Pleasing Words and Thoughts

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – (Psalm 19:14, HCSB)

May my words and thoughts please You. Lord, You are my Rock – the One who rescues me. – (Psalm 19:14, ERV)

May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer. – (Psalm 19:14, VOICE)

Our thoughts and words matter to God. The musings of the heart are directly linked to what we take in. For me, this means that in order to keep my thoughts from wandering down a road I need not travel, I have to be cautious about what I consume. If I set my heart on God to begin each day, I am in a better position to choose my words and direct my thoughts wisely. However, if I listen to or watch something violent or full of angst, even if my words do not reflect what I have taken in, my thoughts struggle to turn away from the unpleasant. I know some folks have a filter that simply sifts out such stuff, but as a very visual individual, it is too difficult to not keep reliving what I do not want to relive. Everyone is different, but it is important to know how we can best keep our words and thoughts turned toward God, so that what we say, think and do is a reflection of His love. May we ever seek the Lord to help set our hearts on Him so that our words and the musings of our hearts will be pleasing to God.

O Lord, let Your love,

Lead my thoughts and words;

So goodness is stored,

And grace is what’s heard.

Keep my heart upheld,

In Your loving light;

By grace filter out,

All that is not right.

Show me through Your lens,

That which needs to go;

Flood me with Your thoughts,

So Your love is shown.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, You show us what it is to meditate on Your love and share it with others through all that we do and say. Forgive us for every word and thought that has not been pleasing to You. Teach us how to clear our minds of that which does not build up, and to set our sights on You and Your love. Show us how to love those around us as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to help keep our words and thoughts on that which is pleasing to You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May my meditation be pleasing to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. – Psalm 104:34

Wholehearted Seeking

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. – (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)

You will search for Me, and when you search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me. (Jeremiah 29:13, ERV)

If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. – (Jeremiah 29:13, NLT)

 

Yesterday, was my marathon day for student-led conferences. After being at school for more than twelve hours, I was ready to head home when our day ended at 7:00 pm. Despite the long hours, I was provided plenty of time to accomplish much. Working in silent solitude is a wonderful way to clear my mind and center my heart. Three hours of purging in my back room (that was full of things left behind by several prior occupants) allowed my heart to fix on what matters most, and my mind to dump the junk, in the same way I was clearing out the clutter from my back room. God is not difficult to find when we wholeheartedly seek Him. He is found in the ordinary and mundane, just as easily as in the incredible and miraculous, if only we set our hearts and minds on the seeking. The excitement I was holding for the possibilities that lie ahead, still remain, and I am in a better space after having had a day away from a regular school day. I know not whether the possibility will come to fruition; however, I am certain that whatever transpires will be exactly what is best for me in this season. May we ever look for the Lord wholeheartedly, for it is when we do, that we find the One for whom we are seeking.

My favorite portion of catching up with my sister yesterday was the photo and video clip she shared with me of my sweet nephew and Mom. They had all gone out to dinner and Mom was using her walker. She does well, but sometimes curbs can be tricky. Ethan, being the “dainty fellow” that he is, went in for a hug, wrapped Mom in close and secure, and did a slow swirl to move her from on top of the curb to down by the car. Her smile in the photo says it all, and Meg said her response was, “Now, that, is the BEST hug I have had all day!” ❤ Our families cannot wait to get together for Thanksgiving, and I know Mom is beyond eager to have us all together under the same roof again.

 

When we seek the Lord,

He’s faithful and true;

His presence is found,

As hope is renewed.

With all that we are,

And all that we do;

Pursue the Lord’s help,

See His words shown true.

For the Lord is good,

Faithful forever;

Waiting for our hearts,

In each endeavor.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You with our whole heart, we find You. Thank You that You see and know the desires of our hearts, and that You honor and bless us with what is best. Forgive us for not seeking or for giving way to doubt. Teach us to trust and seek You more. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage, strengthen and build others up. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You wholeheartedly. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. – Proverbs 2:3-5

Unseal My Lips

Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise You. – (Psalm 51:15, NLT)

O Lord, pry open my lips that this mouth will sing joyfully of Your greatness. – (Psalm 51:15, VOICE)

My Lord, I will open my mouth and sing Your praises! – (Psalm 51:15, ERV)

 

Be it by circumstances or lack of stamina, sometimes we fail to let our lips offer praise to the Lord when it is overdue, and instead allow things that do not benefit anyone to escape our mouths. We cannot simultaneously sing praise and complain. Either our hearts are fixed on His greatness, or we are looking away at that which distracts. If we seek the Lord and set our hearts and minds on who He is and all that He has done, the very mouth that meant to grumble only moments before, suddenly cannot help but sing of the greatness of God. A holy perspective unseals locked lips, and opens hearts to praise He who is worthy. May we fix our eyes and hearts on the Lord above, allowing Him to reveal more and more of who He is and what He has done, so that we cannot help but sing praise unto the Lord.

 

Oh Lord, let my eyes,

Fix clearly on You;

So my heart may hold,

All that is the truth.

Lord, unseal my lips,

So that I may praise;

This heart shall sing songs,

That tell of Your ways.

With joy, songs shall flow,

From this heart of mine;

Because You are great,

O Holy Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all of our praise. Thank You that as we seek You, You reveal more and more of who You are, and show Your loving kindness unto us. Forgive us for not giving You proper praise. Unseal our lips so that we would ever bring praise before You. Teach us to praise You in all that we do. May our very lives be a song sung to You. Show us how to love others as You so joyfully and generously love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing with joy, of the greatness of who You are and all that You have done. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13