My Worth

 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 33. Here is what I learned.

So our hope is in the Lord.  He is our help, our shield to protect us.  Psalm 33:20 (EXB)

Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. Psalm 33:20 (AMP)

We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. Psalm 33:20 (MSG)

There is an excellent story of a young man, that was at sea in a mighty raging tempest; and when all the passengers were at their wits' end for fear, he only was merry; and when he was asked the reason of his mirth, he answered, "That the pilot of the ship was his father, and he knew his father would have a care of him." The great and wise God, who is our Father, hath from all eternity decreed what shall be the issue of all wars, what the event of all troubles; he is our pilot, he sits at the stern; and though the ship of the church or state be in a sinking condition, yet be of good comfort, our Pilot will have a care of us. There is nothing done in the lower house of Parliament on earth, but what is first decreed in the higher house in heaven. All the lesser wheels are ordered and overruled by the upper. Are not five sparrows, saith Christ, sold for a farthing? One sparrow is not worth half a farthing. And there's no man shall have half a farthing's worth of harm more than God hath decreed from all eternity.  Edmund Calamy

How much am I worth? God considered me to be worthy of sacrificing His Son, so that I could enjoy His mercy and grace and spend eternity with Him. Since I am worth THAT to God.... I can be assured that He will not only provide me everything I need, but will make sure that I’m equipped to handle anything He allows to come my way. 

To create a positive day, I only have to remember how God views my worth,  and live in accordance to that worthiness. 

Complete Protection

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 121. Here is what I learned.

The Lord will ·guard [watch] you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:8 (EXB)

He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always. Psalm 121:8 (MSG)

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 (AMP)

“Thy going out and thy coming in," marks the completeness of the protection, extending to all that the man is and that he does. J. J. Stewart Perowne

Many insurance companies use phrases such as ”like a good neighbor.. is there” or “you’re in goo hands” to signify that they will be there when you need them. However, if you’ve had to deal with insurance companies, often you are “put on hold” or they don’t seem to there when you do need them. 

However, God provides COMPLETE PROTECTION. God is really there 24/7. He never leaves and is  EVER-PRESENT. 

Think about that concept... COMPLETE PROTECTION. That is a very assuring concept. That doesn’t mean that “bad things won’t happen” rather, that God only allows things to happen to further His gospel and He is right there to provide the support and whatever help we need. Nothing that happens to us surprises God... He knows all. 

To create a positive day, I only have to rest in the Complete Protection that God provides and realize that when things seem to be going wrong, remember that God is at work and that God has a perfect plan. 

Recipient

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.

·Worship [Bow down to] the Lord ·because he is holy [in the splendor of his holiness]. Tremble before him, everyone on earth. Psalm 96:9 (EXB)

Worship the Lord in his holy splendor. Tremble in his presence, all the earth! Psalm 96:9 (GW)

Bow down to the Eternal, adorned in holiness; lay awestruck before Him, trembling, all people of the earth. Psalm 96:9 (VOICE)

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9 (AMP)

"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." This is the only beauty which he cares for in our public services, and it is one for which no other can compensate. Beauty of architecture and apparel he does not regard; moral and spiritual beauty is that in which his soul delighteth. Worship must not be rendered to God in a slovenly, sinful, superficial manner; we must be reverent, sincere, earnest, and pure in heart both in our prayers and praises. Purity is the white linen of the Lord's choristers, righteousness is the comely garment of his priests, holiness is the royal apparel of his servitors.

"Fear before him, all the earth." "Tremble" is the word in the original, and it expresses the profoundest awe, just as the word "worship" does, which would be more accurately translated by "bow down." Even the bodily frame would be moved to trembling and prostration if men were thoroughly conscious of the power and glory of Jehovah. Men of the world ridiculed "the Quakers" for trembling when under the power of the Holy Spirit; had they been able to discern the majesty of the Eternal they would have quaked also. There is a sacred trembling which is quite consistent with joy, the heart may even quiver with an awful excess of delight. The sight of the King in his beauty caused no alarm to John in Patmos, and yet it made him fall at his feet as dead. Oh, to behold him and worship him with prostrate awe and sacred fear! The Treasury of David

As I think of the holiness God and the ugliness of my sin, I should tremble in fear. I’m thankful that I’ve accepted God’s gift of mercy and grace so that I can boldly enter His presence. But I still need to live in the awe and fear of the Almighty, Holy God. 

To create a positive day, I need to live my life in awe and fear of God, remembering to that I’m a recipient of His mercy and grace. 

False Seekers

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.

