Doctrine & Covenants: Section 6

 Revelation given to Joseph Smith the prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. Oliver Cowdery began his labors as scribe in the translation of the Book of Mormon, April 7, 1829. He had already received a divine manifestation of the truth of the Prophet's testimony respecting the plates on which was engraved the Book of Mormon record. The Prophet inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received this response.

1-6—Laborers in the Lord's field gain salvation; 7-13—there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation; 14-27—A witness of the truth comes by the power of the Spirit; 28-37—Look unto Christ, and do good continually.

1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.

2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words.

3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Now, as You have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;

7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.

8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

9 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.

10 Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of they gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above--

11 And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways.

12 Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things.

13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.

14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.

15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;

16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.

17 I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee—that the words or the work which thou hast been writing aretrue.

18 Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word's sake.

19 Admonish him in his faults, and also receive admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope, and charity.

20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefor treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me into your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

24 And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?

25 And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, even as my servant Joseph.

26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness of the people;

27 And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.

28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.

30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.

31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.

32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered in y name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

1 Nephi: Chapter 7

 Lehi's sons return to Jerusalem and invite Ishmael and his household to join them in their journey—Laman and the others rebel—Nephi exhorts his brethren to have faith in the Lord—They bing him with cords and plan his destruction—He is freed by the power of faith—He is freed by the pwoer of faith—His brethren ask forgiveness—Lehi and his company offer sacrifice and burnt offerings. About 600-592 B.C.

1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.

2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into th wilderness.

3 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem.

4 And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord.

5 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomucht at they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.

6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Leuel, and two of the daughers of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.

7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return untothe land of Jersualem.

8 And now, I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?

10 How is it that ye have forgoten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have fogotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban,and also that we should obtian the record?

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtian the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concrning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.

14 For behold, the Spirit fo the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven hi out of the land.

15 Now behold, I say unto youthat if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should apeak.

16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, theywere exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me int he wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, acccording to my faith which is in thee, whilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

18 And it came pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

19 Ad it came to pas that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did cease striving to take away my life.

20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.

21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.

22 And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my fahter, they did give thanks untot he Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.

Matthew: Chapter 7

 Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount—He commands, Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets—He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father.

1 Judge not, thaty ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with wha tmeasure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerd not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first east out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh finedeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, wll he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give hims a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so the them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by there fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tre bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tre bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tre that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in the name? And in they name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descneded, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Genesis: Chapter 7

 Noah's family and various beasts and fowl enter the ark—The Flood comes, and water covers the whole earth—All other life that breaths is destroyed.

1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and his female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

4 For yet seven days, and i will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters was upon the earth.

7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his son's wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.

16 And they that went in, wnet in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man;

22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the water prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

A Witness to Light

 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

John 1:7 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

In this verse, the Apostle John is referring to John the Baptist, who came as a witness to testify about Jesus, the true Light. John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare people for the coming of Jesus, calling them to repentance and pointing them to the One who would bring salvation and redemption.

 

John the Baptist’s life and ministry serve as an example for all believers. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be witnesses of the Light, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us. Our role is to testify to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and to help others come to faith in Him.

Time to reflect

As you reflect on John 1:7 and the call to be a witness to the Light, consider the following questions:

 

• In what ways are you currently serving as a witness to Jesus in your daily life?
• How can you grow in your ability to testify about Jesus and share the good news with others?
• What are some practical steps you can take to help others come to faith in Jesus?

Prayer Of The Day

Lord Jesus, we thank You for the example of John the Baptist, who came as a witness to testify about You, the true Light. Help us to follow in his footsteps and be bold witnesses for You in our daily lives.

 

Strengthen us, Lord, in our ability to share the good news of Your love and salvation with others. Guide us in our efforts to help others come to faith in You and experience the joy and peace of a relationship with You.

 

In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

1. Reflect on your current role as a witness to Jesus, identifying areas where you can grow in your ability to testify about Him and share the good news.
2. Engage in regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen your own faith and understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission.
3. Look for opportunities to share your faith with others, whether through personal conversations, acts of service, or involvement in outreach ministries.
4. Pray for guidance and boldness as you seek to help others come to faith in Jesus.

Today Wisdom

John 1:7 reminds us of the call to be witnesses to the Light, testifying about Jesus and helping others come to faith in Him. As we grow in our understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission, let us seek opportunities to share the good news with others and live our lives as bold witnesses for Christ.

Isaiah 40:28

 Have you never heard?

