One Thing

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.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (AMP)

I am pleading with the Eternal for this one thing, my soul’s desire: To live with Him all of my days—  in the shadow of His temple, To behold His beauty and ponder His ways in the company of His people. Psalm 27:4 (VOICE)

"One thing." Changes, great changes, and many bereavements there have been in my life. I have been emptied from vessel to vessel. But one thing has never failed - one thing makes me feel that my life has been one; it has calmed my joys, it has soothed my sorrows, it has guided me in difficulty, it has strengthened me in weakness. It is the presence of God - a faithful and loving God. Yes, brethren, the presence of God is not only light, it is unity. It gives unity to the heart that believes it - unity to the life that is conformed to it. It was the presence of God in David's soul that enabled him to say, "One thing have I desired of the Lord;" and in St. Paul's that enabled him to say, "This one thing I do."  George Wagner, in the "Wanderings of the Children of Israel," 1862 

One thing. If I could pick one thing... anything... what would I pick? Would I pick, to be pain free? Would I pick, money? Would I pick, material things... furniture, clothes, etc? Would I pick, friendship? What would I pick? 

Really, the best choice would be to have a deeper relationship with God. For in developing that relationship, my real needs would be make clear and be met by God. 

One thing. Yet, that one thing is the foundation for living a life in accordance to God’s will. One thing. That one thing is the most important choice, for it effects all my choices, my attitude, my perspective, my actions and reactions.... if effects my entire life. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure that my “one thing” is that my soul’s desire is to really know and love God Almighty.

Temporary Becomes Permanent

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.

Lord, who shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill? Psalm 15:1 (AMP)

Lord, who may ·enter [dwell/abide/sojourn in] your Holy Tent [the Tabernacle]? Who may live on your holy mountain [Mount Zion]? Psalm 15:1 (EXB)

Two words for dwell are used in Psalm 15:1:

dwell: dwell for a (definite or indefinite) time. 

dwell: to reside or permanently stay. 

As I read this verse this morning, what came to mind is how I view temporary. Sometimes we are glad for “temporary” such as with dealing with pain. When pain become permanent... that is often hard to accept. Other times, temporary can provide help while we wait for the permanent, as in a temporary crown that the Dentist provides. 

As I read Psalm 15:1, I realized that the temporary is to prepare us for the permanent. Eternity is a long time! And throughout eternity we will be praising and worshiping God Almighty. During this temporary period on earth, I need to be practicing worshiping and praising God. I’d like to be ‘prepared’ for when the temporary become permanent! 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I’m engaged in worshiping and honoring God, so that when the temporary becomes permanent, I’m ready! 

What type of person will I be?

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 11 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 1. Here is what I learned.

Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners,  or join the company of mockers. Psalm 1:1 (GW)

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. Psalm 1:1 (AMP)

The person. The man. An ordinary individual. Someone just like you and me. 

There’s a lot of truth in the words—the person, or the man. First, that the truth of the Psalm, applies to all of us. Second, it removes the distinction that you must be some super-person, or a “saint’ or other high position. And lastly, it gives us hope that positive choices can be made—by each of us. 

The person. The man. Just your every day ordinary person. The choice of whom to follow is up to each of us. Peer pressure can’t make us decide. Oh, we can let it influence us, but the actual choice is ours to make. Each of us makes choices and we alone are responsible for those choices. 

The person. The man. Me. 

So often, we read or hear about a person who has a great attitude, or does something spectacular, and we think, ”that person is really special. I could never be like them.” I once sense that is true, we aren’t to be like “that other person”. We are to be the person God wants us to be. But on the other hand, we each have the ability to make choices—follow and obey God, or ignore God. It’s simple really... and any person can do it. 

To create a positive day, I need to ask myself, “What type of person will I be?” I need to make personal choices to follow and obey God. 

Unforgettable Forever

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 11 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 13. Here is what I learned.

How long, O Eternal One? How long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? Psalm 13:1 (VOICE)

How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1 (EXB)

Forever? - He had been forgotten so long, and there appeared to be so little prospect of deliverance, that it seemed as if God never would return and visit him with mercy. The expression denotes a state of mind on the verge of despair. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Forever is a long time. And when there is sense of despair, forever is even longer. Ok, so I know “forever” can’t really get “longer” but it sure feels like it. 

Remember when you were a kid, and you were traveling? Every few minutes we asked the question, “are we there.......yet?” 10 or 15 minutes seemed like “FOREVER” when you are anticipating a fun adventure. 

When one is the midst of despair, arriving at the  place of joy, seems like that unending car ride.... “are we there YET?” Just was it appears that the destination is close, there’s a detour and that adds time and frustration as the waiting time increases. 

Forever. Will the Lord really forget me forever? The answer is no. For I am His child. And there is nothing that can separate me from His love. 

