Good Word Friday theme: Peace

Today's Good Word is for anyone who has ever felt forsaken by God for a time. This whole chapter, as well as its parallel in Isaiah 54, is a promise to Israel, but it speaks to anyone who has gone through a dry spell in life. After a period of longsuffering, God promises that His peace will come and "put joy where the pain had been."

This chapter uses the image of a barren woman to paint a picture of desolation, affliction, and inner tumult. Then, it describes how God uses her to bear children — so many that she sings for joy and must get a bigger tent to house her offspring. And the best part is this — God promises a future of unending peace for her and her descendants:

Good Word Friday theme: Peace

Today's Good Word talks about peace coming from the mountains and hills. I live on a mountain in Arizona. People who live in the fiery valleys flock to our mountain in the summer to find refuge from the blistering heat. They enjoy cool, fresh air. There's clear spring water. If they hike along one of the rims, they can refresh their perspective with a view that extends far and wide. After the sun goes down, the sky reveals just how many stars there are for the seeing.

Many people come here for a type of peace. To get away from "real life" for a minute. But, their time on the mountain eventually ends.

Good Word Friday theme: Peace

Can you use a little peace in these troubled times? Today's Good Word is about God's peace entering our lives.

The verse is the final goodbye that Alma gives to the people of Gideon at the conclusion of a sermon in which he explains who Jesus Christ is and outlines the basics of having faith in Christ. Alma perceives that the people of Gideon accept his words, and so he prays for peace to rest upon the people in every area of life — where they live, what they own, and their families. (Those are some of the areas of life that worry us most. Wouldn't it be amazing for peace to reign in them?)

Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

Today is the last verse that we're bringing to you on the theme of freedom and liberty. Today's psalm says that God "bringeth out those which are bound with chains." In other words, He frees prisoners. Many of us reading this know firsthand the wonderful liberty that comes when the shackles of sin are removed — on the day of baptism and every day afterward when we repent of our trespasses.

Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

Have you ever heard a minister or preacher or fellow Christian say that we're designed to worship something? If we don't worship God, then we'll find something else to worship. This is so true, and today's verse reinforces it.

Paul describes how we are all the servants (or worshippers) of sin. When we believe in Jesus, we are freed from that slavery. But after Jesus frees us, He does not simply let go of us, like a person releases a helium balloon to float away who knows where. Jesus holds on.

Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

Today's Good Word says that when we seek God's precepts, we walk at liberty. In other words, if we follow God and obey His commandments, then we are at liberty to walk down that path. That road is clear and uncluttered. It's a secure, sure walk, guided by a rod of iron.

Some chafe at this notion of liberty: "So I'm only 'free' to do what God wants. That's not real freedom." Oh, but it is. It's the difference between using an elevator versus climbing through the chimney.

Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

Today's verse reminds us that true freedom can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Freedom is an incredible gift. In the U.S., we enjoy many freedoms that people in other countries can only dream about. Yet, the freedom that Jesus offers is available to anyone — even people living in dictatorships, even people living in extreme poverty, even people living with disease, even people living in slavery right now.

Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

It's the first Friday in July, and we're kicking off a new theme for Good Word Friday: freedom and liberty. Tomorrow, as a matter of fact, we celebrate Independence Day. Two-hundred and forty-four years ago, the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain. The members of the Continental Congress had no idea that those 13 colonies had the potential to one day become the largest, most powerful, and most prosperous nation on the face of the earth.

We encourage you to think back on your own personal independence day — the day that you declared your independence from satan and the power he held over your eternal soul. You swapped that tyrannical ruler for a loving, merciful Father, and — oh, what joy!

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

Today is our last scripture on the theme of sharing your faith. Scroll up, read this verse again, and ask yourself, what does it have to do with sharing my faith?

This verse is telling us to be grateful, to not forget all God has done for us. When we are in tune with how good (how great) God has been to us, that overflows into a real relationship with Him, and that overflows into a ready testimony for anyone who will listen.

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

Today's scripture comes from a psalm of praise. This psalm lifts the God of Israel above the false gods of other nations. This psalm describes how the God of Israel reigns over all the earth regardless of whether the nations acknowledge Him or not. This psalm describes how the natural world worships God (the trees celebrate, the sky rejoices, the sea shouts). How much more should we exclaim, "The Lord reigns" (verse 10)?

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

For believers in the restoration, this scripture in Ezekiel is a familiar one. This prophecy uses a word picture to describe how the Bible (the record of Judah) and the Book of Mormon (the record of Joseph) are both God's word to His children. Together, they provide a full picture of God's plan and will for mankind.

When it comes to sharing our faith, especially the restoration, it's good to have scriptures like this one at the ready to support our beliefs. Having the ability to quote scripture is a fantastic resource. Quoting scripture isn't the right tool in every share-your-faith scenario, but ... 1.) Memorization is a great spiritual discipline for personal growth, and 2.) Scriptural support lends authority to our testimony because the scripture is God's word, not ours.

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

It's the first Friday of June — happy summer! — and we've got a new theme for our Good Word Friday scriptures. This month, the scriptures will be all about sharing our faith.

Today's verse from Romans tells us not to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Many of us think to ourselves (in our spiritually strong moments), "How could I possibly be ashamed of believing in Jesus?!" But we simultaneously feel fearful, hesitant, or uneasy about sharing this precious part of our lives with others. (What if they reject this belief that we hold so dear? What if they make us feel foolish, like we've been wrong about life all along?)

The fact is that there will always be people out there who will shame us for what we believe. Then, the ball is in our court. Will we respond to that shame by actually feeling ashamed? Or will we bounce back from the blow and continue steadfast in our faith?

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

We've all been there ... you're going about your regular business, and then suddenly, surprisingly a huge spotlight shines straight down on you — uh-oh — and you've got to open your mouth and say something. And you're not at all prepared. Your mind cannot land on any correct words. Your mouth hangs open (or maybe zips tight) and ... silence.

Think back to the last time you were ambushed by a moment like this. Maybe your boss approached you with a dizzying demand. Or your child finally asked that question you've been hoping he wouldn't. Perhaps it was when your neighbor said, "Tell me more about your church."

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

Have you ever had your heart set on attending an event, such as a concert, sports tournament, or conference, but your hopes were dashed by two little words: Sold Out.

Imagine standing outside the entrance to the theater, theme park, or stadium, knowing that all the magic is happening just a few steps away ... so close! But you can't cross the threshold without a ticket. And there are none left for you.

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

When I was a kid, I went to a science museum, and there was an exhibit on blindness where children crawled through a padded tunnel and experienced what it would be like to move about in total darkness. I eagerly entered the tunnel, took a few steps, got terrified, and had to turn back to the light.

Today's verse from Ephesians reminds us that we were once spiritually blind, feeling our way through life, never sure of exactly where to go or what to do. When we accepted Christ, the lights turned on. Now, we can see clearly. The good path is visible. The sinking sense of uncertainty isn't ever-present.