Songs of My Heart

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27:19 (NLT)

“… Ruler of my heart today, Jesus Lord to me.”¹ Every morning this week, as I opened my eyes to greet the blessings of the new day, I was aware that my heart had been singing a chorus we sang last Sunday in church—“Jesus, Lord to Me.” Even more miraculous, it sounds like the melodic lines I used to sing when my voice was young and strong. Over the last ten years, I have had chronic bronchitis with accompanying laryngitis that has lasted two to four months. As a result, I lost the top octave off my vocal range. Recently, following my back surgery, my breath control has also faded. But, when my heart sings, I sound like “the me” God created. Rather than being angry or sad, I feel blessed, knowing that one day my invitation will come to sing with the angels in their choir. Why?—because, I will know the words.

With what musical lyrics, lines from books, Facebook postings and movies quotes are you filling your heart? Do the words of your heart reflect you as a real person? The Psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”(19:14 ESV)

Fill your heart and soul with the words you will hear in heaven, so when you get there, you will recognize the language spoken. If not, you’d better tell a good friend to wait for you just inside the gates to act as your translator. Saint Peter may stand at Heaven’s Gate and ask if you want in through the Pearly Gates or cross the River Stix to get into Hades. Which word will you be more familiar with, Heaven or Hell—and the vocabulary of the natives there? Fill your heart with songs of His love and grace, so that you too can sing in the angel choir. Let us pray:

“Holy Father, your son, Jesus, is Savior, Lord to me. May your kingdom come to dwell in my heart so it is so full of you, no other words can crowd you out. Filled with you, I pray that your will may be done in my Life, just as your will whispers and sings throughout Heaven. For today, I give over all words, thoughts and actions that are not acceptable to you. I know I cannot do this on my own, oh Lord. But, with your spirit buried in my heart and soul, you will always be there to guide and caution me. I choose only to glorify you. Forgive me when I boast, for I do not wear glory well. Only you deserve the Light. I thank you Lord for letting me walk in the safety of the shadow you cast as I walk near you. May it always be so. In the name of your son, Jesus—ruler of my heart today, Jesus, Lord to me—I pray.  Amen”

Doris

Doris Gaines Rapp

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

Copyright 2015 Doris Gaines Rapp

¹ Jesus, Lord to Me, by Gary Mcspadden and Greg Nelson

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