Author's Note: Every day on the YWAP Fast Jan. 6-26, 2020 we’ll write about our experience as we respond to what God plants on our hearts during our extended time with Him.. Eventually the story will be chronicled into a book. “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew 6:33 AMP
Gentle Clouds & Pondering Anew
Yesterday was a windy day to be in the woods. I struggled against the wind as I walked down the road for a half mile before I entered the woods. I was going to hike about 5 miles before dark on the Arizona Trail heading toward Picture Canyon. During a fast, I'm alert and expecting God to drop a heart-nugget on me to pray and write about. Yesterday He gave me a tripleheader.
Before I went to bed the night before, I had a strong sense that the word for the day would be gentle or gentleness. The word gentle is something I struggle with in my communication with my wife and other people. I can be short and come across a little crusty or irritable. It's a bad habit I need to break. Being an adrenaline guy who likes to pack as many things into my day as possible, it leaves little room for changes. When the prospect of a change or addition to my schedule happens, my brain seems to tighten between my ears and I feel pressure. My response to the person I'm talking to is less gentle than it should be. God wants me to be more of a gentleman.
Walking along the trail with the word "gentle" on my mind, I noticed the clouds. They were beautiful clouds with all shades of colors reflecting a setting sun on the opposite side of the sky. I saw a rainbow in the clouds, something I've never seen before and it kind of gave me goosebumps. I smiled and said "Thank you Jesus!" Even though the wind was roaring through the forest. the clouds seemed to be gently moving along at a steady pace. Even though the wind was fierce in the forest. the sky above was gentle. Even when I have I have a stormy schedule, I need to be gentle toward people. Okay God, your message is gently sinking in.
So far the two words for the day were gentle and clouds. I studied a lot of Bible verses containing both of those words. I'll post a few of those below, but now I have to tell you about the third part of the tripleheader. God didn't just give me a third word, He gave me a song instead. I'm probably not the only one who has songs drop into my mind seemingly out of nowhere. When I'm hiking, quite a few songs enter my mind and I hum those tunes as I hike. The song He gave me was "Praise To The Lord The Almighty."
I searched for the song, found the lyrics and listened to a version by Fernando Ortega. You can click on the link below to listen to the song. The phrases that caught my eye were, "gently sustaineth" and "Ponder anew what the almighty can do."
Praise To The Lord The Almighty
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, The king of creation.
Oh my soul praise him For he is thy health and salvation.
All ye who hear, Now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things So wondrously reigneth.
Shelters thee under his wings Yes so gently sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen How all thy longings have been
Granted in what he ordaineth.
Praise to the Lord, who doth Prosper thy work and defend thee.
Surely his goodness and mercy Here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, oh let All that is in me adore him.
All that hath life and breath Come now with praises before him.
Let the amen sound from his people again,
Gladly for aye, we adore him.
Christian lyrics - PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY LYRICS - FERNANDO ORTEGA
I am pondering anew what the Almighty can do when I'm obedient to what He tells me to do. It's good to be as bold as lion, but our love in Christ should also be a gentle as a lamb. Our response to people should be gentle and nonjudgmental. There is a time for correction, discipline and raising our voices, but those are special occasions. Our gentleness should be as evident as the clouds in a blue sky, even on a windy day.
DAY SEVEN WORD
1 Kings 19:12 International Children’s Bible
"After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire.
After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle voice."
2 Chronicles 34:27 Amplified Bible
“Because your heart was gentle and penitent and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and humbled yourself before Me, and tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” declares the Lord."
Psalm 18:35 Amplified Bible
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds and sustains me;
Your gentleness [Your gracious response when I pray] makes me great."
Luke 12:54-56 The Message
"Then he turned to the crowd: “When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, ‘Storm’s coming’--and you’re right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, ‘This’ll be a hot one’--and you’re right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now."
Psalm 11:1-2 Living Bible
"Hallelujah! I want to express publicly before his people my heartfelt thanks to God for his mighty miracles. All who are thankful should ponder them with me."
DAY SEVEN PRAYER
Thank You God for your gentle patience with me. You send me signs and wonders to teach me how to be more of a gentleman. I want to show the gentleness of Christ. Help me to be a better ponderer of the new mercies that you bring every day. I want to ponder anew what the almighty can do all the days of my life.
