Philippians 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

During a time that history calls the “Dark Ages” the church was in confusion. Christianity had become degenerate and corrupt. Moral standards of the people were a disgrace and shame. But God always has for Himself a remnant of true believers. One of those was Bernard of Clairvaux of the Cistercian monastic order.

He was still guilty of many of the errors of his day, having played a prominent role in the Second Crusade. But even Luther said of him, “Bernard is superior to all the doctors in his sermons even to Augustine himself, because he preaches Christ most excellently.”

It was this man that God used to pen the words to some devotional poems that have become some of our finest hymns, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded;” “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hears;” and today’s hymn “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.”

“Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee“

Jesus! the very thought of Thee
with sweetness fills my breast:
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
and in Thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the mem’ry find
A sweeter sound than Jesus name,
the Savior of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who ask, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find?
Ah! this nor tongue nor pen can show,
The love of Jesus, what it is,
none but His loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
as Thou our prize will be;
Jesus be Thou our glory now,
and through eternity.

O Jesus, light of all below,
thou fount of living fire,
Surpassing all the joys we know,
and all we can desire.

Jesus, may all confess Thy name,
Thy wondrous love adore,
And, seeking Thee, themselves inflame
to seek Thee more and more.

Abide with us, and let Thy light shine,
Lord, on every heart;
Dispel the darkness of our night;
and joy to all impart.

To access Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/jesustheverythoughtofthee in your browser or click on the image below.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- – - Pastor Cecil