There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21
My heart, sometimes feels a plethora of emotions; so many things at different times; excitement, joy, tension, enthusiasm, unrest, anxiety, strain, frustration, stress, happiness, concern, and yes, sometimes sadness. How is that possible you might say? Well, I would probably venture out and respond, “other than the fact that I am still human, I’m not really sure how I permit that to happen.” Especially, since I know that it is necessary to exercise my faith and obedience in the midst of all things, while not allowing my mind to wander into the abyss. A person, such as me, who studied psychology, might have a different opinion given the opportunity to counsel. But trust me, I’m sane. However I am, as mentioned previously, a thinker. I occasionally think myself into a stupor by analyzing, over analyzing and over evaluating instead of just relaxing and resting in the counsel of the Lord instead of my own. Perhaps, it’s not the same for you, and maybe it’s never been; but honestly, we are always at all times experiencing or pondering something in our heart and mind. If we give this manner of thought some careful consideration, you will understand the place from which I speak.
Reflection is deemed as careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions (second guessing), events, or decisions and then also the manifestation, expression, evidence, or considered thought; even musing, which is to think about something in a deep, serious, dreamy, or theoretical way. Since I have always had a vivid imagination; I see, visualize and meditate on the pros and cons of every situation or circumstance. Needless to say, I tire myself out quite a bit as you can tell by the different emotions listed above. I believe those characteristics might fall into the mental makeup category of a thinker. Thank God for becoming new creature, seasoned and matured in Christ, with only some recurring relapses in this area, which are now far less than more often. I deemed it necessary to share this today because we oftentimes fall short and even the most deeply grounded in Christ should be able to express that at any given time that “I’m not perfect, yet I strive toward perfection in Christ” (Heb 6:1). Not saying it's right, I'm just saying, it happens. But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy is able to gently nudge us (me) back to where He needs us to be in order to be used for His purpose.
The scripture today tells us that many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails or at least it should be. God’s purpose for our life should always win through and triumph over all the thoughts and feelings of our heart. Scripture tells us to bring every thought into captivity (2 Cor 10:5-7) because it is certainly not about a feeling or our thoughts about a matter. At the end of the scripture in verse 7, it says, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." Now, if we could remind ourselves to remember just that at all times, amen? Remembering that God has already made provisions for everything we face, every trial, every tribulation, every circumstance, and every situation. He already knows the outcome and He reminds us through Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God already has His thoughts toward us, He already knows our expected end, He already knows His purpose for our lives. In that purpose comes molding and shaping. No, it doesn't always feel good and we certainly might not like it but we must be tried through the fire in order for us to be found unto the praise and honour and glory of Christ at His return.
However, we sometimes hinder that progress by what we say, what we think (Proverbs 23:7) or do or the lack thereof. It is not about what I think and no matter how things may look, I must keep my mind on God's purpose for my life; I must remember that He is the one who is in control of all things. I can’t keep hindering my own blessings with my emotions because I don’t understand what God is doing, or why. Keeping that thought in the forefront of my mind is what's most important. I’ve got to change my way of thinking and change my attitude. I heard that our attitude affects our altitude. If we are trying to go higher in the Lord, we don’t want to stand in our own way and not allow Him to work out whatever He is trying to do for us in this season. We’ve got to remember Jesus' example to us at Gethsemane. He said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” No matter what we are facing, we have to say the same, “nevertheless not as I will, but as Your will be done. God allows things to happen so that we can experience it and then be able to witness to others who are going through the same thing. To let them know that Jesus is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask and tell them that the Lord is an ever present help in the time of need. He’s Jehovah Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Rophe, our healer; Jehovah Shalom, our peace; Jehovah Shammah meaning our God is there… whenever we need Him and or call on Him. Not to mention that He has already given us all power (Acts 1:8) and the authority to go into the world and lead others to Christ because He has qualified and equipped us for service. We must use what He has already given us and trying to do in us so that we can go out and be a blessing to someone else.
