Where do you live?  In a house of brick, stone or timber on this street or on that avenue?   No.  You live in a home men never see.   The real temple is in your own heart, and on its walls by the brush of fancy and imagination are painted the pictures that is really your life..  This temple of our hidden thoughts life has sublime thoughts, and evil thoughts,  Every one of us has an observatory which looks outward and upward toward heaven and the stars, and every one, too, has a ladder which leads down to hell.

The hidden world of imagination and thought is the real life and the real world because,  in the first place, it is the sincere and actual life.  There good is done for the sake of good, evil for the sake of evil.  There no considerations of fear or shame hold us back.  There are no thoughts of what another will say or think, or what effect this will have upon our prospects and our prosperity.  In this hidden realm there is no shamming or pretending.  There we are exactly what we are.

On a church board was found this message.  You are not what you think you are.  You are what you think.  As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.   Taken from Strange Texts but Grand Truths by Clarence E. Macartney.

Wherefore do ye spend money......

Who is my lighthouse!!

Isaiah 55:2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not?  Harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.   KJV

"spend money"  - I see this in my life could also mean time.
"on that which is not bread?  - or that which is not rewarding or valuable in life.
"labour for that which satifieth not"  give the strength and gifts of my body to that which in the long run brings no satisfaction.  That which is fluff or sometimes even harmful - certainly not essential or best.

This verse brought a picture to my mind.  I am like a child in the home, living on the riches and bounty of my Father yet going about my own interests.  Not rising to give help when needed or even offering to be involved in the life of the home.  i.e. doing dishes, helping serve, even keeping my own personal space tidy or clean.  Living my life as if others are there for my convienience and comfort - living selfishly.

This clearly is not the recommended way.  Isaiah says, in my own paraphrase - ' listen very seriously, paying attention to what I am saying.  Only give your time and money to that which is good, not only for your own body, soul and spirit,  but for others involved in your life, and those God may put in your pathway.  Make that involvement one that makes their life better.  This will be delightful and nourshing to your soul.  A sure fire way to improve your life personally, and bring joy to others and make you aware of all your Father in heaven has done in making you His child. '    (Ok.  A very loose translation but is is how this verse hit me.)  

LORD - let me begin to spend my life on that which is of true value.                  

Eyes unvailed!

Shepherd's watching saw with eyes unveiled.  


I heard this comment on a message but cannot remember which one.   But it stopped me short.   Yes. I do forget this truth in the ordinary days of my life. 


Yes, Heavenly beings are  always there, Some for good.  Some not.   


But the greater thing is that  God's presence always there.  Even if we could see, we likely would not see Him but He is there.

The truth of life is it is our eyes that are veiled.  This veiling is, for me personally a blessing.  I believe it would make me focus on the Heavenly Being and not actually live in the present life God has called us to.   And whether I see the Heavenly Beings or not I know they are there.  It is God's gift to us to give us extra spiritual  aid, protection and comfort.

Count it all Joy

God's power is not most revealed in us in those time we are "feeling" up and positive.

But we find Him there most in those times when we are  in the hard places in our lives.   In "the trying of our faith"  Those times when life seems hard beyond our endurance.  Those times when we wake up "feeling" no HOPE  No JOY - like life has flat lined or close thereto.

In choosing to yield that hopeless, joyless "feeling" that seems overwhelming to Christ and saying:

           "Yes LORD - I thank you for being 
           here, in this,  with me. Thank you
           for your divine purpose in my Life".   

It is in this place that we allow room for God's work to be accomplished in our life and the fulfillment of his purposes in us.
   

Fred Borden at Jungle Camp preparing for mission field

James 1  (KJV)

2 My brethren, count it all joy 

when ye fall into divers temptations;      

3 Knowing this, that the trying of 

your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect 

work, that ye may be perfect and 

entire, wanting nothing

Grace Borden at Jungle Camp

     

    1.Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with             God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

    2 By whom also we  have access by faith into this grace              wherein we stand, and  rejoice in hope of the glory of            God. 

