NC Chapel Service

Psalm 130:17-18
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
As a young girl, I liked to bother my dad when he was studying. It seemed to me he was just sitting, so it was the perfect time to get his attention. I would always find myself wandering into his office and asking him about stuff. I wanted to hear him tell me what he was thinking. I might ask about his sermon or his opinion on my thoughts. As I grew into my teenage years, those conversations became less often. I thought I was more intelligent and wasn’t as willing to listen until I went away to school. I needed to hear him and was glad he was just a phone call away. I often called my dad to learn what he thought about something I was learning. I wanted to hear his wisdom. I never gave those conversations a lot of thought until the day I could no longer ask him anything. I miss those conversations. But thankfully, I have the memories, and they are precious to me.
This passage makes me think about God in the same way I thought about my dad. God's thoughts are precious to me, and I know I can talk to God about anything. God is always ready to hear and answer. I find myself going to God more just because I want to know His thoughts on my opinions, hear His wisdom, and make wise choices that reflect my relationship with God.
I used to get upset with myself because I would fall asleep while praying until I remembered a conversation with my dad where he told me there was no better place to fall asleep than in the arms of Jesus, and when I awake --- I am still with him. It is a wonderful place to be. God knows me and walks with me. I am not alone.
Take time today to listen to the thoughts of God.
Almighty God, thank you for your presence and guidance. Help me to listen closely and walk faithfully. Give me wisdom in all me decisions. I want to know your thoughts. I choose to listen today. I pray in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God. Amen.

Psalm 139:4-6
4 Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
In many ways, the thought that God knows even my thoughts and words before I even get them out of my mouth is unfathomable. God knows me so well that nothing I say or think surprises him. While God is not surprised when I say things I shouldn’t, God does expect us who choose to follow Him to be careful with what we say. Words are powerful. Words can build up or tear down. Because God knows our hearts, he knows our thoughts and words. We must fill our minds with the Word of God so that our words are filtered through THE Word.
In a world that uses words to divide and confuse, we must be clear about what we say. As a follower of Jesus, everything I say and do will either point people to Jesus or away. This is weighty, but knowing that God is always with me and has his hand on me helps me to use my words carefully.
Almighty Father, you know me. You know my thoughts and my words. While this is hard to fathom, I am comforted by it. Guard my tongue that my words will be from a heart saturated with the Word of God. I know that the words I speak have the power to build up or tear down, so help me build up others so that we will point the world to You. I pray in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory and praise of God. Amen.