Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old.
A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: P. J. Wolz.
God IS our best thought, the very best thought our minds can have. God’s love comes through to fill us and help us in our daily walk.
Colossians 3:1-2: “Since, then, you have been raised with
Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Enduringword.com: “The best Christian living comes from
minds that are fixed on heaven. They realize that their lives are now hidden
with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and
hearts are connected to heaven also . . . The words ‘set your mind’ marks
aspiration, desire, and passion . . . In order to seek these things, the mind
must be set on them.”
Is God my best thought? Do I spend time with Him,
rejoicing in His love and worshiping Him for His grace and mercy? Does He enter
my mind during the day?
What about at night when I'm trying to fall asleep? Do I
fulfill David’s words in Psalm 63:6: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you
through the watches of the night.”
There is no question. You can’t think about anything as
great as our God and Savior, Jesus. The more we think about Him, the closer we
become to Him. Make Him your best thought always!
This hymn prayer is rich with
imagery of a high view of Christ, the unequaled treasure of finding Him, and
our total surrender to His Kingship.
The other verses are just as delightful! Read them slowly and with purpose.
"Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
On her blog, “Love Songs to My Life,” Gloria Gather
shared an interesting post from her friend, Kenna West. Kenna was sharing about
a song from her childhood that made it possible for her to “feel my
feelings” during turbulent years in her young life.
The phrase “feel my feelings” caught my mind and caused me to pause and remember turbulent times in my younger life. I believe it’s important to be able to express our feelings, let them out, in a good way, so that we can move forward and get past things that upset us.
I tried to recall the songs I clung to in difficult times as a non-believer, and then as a believer. But my memory just didn’t work well. I went through lists online and saw many titles I remembered but didn’t recognize words that had touched me. I'm just thankful there were songs I clung to during trying times in my life.
Since becoming a Christian, my comfort and release now comes from the Bible. Psalms provides an entire picture of happy and sad feelings, and how David and others got through them. I also find relief and comfort in hymns of old that tell the old, old story, and praise and worship songs that take us to the throne.
There are still songs written and sung today that we can
relate to in sadness, praise and thanksgiving.
I encourage you to “feel your feelings” as you walk through each day and find Scripture, hymns and praise and worship songs that help you identify and overcome thoughts that keep you in bondage. Remember to choose songs that praise our Lord and God. For there is no other who understands your feelings but our Savior and God.
By His Grace . . .
A friend sent me a post from Daily Devotion a few days ago,
and the above words caught my attention. I’ve slowed down. Some because of my
age. Some because of family caring responsibilities. And it took me
awhile to accept that I wasn’t doing as much as I used to.
I've been adjusting to this new season for two years. I’m sure some of my friends are experiencing this also, as many are close to my age. I wonder if they are feeling the change that we go through in our senior years.
Everything takes longer. Everything is harder. My favorite
expression is: “Why is this so hard?” It is amazing that everything you
do is harder than it used to be. Everything.
Often it has caused me to feel like I’m not doing anything. If
you are used to accomplishing a lot, it’s hard to accept that you just can’t do
it anymore.
I was still accomplishing fine when I turned 75, but last year and this year, now at the age of 77, there's been a big difference. I was upset at the beginning, missing my ability to do
more, but slowly I’ve accepted the reality and do my best to do what I can and
forget about the rest.
Jesus is with us even in our senior years. He still thrills
our souls. He still is within reach when we call. And He helps us adjust to
this season in our lives.
One thing I do know. I abide close to my Savior, and I trust
Him completely. I am worthy to Him because He loves me and continues to care
for me even when “it’s too hard.”
Think about the words in the above quote, my older friends. Abide
close to our Lord, and trust Him even though it is hard. You are worthy in His
eyes. And that’s really all that counts.
By His Grace . . .
"Sparkie, our 11-year-old dog, slowly walked through the door. 'Do we have to go out in this weather?' his eyes pleaded. That's how I felt too.