In spite of the contrast of the many reflections of my heart, the shifting and changing of emotions, from good to bad, from worse to better. Nevertheless, I will remember from this moment that I will heed to the unchanging and righteous counsel and leading of the Lord; I will commit my works unto Him, and therefore my thoughts shall be established (Proverbs 16:3); also knowing and keeping in my heart that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? And let the church say, Amen!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
My heart, sometimes feels a plethora of emotions; so many things at different times; excitement, joy, tension, enthusiasm, unrest, anxiety, strain, frustration, stress, happiness, concern, and yes, sometimes sadness. How is that possible you might say? Well, I would probably venture out and respond, “other than the fact that I am still human, I’m not really sure how I permit that to happen.” Especially, since I know that it is necessary to exercise my faith and obedience in the midst of all things, while not allowing my mind to wander into the abyss. A person, such as me, who studied psychology, might have a different opinion given the opportunity to counsel. But trust me, I’m sane. However I am, as mentioned previously, a thinker. I occasionally think myself into a stupor by analyzing, over analyzing and over evaluating instead of just relaxing and resting in the counsel of the Lord instead of my own. Perhaps, it’s not the same for you, and maybe it’s never been; but honestly, we are always at all times experiencing or pondering something in our heart and mind. If we give this manner of thought some careful consideration, you will understand the place from which I speak.
Reflection is deemed as careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions (second guessing), events, or decisions and then also the manifestation, expression, evidence, or considered thought; even musing, which is to think about something in a deep, serious, dreamy, or theoretical way. Since I have always had a vivid imagination; I see, visualize and meditate on the pros and cons of every situation or circumstance. Needless to say, I tire myself out quite a bit as you can tell by the different emotions listed above. I believe those characteristics might fall into the mental makeup category of a thinker. Thank God for becoming new creature, seasoned and matured in Christ, with only some recurring relapses in this area, which are now far less than more often. I deemed it necessary to share this today because we oftentimes fall short and even the most deeply grounded in Christ should be able to express that at any given time that “I’m not perfect, yet I strive toward perfection in Christ” (Heb 6:1). Not saying it's right, I'm just saying, it happens. But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy is able to gently nudge us (me) back to where He needs us to be in order to be used for His purpose.
The scripture today tells us that many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails or at least it should be. God’s purpose for our life should always win through and triumph over all the thoughts and feelings of our heart. Scripture tells us to bring every thought into captivity (2 Cor 10:5-7) because it is certainly not about a feeling or our thoughts about a matter. At the end of the scripture in verse 7, it says, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." Now, if we could remind ourselves to remember just that at all times, amen? Remembering that God has already made provisions for everything we face, every trial, every tribulation, every circumstance, and every situation. He already knows the outcome and He reminds us through Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God already has His thoughts toward us, He already knows our expected end, He already knows His purpose for our lives. In that purpose comes molding and shaping. No, it doesn't always feel good and we certainly might not like it but we must be tried through the fire in order for us to be found unto the praise and honour and glory of Christ at His return.
However, we sometimes hinder that progress by what we say, what we think (Proverbs 23:7) or do or the lack thereof. It is not about what I think and no matter how things may look, I must keep my mind on God's purpose for my life; I must remember that He is the one who is in control of all things. I can’t keep hindering my own blessings with my emotions because I don’t understand what God is doing, or why. Keeping that thought in the forefront of my mind is what's most important. I’ve got to change my way of thinking and change my attitude. I heard that our attitude affects our altitude. If we are trying to go higher in the Lord, we don’t want to stand in our own way and not allow Him to work out whatever He is trying to do for us in this season. We’ve got to remember Jesus' example to us at Gethsemane. He said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” No matter what we are facing, we have to say the same, “nevertheless not as I will, but as Your will be done. God allows things to happen so that we can experience it and then be able to witness to others who are going through the same thing. To let them know that Jesus is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask and tell them that the Lord is an ever present help in the time of need. He’s Jehovah Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Rophe, our healer; Jehovah Shalom, our peace; Jehovah Shammah meaning our God is there… whenever we need Him and or call on Him. Not to mention that He has already given us all power (Acts 1:8) and the authority to go into the world and lead others to Christ because He has qualified and equipped us for service. We must use what He has already given us and trying to do in us so that we can go out and be a blessing to someone else.
In spite of the contrast of the many reflections of my heart, the shifting and changing of emotions, from good to bad, from worse to better. Nevertheless, I will remember from this moment that I will heed to the unchanging and righteous counsel and leading of the Lord; I will commit my works unto Him, and therefore my thoughts shall be established (Proverbs 16:3); also knowing and keeping in my heart that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? And let the church say, Amen!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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