Day 16 "Think Eternally, Act Daily"

As we read in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. "

Where there is no eternal perspective it is easy to get caught up in the world and lose track of the things that are most important. Remembering our purpose here in life and that each one of us is an eternal being helps us to see past life's trials and letdowns.

Task of the Day: Try to think of the eternal perspective in all that you do today. Whether it be at school, work or play.

Day 15 "Doing More"

Luke 21:36

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

Today's Task:

• Pray that you can do more than you believe you are capable of doing.
• Do all your normal tasks for the day...PLUS 1 other good thing.

Day 14 Priesthood Blessings

On May 15th over 170 years ago the Priesthood was restored again to the earth by the hand of John the Baptist to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Just like the apostles of old the authority to act in the name of God was given throught he laying on of hands. Since that time many have been blessed through the Priesthood power.
I did not grow up in a home where the Priesthood power was part of our everyday life until much later in life. At times it's easy to forget the blessings that come from the Priesthood in our homes. We are often guilty of taking it for granted.

Task of the Day: Give or partake in an ordinance of the Priesthood. Give thanks for the blessings of the Priesthood in your life.

Day 13 Being Loyal

The Book of Ruth is only 85 scriptures long, but contains a story of critical importance to the Old Testament. It gives evidence of the lineage of David and also gives a great example of loyalty that is evidenced through the story of Ruth and Naomi. For Ruth’s famous words,

"Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

Today’s lesson: Be loyal to those who are absent.

Day 12 The Yoke of Christ

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

As Christ tells us in Matthew, His is the only way to find true peace and happiness in this life.

Task of the day: Read Matthew 11 and contemplate how the yoke of Christ can benefit you and your marriage.

Day 11 Speak Kind Words

Simply put, today is the day to speak kind words and only kind words to your spouse. As we read in the hymn, "

1. Let us oft speak kind words to each other
At home or where’er we may be;
Like the warblings of birds on the heather,
The tones will be welcome and free.
They’ll gladden the heart that’s repining,
Give courage and hope from above,
And where the dark clouds hide the shining,
Let in the bright sunlight of love.

[Chorus]
Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live
And sunshine forever impart.
Let us oft speak kind words to each other;
Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.

2. Like the sunbeams of morn on the mountains,
The soul they awake to good cheer;
Like the murmur of cool, pleasant fountains,
They fall in sweet cadences near.
Let’s oft, then, in kindly toned voices,
Our mutual friendship renew,
Till heart meets with heart and rejoices
In friendship that ever is true.

Task of the day: Speak Kind words to your spouse.

Day 10 "Friends"

This is a message from a friend in response to the story of Bartimaeus:

"It is so true that we get discouraged easily, and that God wants us to keep trusting Him even in hard times. This is a very relevant story for our all of us in these tough economic times.

In reading about Bartimaeus, I was also reminded of the time when our Lord healed the man who was paralyzed. I think it is especially meaningful that in this instance, because the man was unable to pursue Jesus on his own, his friends brought him to where Jesus was and "lifted him up" on his mat to bring him into the presence of the true Healer.

Sometimes we need friends to "lift us up" in prayer to God in those times when, for whatever reason, we are unable to ask for help ourselves.

Also, in this story, it is significant that Jesus clarifies that it is far more important the state of our souls than the state of our physical circumstances. We are so in need of Him to be our Savior, and forgive our sins... and this is even more important than asking Him to heal us of our physical woes and sicknesses (although He shows he has power to do that as well!)

Isn't it great how all the examples in the Bible show us a bit more about God's character and love for us? I suppose it is good for our character to learn to let others help us, and "lift us up" before the Lord, who can really help us on a deeper level.

This life is an exciting journey."

Task for the day:

• Read Matthew 9: 2-8.
• Pray for your friends, including those friends who share your home.
• Do a kind act of service or encouragement for a friend or someone you know.

Day 9 "Finding the good in others"

"Never Fail To Mark The Good."
(Dallin H. Oaks)

A lesson that is frequently forgotten.

Today's task:
• When you find good in someone, tell them.

Day 8 "Avoiding Criticism"

I came across this scripture many months ago. Since then, I have heard it repeated silently in mind many times, especially when I am in a heated moment with one of the children.

Colossians 3:21

"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."

Let's dissect.

Fathers - that means everyone.

provoke - to give rise to, induce, or bring about.

'to' anger - this is either a verb or noun

• verb

to arouse anger or wrath in.

• noun

a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.

or

A strong feeling of hostility

discouraged - to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.

That seems like the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish in our relationships.

What are we without HOPE?

Fact: It is 10 times easier to criticize than to encourage.

Task for the Day:

• For every negative thing you say to anyone else (including the children in your life), say 10 phrases of genuine encouragement.

Day 7 "The Atonement"

Please read Isaiah Chapter 53

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 ¶ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Task of the Day: Contemplate what the Atonement means to you in your life.

