Directed to SOMEONE, not a Nothing!

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 96. Here is what I learned.

For all the gods of the nations are [lifeless] idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96:5 (AMP)

For all human-made, lifeless gods are worthless idols, but the Eternal plotted the vast heavens, shaped every last detail. Psalm 96:5 (VOICE)

Nothings, nonentities.

The Hebrew word 'ĕlı̂yl - means properly "of nothing, nought, empty, vain." The meaning here is, that they were mere nothings; they had no real existence; they were the creations of the imagination; they could not in any sense be regarded as what it was pretended they were; they had no claim to reverence and worship as gods. Of most of them it was a fact that they had no existence at all, but were mere creatures of fancy. Of those that did really exist, as the sun, moon, stars, animals, or the spirits of departed people, though it was true that they had an actual existence, yet it was also true that they had no existence "as gods," or as entitled to worship; and hence, it was also true that the worship offered to them was as vain as that which was offered to mere beings of the imagination. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Idol noun

1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. Bible: an image of a deity other than God.
3. any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.
4. a mere image or semblance of something, visible but without substance, as a phantom.
5. a figment of the mind; fantasy.

“Any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.” I often find it interesting how people can say they “love” a celebrity. How can you love someone you actually know so little about? Why do you blindly give devotion to someone who has no clue about you, and doesn’t care about you? 

Nothings. Empty. Am I giving my attention to idols, empty people, or things, rather than God? I can know who God is by studying His Word and seeing His work in Creation. I know that God loves me and cares, because He has demonstrated it over and over. 

My praise and adoration need to be given to a very specific someone—God, Almighty—not a person, or thing that is empty and is a nothing. To create a positive day, I need to make sure my adoration is directed to SOMEONE, not a Nothing! 

Shut Up!

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 62. Here is what I learned.

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. Psalm 62:5 (AMP)

God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? Psalm 62:5 (MSG)

I ·find rest [wait quietly] in God; ·only he gives me hope [for my hope is in him]. Psalm 62:5 (EXB)

Wait: be still (opposed to both speech and motion); be silent, hold peace, quiet self, rest, keep (put to) silence.

Wait, to put it in one term, “Shut Up!” 

Be still silent, O my soul! submit thyself completely, trust immovably, wait patiently. Let none of thy enemies' imaginings, consultings, flatteries, or maledictions cause thee to break the King's peace. Unmingled faith is undismayed. The Treasury of David

One definition of “wait” is to be available or in readiness. If I’m in a constant state of motion and noise (talking), than I am not available or in readiness. For, if I’m talking, I can’t hear the instructions from God! 

I’ve never really enjoyed silence. I like to have the radio on, or CDs playing, or the TV on... just for noise. Yet, in the silence I hear subtle sounds which I miss amidst the noise. If I really want to know what God wants me to do.... I need to “shut up” and listen! 

I’ve noticed that often when I’m nervous, I tend to talk, often faster and louder. Yet, God wants to give me peace, and that comes as I WAIT... yes, “shut up” just be still. 

Only when I “Shut Up”, will I be able to find peace and know what God wants me to do next. Trust in God, and what He is doing and stop making noises that are just jibber-jabber. 

To create a positive day, I need to “shut up” and listen to God, for then and only then will I enjoy the peace that calms my soul. 

Shelter in the Rain

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 61. Here is what I learned.

For You are my protection, an impenetrable fortress from my enemies. Psalm 61:3 (VOICE)

For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary. Psalm 61:3 (AMP)

Refuge: to flee for protection; to confide in—have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

Shelter in the Rain (4 Him)

How long have you been

Waiting on a little sun to shine

To take away the night

Hold on for you are never alone

Through the darkest skies

There is a guiding light

For our God is a refuge

Where the weary can run and hide

in times of trouble

He’ll be the calm in the midst of the storm

‘Till it passes by

Oh, you need to know

CHORUS

There’s a shelter in the rain

There’s a hope for your tomorrow

There’s a cover through the pain

When you’re underneath the weather

Jesus is the shelter in the rain

Sometimes when hope is hard to find

We’ve got to walk by faith

Until we see the way

Hold tight for we are promised in time

Those who patiently wait

Will never wait in vain

For we know God is faithful

He’s a fortress to run into

In times of trouble

He’ll cover us with the wings of his love

‘Till we make it through

Oh, we got to know

REPEAT CHORUS

So tell me why

Why could you ever run away

From the cover out into the storm

Just know in time

The rain’s gonna bring a brighter day

And the clouds will be gone

But while you wait on the Lord

Just knowing that I have a shelter—no matter how stormy it looks, or how strong the storm may be—my God is a strong and secure shelter!

What a joy to place my hope and trust in the Almighty God! And being in the God’s protection turns any stormy day into a positive one! 

Shelter in the Rain (4 Him) 

Eleemosynary

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 57. Here is what I learned.

He sends help from heaven and ·saves me [gives me victory]. He ·punishes [reproaches; scorns] those who ·chase [trample on; hound; snap at] me. ·Selah [Interlude] God sends me his ·love [loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness]. Psalm 57:3 (EXB)

He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness. Psalm 57:3 (AMP)

Kind:  generous, good; Synonyms: affectionate, all heart, beneficent, benevolent, big, bounteous, charitable, compassionate, considerate, cordial, courteous, eleemosynary, friendly, gentle, good-hearted, gracious, heart in right place, kindhearted, kindly, lenient, loving, mild, neighborly, obliging, philanthropic, propitious, soft touch, softhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted, thoughtful, tolerant, understanding.

Eleemosynary. This is a new word for me. 

Eleemosynary [el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh-] adjective

1. of or pertaining to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable.

