Jesus Calling

While visiting for my sister's high school graduation, my grandparents recommended a daily devotional book by Sarah Young titled "Jesus Calling." They loaned us their copy and I have been so encouraged and challenged by the Biblical truths declared in each daily paragraph. Today's (June 11th) came from Isaiah 12:2 and Romans 8:6:

Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your 

Strength and Song. Do not let fear dissipate your 

energy. Instead, invest your energy in trusting Me and 

singing My Song. The battle for control of your mind 

is fierce, and years of worry have made you vulnerable 

to the enemy. Therefore, you need to be vigilant in

guarding your thoughts. Do not despise this weakness

in yourself since I am using it to draw you closer to Me.

Your constant need for Me creates an intimacy that is 

well worth the effort. You are not alone in this struggle 

for your mind. My Spirit living within you is ever ready 

to help in this striving. Ask Him to control your mind;

He will bless you with Life and Peace.

Our church is in the midst of 52 days of combined, purposeful prayer for our church, homes, community, etc. This devotional reading goes along so well with what I have felt led to pray for myself, my immediate family, and my church family; that Christ would control what we think, say, and do. What does a life controlled by Christ look like? What would YOURS look like if you "invested your energy in trusting Him and singing His Song?"

I love the words to this old hymn written by Kate B. Wilkinson sometime before 1913:

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father

Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing,

This is victory.

May I run the race before me,

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,

As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel,

Seeing only Him.