Recognize True Goodness

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The ninth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 100. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord is good. His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on. Psalm 100:5 (NCV)

Good: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, fine, glad, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, the best, precious.

"For the Lord is good." This sums up his character and contains a mass of reasons for praise. He is good, gracious, kind, bountiful, loving; yea, God is love. He who does not praise the good is not good himself. The kind of praise inculcated in the Psalm, viz. that of joy and gladness, is most fitly urged upon us by an argument from the goodness of God. The Treasury of David

Goodness is a very comprehensive quality. It is love, kindness, benevolence, that which leads you to wish well and to do good to those around you; and the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, because it is so full of his works and ways, which are the fruits and manifestations of his goodness. Pulpit Commentary Homiletics

God is good. God Himself is good. He is not only full of goodness, He is good. Because He is good, He does good things. However, His goodness is not based on what He does, rather what He does is because He is good. 

We often measure of the ‘goodness’ of people by how generous they are, how much they give or do for others. Yet, just because someone DOES something good, does not make them “good”.  Their motives could be very wrong.—like trying to buy favor or a position, etc. 

Yet, because God is good—first and foremost—He graciously does good. His character is that of goodness and that produces kindness. In God we can recognize true goodness!

But if God is good, why do bad things happen? The ultimate answer to that is “sin”. God gave us free-will, to make choices. And sin has consequences. When God allows bad things to happen, it could be for several reasons: 1. to judge, or bring punishment for disobedience  2. to bring glory to Himself 3. to get our attention, so that we acknowledge Who God is.  Also remember, that God may have reasons which we cannot understand.

Think of a parent/child relationship.  Many times the parent does something which the child sees as “not good” but in reality the parent knows that it is “very good”. The parent‘s action or lack of action, might be for protection, teaching, discipline, or the timing. The same is true of God, our Father. What we may think is “good” is not good at all, and what we think of as “bad” may be the best!    

God is good. That is a truth based upon God Almighty Himself. He can not change, therefore, He was, He is, and always will be good. And because He is good, He does good things for us.

What good things has God done for you lately? He’s done so much for me! 1. He provided a beautiful sunrise this morning. 2. He sent birds to sing to me this morning. 3. He made me laugh as the silly squirrels played “tag” through the snow this morning. Those are just a few things that God in His goodness, gave to me this morning. 

To create a positive day, I need to stop and recognize true goodness—God Himself; then praise God because He is good; then, I need to stop and thank God for sharing His goodness with me. 

Gushing out of me, Causing me to SCREAM!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

·Fill [Satisfy] us with your ·love [loyalty] every morning. Then we will sing and rejoice all our ·lives [days]. Psalm 90:14 (EXB)

Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Psalm 90:14 (MSG)

Satisfy: Fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) -- have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), saturate.

Morning: figurative of bright joy after night of distress.

Your lovingkindness: favor, good deed, kindly, mercy in redemption from enemies and troubles.

Sing: o shout (usually for joy) -- aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph. 

Rejoice (be glad): cheer up, be make glad, have, make joyful, be make merry, cause to, make to rejoice, to brighten up.

All: enough, every one, as many as, whole.

Days: age, always, continually, daily, birth, each, today, season

I like that word “satisfy”. To be saturated So soaked, that I’m “dripping” with God’s lovingkindness. God has given me—in such abundance—lovingkindness, mercy, graciousness that I can’t contain it—it oozes out from me, and not just in a little trickle, it gushes out! 

The past few weeks, my pain has been “gushing” out of me. Between slipping on the ice and twisting my back to the surgery for the spinal stimulator trial, the pain level has been severe. No matter what I do I’m saturated in pain. 

Even afflictions are welcome when we see them to be his, though the way that he would choose, and the way that this prayer entreats, be only mercy, "Satisfy us early with thy mercy." - John Donne.

Yet, greater than my pain, is God’s lovingkindness and goodness. Knowing that God is fully aware, and has allowed the pain to fulfill His purpose allows me to shout...no make that SCREAM with triumphant joy. Understanding that God is loving and gracious, I know that He only allows what is necessary  to fulfil His will and draw me into a closer and deeper relationship with Him. 

So soaked in God’s lovingkindness that I’m “dripping”! When God’s mercy and grace are gushing out of me, causing me to SCREAM with Triumphant Joy, now that creates a positive day! 

Impact.

