Greetings to you in the name of the One who is ever revealing Himself to us, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! I trust that all is going well with you and that you are enjoying the first days of 2017. It is a beautiful day that God has created for us, although the weather is a little strange. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to touch your lives with health, strength, and happy hearts.
Yesterday was my 1st anniversary of having a ‘pace-maker’ regulating my heart rhythm … and I am so blessed to have life. It has been quite a year and each day is a ‘victory’, as well as an opportunity to learn something new about God’s goodness and faithfulness. In one of my devotionals I was intrigued by an approach to a favourite Bible verse and I have spent some time pondering.
The verse says…For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a future and a hope….Jeremiah 29:11. However, in Hebrew the word ‘plans’ can be better understood as ‘thoughts’, so that the verse could read – For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome – Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Hashem, thoughts of shalom (everything fitting together, being complete), and not of ra’ah (appearance, illusion), to give you an acharit (future) and a tikvah (hope). – Jeremiah 29:11 OJB.
I must say that I appreciate the idea that it is not simply ‘plans’ that God has for me but that I am in his thoughts…He is thinking about me – that is a ‘wow!’. I couldn’t help but think of a song … what a surprise, eh?… because one of my other favourite Bible verse says that He, God, rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). The song, ‘Always On My Mind’ was sung by several different artists and my favourite was ‘Willie Nelson’. I looked up the words and made a few minor adjustments, so hear God singing over us…
You think that maybe I didn’t love you – Quite as often as I could have – And that I didn’t treat you – Quite as good as I should have – If you feel second best – I’m sorry but you are blind – You are always on my mind – And if you think that I didn’t hold you – Through all those lonely, lonely times – I guess you didn’t hear me tell you – That I am happy that you are mine – Little things I have said and done – Oh so many times to tell you – You are always on my mind – Now tell me – Tell me that your hope and love hasn’t died – And come to me – Let me keep you satisfied – I will keep you satisfied – Remember all the little things I have said and done – In my own good and perfect time – You are always on my mind – Yes! you are always on my mind.
I believe it to be true … we are always on His mind, corporately and individually! Be blessed.