Psalm 104:34

May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him for I rejoice in the Lord.  Psalm 104:34 NLT.

I can (somewhat) control the words I speak to try to be kind or loving or not to be cruel and hateful.  But no one other than God knows what I think unless I share those thoughts.  Because God knows my thoughts, even before I think them, I want all of them to be pleasing to Him.  Hard order when there is so much in the world going on but that is the second part of the psalm.  If I rejoice in the Lord, my thoughts, actions and words should always bring Him glory, honor and praise.  Tall order, but I do want my thoughts to be pleasing to God and I want to find true joy in Him and Him alone.  Help me to do so Lord! 

Psalm 104:33

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.  I will praise my God to my last breath.  Psalm 104:33 NLT

Nothing and no one will prevent me from singing to my God corporately or privately.  

John 14:27

John 14:27 NLT I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give you is a gift the world cannot give.  So don't be troubled or afraid.

Jesus did not leave us alone.  He gave us the Advocate (Holy Spirit).  He gave us a gift - a precious gift the world always wants but cannot give.  He gave us peace.  Peace of mind and heart.  Peace that transcends understanding. 

A gift the world cannot give because the world is not peaceful.  The world is filled of strife and conflict and unrest and so much more.

Jesus is filled with love and mercy and peace and so much more.

And he tells us not to be afraid or troubled.  

During these uncertain times I will unwrap the gift of Jesus and the peace only he can give.  I will not be troubled.  I will not be afraid.  I will trust in you Jesus!

Psalm 143:1

Hear my prayer, O Lord.  Listen to my pleas.  Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.  Psalm 143:1 NLT.  

David, writing this psalm, used three verbs "hear", "listen", and "answer" when he is talking/praying to God.  David knows God is not passive but alive.  He knows he is praying to a deity that is real - not manmade.  He knows God is hearing and listening and will answer his prayer in God's timing because he knew God was faithful and righteous.  He could trust God.  We too can trust God.  He listens when we pray.  He hears our pleas.  He will answer them the way He chooses to for His glory in His perfect timing and will.  Remember that and rest in that promise.  

Psalm 103:8

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love (Psalm 103:8 NLT)

Just think about that for a minute.  Say it out loud slowly.  Let the words soothe your soul.

                                          The Lord (God Almighty)

                                                       is

                                    compassionate and merciful (kind)

                            slow to get angry (patient, long suffering)

                                                 filled (full)

                                                    with

    unfailing love (it never fails, it never ends, it never gives up)

That is a true statement.  This is to be trusted and believed about the Lord our God.  Rest assured in that.  

                                    

                                             

Thanksgiving

We always have so much to be thankful for; no matter what the circumstances.

Rebuke

Matthew 9:26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm." NIV

I've been taking my time reading through the Gospel of Matthew, studying it, checking out different things about distances between cities mentioned there, etc.

Today took the time to list the 10 miracles Jesus did listed in Matthew chapters 8/9 (of course he did more than 10 miracles, but listed the ones mentioned in these 2 chapters).

Loved this verse and then wondered how Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves. What he said, how they too submitted themselves to him and obeyed him. Put a smile on my face :) 

 I would have liked to have been there and seen it.