They are planning to make that person ·fall [totter]. They enjoy telling lies. With their mouths they bless  but in their ·hearts [L innards] they curse. ·Selah [Interlude] Psalm 62:4 (EXB)

Their only purpose in life is to knock him down from his prominent position; they love deceit. When others are around, they speak a blessing on someone, but inwardly they are mumbling a curse. [pause] Psalm 62:4 (VOICE)

They plan to force him out of his high position. They are happy to lie. They bless with their mouths,  but in their hearts they curse. Selah Psalm 62:4 (GW)

"They only consult to cast him down from his excellency." The excellencies of the righteous are obnoxious to the wicked, and the main object of their fury. The elevation which God gives to the godly in Providence, or in repute, is also the envy of the baser sort, and they labour to pull them down to their own level. Observe the concentration of malice upon one point only, as here set in contrast with the sole reliance of the gracious one upon his Lord. If the wicked could but ruin the work of grace in us, they would be content; to crush our character, to overturn our influence, is the object of their consultation.

"They delight in lies;" hence they hate the truth and the truthful, and by falsehood endeavor to compass their overthrow. To lie is bad enough, but to delight in it is one of the blackest marks of infamy. "They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly." Flattery has ever been a favorite weapon with the enemies of good men; they can curse bitterly enough when it serves their turn; meanwhile, since it answers their purpose, they mask their wrath, and with smooth words pretend to bless those whom they would willingly tear in pieces. It was fortunate for David that he was well practised in silence, for to cozening deceivers there is no other safe reply. "Selah." Here pause, and consider with astonishment the futile rancour of unholy men, and the perfect security of such as rest themselves upon the Lord. The Treasury of David

"They delight in lies;" hence they hate the truth and the truthful, and by falsehood endeavor to compass their overthrow. 

There are many who hate the truth and will do everything they can to discredit or cause  harm to those who speak and live the truth. What is truth? Truth is based on absolute. And the only real absolute is God. Thus, those that despise truth, despise God and therefore, will do all they can do discredit anyone who believes God and obeys God’s Word. 

To create a positive day, I need to continue to believe the truth, and act about true knowledge and not be concerned with what the “false seekers” say. 

Just Because!

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.

Let me ·live [sojourn] in your ·Holy Tent [tent; the sanctuary] forever. Let me find ·safety [refuge] in the shelter of your wings [an image of compassion, or perhaps referring to the cherubim whose wings cover the Ark of the Covenant]. ·Selah [Interlude] Psalm 61:4 (EXB)

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude Psalm 61:4 (NLT)

I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 61:4 (AMP)

When Max, my parakeet, gets scared he likes to be either of two places, in the corner of his night cage, or on my shoulder snuggles close to my ear. I’ve also learned that Max likes to be on my shoulder when simply wants to be near me. Knowing that I am a “safe refuge” when Max is scared, he also enjoys being near me “just because.”

Knowing that God provides a safe and secure place when I as scared, gives me assurance that I can enjoy His company, “just because”. 

Just because. There are people in my life with whom I enjoy spending time, due to the fact that I feel safe with them, and we have a great time. Often it doesn’t have to be any “reason” to get together.... rather “just because”. 

Just because. I know that I can go to God for compassion, safety, and refuge. But the great truth is, that I can go to God... just because! I don’t have to have any reason, or need. I can enjoy God’s refuge and presence... just because 

To create a positive day, I only have to find refuge and shelter in the presence of God.... and know that I don’t need any other reason... except.. Just Because! 

Actively Magnify

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.

God is ·supreme [exalted] over the ·skies [heavens]; his ·majesty [glory; his manifest presence] ·covers [is over] the earth. Psalm 57:5 (EXB)

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57:5 (NLT)

Exalted: A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise, exalt, extol. 

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens. The language here is that of a man who in trouble lifts his thoughts to God; who feels that God reigns; who is assured in his own soul that all things are under his hand; and who is desirous that God should be magnified whatever may become of himself. His prime and leading wish is not for himself, for his own safety, for his own deliverance from danger; it is that "God" may be honored - that the name of God may be glorified - that God may be regarded as supreme over all things - that God may be exalted in the highest possible degree - an idea expressed in the prayer that he may be exalted "above the heavens." Barnes' Notes on the Bible  

........desirous that God should be magnified whatever may become of himself (myself). I’m to be ACTIVELY magnifying God... it’s not about me... it’s to be ALL about Him! 

Glorifying God is not a one time thing. I’m to be ACTIVELY magnifying God.... on an ongoing basis. Magnifying God is not to happen just when I feel like it, or when I think things are going well, or when I’m happy, or not struggling..... it is to happen because GOD is worthy of being magnified. Magnifying God is to be based on HIM, who He is, and what He does. 

If I make  it a point to actively magnify God throughout the day, it will create a positive day for me... and those around me.