Lionize

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 15. Here is what I learned.

In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord (who revere and worship Him); who swears to his own hurt and does not change. Psalm 15:4 (AMP)

The one who despises those rejected by God but honors those who fear the Lord. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it. Psalm 15:4 (GW)

But he honoreth them that fear the Lord - No matter in what rank or condition of life they may be found. Where there is true piety he honors it. He is willing to be known as one that honors it, and is willing to bear all the reproach that may be connected with such a deeply cherished respect, and with such an avowal. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Honor: Respect: account, adoration, adulation, aggrandizement, attention, celebration, confidence, consideration, credit, dignity, distinction, elevation, esteem, exaltation, faith, fame, fealty, glorification, glory, greatness, high standing, homage, immortalization, laud, lionization, notice, obeisance, popularity, praise, prestige, rank, recognition, renown, reputation, reverence, tribute, trust, worship.

Lionize. Lionization: to treat a person as a celebrity; to pursue celebrities or seek their company; to visit or exhibit the objects of interest of.

I like that word, lionize. I’m to lionize those that fear God. I’m so very thankful that God has introduced me to some amazing people who fear and serve the Lord. Each of those individuals has helped me grow in my knowledge of God and have been key in “keeping me on track” in my life. 

Take a moment and think of the individuals in your life that make them worthy of lionization because of their fear of God. Now take another moment to thank them and let them know you appreciate their example of living a life obeying and loving God. 

To create a positive day, I first need to lionize those in my life who are fearing God, then I need to do some work in my own life, to make sure I’m honoring and fearing God. 

Intimately and Fully Acquainted

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 1. Here is what I learned.

For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought). Psalm 1:6 (AMP)

God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. Psalm 1:6 (MSG)

The Lord is intimately acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is destroyed. Psalm 1:6 (CEB)

As the Hebrew hath it yet more fully, "The Lord is knowing the way of the righteous." He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the Lord knoweth it. If it be in the clouds and tempest of affliction, he understandeth it. He numbereth the hairs of our head; he wilt not Suffer any evil to befall us. "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10. The Treasury of David

Intimately and fully acquainted. Constantly looking on their way. God knows exactly what is happening in my life, nothing comes as a surprise to God. He knew me before I was born.... 49 years ago today! 

God knew about me and He knows about me... but more than just knowing ABOUT me, He wants to KNOW me. He wants to get acquainted with me. And I can have a relationship with God because of His gift of salvation. Since I placed my trust and faith in God I am His child. 

God knows about me. God knows me. God has a plan specifically designed for me. 

God is intimately and fully acquainted with me—that FACT makes my day positive—indeed! 

What type of day would it be....

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 13. Here is what I learned.

I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms— I’m celebrating your rescue. Psalm 13:5 (MSG)

But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (AMP)

But I trust in Your faithful love; my heart leaps at the thought of imminent deliverance by You. Psalm 13:5 (VOICE)

As I read Psalm 13:5 this morning.. wow what a picture. Throwing myself headlong into the arms of God, leaning on Him, my heart leaps..... kind of reminds me of the pictures we seen when our Military Heroes return from their deployment. The men and women RUN toward their families, and grab hold of each other... never wanting to let go. 

As I think of Psalm 13:5, I’m so thankful first of all, that God’s arms are waiting for me! Secondly, that because of God’s love and mercy I can run to Him at anytime. Thirdly, that He will hold me tight and love me with an ever-lasting love. And lastly, this is great reason to rejoice and be glad! 

Since I can lean on God and throw myself headlong into His arms anytime.... I should do it everyday! Not just when I’m in trouble, or when things around me look bad. God is not just a God for the bad times, He’s a God for the great times too! Yet when things are going well, we often forget about God. Then something tragic happens, such as the bombing in Boston, then we turn to God— and He’s there waiting. 

What type of day would it be

if I’d begin it by “throwing myself headlong into the arms of God”?

What type of day would it be

if I leaned on God throughout the entire day? 

What type of day would it be

if my heart was leaping all the time

because I remembered that God is a loving and merciful God?

What type of day would it be.......

I think it would be a pretty amazing and a most positive day!  

Fear, Panic, and Chaos

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 11. Here is what I learned.

1. In the Lord I take refuge [and put my trust]; how can you say to me, Flee like a bird to your mountain?

2. For see, the wicked are bending the bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they [furtively] in darkness may shoot at the upright in heart.

3. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what has He [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished?

4. The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.

5. The Lord tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence.

6. Upon the wicked He will rain quick burning coals or snares; fire, brimstone, and a [dreadful] scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7. For the Lord is [rigidly] righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face, or He beholds the upright.

Psalm 11 (AMP)

In this psalm we have David's struggle with and triumph over a strong temptation to distrust God and betake himself to indirect means for his own safety in a time of danger.

In singing this psalm we must encourage and engage ourselves to trust in God at all times, must depend upon him to protect our innocence and make us happy, must dread his frowns as worse than death and desire his favour as better than life. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

Yesterday, at the end of the Boston Marathon, several bombs exploded. Fear. Panic. Chaos. Some ask, where was God then? Why didn’t He stop it? If He is so powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen. 

The first thing that I have to remember, is that God doesn’t owe us any explanation, nor does He owe us any “good thing”. We are sinners. He is a holy God. 

The second thing to remember is that actions of sinners have consequences. Yes, I’m a sinner, saved by God’s grace, and each action I do, has consequences. Some consequences impact more than just a single individual. 

Thirdly, God gave each of us a free will. We choose if we will obey and follow God, or ignore Him and go our own way. God did not create “robots” who will simply do as “programed”. Rather, God wants us to follow and obey Him because of who He is and because we love Him. 

Lastly, bad things do happen to good people, simply because we live in a world of sin. That does not mean that God doesn’t love us. His love is far greater than we can ever imagine. So, even in the midst of chaos, fear, and pain, God continues to love us. Assurance in Him calms our fears and we know that no matter what happens on this earth, because of God’s gift of salvation, we will spend eternity with Him.

To create a positive day, I need to place my trust in God, for He alone can change the fear, panic, and chaos, into courage, peace, and calm. 

Investigate

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 8. Here is what I learned.

When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established. Psalm 8:3 (AMP)

When I gaze to the skies and meditate on Your creation—on the moon, stars, and all You have made. Psalm 8:3 (VOICE)

Consider: A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively; advise self, appear, approve, behold, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, perceive, present, regard, (have) respect, spy, stare,think, view.

Investigate (verb) 

1. to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.

2. to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex.

I like mysteries and crime shows. I like to search for the answers and the whys, hows, etc. Investigation intrigues me. In Psalm 8:3 I am to consider, study,  investigate the sky, the Heavens, the stars, the moon, etc. NOT to worship them, but rather see God’s handiwork. Creation in and of itself shows the power, majesty, and vastness of God. As I investigate the things God created, it allows me to gain a greater insight into just how awesome God really is. 

Take our Earth for example. God tilted it at just the precise angle so that it gives us the Seasons. And that fulfills a promise in Genesis 8:22, As long as the earth endures, nothing will put a stop to planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. (VOICE)

God in His infinite wisdom created our universe, and beyond with specific, intricate details so that everything works in accordance to His plan. He tilted the earth, so that we’d have Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. He made sure the Earth was positioned close enough to the sun to get heat, but just far enough away so that we would not “burn up”. 

Investigate what God has made and learn of the power, majesty and awesomeness of God almighty. To create a positive day, I only need to investigate God’s creation, for it clearly demonstrates God’s ability, authority and sovereignty. 

An Automatic Reflex of Praise!

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 150. Here is what I learned.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Psalm 150:6 (GW)

No one should be left out; Let every man and every beast— every creature that has the breath of the Lord—praise the Eternal! Praise the Eternal! Psalm 150:6 (VOICE)

Breath: respiration, especially as necessary to life.

Breathe: to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale.

Breathing is necessary to life! I take in oxygen and then expel. It’s a natural reflex. I don’t have to think about breathing. I don’t practice breathing. It “just happens”. 

Just think if praise became a natural reflex, just as breathing is. How would that change my attitude, my outlook, my overall day? 

If I want to make praise an automatic reflex, it needs two things.

First, I have to “inhale” who God is, and what He is doing. For how can I praise God if I don’t know about Him?

And secondly,  since praise is not an automatic reflex, like breathing, I must train myself! I have to create a habit of praising God. Then if I continue to practice the habit of praise.... if will become an automatic reflex! 

I can’t think of an easier way to create a positive day, than to create an automatic reflex of praise!