    3 And not only so, but  we glory in tribulations also:                  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
    4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
    5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of                God  is shed abroad in our hearts by the
       Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom 5: (KJV)

Thank you LORD for our reason to live

Archimedes - spoken by  Scientists even today as perhaps the best in the world said:  

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world."

In a message RC Sproul said:

We have been give a lever -the cross of Jesus Christ, and a fulcrum  on which to place that lever, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And the world has been moved.   

We are a gift from God to his son Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:22-23

And he (God, the father) 

put all things under his (Christ's)  

feet and gave him (Christ) 

as head over all things, 

to the church, 

which is his body, 

the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Do you, do I see, do we Christ's body, see ourselves properly in Christ - that we are God's gift to his son, to be his body.   WOW

We are his hands, his feet, his heart.  We are his love.   Oh LORD, how we  do need.  Only in you can we be your body effectively - if we are totally attached to the head - and taking our actions directly from you - not doing our own thing.

Nothing with breath is alive without their head, so too the body of Christ.  We are only alive in Christ.  Thank you LORD.

A bit more on Wisdom

Proverbs 7 speaks of lack of wisdom being a factor in our falling into the wiles of an adulterous woman.   The wiles of an adulterous woman are many, not just a physical relationship with a specific woman.

I see these wiles as being  all things we seek in our lives  to gain some kind of instant fulfillment, instant satisfaction or  instant pleasure apart from God.  Even things  that are  not wrong if they function properly.  i.e. eating  or  faithfulness.

There are also those things we do just because it is our desire, excusing it as:   A little won't hurt, or: I want it now.  Anything that seeks to fill  that huge hollow place in our lives by a means that is against God's best plan set out for our lives.    That crater was caused when we choose to go our own way, ans walk in  independence from God.   It is called sin and it stands between us and God and His way - righteousness, peace and joy.  Sorta of like the manufacture of a car has guidelines to get the best use of that car.  God gave us a  manufactures  handbook, the Bible  that we can know God's heart.

The amazing thing is God so loved us he sent his own son to die, and take on himself our sin,  to cleanse us from our sin.   He became the doorway when he shed his blood and we have forgiveness of our sins when we enter in.   He even  comes to the door of our hearts and knocks and all we have to do is open that door.   He does everything, He made the sacrifice, He seeks us.  He knocks on our hearts door and when we invite him in He gives us the right to enter into the inner chamber directly into the presence of  God.  We go into his presence by the Blood of our LORD Jesus Christ. And there we have access to Him and His Wisdom.

LORD,  Thank you for making all we need available. I desire to  walk in your truth

Thank you for your gift of Wisdom

Thank you that you provide wisdom for us through your word.  

In reading about Wisdom my response has always been - that can never be me.  But my heart has been opening up 
to the truth that God makes his wisdom available to all of us. I see in James 1:5 that it is simply to ask.

 James 1:5. 
  

If any of you lacks wisdom,

 let him ask God, 

who gives generously 

to all 

without reproach,

and it will be given him.

I am seeing anew that wisdom is  found by us spending time in the Word of God. The LORD Jesus Christ has not hidden himself from us. 

He wants us to know him - to seek out his heart.   And as we do spend time with him in His Word, and seek to walk in the truths he gives us, he comes alongside and enables us.

He implants His wisdom in our hearts. As we seek him our desire  for him Him grows.  We find renewal of  our minds, and a desire  to walk in His ways.   

He gives us divine help when we are struggling and he forgives us when we fail and sin.  We can run to him in repentance for our sin and He gives us His forgiveness and love. 

Thank you LORD for your bountiful gift of wisdom.

This picture makes my heart rejoice in the beauty the LORD has given.

Thank you LORD for the many avenues of praise and worship.  We are not left wondering what we have, as mankind, to give to the LORD.   One of the Psalms I love so deeply because of it's rich options is Psalm 150.

Praise the LORD  

In His Sanctuary -  a physical place set aside to worship.    I also see that place 
is within my own heart where ever I am
In His mighty heavens  - I see this that there is no place where we cannot 
worship Him.
For His mighty deeds - both past as revealed in scripture, and in our                 in our own lives  daily.
According to His excellent greatness - because who he is calls forth our praise.