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The seventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 47. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47:9 (NIV)

The ·leaders [princes] of the ·nations [or armies] ·meet [gather together] with the ·people [or army] of the God of Abraham, because the ·leaders [shields; military leaders] of the earth belong to God. He is ·supreme [highly exalted]. Psalm 47:9 (EXB)

Highly: diligently, especially, exceedingly, far, fast, good, greatly, louder and louder, muchness, force, abundance.

Exalted: arise up, cause to ascend up.

He is greatly exalted - That is, one who can thus subdue nations, and lead along captive princes and warriors, "must" be a Being greatly exalted; a Being that has dominion over the nations of the earth. This completes the imagery in the psalm, and gives occasion for the shouts and the joys of triumph. God had shown that he was a great King over the earth. Princes and armies were subdued to his will. They were led along as captives, and were gathered together to the people of God, as if to acknowledge their own inferiority; and in this solemn manner the nations thus subdued owned Yahweh to be the true God. In a higher sense this will be true when all the earth shall be subdued by the power of truth, and when kings, and princes, and people everywhere shall come and acknowledge God, reigning through the Messiah, to be the King of all nations. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

God is Supreme.

Rhonda Sawtelle 

God is supreme.

Then why do I doubt Him?

God is supreme.

Then why do I ignore His guidance?

God is supreme. 

Then why do I try to do it alone?

God is supreme.

Then why don’t I trust Him?

God is supreme.

Then why don’t I give Him the respect He deserves?

God is supreme.

Then why don’t I allow Him to have full control in my life?

God is supreme.

Then why don’t I obey Him?

God is supreme.

He knows that I doubt,

yet continues to support me with His love until my doubts subside.

God is supreme.

He knows I ignore His guidance,

yet continues to teach me that His way is the best.

God is supreme.

He knows I’ll try to do it alone,

yet He patiently waits right there beside me to take the lead. 

God is supreme.

He knows that I don’t trust Him,

yet continues to teach me and demonstrate His trustworthiness.

God is supreme.

He knows I don’t show Him proper respect,

yet that doesn’t not mean He’s not worthy!

God is supreme.

He knows I don’t give Him full control,

yet He is waits patiently for me to let go. 

God is supreme.

He knows I fall short on obedience,

yet He is there to correct me and instruct me. 

God is supreme. He is to be highly exalted. 

I need to not only KNOW that God is supreme. but, that truth should effect my actions, attitude, and words. To create a positive day, it is not just KNOWING truth, rather it is allowing the truth to have an IMPACT in my life.

Smile just waiting—Grab it!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 43. Here is what I learned.

Why am I discouraged. Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

Why ·am I so sad [are you downcast, my soul]? Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]? I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him, my ·Savior [Victor] and my God. Psalm 43:5 (EXB)

Why art thou cast down O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5 (KJV w/Strongs) 

Why: interrogative what? (including how? Why? When?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!).

Discouraged: be cast down, despairing, to sink or be depressed, be (bring) low.

Sad: to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor, be disquieted, tumultuous, be in an uproar.

Soul: living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion.

Hope: to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope -- (cause to, have, make to) hope, stay, tarry, trust, wait. 

God: Eelohim- very great, mighty.

For: assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless.

Again: a going around, continuance, still, yet, again, beside, repeatedly, still, more -- again all life long, repeat.

Praise: yield yourselves, acknowledge, give thanks, to revere or worship (with extended hands).

God: the supreme God

As his hope, his never-failing hope, v. 5. Here, as before, David quarrels with himself for his dejections and despondencies, and owns he did ill to yield to them, and that he had no reason to do so: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? He then quiets himself in the believing expectation he had of giving glory to God (Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him) and of enjoying glory with God: He is the health of my countenance and my God. That is what we cannot too much insist upon, for it is what we must live and die by. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

It’s so easy to be discouraged and depressed. But there is a solution—praise, worship God the very source of HOPE! There’s an old saying, “Turn that frown upside down.” This verse isn’t about putting on a fake smile, but rather there is a true REASON to smile—HOPE from God.

To be honest, I don’t feel much like smiling today. I’m recovering from the spinal implant stimulator trial, my back hurts, my headache is severe, and I have more questions than answers on how to move forward. But I have a choice to make—I can wallow in my situation and have  a pity-party, or I can change my focus to God and the Hope and Joy He provides. 