"The wind slapped my face and tears dropped from my eyes. 'Its been a difficult year, Lord,' I thought. Winter has harbored in my heart leaving me cold and dead, just like the trees. My eyes traveled around the yard taking in the bleak appearance. Problems had multiplied and left me drained of all my strength.
"Again, I noticed the trees. Once full of foliage, they now stood bare before me. And the remains of our productive garden now showed hard, cracked earth. 'Even the geese took a detour on their way home,' I told the wind.
"Yes, the year had left stains, and the ache in my heart hurt. 'I know I should be thankful, Lord,' I whispered.
"'Hurry Sparkie,' I yelled. 'I want to get back inside.'
"My eyes fixed on the maple tree behind our house. Stripped of all its colorful clothing, it looked dead. 'Just like my heart,' I thought. And then, I remembered the baby leaves.
"Last February, I began watching the buds develop on the maple tree. I couldn't remember ever taking the time to watch leaves grow, and decided I'd see firsthand how God gave them birth.
"Long tentacles reached out, as many as 10 or 15 from each bud, as I remember. At the end of the tentacles were blossoms and at their base were leaves. The leaves were bound together, just like the cold buds had been. As the weather warmed, they began to unfold.
"My heart tingled with excitement when the leaves began to open. My husband, Jerry, was at the garden, and I remember yelling excitedly to him, 'Come quick! the leaves are opening.'
"Half-inch baby leaves, perfectly shaped, stretched their little frames for all the earth to see.
"In one week, some leaves had grown to 3 inches in length. My eyes couldn't believe the transformation. As the leaves grew, the blossoms were blown to the ground. I walked on yellow drops of sun splattered all over the place. I had witnessed the birth of one of God's creations.
"The cry of a lone bird brought me back to the present. Chilled, I headed back to the house, shivering But my heart was no longer cold.
"You see, it's February now--just the time I began watching the frozen buds last year. When everything looked dead, and no life was visible, God was working. And now I knew God was working in me.
"Its been a long year, but I know my heart will feel the warmth of God's love again. Why, in just a couple of months, He'll bring me baby leaves.
"Come on, Sparkie,' I said. 'Let's go tend the fire.'"
Here we are in April once again, and baby leaves are beginning to open on the trees. It will always be a special time of year for me, for you see, God gave me baby leaves, His HOPE to me.
By His Grace . . .
.jpg)
A phrase we all know and turn to in our time of need is "God's
Everlasting Arms." The Scripture reads: "There is no one like
the God of Jeshurun [upright one or blessed], who rides across the heavens to
help you and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and
underneath are the Everlasting Arms." (Deuteronomy 33:26-27A)
The word refuge can also be translated mansion or abiding place, which offers the idea of God being our home. There is a beautiful fullness in this metaphor, for home is always dear to our hearts, whether it is the humblest of cabins, a mansion or the smallest of attic rooms. Even more dear to us, however, is our blessed God in whom we live and move and have our being.
Home is where we rest and relax after the tiring labor of the day. Likewise, our hearts find rest in God and our soul dwells in peace . . . we can let our guard down, not fearing we will be misunderstood . . . we can freely communicate with Him, completely laying open all our hidden desires.
Studylight.org, Clarkes Commentary: "'Everlasting arms.' As the arm is the emblem of power, and of power in a state of exertion, the words here state that an unlimited and unconquerable power shall be eternally exerted in the defense of God's Church, and in the behalf of all those who trust in Him."
His Everlasting Arms. Our shelter. Our retreat. Our abiding refuge. He is the only unshakeable refuge. We all know and love to sing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," written by Elisha A. Hoffman in 1887. Join me on the fourth verse: "What have I to dread, What have I to fear, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms? I have blessed peace With my Lord so near, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."
We have nothing to dread, and nothing to fear. Our God is near, and He has Everlasting Arms!
Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: "The Almighty power and infinite goodness of God, which protects and comforts all that trust in Him, in their greatest straits and distresses."
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7
By His Grace . . .