     Have you never understood?
 The Lord is the everlasting God,
     the Creator of all the earth.
 He never grows weak or weary.
     No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
Isaiah 40:28

The Strength Within

God lives forever! He is the One who is everlasting. He is the only thing in this life that is everlasting. He was here before the world began and will be here long after you or I are gone. He created everything in this world. As Job says in chapter 1, verse 21, “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” He is in charge; He is on His throne. He determines what we have and what we do not have.

The incredible thing about God, though, is that He never grows weak or weary. We cannot imagine a world without weakness or weariness, but that is who God is. It does not take much to make us weary in this world. However, He gives strength to the weak and endurance to the weary. We can go on because He gives strength to our bones. He is always the answer.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are my strength. You help me persevere. You are my Creator and everlasting. I could never measure your understanding. Help me know you more. Amen.

Call to God for His Unfathomable Treasures

 Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

In Jeremiah 33:3, God invites His people to call upon Him with the promise that He will answer and reveal great and unsearchable things unknown to them. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God’s desire for a close relationship with His people, as well as His willingness to share His wisdom and knowledge with those who seek Him.

 

The invitation to call upon God is not just limited to the people of Jeremiah’s time but extends to us today. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to come to God in prayer, seeking His guidance, wisdom, and revelation. This passage reassures us that when we turn to God with a sincere heart, He will answer us and reveal His divine truths, often beyond our comprehension.

Time to reflect

Reflecting on Jeremiah 33:3, we can apply the following principles to our lives:

 

• Cultivate a prayerful life: Develop a regular habit of prayer, communicating with Go,d and seeking His guidance and wisdom in all areas of your life.
• Approach God with humility: Recognize your own limitations and come before God humbly, acknowledging your need for His wisdom and revelation.
• Be open to God’s revelation: Be receptive to God’s guidance and the truths He reveals, even when they may be beyond your understanding or challenge your preconceived ideas.
• Trust in God’s faithfulness: Have confidence that when you call upon God sincerely, He will answer and provide the wisdom and guidance you need.
• Share God’s wisdom with others: As God reveals His truths to you, be willing to share these insights with others, encouraging them in their faith journey and drawing them closer to God.

Prayer Of The Day

Heavenly Father, thank You for the invitation to call upon You and for Your promise to answer us and reveal great and unsearchable things. Help us to cultivate a prayerful life, seeking Your guidance and wisdom in all areas of our lives. Teach us to approach You with humility, acknowledging our own limitations and our need for Your divine revelation. Give us the openness and willingness to receive Your guidance and truths, even when they may be beyond our understanding. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

In light of Jeremiah 33:3, consider these action steps to help you call upon God and receive His wisdom and revelation:

 

1. Set aside regular time for prayer, communicating with God, and seeking His guidance in your life.
2. Reflect on areas where you need God’s wisdom and guidance, and bring these concerns before Him in prayer.
3. Be open to God’s answers and the truths He reveals, even when they may challenge your understanding or preconceived ideas.
4. Practice trusting in God’s faithfulness, knowing that when you call upon Him, He will answer and provide the guidance you need.
5. Share the wisdom and insights God reveals to you with others, encouraging them in their faith journey and drawing them closer to God.

Today's Wisdom

Jeremiah 33:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s invitation for us to call upon Him and receive His wisdom and revelation. As followers of Christ, let us cultivate a prayerful life and approach God with humility, trusting in His faithfulness to answer and guide us. By doing so, we can grow in our understanding of God’s truths, experience His guidance in our lives, and share His wisdom with others.

James 1:17

 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17

The Good Within

Have you ever lost touch with someone you used to be close to? Maybe it was a childhood friend. You spent all of your time together, but then grew apart once you got older. Maybe you let distance separate you from friends or family. Maybe it was a relationship. You went your separate ways. It can be heartbreaking to lose touch with someone. It can be especially difficult if that person changes and becomes someone different. However, God never changes. He is constant. We can count on Him to be there for us, to care for us, and to bless us when we stay within His will.

Everything we experience, all of the good things we have, is from the Lord above. He is the one who gives us all we need. He is the one who blesses us in this life. Our greatest blessing, however, is knowing Christ Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, the One who rescues. He is the greatest blessing.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are a blessing in my life. You have rescued me and saved me from my sins. Everything I am is because of you. Everything I have is because of you. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Our Daily Bread: God's Brand

 The Bible in One Year: Isaiah 14-16/Ephesians 5:1-16

Today's Reading: Zechariah 3:1-7

I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you. ~Zechariah 3:4

God's Brand

Scooping up the smallest children, a frantic maid raced out of the flaming house. As she ran, she called loudly to five-year-old Jacky.