Today seems like a very hard day to create a positive day, but actually, it’s easy if I change my focus to God and the hope He provides. He has a SMILE just waiting for me—and I choose to GRAB it!

Abundantly Congratulates!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (EXB)

Gives: apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, cause.

Strength: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong, to be stout.

His people: specifically, a tribe, group of people.

Blesses: abundantly, altogether, congratulate, to kneel.

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, well, favor, friend, rest, safety.

"Peace." There is a threefold "peace," externa, interna, aeterna; temporal, spiritual, celestial peace. There is outward peace, the blessing; inward peace, the grace; and everlasting peace, of glory. And as in a stately palace there is a lodge or court that leads into the inmost goodly rooms, so external peace is the entrance or introduction to the inward lodgings of the sweet peace of conscience and of that eternal rest in which our peace in heaven shall be happy, inasmuch as external peace affords us many accommodations and helps to the gaining and obtaining both the one and the other. - Ephraim Udall. 1642.

The Lord will bless his people with peace - They have nothing to fear in the tempest and storm; nothing to fear from anything. He will bless them with peace in the tempest; He will bless them with peace through that power by which He controls the tempest. Let them, therefore, not fear in the storm, however fiercely it may rage; let them not be afraid in any of the troubles and trials of life. in the storm, and in those troubles and trials, he can make the mind calm; beyond those storms and those troubles he can give them eternal peace in a world where no "angry tempest blows." Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Why do we fight so hard to find peace, contentment, that sence of safety and calmness? God says that He will bless us with peace. It’s there, if we simply want to accept it. Nothing magical. Just accept the peace and completeness God abundantly pours out upon His people. 

Read though Psalm 29 again. The same God who shows His strength and power in the mighty storms, is very able to provide peace. Nothing is too hard for God! Today, I am to have my temporary spinal stimulator wire removed. And I’ll be making a decision on if I should make it permanent, or simply “give up” on the spinal stimulator as a way to reduce my pain. I’ve noticed the last few weeks, as I’ve discussed this with God, He has given me great peace about each step. It’s so great to know that God is listening to me as I talk with Him, and He is giving me guidance and I move forward. 

My Ponder Morsels lately have been “just what I need’. But God knew that too! Blesses His people with peace. God creates a positive day for me as He abundantly congratulates me with His peace.

Hitting the Bullseye

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 19. Here is what I learned.

The law of the Lord is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the Lord are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it. Psalm 19:7 (GNT)

The ·teachings [laws; instructions] of the Lord are perfect; they ·give new strength [revive the soul].

The ·rules [testimonies] of the Lord ·can be trusted [are faithful/sure]; they make ·plain [simpleminded; immature] people wise. Psalm 19:7 (EXB)

Law: from the word for “archer”; teaching one to aim at the bullseye; teach, instructions, guidance.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Perfect: entire (literally, figuratively or morally), complete, full, sound.

Restoring (gives): to turn back, return.

Soul: living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion.

Testimony (commands): specifically a recorder/a witness, the code of law—as a testimony of God.

Is sure: to build up or support, to be permanent or quiet, establish, faithful, be stout, strong, bold, alert.

Making wise (giving wisdom): to be wise (in mind, word or act), teach wisdom, deal wisely, make wiser. 

The simple: deceive, flatter, silly one, foolish, lack of wisdom.

In man’s search for wisdom and knowledge, often the last place he looks is to God. Sadly, I find this true in my own life. I “think I know it all”. “I can make decisions on my own.” Yet, the reality is, that I cannot. For without God, my decisions lack true wisdom. For often, I want what I think is best for the immediate, not taking in consideration to long-term consequences for my actions, thoughts, or decisions—I’ll miss the bulls-eye every time. 

However, when I look to God, accept His instructions and guidance, my desires, passions and aim will be centered, and as I follow God’s testimony I’ll be alert and much wiser knowing exactly how to hit the bullseye. 

To create a positive day, it’s best that I NOT rely on my own knowledge, but rather listen to and follow God’s guidance. After all, hitting the bullseye ensures a positive day!  

A few years ago, I attended a Bible study. I was to study, Psalm 25:8, 9 and write the meaning to me. It fits perfectly with Psalm 19:7. 

Because God is good.

God will provide intelligent instruction,

teaching me the exact information & direction

(so I hit a bullseye!),

so that on my journey, I’ll know continually

how to behave no matter where I go.

