You Are What You…Think

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Early 12th Century)
By: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)

Listen to this version with a single solo voice as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this ancient hymn originally written in Latin, but still true today. There truly is no name like Jesus, no matter the century. Let’s tune our hearts.

Thought Processes

So what do you think about when you aren’t thinking about anything else? What you daydream about? The answers to these questions reveal a lot of information. Let me give you an example.

Today my oldest son turns 21. I can remember the first time I held him on my lap over two decades ago. The days leading up to his arrival, and those first few days with him, I could hardly focus on anything else but his arrival, and then his care. Another way of putting it. I was preoccupied.

Do you know that feeling? Sometimes it is a wonderful thing, and other times a dreadful one, but there are things that simply captivate our mental capacities at different points in our lives. They consume our thought processes.

What is that thing for you today?  A new job? An old wound? A broken relationship? You name it.

Truth be told, Jesus wants to be that preoccupying thought for you. He knows that a preoccupation with Him will resolve many of the struggles of your life, or at least give you a very different perspective on them. He is absolutely worthy of such undivided attention.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV

Jesus is all these things, and thinking of Him ushers them into our minds and our lives. We should work to cultivate a mindset that is fixated on Him. Thinking about Him often everyday allows our thoughts to reflect the beauty of our Savior.

RESONATE!
Thinking about the name of Jesus changes things. We often cry out to Him in desperation, but we should also set out minds on Him in delight, because these two extremes and everything in between them is impacted by our perspective on Him. Think about His name for a few moments right now. Then consider setting a timer to go off every hour through the rest of this day and when it goes off take a minute to think of it again. This is one way to develop a mindset that is filled with Jesus.

Reinforce Desires

All of us know things that are good for us, yet we sometimes lack the diligence to seek them as we should. When we think about things, our thoughts can influence our actions and even guide our appetites. Let me offer another example.

When I am watching my calorie intake managing my weight becomes a much simpler process. When I eat fewer calories than I need every day, I will loss weight. When I eat more than I need, well you the idea.  Counting calories influences and even constrains how I act on my appetites.

Could the same be true in other areas of our lives besides the physical? Absolutely.

What I think about, what I ponder in my soul, what I long for will indubitably affect the direction and fervency of what I desire. I what I desire has an impact on the quality of my life, so best to long for good things. And what better thing is there than the wisdom of knowing God?

With sweetness fills my breast;

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14 ESV

When we think on the things from the passage above they set our minds on Christ and His words. Feasting on His words brings a sweetness into our minds that can transform us from the inside out. His wisdom is indeed so sweet because it assures us of a future and a hope.

 

RESONATE!
Are you pursuing things that will bring sweetness to your soul? Jesus wants this for you, and frankly is that for you, but we must diligently seek. Thank Him for His sweet words and commit to feast on them everyday, trusting they will fill you with the sweetness of His presence.

Jesus, thank You for the sweetness of Your presence. Help me to experience it more and more everyday by filling my mind with your words. Give me a desire for more of You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Thoughtful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 21.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Just the thought of the name of Jesus does something for the true follower. Many times we cry out in desperation, but evenin delight, uttering His matchless name changes things. There truly is no name like the name of Jesus. Think about it for a few moments.

Jesus, fill my thoughts with Your name.

Where there was rot and decay He brings a vibrant and dynamic renewal and refreshing until sweetness displaces everything else. Is there anything threatening the filling of the core of your being today. Speak the name of Jesus in your heart again right now and experience His fullness.

Jesus, fill me with the sweetness of Your presence.

Even better will be that day when we finally see Him face-to-face. The sweetness of His unveiled glory in those moments will be sweeter than anything we will have ever experienced, by far. Ask the Spirit to help you long for that day.

Holy Spirit, help me long to see Jesus face.

The rest we will find in His presence that day will be overwhelming. So glorious will it be that for the balance of eternity we will never grow weary of marveling at its radiance. Peace promised by Him finally ours when we arrive in His presence. What an inheritance is ours! 

God, thank You for the promise of rest in Your presence.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post You Are What You…Think appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Jesus, the Very the Thought of Thee – https://pixabay.com/vectors/thought-bubble-think-comic-blank-305053/
With Sweetness Fill My Breast – https://pixabay.com/vectors/bee-jar-pot-honey-food-dessert-5069152/