But Jacky didn't follow. Outside, a bystander reacted quickly, standing on the shoulders of a friend. Reaching into the upstairs window, he pulled Jacky to safety—just before the roof caved in. Little Jacky, said his mother Susanna, was "a brand [stick] plucked from the burning." You might know that "barnd" is the great traveling minister John Wesley (1703-1791).

Susanna Wesley was quoting Zechariah, a prophet who provides valuable insight into God's character. Relating a vision he had, the prophet takes us into a courtroom scene where Satan is standing next to Joshua the high priest (3:1). Satan accuses Joshua, but the Lord rebukes the devil and says, "Is this not a brand [burning stick] plucked from the fire?" (v. 2 KNJV). The Lord tells Joshua, "I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you" (v. 4).

Then the Lord gave Joshua this challenge—and an opportunity: "If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house" (v. 7).

What a picture of the gift we receive from God through our faith in Jesus! He snatches us from the fire, cleans us up, and works in us as we follow His Spirit's leading. You might call us God's brands plucked from the fire. ~Tim Gustafson

Father, we give You our thanks for rescuing us and making us right with You. We humbly ask for Your Spirit's guidance as we serve You today.

God rescues us because He loves us; then He equips us to share His love with others.

Bible Verse

When God Seems Far Away

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; ~Psalm 139:9

Matthew 6:9

Matthew 6: 9 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Daily Devotion: Hear God's Voice

 Daily Bible Verse

I am the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. ~Deuteronomy 5:6-7

Daily Inspiration

Moses reminds the nation of Israel here in Deuteronomy, just before they entered the promised land, of the 10 commandments they received from God when they stood before Mount Sinai. The first of those commandments was that He, the only true God and the God who saved them out of slavery in Egypt, must be the only God they worship.

Daily Prayer

You, Lord, are our God and our Savior. You brought us up out of slavery to sin in the world. You alone must be FIRST in our hearts. We cannot serve You and worldly pleasures. We CANNOT make another god stand beside You and be true worshippers of You. Help us to dedicate ourselves fully to You, Lord, that we be not double-minded or double-hearted. Amen.

Jesus, thank You!!!!!

Hear God's Voice

By Frances Taylor

Hear God's Voice: We know God's goodness and His power, but we often complain as well. ~Psalm 95:8-9

The Israelites had escaped from Egypt thanks to God, who had charged Moses with the task of leading them across the Red Sea to freedom. Now they were complaining. They forgot how badly they had been treated, how they had been tortured, and remembered only that they had food to eat and water to drink. God had already sent the Manna for them to eat, and now they wanted water. And so they went to Moses and complained that they had nothing to drink. God told Moses to strike the rock, and water would pour forth. This place was called Meribah and Massah because they tested God and quarreled with Him. Even though they had seen God's power, they hardened their hearts. We have seen what God's goodness and His power are, but we often complain as well. "Okay, I got the job, but I wanted more money and another week of vacation." "I know I found a place to live, but it's hard to carry the groceries up that flight of stairs." "Yes, you answered my prayers, but not the way I wanted you to." All God asks of us is gratitude. No matter what our circumstances are, we can't seem to be content. I understand poverty, but I know that when I had barely enough to keep a roof over the head of my family and food on the table, I knew that I was lucky. I had a job, my children could go to school, and I had food, even though it wasn't always what they wanted. I knew that many had much less, and I was grateful. Some make so much money I can't even begin to think about how they spend it all, and yet they want more. Let us not be like the Israelites in the desert and harden our hearts, BUT BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE.

Prayer

Lord, You are a loving Father to us ALL and give us what we need. You led the Israelites to freedom from slavery, and You have sent Your Son, Jesus, to lead us to freedom from sin and death. May we not harden our hearts like the Israelites, but always be grateful for our blessings. Amen.

When You Feel Ashamed

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. ~Philippians 1:6

The Deceitful Human Heart

 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

Jeremiah 17:9 reveals the true nature of the human heart: deceitful and desperately wicked. This verse reminds us that our natural inclination is to follow our own desires and pursue our own self-interests, often leading to sin and separation from God. Our hearts are prone to deception, and we can easily be misled by our own feelings and desires.

 

As fallen human beings, we are incapable of fully understanding the depth of our own deceitfulness. This is why we need the transforming power of God’s grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring about true change in our lives. We cannot rely on our own understanding or wisdom, as our hearts are fundamentally flawed and in need of redemption.