Day 6 "Miracles"

One of the first miracles performed by Jesus happened at a wedding. We read in John Chapter 2 where the mother of Jesus petitions Jesus to fulfill the need for customary wine. Jesus performs the miracle and we are told in verse 11,
"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."

When contemplating a miracle, we consider it to be a special event occurring beyond our influence or control.

All of life is a miracle. I think most days we forget to acknowledge the many wonders that surround us.

Toady's Task:
• Remember that it is a miracle we are here.
• Remember that God has a plan for us and nothing happens by accident.
• Consider that Faith Precedes the Miracle
• Treat those people in your life with the utmost gratitude and respect.... as any disciple of Christ would....who believes in miracles.

Day 5 "I know that man is nothing"

We read in the Book of Moses of the time that Moses was led up to the Mountain and spoke with God "face to face". He was shown the works of God from the beginning to the end. As the presence of God left Moses, he was left to his own strength. It reads,

"And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon Moses; and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did again receive strength like unto man; and he said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."

I think of this passage of scripture when I am fasting. For at times it does feel like "we are nothing" without our physical strength. Then relying on our Father in Heaven we are made spiritually strong.

Matthew writes of a time when the disciples were taught about the power of fasting. (Matthew 17:14-21) Even the Savior Himself relied on the power of prayer and fasting to perform His mighty miracles.

Task for the day: Perform a meaningful fast with prayer. Pray for your spouse and family.

Day 4 "Forgiveness"

One of my favorite stories from the New Testament is found in Luke 7.

Jesus is invited to dinner by one of the Pharises. A woman there washes Jesus' feet with her tears and wipes them with the hair of her head. The pharise and Simon judge Jesus for his association with a sinner.

Jesus then teaches us of the parable of the debters. One owed little and one owed much. Both were frankly forgiven. He asks, "which of them will love him most?"

Simon answers, "I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most."

And Jesus taught those present of the love and respect that was shown to Him by a sinner, yet those of respectability did not show Him even the slightest consideration as a specially invited guest.

He taught them of love... and also forgiveness.

Task for the day:

• Read Luke 7: 36-50
• Read it until you feel it.....the way that woman felt it.
• Forgive your spouse
  

Day 3 "Godly Sorrow"

I read an article from President Benson some time ago. I was impressed by the following passages,

The fourth concept I would like to stress is what the scriptures term “godly sorrow” for our sins. It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute “godly sorrow.”

Godly sorrow is vividly portrayed in two places in scripture. In the final days of the Nephite nation, Mormon said of his people: “their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.

“And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die.” (Morm. 2:13–14.)

In the Eastern Hemisphere, the Apostle Paul labored among the people of Corinth. After reports came of serious problems among the Saints, including immorality (see 1 Cor. 5:1), Paul wrote a sharp letter of rebuke. The people responded in the proper spirit, and evidently the problems were corrected, for in his second epistle to them, Paul wrote: “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. …

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Cor. 7:9–10.)

In both of these scriptures, godly sorrow is defined as a sorrow that leads us to repentance.

Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (See 3 Ne. 9:20; Moro. 6:2; D&C 20:37, 59:8; Ps. 34:18;Ps. 51:17; Isa. 57:15.) Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance.

What a sobering reminder! That our sins actually resulted in the Savior's anguish. He is simply waiting for us to come unto Him with sincere repentance.

Task of the Day: Repent! Pray that God will forgive you. Ask your spouse to forgive you.

Day 2 "Thou Art the Christ"

A favorite scripture of mine from Matthew,

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"
"and they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jermias, or one of the prophets."
"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

The 40 day challenge is based on having faith in our Savior. That through Him we can become closer together and feel of His peace.

Task for the day: Pray that you might receive a testimony of Christ as Peter did.

Day 1 "Humility" Reposted

Read Judges Chapter 7 verses 1-8

Gideon was chosen to lead the people of Israel out of the bad situation they found themselves in. It was because of their disobedience to the commandments and their forgetfulness, that the Lord allows Israel to be ruled harshly by others. Finally, in their humility, they ask for help. They are blessed with the help they need, but the Lord wants to make it very clear, that it is by His hand that they are saved.

Gideon leads an army of 32,000. The Lord tells Gideon it is too many. Gideon separates any who have fear. 22,000 are excused. The remaining 10,000 are far out numbered. The Lord again says there are too many. Gideon leads his soldiers to a river where they are tested.

As you read, consider the characteristics of a good soldier.

• Fearless
• Alert
• Cautious
• Humble

Those chosen did NOT lay down their weaponry and turn their backs completely from their enemies, but instead knelt down to bring the water carefully with one hand to their mouths.

300 are chosen and the Lord delivers Israel, "as if by one man".

Neal A. Maxwell taught, "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability."

Teaching is Conceptual.
Training is Practical Application

Task of the Day:

Take a minute to look around.

Notice all you have been blessed with.

Say a humble prayer of gratitude.

Spend the day considering the comforts in your life

and the good people who surround you.

At the end of the day, again thank Heavenly Father

for the good life He has given you.