My Very Best Thought!

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I've written about this hymn line before so please indulge me once again.

Last Saturday morning during my devotions I turned the page in my hymnal to the next hymn I would sing, and  I found one of my favorite hymns before me. I love to sing "Be Thou My Vision." The words are a delight to the soul and in the first verse it has one of my very favorite lines:

"Thou my best thought by day and by night."

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;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.

Thou my great Father, I Thy dear child;

Thou in me dwelling, with Thee reconciled.

"Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.

Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tow'r;

Raise Thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

"Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always.

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

"High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!

Heart of my heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Let Jesus be your best thought always! 

By His Grace . . .

Feel Your Feelings

  

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 . . . 

Slowing down

 

"Remind me that my worth is not measured by how much I accomplish, how well I perform, or how tirelessly I keep moving, but by the simple grace of abiding close to You with a trusting heart.” Daily Devotion

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 . . .