Time to reflect

With the understanding that our hearts are deceitful and beyond our own comprehension, consider these points as we seek to live a life led by the Spirit:

 

• Acknowledge our inability to fully understand or change our own hearts and the need for God’s intervention.
• Turn to God in repentance, asking Him to reveal and heal the hidden deceitfulness within our hearts.
• Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our thoughts, actions, and desires.
• Immerse ourselves in God’s Word, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds as we grow in our relationship with Him.
• Cultivate a lifestyle of prayer and dependence on God, recognizing that apart from Him, we are helpless to overcome the deceitfulness of our own hearts.

Prayer Of The Day

Lord, we confess that our hearts are deceitful and beyond our own understanding. We acknowledge our need for Your transforming power and grace in our lives. Please search our hearts, reveal any hidden sin, and lead us on the path of righteousness. Help us to rely on Your guidance and wisdom, rather than our own understanding. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and empower us to live lives that honor and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Strengthening Faith

To confront and overcome the deceitfulness of our own hearts, we can:

1. Regularly examine our hearts through prayer and reflection, asking God to reveal any hidden sin or deception.
2. Confess our sins and turn to God for forgiveness and healing, trusting in His grace and mercy.
3. Prioritize spending time in God’s Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
4. Seek accountability and support from fellow believers, encouraging one another in our walk with God.
5. Cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship, focusing on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Today's Wisdom

The deceitfulness of the human heart is a sobering reality, but it is not a cause for despair. As we acknowledge our need for God’s grace and guidance, we can experience the transforming power of His Spirit in our lives. By seeking His wisdom and submitting to His direction, we can overcome the deceitfulness of our own hearts and walk in the truth, love, and righteousness that He desires for us. Let us depend on God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us in the path of true and lasting transformation.

Isaiah 55:12

 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

Isaiah 55:12

Joy in Your Life

A life with God is a life of joy and peace. Outside of God’s will, you will find turmoil, bitterness, depression, and fear. But inside the will of the Lord, you will always experience joy and peace. At the moment of salvation, God places His joy and peace deep in your heart so that when you experience times of trouble, pain, or sorrow, joy and peace will be there. That is something that Christians have that is different from the world: his lasting joy and His permanent peace. All the world can offer is temporary and never satisfies.

Sometimes it can be hard to see His joy and peace in the midst of trials. Spend some uninterrupted time in the Word of God. His words will quiet your heart and give you a hope that only He can give. Spend some time today praying and crying out to Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you and will walk with you in this life.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are my joy. You are my peace. Without you, I have no joy and no peace. It can only be found in you, Oh Lord. May my life be a testimony of the work that you do. Amen.

Patience in Waiting for the Lord's Return

 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5:7 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

James 5:7 reminds us of the importance of patience, especially as we anticipate the return of the Lord. Just as a farmer waits for the land to yield its crop, we too should patiently wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s timing, knowing that He is faithful to His Word.

 

Our lives are full of moments when we are called to exercise patience, whether it be in our relationships, careers, or personal growth. As Christians, we can draw strength from the knowledge that our ultimate hope is in the Lord’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. In the meantime, we are called to persevere and demonstrate patience as we serve Him and live out our faith.

Time to reflect

Consider these applications from James 5:7 in your daily walk:

 

• Practice patience in all aspects of life, trusting that God’s timing is perfect and that He is in control.
• Reflect on the return of the Lord as your ultimate hope, allowing it to shape your priorities and values.
• Be encouraged by the faithfulness of God, knowing that He will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.
• Seek to cultivate patience in your relationships, demonstrating grace and understanding with others.
• Remember that patience is a fruit of the Spirit and ask God to help you grow in this area.

Prayer Of The Day

Lord, we ask for Your help as we strive to cultivate patience in our lives. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to patiently wait for Your promises to be fulfilled. As we look forward to the return of Jesus, may our hope in Him shape our priorities and values. Strengthen our faith and help us to demonstrate patience and grace in our relationships with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

To apply the lessons from James 5:7, take these action steps:

 

1. Reflect on areas in your life where you struggle with impatience and ask God to help you grow in patience.
2. Regularly remind yourself of the hope found in Jesus’ return and allow it to shape your perspective.
3. Pray for patience in your relationships, and actively seek ways to demonstrate grace and understanding to others.
4. Study the lives of biblical characters who demonstrated patience, such as Abraham, Joseph, and Job, and learn from their examples.
5. Seek accountability and encouragement from fellow believers as you strive to cultivate patience in your life.