Some ways to worship are given:

Trumpet; lute; harp, tambourine, dance; strings; pipe; cymbals;
Cymbals emphasized as Loud, Clashing Cymbals.
Finally, if we have breath - use that breath to PRAISE THE LORD
These all utilize music in one form or another.


There are other ways given to offer praise.
Raising our hands - Psalm 63:4; 
Bowing down prone before the LORD - Psalm 66:4; 
Leaping - Acts 3:8; 
Shouting- Psalm 98:4; 
Whispering/ meditation - Psalm 1:2;  
In our thoughts, and on our tongue - Psalm 145:5; 
Singing - Psalm 47;6,  
And how we live - 1 Peter 2:9.

We are shown in the Word of God that we can praise our creator, Savior and living God with our whole being.  PRAISE the LORD

Thank you for direct counsel on our thoughts LORD

    Philippians 4:8 (ESV) 

   

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 here is anything worthy of praise,

THANK ABOUT THESE THING

This appears to be a very specific list of God's ideas about our thoughts. I've been hearing some about something called "Cognitive Therapy" speaking about changing your negative thoughts to positive ones.

As I've pondered this personally, I have felt that though yes, I have negative thoughts on my own, once I go to that place they become much worse, and get increasingly negative as I dwell there. I believe there is an aspect where my initial thoughts can change into a bombardment of thoughts from the great enemy Satan. It is no longer just me. For me this verse has become increasingly relevant. I can change the thoughts, yes. It has to be a deliberate choice. But it's not just positive thoughts in the place of negative thoughts but Godly thoughts, those that bring HIM into the arena. Thoughts that need to start with praise of the LORD and reaffirming who He is and then reforming those thoughts after His kinds of thoughts.

i.e. I am feeling like nobody loves me LORD. Thank you that you love me. Open my understanding to see the people and events in my life in a true light. If there are those that don't love me, LORD guide me to a Godly love toward them. Where in truth they do love me, let me see that truth.

I know this is a bit simplistic, and there are deep issues in our minds and thoughts we have to capture and change but it seems to me our first stop in change is to begin with Praise to our LORD. And seeking understanding and change found in His promised wisdom and insight.

Thank you for the gift of imagination.

Thank you for the gift of imagination.  We can use our imaginations righteously.  I come to this because of two things.   The Hebrew language is  a picture language.  In English we have many picture words also, but we tend to think more in concepts I think.  I don't know about those who speak Hebrew but I find picturing things helps.   

Some of my pictures of God are drawn from my own personal memories but we don't all have good memories of Fathers to aid us in picturing God as a father.    I did for which I am deeply thankful but even so, the pictures I call up and find comfort in, are those of the LORD as my Father and are more from my imagination rather than from memories.  

 My most comforting imagination is that I am curled up in the arms of the LORD, with my head under his chin and snuggled in to be comforted when I'm afraid or downhearted or hurt.  

A powerful comforting imagination is  also that of the LORD sitting beside me as I go to sleep, my murmuring love to him and feeling his love for me his daughter.  

I sometimes imagine us laughing together, or maybe more of a chuckle.  

I also imagine his love shown in a time of discipline.  The discipline is there but I imagine him showing me where I had sinned and his heart about that sin.  Then I felt his loving call to repent. His loved fills my heart as I see anew the price he has paid for my sin.  It makes me want to walk in His ways, and turn away from mine.  His  love makes me desire to yield and obey.  So LORD, I thank you. I love you so much.  

There are no verses on this concept but maybe it can be seen in the verses that show the LORD knows all the thoughts and intents of our hearts.  He is our ever present LORD, not a LORD afar off.  

Thank you for your love LORD

 Thank you for your love for us LORD.  For your specific love.   I love that old song that speaks of how great your love is for mankind.  Loving us so much He gave his life to pay for our sins.  Totally undeserved, unmerited and unearned - but given . 

He paid a debt he did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay.I needed someone to wash my                         sins a-way.

