“Do you remember,” Stan began, “when we talked about how I use a mental sticky note to remind me about taking every thought captive?”
“I do,” I replied. “You said you visualize a sticky note on the front of your brain. It has ‘ETC’ on it for ‘Every Thought Captive’.” [Note to Reader: See Posting Number 16A, ETC.]
“That’s right,” Stan replied. “I find it helpful to me in keeping inappropriate thoughts from interfering with my faith walk. It helps me in taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Continuing, he said, “I have another one for you I’ve found equally helpful.”
“Another mental sticky note?” I replied.
“Yes,” Stan said. “1914.”
“What’s so special about that year?” I asked.
“It’s not the year that’s special,” Stan replied, “it’s the verse from the Book of Psalms. Verse 14 of Chapter 19.”
“What does it say?” I asked.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Continuing, Stan added, “For me, if those two things are acceptable in God’s sight, I will be walking with Him the way He intends. What I focus on and what I allow to come out of my mouth. If those two things are acceptable to God, I will be making progress in my faith walk.”
“What kind of progress?” I asked.
“Moving on down the road,” Stan replied, “in the direction of greater spiritual maturity.”
Continuing, he added, “If the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are not acceptable in the sight of God, there’s a problem. The problem is a disconnect between who and what God intends for me, and what I am manifesting.”
“And you think ‘1914’ helps you with that?”
“I certainly do,” Stan replied. “To me, it’s a magnificent prayer continually presented to God. It makes a difference.”
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for wanting the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart to be acceptable to you. Thank you for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life to help me with that. I confess too often what I say and what I meditate on are not acceptable in your sight because of what I choose to say and think about. Please forgive me. And please help me in following every step of your lead so I truly focus on my words and my thoughts being acceptable in your sight. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: It’s easy to fall into habits of focusing on and talking about things unacceptable in God’s sight. Are there things about which you need to be more intentional in your walk with God? If you continually had the prayer of Psalm 19:14 before you, do you think it would make a difference in your life and faith walk? Why or why not? Do you have other ways you find helpful in remembering what it is God has for you to be and to do? If you don’t have any, can you think of some?
Waiting for the Train 