God gives guidance with a specific purpose

knowing what is the very best.

Ps. 25:8, 9 (Rhonda)  

Total Package

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The third of each month, I'm studying Psalm 16. Here's what Treasure I found today.

I ·praise [bless] the Lord because he advises me. Even at night, ·I feel his leading [my innards instruct me]. Psalm 16:7 (EXB)

Bless: bless God, adore with bended knees, abundantly, altogether, congratulate.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Who: forasmuch, from where.

Counsel (advises): to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve -- advertise, advise (well), consult, determine, guide, purpose. 

Indeed (even): furthermore, how much more.

Instruct: chastise, correct, reform, reprove, teach, let oneself be corrected, imparting of wisdom.

Mind: literally the kidneys; meaning “the interior self” , the vessel, thoughts, inter-most being, the seat of the affections.

Night: midnight season, figuratively adversity.

The occupying of the gold. The believer seeking instruction from the counsels of the Lord by night, and realizing his promise by day. The Treasury of David

"My reins also instruct me in the night seasons." We have a saying among ourselves that "the pillow is the best counsellor;" and there is much truth in the saying, especially if we have first committed ourselves in prayer to God, and taken a prayerful spirit with us to our bed. In the quiet of its silent hours, undisturbed by the passions, and unharassed by the conflicts of the world, we can commune with our own heart, and be instructed and guarded as to our future course even "in the night season." David especially seems to have made these seasons sources of great profit as well as delight. Sometimes he loved to meditate upon God as he lay upon his bed; and it was no doubt as he meditated on the Lord's goodness and on the way by which he had led him, that he was, as it were, constrained, even at midnight, to arise and pray. While, therefore, we acknowledge the pillow to be a good counsellor, let us with David here acknowledge also that it is the Lord who gives the counsel, and sends the instruction in the night season. - Barton Bouchier

God gives us advise and guidance in all aspects of our lives. I am very thankful that as I make a decision on  the new spinal implant stimulator, that God will guide me—if I ask Him and then listen to Him. Yesterday, the Ponder Morsel was the “gift of peace”. When I rely on God’s wisdom and knowledge of the circumstances, then I know He will not only give me the answers I seek, but the peace to go along with those decisions. It’s a “total package”! 

I need to accept, not only God’s gift of peace, but His wisdom and guidance as I seek His purpose in and for my life. To create a positive day, it’s all about accepting the “total package” from God—wisdom and peace.

Gift of Peace

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 4. Here is what I learned.

I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O Lord, enable me to live securely. Psalm 4:8 (GW)

I go to bed [lie down] and sleep in peace, because, Lord, only you keep me safe [make me secure]. Psalm 4:8 (EXB)

Both: at all once, both, likewise, only, altogether.

To lie down: lodge, ravish, take rest.

Sleep: go to sleep, and be asleep.

Peace: make safe, friendly terms, well-being.

For: forasmuch, inasmuch, whereas, assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless.

O: yourself, you.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Alone: solitary, to be separate, isolated.

Dwell: make to abide, continue, ease self, endure, establish, remain.

Safety (securely): assurance, a place of refuge, without care, confidence, hope.

Due observation of Providence will both beget and secure inward tranquility in your minds amidst the vicissitudes and revolutions of things in this unstable vain world. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for the Lord only maketh me dwell in safety." He resolves that sinful fears of events shall not rob him of his inward quiet, nor torture his thoughts with anxious presages: he will commit all his concerns into that faithful fatherly hand that had hitherto wrought all things for him; and he means not to lose the comfort of one night's rest, nor brings the evil of tomorrow upon the day; but knowing in whose hand he was, wisely enjoys the sweet felicity of a resigned will. Now this tranquility of our minds is as much begotten and preserved by a due consideration of providence as by anything whatsoever. - John Flayel, 1627-1691.

When I think if being at absolute peace, I can’t help but think of my parakeet, Max. He has the freedom to fly round the apartment, but he likes to sleep on me. He knows that when he’s near me, he’s safe and can relax and sleep soundly. 

Peace. No worries. No fretting. Calm. And the source of the peace is from God Himself, so that means there is a never-ending supply of peace. 

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13 (MSG)

Worrying about “what ifs”, or what may happen robs us of peace. But trusting in the Almighty God provides a perfect peace. To create a positive day, I simply have to rest in Who God is and accept His gift of peace.