And now I sing a brand new                         song,
"Amazing Grace" all day long,
Christ Jesus paid a debt that 

I could never pay.

Thank YOU LORD for who you are,

Psalm 145:8-9  (ESV)

The LORD is gracious and

 merciful, 

slow to anger, and

 abounding in steadfast love

The LORD is good to all, 

and his mercy is

 over all that he has made.

     Thank you LORD for your proactive goodness to your creation.  

     You know how often I get disgruntled and forget these truths. How often you are merciful when I have lived my own life and gone my own way without remembering all I have and am is because of you.   

     I have become aware that I have casually accepted the good things in my life as my right or even called it "My good LUCK"   Luck is attributing good given by some chance that the universe arbitrarily hands out. 

    God does nothing by chance.  He deliberately gives us his LOVE,MERCY and great GOODNESS.  

Thank you LORD God.

Thank you for your Grace

Ephesians 2:4-9  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For, by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

     
Thank you LORD God, for GRACE.  You didn't wait for us to wake up and decide we needed or wanted a life with you, but you came to us and made us alive who were dead.  Life for eternity, life lived in the presence of God. 

     Your grace is given us not because we were good, impressed you with our talent and good works, our beauty, charm and great personality but because you created us before the foundation of the world, you love us and came to us with hope and life found in your grace.

    When I first heard that you chose us, loved us and gave us life I struggled with the thought that I wasn't in the group of those you chose.   I could not be a recipient of your Grace.  But, I praise you LORD that all whom you have given life to, are loved  - no exceptions.  Your gift of life is difficult for us to understand how we can respond when we are dead.  But this I know is that in our being dead in our sins, we are given the choice.  It is yes, I accept your life, or a no, I want to live my life my way.   God, in his great mercy will keep knocking, offering his grace until our last breathe.      
     Thank you LORD

Thank you LORD I have a place in you.

Thank you LORD for your very personal presence in my life and all those who have trusted in you. Thank you that you have made a place for me in you.





Psalm 144: 1-2  (Just using key words in these two verses.)

Blessed be the LORD
my rock
(A secure footing)
my steadfast love
(A love that is there even when I fair him or sin.  His love is securely tied to me)
my fortress
(My place of strength, when in warfare or when I need rest)
my stronghold
(A place within the fortress that is invincible)
my deliverer
(Whom I can lean on for safety in all things)
my shield
(He shields me from the ravages of those who seek to destroy me)
He in whom I take refuge

I stand fully protected and provided for in HIM

Thank you for The mind you have given us.  The ability to think, to express thoughts, emotion, the ability to learn, to create.  What an incredible gift.  Thank you.LORD.   

Thank you that in all my life You LORD, are there.

Thank you for Psalm 139 - assuring me of your divine involvement in my life.  

The knowledge that in all that I do and say, and where I go, and what I plan, you are there is my comfort.  

You don't prevent me from my decisions, choices or words but you know and care and are available to me in every moment of my life.  Thank you.  LORD Jesus!

Psalm 139:1-18  ESV  

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.

Thank you for inborn gifts

Each gift is in play when I walked here - the sight, the smell, the taste of barries on the wayside, , touch and hearing

Thank You  LORD, for the gifts we are born with.  The gift of sight, smell, hearing, tasting and feeling.   All of which add deep pleasures to our lives, and in their function add safety as well.  

I thank you for the stories I've heard by those great men and women who suffered the loss of one or sometimes more of these gifts.   Those who don't have all these gifts and then overcome that lack mightily and in that inspire others.  

Thank you LORD for making these gifts a part of your creative package.  Gifts I enjoy and rejoice in every second of my life.  THANK YOU

Additional reasons for thanks on forgiveness

Further comments regarding forgiveness. Forgiveness  is not saying, it's okay, nothing to worry about.  

It isn't God looking the other way or winking at your "misdeed".  

It is about sin.  Our sin.

For our sin there is a cost.  Death. God hates sin so much he cannot over look it. He then did the unthinkable.  Immanuel (God with us), became human, lived without sin, and died the death we deserve and offered his death for our sin.  

