, pruning his vineyard, rather than indiscriminate obliteration. Even in the midst of such a meltdown of pretty much everything, God remains, our rock and our solace, and our hope.
Today, let's remember that and trust in him, no matter what else is going on in our lives. There is always hope in the Lord, even if we can't find it anywhere else. He knows the way to safety and peace, and a happy ending. In the midst of the bad chapters, let's trust in him, and keep turning the pages, and he will lead us to our promised land and our resting place. We have every reason to sing for joy. :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Luke 22:24-27 -- On True Greatness
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth"
Luke 22:24-27
I really like the idea here of thinking of ourselves as the younger, and as the servants. We get big heads sometimes and we forget to consider the needs and input of others, thinking that we know best. Christ *did* know best, but he still stopped to listen and to show that he understood other people's needs. He cared about people individually and helped them to feel noticed, seen, and important... because people are the most important thing to him. Us, the people around us. The people everywhere (even the ones we don't like). He loves them.
Today, let's remember that before we do anything. Let's remember that God loves the people we are interacting with. Let's stop and listen, and understand, and let other people have their say and their moment on the stage. Let's try not to put our needs and desires before our concern for other people. Christ set his own desires aside for us. Let us do the same for others, and trust in God to watch over us.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth"
Luke 22:24-27
I really like the idea here of thinking of ourselves as the younger, and as the servants. We get big heads sometimes and we forget to consider the needs and input of others, thinking that we know best. Christ *did* know best, but he still stopped to listen and to show that he understood other people's needs. He cared about people individually and helped them to feel noticed, seen, and important... because people are the most important thing to him. Us, the people around us. The people everywhere (even the ones we don't like). He loves them.
Today, let's remember that before we do anything. Let's remember that God loves the people we are interacting with. Let's stop and listen, and understand, and let other people have their say and their moment on the stage. Let's try not to put our needs and desires before our concern for other people. Christ set his own desires aside for us. Let us do the same for others, and trust in God to watch over us.
Monday, September 14, 2026
Luke 11:5-8 -- On Praying with Persistence and Faith
"And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."
Luke 11:5-8
I think this is a little bit funny, because Christ here is talking about prayer, and encouraging us, it seems, to keep asking persistently, to the point where a mortal human might get annoyed. The verse after this has the familiar phrase "Ask, and it shall be given you" (verse 9). This advice is given in Luke 18 as well, in the parable of the unjust judge, telling us that the unjust judge wouldn't help the woman because it was right, but because she kept bugging him. I don't think that it means that God needs constant reminders, or that he finds us annoying... I think it is more the idea of being persistent and dedicated. Also, the idea that is repeated later in this chapter (Luke 11) where Christ compares us to God... if we, "being evil" according to verse 13, are willing to feed our children when they ask, how much more willing will God be to grant us good things that we ask for, since he is good?
Today, let's keep asking for things that are good. God loves us more than the friend does in the parable, and he is interested in righteous judgement more than the unjust judge, but persistence is key. Perhaps the lesson is for us more than God even, because it shows that we are all in, that we're committed to something, that we know what we want, and that we have faith that God can and will grant it to us. As long as we are careful to be sure that what we want is a good thing, then God will hear us, and give us according to our desires... although of course, the timing is the Lord's. We still have to keep reading (and working on sticking to the plot) before we get to the happy ending, but it is certainly there, waiting for us. :)
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."
Luke 11:5-8
I think this is a little bit funny, because Christ here is talking about prayer, and encouraging us, it seems, to keep asking persistently, to the point where a mortal human might get annoyed. The verse after this has the familiar phrase "Ask, and it shall be given you" (verse 9). This advice is given in Luke 18 as well, in the parable of the unjust judge, telling us that the unjust judge wouldn't help the woman because it was right, but because she kept bugging him. I don't think that it means that God needs constant reminders, or that he finds us annoying... I think it is more the idea of being persistent and dedicated. Also, the idea that is repeated later in this chapter (Luke 11) where Christ compares us to God... if we, "being evil" according to verse 13, are willing to feed our children when they ask, how much more willing will God be to grant us good things that we ask for, since he is good?
