‘Mary treasured all these things in her heart’ 12-23
Treasuring things (pondering thing) in your heart means you are making a list in your heart. When you ponder something, (treasuring it in your heart) you are unintentionally making a list that is indelible. People remember how you (or God) made them feel. You can’t erase it. You observe it. You take note. For this reason you need to be careful of your mental lists. (I don’t write stuff down except for journaling). I forget to look at what I wrote down, unless I send myself an email, for something like shopping lists, which is one of my good list (see below)
Jacob did the same thing when Joseph was telling about his dreams
Genesis 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
I love all of you who pray for us regularly, from the heart. Quietly remembering us and bringing us before the Lord. Thank you, we need it! Your heartfelt prayers are as precious to us as donations. You are remembering us in prayer because we are in your heart, in your mind. We need it because those kind of prayers help,
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
When you say you pray, is it a real heartfelt prayer of faith or are we just one of a zillion names you read off a printed list? There’s a big difference. Praying is sincere petitions. Reading a name on a list is not praying, unless you stop and sincerely pray for a while for each name you wrote down, but who has time to do that? Some do but not many. I try to just say ‘I’ll pray for you as the Spirit brings you to mind’ and I do, sometimes for hours..
Matthew 6:7 In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
I write this because we truly covet and need prayer. We love you praying for us, beseeching the Lord on our behalf. It means we made the list in your hearts. That’s so important.
Psalm 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Handwritten Lists are usually impersonal. Handwritten Lists are usually of the flesh.
Bucket lists are another one I question. If you are trying to complete your bucket list you might miss God’s will. I want to walk the Appalachian trail with my son. Will I ever be able to do that? Who knows. But God’s will should be the only thing on our list. If Appalachian trail or going New Orleans is on God’s will list, I’ll see it. If not, I won’t. Again, I have never seems these lists written. Usually just in your mind.
Enemy lists. I’ve heard of people keeping track mentally of people who hurt them. Really? Why on earth would you want to keep track of that? It’s like keeping garbage in your house instead of throwing it out. As a Christian conforming to Christ’s image you are told to forgive and forget.
Friends lists. Again, why would you need to keep up with that? Everyone should be a friend of a believer.
Favor lists. Christians should always be on the look out for opportunities to do a favor. Not just a recíprocal agreement.
All of the above are usually mental lists, stored in the mind. We are to renew our thinking because we are told to do so, so I know we can, think about Jesus, not the stuff mentioned above. It’s best to never make negative mental notes. Unless it’s for your own safety or the safety of others.
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
There are good lists though, even necessary lists. They are needed for health, welfare, efficiency and accountability which God likes. These are written lists usually.
These are just a few of them
Shopping lists (mentioned above)
Dean’s lists
Donor’s lists
To do lists
Recipient lists
Waiting lists
Christmas present lists
Attendance and academic lists
Costs lists
Itemization lists
Dietary lists
Medicine lists
Events lists
All are secondary to God’s will. Everyday on your ‘to-do list’ you should seek God’s will.
One list, the most important list, I am saving for last. It is journaling. That is a written list. That’s what I do here. I am journaling, keeping a record of what God has done for us.
Proverbs 7:3 Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the table of thine heart.
LOVE DEAN AND WINNIE PETERS
Lists