He paid our price.   

That is his gift to all who make Him their LORD.   Thank you LORD.  I am in awe of your great grace, mercy and loving-kindness.  

Thank you that I live

Thank you that I live and  move and have my being in you.   I am yours.

Acts 17:28 

 For, "In him we live and move and have our being;..."

Yes, this is a quote from a Poet of Paul's day, not culled from scripture - but Paul is showing here that it is a truth.   All that we are and have come from God.   He gives us life.  All we have and can do comes from him.  I rejoice that even before I knew Him, he knew me and has drawn me unto him - giving me eternal life and HOPE in Him.

Thank you for your plans

Thank you that you control my life. Your plans will be fulfilled and they are all for my good and your glory.

They may be fulfilled the hard way if I fight to have my own way, or the easy way if I will trust you.   Thank you LORD.

Jeremiah 29:11  ESV   

For I know the plans I have for you, 

declares the LORD, 

plans for peace and not for evil,

 to give you a future and a hope.

Yes this was given in the first place to the nation of Israel, but I believe we can apply the essence of the verse to our lives in Christ.

Thank You

Thank you LORD Jesus Christ for forgiveness of my sins

 Psalm 130:4   But with you (LORD) there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.]

Colossians 1: 13-14  He  (The Father) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and TRANSFERRED  US  to the KINGDOM  of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sings

Fatherhood

Prodigal went to a far country

The Fatherhood of God

II Cor 6:16-18 (NET)  
And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 6:17 Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.

John 1:12-13 (NET)   But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children 1:13 – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.

Luke 15:20 (NET) So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him




6 things about the Father

1)  He keeps Covenant                                        Psalms 105:8-10

2)  He is a Rewarding Father                            Hebrews 11:6

3)  Prayer answering Father                              John 15:16

4)  Giving Father                                                  James 1:17

5)  Forgiving Father Father of Mercies             I John 1:9

6)  An available Father                                        I John 3:1-2





Know that you are given life and birth by God - He is our Father - we ARE his children. Yes, as the prodigal we sometimes rebel. We want the benefits / inheritance from our Father but then use it on our own ends and means. Not always in riotous living as such, but living afar from our Father, in a far country - doing our own thing. 

 There, we find our own ways do not bring the blessing, peace, grace and joy available to us when we live under the care of our Father. The glory is that when we turn and come back to our Father he is already running to us before we ever get to his door. Loved beyond our wildest imaginations - not for our perfection of life or our talents or gifts but loved as born sons of HIS and loved.

 

God's names in Psalms

My Shepherd

Still Waters

YHWH Rohi

The LORD is my shepherd;

 YHWH Jireh

 I shall not want.

 YHWH Uzzi

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

(The LORD my strength)

YHWH Shalom

He leads me beside still waters.
(Heb: waters of rest)

 

Restoration

Paths Rightousness

YHWH Rophe

He restores my soul.

(The LORD our healer)

YHWH Tsidkenu

He leads me in paths of  righteousness

(or in right paths)

YHWH Kanna Shemo

for his name's sake.
(The LORD whose name is jealous)

                                      

 

Vally

No Fear

YHWH Melech Olam

Even though I walk  through   the valley of

the shadow of death,

(The LORD King over the ages)

YHWH Nissi

I will fear no evil,

(The LORD our banner)

YHWH Shammah

for you are with me;

(The LORD is there)

 

Rod & Staff

Table Set

YHWH Saboath

your rod and your staff,

(LORD of Hosts)

YHWH Maksi

they comfort me.
(LORD my refuge)

YHWH Hashopet

You prepare a table before  me, 

in the

presence of my  enemies;

(The LORD the Judge)

Surely& Goodness

   

Oil

YHWH m'kaddish

 you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows

(The LORD our Sanctifier)

ELOHE Chaseddi

Surely (or only) goodness  and mercy

(or steadfast love)

shall follow me all the

days of my life, 

(The God of my Mercy/Lovingkindness) 

YHWH Chaseddi

and I shall dwell in the  house of the LORD  forever.

(Same root as Emmanuel)