Thoughts for Life: GAURDING YOUR THOUGHTS

Nancy Gavilanes- Lap after lap, Katie Ledecky was in familiar spot during the 1500-meter freestyle race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For some fifteen minutes, she was far ahead of the rest of the swimmers and alone with her thoughts.

What was Ledecky thinking about during the long race? In an interview conducted immediately following her gold-medal-winning performance in which she set a new Olympic record, Ledecky said she was thinking about her training partners and saying their names in her head. (Guard Your Thoughts)

Distance swimmers aren't the only ones who need to focus their minds on the right things. We as believers in Jesus also need to guard our thoughts throughout our faith journey.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian church to "rejoice in the Lord," not be "anxious about anything, but pray about everything (Philippians 4:4,6) The result? "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7). Jesus, the Prince of Peace, helps put our worries and troubles in perspective.

Paul also encouraged believers: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lively, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things" (v 8).

As we go about our day, let's be aware of our thoughts. When we see God's hand in our life, we can count our blessings and worship Him.

Our Prayer- Dear God, may my thoughts be pleasing to You."

In Jesus' name. Amen.

My weekly advice from the book, "We All Married IDIOTS, by Elaine W. Miller:

(p. 64) "Marrital happiness is enhanced when a husband and a wife hold on to the good times and the traits they adore, and let go of things that irritate."

#118 Testimony- Corrie Ten Boone

Corrie Ten Boone relates how fear suddenly seized her on a harrowing car ride through the Califonia mountains. She was able to regain inner composure when she began praying for others; people with whom she had traveled, her companions in a German concentration camp and her school friends of years ago.

1641-1645 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1641- Is. 54:10b "My kindness shall not depart from thee."

1642- Ps. 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept thy word."

1643- Is. 40:9b "Lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid."

1644- Ps. 12:7a "Thou shalt keep them, O LORD."

1645- Is. 46:10b "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."

#118 Hymn- Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (p. 95)

Henry Francis Lyte's colorful, bittersweet life contributed to the pensive depth of his beautiful hyms. Henry was born in Scotland in1793.His father abandoned them once they were id Ireland, and young Henry was raised by his mohter who taught him the Bible and instructed him about prayer. After he entered Pltora Royal School in Northern Ireland, his mother died, leaving Henry a nine- year-old orphan with no means of support.

Portora Royal School superintendent, Rev. Robert Burrows, saw something special in Henry. He invited him into his home, accepted him as part of his family, and paid for his educaiton. Henry excelled. At age 16, he was awarded financial assistance to Trinity College in Dublin, and he traveled there intending to enter the medical school. But something was pulling him toward the ministry, and he wound up instead in the Divinity School.

After college, Henry, 21, was ordained and began preachinig at St. Munn's Church in Taghmon, Ireland, and inland city south of Dubllin. There he made friends with another pastor, Rev. Abraham Swanne. When Swanne became critically ill, Henry cared for him and for his family, spending long hours talking to the dying man.

The two clergymen realized that thety were both blind guides, lost, without adequate personal relationships with Christ. As they searched the Scripures together, both Henry and his dying friend came to a deeper faith. He later wrote, "I began to study my Bible and preach in another manner than I had done previously." It was this incident that inspired his wonderful hymn, Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken, written in 1824 (revised in 1833).

Some encouraging words-

Our prayers matter to God, because we matter to Him. like a parent with pictues of beloved children prominently throughout the home, God keeps our prayers near Him because they are the expressions of our hearts. He longs to draw us close to Him.

Church Notes:

We are created in God's Image

Our real problem is a heart problem

Man's anger does not produce God's results

We're to be quick to hear, and slow to anger

Selt-righteousness is sin.

We're to walk in the fear of God, and deal with anger quickly

Give no opportuity for the evil one to enfluence us.

Upcoming posts:

Jan/13- A TOWER GARDEN- Mary Southerland

10th- JESUS AS A FRIEND- Karen (girl Friday)

17th- WHAT JESUS DID FOR US- Karen Hueng