2. derived from or provided by charity.

3. dependent on or supported by charity.

Eleemosynary. Dependent on or supported by charity.... I think that’s a good way to describe my relationship with God.  I am dependent upon God for His love and mercy. There is nothing I can do to deserve it. There is no way to buy it. God in is grace, simply gives it to me. 

Eleemosynary. Dependent..... I am dependent upon God’s loving-kindness, His mercy. God freely gives His loving-kindness, mercy, grace to me, do I accept it? And being dependent upon God should have an impact in my life. Do I “make it my own” thus, allowing it to change my attitude, actions, and speech?

The Lord has told you, ·human [O man], what is good; he has told you what ·he wants [the Lord requires] from you: to do what is ·right to other people [just], love ·being kind to others [mercy; lovingkindness], and ·live humbly, obeying [walk humbly with] your God. Micah 6:8 (EXB)

Eleemosynary should translate into doing what God wants me to do—obeying, walking humbly with God.

To create a positive day, I need to remember “eleemosynary”—dependent upon the charity of God’s loving-kindness and mercy, and act accordingly.

Gift of a Handicap

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 30. Here is what I learned.

Lord, my God, I ·prayed to you [cried to you for help], and you healed me. Psalm 30:2 (EXB)

Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help; You mended the shattered pieces of my life.  Psalm 30:2 (VOICE) 

"Thou hast healed me." The verb is used, either for the healing of bodily disorders, or to denote the happy alteration of any person's affairs, either in private or public life, by the removal of any kind of distress, personal or national. So in the place before us: "Thou hast healed me," means, Thou hast brought me out of my distresses, hast restored my health, and rendered me safe and prosperous. Samuel Chandler

One question I’m often asked is “Why doesn’t God heal you?” And most often, the person asking has some reason that it is “my fault” that I’m not healed, such as sin, not enough faith, etc. I’m written many times that God CAN heal me, but He has chosen not to. God is capable of doing whatever He wants. He can heal me—and that is not dependent upon me or what I do. 

As David gives praise and glory to Lord, my God, for his healing, I think the thing to remember here is the job God had designed for David. David was to be King of Israel. God wanted him healthy to guide His chosen people. 

There are others in Scripture who had illnesses or afflictions but God decided NOT to heal. Paul had an problems with his eyes. But God chose not the heal Paul because He wanted to remind Paul to rely God’s grace and strength... and not a get a “big head” because the work God chose Paul to do. 

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG)

“You healed me.” I have to say that I do think that God has healed me. Not from the physical pain, but from the soul pain of “why am I not healed?” I continue to learn that God has different ways to heal, and He heals in accordance to His plan. For me, He allows the physical pain, but has given me overwhelming peace knowing that God is working to accomplish His will through me. I have a constant reminder that God is at work, and that He loves me and cares for me. Yes, my pain is a reminder of God’s love. For I know that He gave me this “gift of a handicap” to remind me of my limitations, and rely on God’s grace and strength! 

To create a positive day, I need to thank God for His gift of a handicap, and to use it to share His amazing love with others.

More Apt

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 28. Here is what I learned.

Because they regard not the works of the Lord nor the operations of His hands, He will break them down and not rebuild them. Psalm 28:5 (AMP)

Because these are people who have no respect for You, O Eternal, they ignore everything You have done. So He will tear them down with His powerful hands; never will they be built again. Psalm 28:5 (VOICE)

Because they have no idea how God works or what he is up to, God will smash them to smithereens and walk away from the ruins. Psalm 28:5 (MSG)

Regard: verb
1. to look upon or think of with a particular feeling: to regard a person with favor.
2. to have or show respect or concern for.
3. to think highly of; esteem.
4. to take into account; consider.
5. to look at; observe.

How often do I ignore what God is doing? Worst yet, how often do I ignore God altogether? That may seem like a harsh statement. But think about it. Each time I don’t trust God in what He is doing, each time I sin, each time I don’t give God glory...... each time..... ignoring God has consequences. 

Instead of ignoring God, I am to consider, contemplate, take notice. I’m to have respect for Him and what He is doing. If I’m respecting God and what He is doing, I am more apt to resist temptation to sin, I am more apt to trust God in all situations, and I’m more apt to give Him glory.

Ignore God or contemplate God. Both have consequences. Both will have an impact in my life. Both will cause me to react to my circumstances. The choice comes down to which consequence, impact and reaction do I want? I’d have to say that I’m more apt to be happier with the consequences, impact and reaction resulting from contemplating God! 

More apt...a tendency toward contemplating God will result in trusting, obeying, and rejoicing in who God is and what He is doing. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I’m “more apt” to contemplate God and what He is doing

Determined Action

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 27. Here is what I learned.

And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:6 (AMP)

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God. Psalm 27:6 (MSG)

As I read Psalm 27:6 this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the videos I’ve seen in Boston after the it was announced that the second person responsible for the Boston marathon bombing was captured. The streets were lined with people shouting, clapping, and singing our National Anthem. It was a joyous occasion, and the joy could not be contained. 

That is an example of what Psalm 27:6 is describing.... I should be breaking forth with shouting, singing, to the Lord for His deliverance, protection, and love. 

Sacrifices and shouting of joy. Offering anthems that will raise the roof! Why am I so silent and quiet when it comes to praising God and displaying my joy? 

I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy... to the Lord! This a determined action.. I WILL. And if I take time to consider how GREAT God is... and the GREAT things He has done... a natural reaction will be to want to SHOUT and raise the roof of joy to the Lord. 

To create a positive day, I must make a determined action to offer my sacrifice of shouts of joy to the Lord!