ThoughtSeeds

Lost. It has so many different meanings. Each one of us comes into this world lost. But Jesus said He came to seek us out and to find us and to save us! And He is the way and the truth and the life.

In 1895, "Open My Eyes, That I May See" was published as part of a collection of hymns by Mrs. Clara H. Scott. Clara Scott made history as the first woman to have a full book of her own compositions published, and later, two more song collections of hers were published, one a book of hymns. Of the many songs she wrote and composed, the only one she remains known for is "Open My Eyes, That I May See." Her life was cut short at age 66 in an accident involving a runaway horse and buggy. Join me in this episode of ThoughtSeeds Podcast to find out more about the life of Clara Scott, and her famous hymn.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195352743/clara-harriet-scott

(Newspaper account of Mrs. Scott's death)
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56864015/clara-scott-killed-in-buggy-accident-at/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-open-my-eyes-that-i-may-see

From Elisha's prophetic visions ruining the attack plans of the Syrian king to his prayers that God open his young servant's eyes to the heavenly armies surrounding them, God tells us a lot about vision and sight. The young man's eyes were indeed opened, but beyond the natural world, giving him a glimpse of the supernatural world around him. And a blind beggar, ironically named "son of honor," begged Jesus to restore his sight, and Jesus honored him by doing so, saying his faith had made him well. Bartiamaeus didn't just gain his physical eyesight that day, he gained salvation, because he sought the Savior for healing, and he believed in Jesus as his Messiah.

If you need vision -- maybe you're feeling in the dark in life lately -- ask God to open your eyes. Join me today to learn more about what the Bible says about vision and God restoring our sight.

Vision. Do you have vision and clarity for the path ahead of you? How can you know where and how to walk through life with wisdom and discernment? God tells us to ask Him, and He'll answer. He wants to share His vision for us with us! Jeremiah 33:3 tells us "Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Are you ready for that?

Though he only lived 38 years before his life here on earth was cut short, Philip P. Bliss left us all with a tremendous gift in the words and musical melodies he wrote and composed. How many individuals have come to know Christ because of his hymns? How many have been lifted up and encouraged, or challenged and convicted, as they hear the hymns or sing the words? "Wonderful Words of Life" was written at the specific request of a friend, Fleming Revell, of Revell Publishing, as he prepared to launch a new Sunday School paper with the title "Words of Life." He intended to use the paper to encourage people to read and study their Bibles, and he asked Philip Bliss to write a hymn for that purpose. Philip agreed, and the world was gifted with "Wonderful Words of Life." Join me in today's episode as we look at more of Philip Bliss' life, and what those "words of life" mean for each of us.

https://wordwisehymns.com/2011/06/06/wonderful-words-of-life/

The book of Proverbs has much to tell us about the words we say -- words we *should* say, words we should *not* say, and what kinds of words we should be listening to or avoiding. Join me as we look through Proverbs for God's wisdom on words that are "fitly spoken."

As we study Scripture, we start to see that God places a lot of importance on the words we say. Psalm 19:14 is a prayer that David prayed, asking God to help him "let the words of" his mouth be acceptable to God. There is great power in the words we speak, so says the Word of God. And the words we speak flow from what we treasure in our heart. The two are completely connected. What does God find "acceptable?" Join me today as we discuss the words we say and what is acceptable to Him.

Recently graduated from seminary, Joseph Gilmore was filling in at a church in Philadelphia in 1862, at the height of fighting in the Civil War. He planned to preach from Psalm 23, but as he read, he couldn't get past the phrase "He leadeth me . . ." and his sermon was changed by the Holy Spirit. Later that evening, he wrote out what God had spoken to and through him in the form of a poem, handed it to his wife, and promptly forgot about it.

His wife sent it to a Christian magazine, where it caught the attention of well-known composer William Bradbury, who put it to a melody and published it in one of his hymn collections. Three years later, Joseph Gilmore was thumbing through a hymnal in Boston and came across his own poem. Since then, it has been published in over 2,000 hymnals, and God is still using that message to speak comfort, trust, and courage into the hearts of His children around the world.

http://www.paperlesshymnal.com/tph/stories/HeLeadethMe/index.htm

There are a multitude of examples of courage to be found in the Bible, and we should be looking at them, digging into them, and studying them. Each person made an appearance in God's letter to mankind for a reason, and it is worth our time to understand more about them.

In this episode, we focus on one young woman who showed great courage multiple times. Ruth is perhaps not the first person we think of when combining people in the Bible with the word "courage," but I urge you to look at her story and take to heart her example of how to walk with God in true courage and faith in a variety of circumstances and situations.

Three times in the first few verses of Joshua chapter 1, God tells Joshua to "Be strong and courageous." What IS courage? Courage is "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." At least, that's how the dictionary defines courage.

How do YOU define courage? Why did big, brave, general-of-the-army Joshua need three reminders to be courageous? What fears did he have? What fears do you have? How does your heart respond to "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

https://www.etymonline.com/word/courage#etymonline_v_19178