Today, let's keep asking for things that are good. God loves us more than the friend does in the parable, and he is interested in righteous judgement more than the unjust judge, but persistence is key. Perhaps the lesson is for us more than God even, because it shows that we are all in, that we're committed to something, that we know what we want, and that we have faith that God can and will grant it to us. As long as we are careful to be sure that what we want is a good thing, then God will hear us, and give us according to our desires... although of course, the timing is the Lord's. We still have to keep reading (and working on sticking to the plot) before we get to the happy ending, but it is certainly there, waiting for us. :)
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Luke 10:16 -- On Hearing the Lord
"He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."
Luke 10:16
This is a verse that was spoken to the seventy that Jesus called to go out and teach, and it makes me think of two different things. One, if we are called to bear Christ's name and given that kind of authority, how important it is to listen to the Spirit and be scrupulously careful to teach God's word only rather than extending those teachings into our own ideas. [Slight disclaimer here... remember that this is a blog and my ideas by no means carry the authority of God. I know for a fact that I have gotten it wrong in the past in things that I have said, so pray and ask God for yourself before agreeing with anything I say. :)]
The other thought is how important it is to listen to prophets and apostles and to respect the authority that God passes on to his chosen servants. Let's not take despising them lightly, since God says right here that despising them is despising Him. Instead, if we don't understand or we disagree with something that is said, let's pray for understanding. God will help us know the truth. People are fallible. Perhaps someone's opinion got mixed into doctrine, but it's also quite possible that we are the ones that are wrong. Let's remember that and be open to it. If it is between our opinion and the Lord's opinion, there is never a question. We're wrong. We just have to take the time, do the research, and pour our hearts out in prayer to figure out how and why, so that we can go forward on the same page with God.
Luke 10:16
This is a verse that was spoken to the seventy that Jesus called to go out and teach, and it makes me think of two different things. One, if we are called to bear Christ's name and given that kind of authority, how important it is to listen to the Spirit and be scrupulously careful to teach God's word only rather than extending those teachings into our own ideas. [Slight disclaimer here... remember that this is a blog and my ideas by no means carry the authority of God. I know for a fact that I have gotten it wrong in the past in things that I have said, so pray and ask God for yourself before agreeing with anything I say. :)]
The other thought is how important it is to listen to prophets and apostles and to respect the authority that God passes on to his chosen servants. Let's not take despising them lightly, since God says right here that despising them is despising Him. Instead, if we don't understand or we disagree with something that is said, let's pray for understanding. God will help us know the truth. People are fallible. Perhaps someone's opinion got mixed into doctrine, but it's also quite possible that we are the ones that are wrong. Let's remember that and be open to it. If it is between our opinion and the Lord's opinion, there is never a question. We're wrong. We just have to take the time, do the research, and pour our hearts out in prayer to figure out how and why, so that we can go forward on the same page with God.
Friday, September 11, 2026
Luke 9:23-24 -- On Losing and Finding
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
Luke 9:23-24
Earlier in the chapter Christ tells his disciples to go out and take nothing with them, and that seems to be similar to what is being asked here... to deny ourselves, to follow Christ, to lose our lives. That is to trust God completely, with no reservation or backup plan of our own will. To know that God will be there for us when nothing else is, and to learn to feel safety in that embrace. That's really hard sometimes, and why we're talking about losing our lives in the first place. Our instinct is to shy away from the risks that God knows that we need to take, to hunker down and survive rather than the vulnerability that comes with shining as a light, and the fear of failure and pain and confrontation.
