Virtuous Daughters Ministry
  • Home
  • About
  • Library
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • What Matters Most
  • Contact

Article Library

Is God in All Our Thoughts?

5/25/2020

 
by Tiffany S.
​from Virtuous Daughters, January 2009~Volume 8, Number 10
​​When I was in 11th grade, my favorite subject was American history. And while my tests quizzed dates, names, and places, they also required that I memorize certain passages of Scripture that remind us to be in subjection to our authorities. One night I was especially anxious about a quiz scheduled for the next day. I had to write from memory a large portion from the Bible and I had not studied enough. After climbing into bed, I read the chapter several times. Then I said to my sister,

"Brittany, please ‘quiz’ me over this passage. I need to make sure I know it before tomorrow!” She listened as I stumbled through the recitation.

The next morning Brittany was practically laughing as we greeted each other. “You were sleep talking again,” she told me.

“What was I saying?” I asked. (This is my response every time she tells me I’ve been sleep talking.)

“You were trying to quote that passage you’re going to be quizzed on today!” We both had a good laugh, especially after I passed the quiz. 

​This amusing story brings me to a topic I have been thinking about quite a bit lately: keeping God in all our thoughts.
​Have you ever noticed that some Christians are so filled with the Spirit, that it flows through their life: their actions, their words, their letters, their countenance? I deeply desire such a testimony, and I know all of us girls do as we strive to be virtuous daughters.

Psalm 10 describes the wicked as “through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” I am learning that one of the by-products of fearing God is keeping Him in all my thoughts. Psalm 19:14 offers the following challenge: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” There is so much insight in that single verse, and I would encourage you to dwell on it as you go about your work today.

​How do we keep God in all our thoughts? I believe one way is by soaking our minds in the Scriptures. If His Word is an integral part of our daily life, it will undoubtedly come out in our lives: our thoughts, our words, our countenances. Recently I came across the beautiful words of Psalm 35:28: “And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.” That should be our heart’s desire—to think about and speak about the unfailing mercies of our Savior!

One passage of Scripture that is special to me in a unique way is Malachi 3:16–18. One of my dear friends said to me as we were saying good bye for the week, “When you get home, read Malachi 3. There are some verses in it toward the end that I read this morning and they caused me to think of our friendship.” I’ll copy those verses for you here: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.”

Please understand that I am not trying to sound spiritual or that I have perfect friendships. I am learning these truths every day—and working hard to apply them to my life. But I have so much room for improvement. Truly, my righteousness is as filthy rags. How grateful I am that Christ has given me His robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10–11) and that He is the Justifier of those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26).

Yet these verses in Malachi have given me a real opportunity to keep God in my thoughts and in my words. God-fearing Christians have Him ever before them. They continually seek Him. Whatever we think about will come out through our mouth and actions. That is why it is so important that we are thinking about God and His Word.

Practically, how can we do this? I think it is helpful of course to read the Word of God every morning. In addition to this, my sister and I have found that reading just one or two verses before falling asleep is a refreshing way to close our day. Sharing special Scripture findings is a great way to build relationships on the Rock (Jesus Christ) with family and friends. My mom enjoys decorating our home with Scripture-filled plaques. Writing a few verses (or even just the reference) on envelopes or letters before mailing them out is a good habit to form. It takes only one or two minutes, yet God could use that act to change someone’s life. Like my sister has said, Scripture is the best thing we can share with other people, because “. . . The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Since the Bible is literally God-breathed, we can be sure that “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7) Also, Romans 10 tells us that “. . . Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I think we can all agree in the wisdom on meditating on the Holy Scriptures.

So that brings me to the conclusion: let’s all work on keeping God in our thought life. We want to know God and love Him so much that His light is shining through our lives. When we are wearing the armor of God (Ephesians 6), we are much better prepared to fight the wiles of the devil. Part of using that armor is keeping God in all our thoughts. Let’s seek Him continually through prayer and the Word!

Comments are closed.

    The Article Library

    This "Library" contains articles that were published ​in previous issues of Virtuous Daughters. It will keep growing as we continue to upload articles from the 20 years of printing. ​​We pray they are an encouragement to you!  
       
    ​Note: Articles marked with an asterisk (*) are from the earliest years of Virtuous Daughters, and therefore pertain mostly to "little ladies."

    Categories

    All
    Certainty
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Discernment
    Easter
    Encouraging Brothers
    Especially For Younger Girls
    Evangelism
    Family Relationships
    Friendships
    Gardening
    God's Character
    God's Faithfulness
    God's Word
    Growing In Christ
    Health & Wellness
    Homemaking Skills
    Honoring Parents
    Humility
    Hymn History
    Ministry
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Preparing For Marriage
    Proverbs 31
    Scripture Studies
    Serving Others
    Sibling Relationships
    Singleness
    Spiritual Warfare
    Standing Alone
    Surrender
    Testimonies
    Thankfulness
    The Tongue
    Thought Life
    Time With God
    Trials
    True Beauty
    Trusting God
    Victory In Christ
    Virtuous Womanhood
    Volume 1
    Volume 10
    Volume 11
    Volume 12
    Volume 13
    Volume 14
    Volume 15
    Volume 16
    Volume 17
    Volume 18
    Volume 19
    Volume 2
    Volume 20
    Volume 3
    Volume 4
    Volume 5
    Volume 7
    Volume 8
    Volume 9
    Waiting On God

    Archives

    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    RSS Feed

Picture
Encouraging Young Ladies to Grow in the Lord Jesus Christ
"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."~Proverbs 31:29

virtuous daughters ministry

  • Home
  • About
  • Library
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • What Matters Most
  • Contact