Amen.
DAY SEVEN DEEP THOUGHTS
Before I went to bed the night before, I had a strong sense that the word for the day would be gentle or gentleness. The word gentle is something I struggle with in my communication with my wife and other people. I can be short and come across a little crusty or irritable. It's a bad habit I need to break. Being an adrenaline guy who likes to pack as many things into my day as possible, it leaves little room for changes. When the prospect of a change or addition to my schedule happens, my brain seems to tighten between my ears and I feel pressure. My response to the person I'm talking to is less gentle than it should be. God wants me to be more of a gentleman.
Walking along the trail with the word "gentle" on my mind, I noticed the clouds. They were beautiful clouds with all shades of colors reflecting a setting sun on the opposite side of the sky. I saw a rainbow in the clouds, something I've never seen before and it kind of gave me goosebumps. I smiled and said "Thank you Jesus!" Even though the wind was roaring through the forest. the clouds seemed to be gently moving along at a steady pace. Even though the wind was fierce in the forest. the sky above was gentle. Even when I have I have a stormy schedule, I need to be gentle toward people. Okay God, your message is gently sinking in.
So far the two words for the day were gentle and clouds. I studied a lot of Bible verses containing both of those words. I'll post a few of those below, but now I have to tell you about the third part of the tripleheader. God didn't just give me a third word, He gave me a song instead. I'm probably not the only one who has songs drop into my mind seemingly out of nowhere. When I'm hiking, quite a few songs enter my mind and I hum those tunes as I hike. The song He gave me was "Praise To The Lord The Almighty."
I searched for the song, found the lyrics and listened to a version by Fernando Ortega. You can click on the link below to listen to the song. The phrases that caught my eye were, "gently sustaineth" and "Ponder anew what the almighty can do."
Praise To The Lord The Almighty
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, The king of creation.
Oh my soul praise him For he is thy health and salvation.
All ye who hear, Now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things So wondrously reigneth.
Shelters thee under his wings Yes so gently sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen How all thy longings have been
Granted in what he ordaineth.
Praise to the Lord, who doth Prosper thy work and defend thee.
Surely his goodness and mercy Here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, oh let All that is in me adore him.
All that hath life and breath Come now with praises before him.
Let the amen sound from his people again,
Gladly for aye, we adore him.
Christian lyrics - PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY LYRICS - FERNANDO ORTEGA
I am pondering anew what the Almighty can do when I'm obedient to what He tells me to do. It's good to be as bold as lion, but our love in Christ should also be a gentle as a lamb. Our response to people should be gentle and nonjudgmental. There is a time for correction, discipline and raising our voices, but those are special occasions. Our gentleness should be as evident as the clouds in a blue sky, even on a windy day.
DAY SEVEN WORD
1 Kings 19:12 International Children’s Bible
"After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire.
After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle voice."
2 Chronicles 34:27 Amplified Bible
“Because your heart was gentle and penitent and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and humbled yourself before Me, and tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” declares the Lord."
Psalm 18:35 Amplified Bible
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds and sustains me;
Your gentleness [Your gracious response when I pray] makes me great."
Luke 12:54-56 The Message
"Then he turned to the crowd: “When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, ‘Storm’s coming’--and you’re right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, ‘This’ll be a hot one’--and you’re right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now."
Psalm 11:1-2 Living Bible
"Hallelujah! I want to express publicly before his people my heartfelt thanks to God for his mighty miracles. All who are thankful should ponder them with me."
DAY SEVEN PRAYER
Thank You God for your gentle patience with me. You send me signs and wonders to teach me how to be more of a gentleman. I want to show the gentleness of Christ. Help me to be a better ponderer of the new mercies that you bring every day. I want to ponder anew what the almighty can do all the days of my life.
Amen.
DAY SEVEN DEEP THOUGHTS
- How can gentleness be a strength?
- How was Jesus "gentle and humble in heart?"
- In what ways can you be more gentle in an area where you are strong?
- Gentleness comes from being grateful to God. Before you respond to someone, take a deep breath and think how grateful you are to God
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