It won't come all at once, and that's okay. Today though, let's trust God more, and leave our fears behind. Let's do as he asks and follow his prophets, without assuming ahead of time that we are exceptions to any rule or commandment. From the scriptures, we know there are exceptions for the greater good sometimes, and times to resist evil, and times to walk another mile when compelled, but that's God's call, not ours. He will be able to direct us correctly when we are firmly on his path. We'll just get lost when we are walking our own. As we let go of our own wills, we will find a better and brighter way with God.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
Luke 9:23-24
Earlier in the chapter Christ tells his disciples to go out and take nothing with them, and that seems to be similar to what is being asked here... to deny ourselves, to follow Christ, to lose our lives. That is to trust God completely, with no reservation or backup plan of our own will. To know that God will be there for us when nothing else is, and to learn to feel safety in that embrace. That's really hard sometimes, and why we're talking about losing our lives in the first place. Our instinct is to shy away from the risks that God knows that we need to take, to hunker down and survive rather than the vulnerability that comes with shining as a light, and the fear of failure and pain and confrontation.
It won't come all at once, and that's okay. Today though, let's trust God more, and leave our fears behind. Let's do as he asks and follow his prophets, without assuming ahead of time that we are exceptions to any rule or commandment. From the scriptures, we know there are exceptions for the greater good sometimes, and times to resist evil, and times to walk another mile when compelled, but that's God's call, not ours. He will be able to direct us correctly when we are firmly on his path. We'll just get lost when we are walking our own. As we let go of our own wills, we will find a better and brighter way with God.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Luke 8:10 -- On Parables
"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."
Luke 8:10
The whole idea of learning from parables seems to me to be similar to the admonition to "study it out in your mind" (D&C 9:8). They are an important teaching tool, but the meaning isn't immediately apparent. Parables / stories / fiction in this context isn't about deception, fantasy, or "unreality" even if there are aspects of the stories where you have to suspend belief. It is about finding the truths in stories that are designed specifically to magnify a principle so that it is easier to understand, if you approach the story trying to understand and work out the truth, but which can also blind people because of the inherent fictional nature of the parable. If we reject it as falsehood, then we miss the truth that is waiting underneath.
Perhaps we understand this better today because we have movies and novels that we can relate to, and apply to our lives. We might refer to a rule or law or way of living from a movie and adopt it for our own, despite the fact that the world presented in the movie is not our world or our society, or sometimes even our planet. We understand on some level that there can be valuable, worthy truths within fictional accounts.
For God's purposes, he can teach us in a myriad of ways, and his stories are one of them... but they can also hide truths that we aren't ready for, or that we fail to work out for ourselves. Today, let's commit the mental and spiritual effort to study some of God's stories and learn from them. He is always seeking to teach us, and the instant that we take the time to sit down with his word, plus a little patience, faith, and prayer, he will begin to show us things that we need to know, and he will continue to deepen our understandings as long as we continue to study and pray.
Luke 8:10
The whole idea of learning from parables seems to me to be similar to the admonition to "study it out in your mind" (D&C 9:8). They are an important teaching tool, but the meaning isn't immediately apparent. Parables / stories / fiction in this context isn't about deception, fantasy, or "unreality" even if there are aspects of the stories where you have to suspend belief. It is about finding the truths in stories that are designed specifically to magnify a principle so that it is easier to understand, if you approach the story trying to understand and work out the truth, but which can also blind people because of the inherent fictional nature of the parable. If we reject it as falsehood, then we miss the truth that is waiting underneath.
Perhaps we understand this better today because we have movies and novels that we can relate to, and apply to our lives. We might refer to a rule or law or way of living from a movie and adopt it for our own, despite the fact that the world presented in the movie is not our world or our society, or sometimes even our planet. We understand on some level that there can be valuable, worthy truths within fictional accounts.
For God's purposes, he can teach us in a myriad of ways, and his stories are one of them... but they can also hide truths that we aren't ready for, or that we fail to work out for ourselves. Today, let's commit the mental and spiritual effort to study some of God's stories and learn from them. He is always seeking to teach us, and the instant that we take the time to sit down with his word, plus a little patience, faith, and prayer, he will begin to show us things that we need to know, and he will continue to deepen our understandings as long as we continue to study and pray.
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