Today's Wisdom

James 5:7 teaches us the importance of patience as we anticipate the return of the Lord. As we trust in God’s perfect timing and seek to cultivate patience in our lives, we can find hope, strength, and encouragement in the knowledge that our ultimate hope rests in Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom.

Isaiah 54:10

 For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Godly Love in a Broken World

God’s love is as vast as the ocean and as high as the mountains. His Word says in 1 John 4:19 that we only know how to love because He first loved us. In the beginning of time, He created the world so that man could walk with Him and delight in Him. Then, He continued to show man His unconditional love after man sinned in the Garden of Eden. He poured out His grace on mankin, so that even though sin prevented man from remaining in the Garden, He took care of man for generations. He rescued the man from Egypt, where they lived as slaves. He gathered the remnant of people from the countries that overtook Israel because of their sins and denial of God. He gave them their land once again. He sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby to walk the earth with man. The greatest form of godly love, though, was when He sacrificed His Son on the cross for the sins of mankind. That is godly love.

We can love with that kind of love. We can have a faithful love that never leaves, never forsakes, never disappoints. We can only love like God loves if we continue to live in His love every single day.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are so faithful. Your love never fails. You never break your promises. You have poured out your mercy on my life. May I live like you lived and love like you love. Amen.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

 But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will certainly die.

Genesis 2:17 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

Genesis 2:17 reveals the command God gave to Adam in the Garden of Eden. God provided Adam with everything he needed, including food, companionship, and a beautiful environment to live in. However, there was one restriction: Adam was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This command was a test of Adam’s obedience and trust in God’s wisdom and authority.

 

The prohibition against eating from this tree was an expression of God’s love and care for Adam. God knew that eating from the tree would result in spiritual death and separation from Him. Despite the perfection of the Garden and the close relationship Adam shared with God, Adam still had free will and the ability to choose whether or not to obey God’s command.

 

This verse serves as a reminder that obedience to God’s commands is crucial for maintaining a close relationship with Him. When we choose to follow God’s instructions, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom, love, and sovereignty.

Time to reflect

Reflecting on Genesis 2:17, we can apply the teachings of this verse in our personal lives by:

 

• Recognizing the importance of obedience to God’s commands as an expression of our trust and love for Him.
• Acknowledging that God’s instructions are given out of love and care for our well-being, even when we may not fully understand the reasons behind them.
• Examining our hearts and lives to identify areas where we may be disobeying God’s commands or resisting His guidance.
• Seeking God’s help in repenting from our disobedience and aligning our lives with His will and purposes.
• Spending time in prayer and studying God’s Word to better understand His commands and instructions for our lives.

Prayer Of The Day

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and care for us. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and guidance, knowing that Your commands are given for our good. Forgive us for the times we have disobeyed Your instructions or resisted Your leading. Strengthen us to align our lives with Your will and purposes, and grant us the grace to walk in obedience to Your Word. May our hearts be fully surrendered to You, and may we grow in our relationship with You as we choose to trust and obey. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

Considering Genesis 2:17, take these action steps to grow in obedience and trust in God:

 

1. Spend time daily in prayer and Bible study to deepen your understanding of God’s commands and His will for your life.
2. Identify areas in your life where you may be struggling with disobedience or resistance to God’s guidance, and seek His help in addressing these issues.
3. Cultivate an attitude of humble surrender to God’s will, trusting that His commands are given out of love and for our ultimate good.

Today's Wisdom

Genesis 2:17 serves as a powerful reminder that obedience to God’s commands is essential for maintaining a close relationship with Him. As we choose to follow His instructions, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom, love, and sovereignty. By aligning our lives with God’s will, we can experience the fullness of the blessings and spiritual growth He desires for us. Let us commit to walking in obedience to His Word and growing in our trust and dependence on Him.

Isaiah 9:6-7

 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:6-7

A Gift of Light

The Israelites looked forward to this prophecy long before it happened. They clung to the promise of God that He would send a Savior into the world. He would be the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. As the verse said, they trusted and knew that His government would rule with peace, fairness, and justice. He is a good king who made a way for His people to escape the darkness. While they didn’t get to see the prophecy fulfilled, they trusted Him just the same.

We live on the other side of this prophecy today! We have seen the promise fulfilled and know full well the saving grace of Jesus Christ. So this Christmas, praise God for the Son He has given us. That Son is the light of the world and drives out the darkness. So worship Him for being the light!

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are the light of the world. You are the hope of the world. You have driven the darkness out of my life and rescued me through the precious gift you gave in the form of the baby Jesus.