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us.[a] We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation. Romans 8:38-39 (GW)

Forgotten forever, is simply a feeling that Satan uses to discourage and cause fear and distrust. Forgotten forever is not a reality. Forgotten forever is not a truth. God remembers forever. He is ever present. He is watching, caring, and accomplishing His will. I have a choice, chose the falsehood of being forgotten forever, or chose the fact that I’m an unforgettable forever child of God. 

To create a positive day, I need to chose the fact that I’m an unforgettable forever child of God, traveling on the journey God designed headed to the destination of His choosing! 

Rest Contented

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 11 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 8. Here is what I learned.

I am already in the soft embrace of the Eternal, so why do you beckon me to leave, saying, “Fly like a bird to the mountains. Psalm 11:1 (VOICE)

I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now? Psalm 11:1 (MSG)

I ·trust in the Lord for protection [find refuge in the Lord]. So why do you say to me, “·Fly [Flee] like a bird to your mountain. Psalm 11:1 (EXB)

Safety. Embrace. Happy. 

Yesterday, Max, my parakeet, accompanied me to my Doctor’s appointment. Throughout the office visit, Max sat on my shoulder talking and chatting. The Staff and Doctor went in and out of the door, and Max stayed contented on my shoulder. Why would he fly away, knowing that he was safe and secure on my shoulder? 

Throughout the office visit, Max talked and chatted. His favorite word was “happy”. My Doctored enjoyed Max’s visit, which was evident by her laughter. 

Max was so content and felt at ease on my shoulder, so much so, that he settled down and cleaned his feathers, walked around on my shoulder and chatted happily. Max’s actions displayed his contentment and security. 

I can think of no better place to be than in the arms of God. But there is a difference of being in the arms of God and fighting to be released, to resting and being content in the arms of God. 

Resting contented in the arms of God. I have to say that the past few months, I’ve been doing some fighting to get out of God’s soft embrace. Oh, I didn’t want to leave His embrace, but I was not content on where He “had placed me”. More pain, having to take more medications, struggling with the ‘whys’ of it all.... but thankfully, God didn’t let me break free of His embrace. Resting contented in the arms of God, knowing full well that He knows what He is doing and He has a well designed plan. I’m to simply rest and accept God’s hug. 

To create a positive day, I need to stop struggling and rest contented in the safe and secure arms of God. 

Change the Worry into Happy

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.

The birds in the ·sky [heavens],  the fish in the sea, and everything that ·lives under water [passes/travels on the paths of the sea. Psalm 8:8 (EXB)

I’ve learned much from Max, my parakeet, over the past 10 years. As much as I want to control him, he does things that I cannot control. He seems to understand some of what I say, “bedtime”, for example. When I say that, he walks over to me and gives me a kiss and looks down the hallway... he is ready to go into his night cage to go to sleep. But does he really understand what I say, or is it that he knows the routine of the night? 

When I watch Max, I’m amazed at how he knows how to clean his feathers. I didn’t teach him that. God instilled that knowledge into birds when he created them. I love Max’s coloring, bright yellow head and green feathers. I can’t change the coloring of his feathers, again God designed Max that way. 

When I think of the birds of the sky, I’m reminded of this verse:

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? Matthew 6:26, 27 (GW)

I have an appointment with my Pain Management Dr today. We are going to discuss the next step in trying to reduce the new pain caused by the surgery in April. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about what we might need to try. I really don’t want another procedure that can cause more irritation to the nerves.

But worrying about what MIGHT happen, doesn’t help in anyway. God has a plan and a purpose. He’s proven again and again, that He will put me exactly where He wants me to accomplish His will and purpose. 

Since God cares for the birds—I KNOW He’ll care for me. And as a reminder of God’s care, I’m taking Max with me to my Doctor’s appointment today. My Doctor likes Max and I know that she’ll enjoy seeing him again. 

To create a positive day, I need to change the worry into, as Max would say, “happy”, by trusting that God cares and really does know best. 

Update: Max enjoyed visiting with my Dr., and my Dr really enjoyed Max’s visit! And God once again showed His care and guidance. My Dr. has decided to delay any invasive treatments and opted to try some noninvasive treatments first. Thankful that God helped me change my worry into happy!

Full-body

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.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his ·Temple [holy place; or holiness];  praise him in his ·mighty heaven [strong firmament]. Psalm 150:1

Praise begins in the presence of God. If I can’t praise God in His presence, how can I praise God when I’m “out and about”. Praising God directly in His presence, is the foundation for praising God elsewhere. 

Praise in prayer. So often, prayers are more of asking or telling God what we want, “making our requests known”. But prayer should be more that just asking. Prayer needs to begin with praise and honor to God. For when I praise God, that changes my perspective from me and my wants to God and His will and goodness. 

This morning, I made a cup of instant coffee. I filled a mug with water, put it in the microwave, and after the water was hot, I started to drink it. It was very weak tasting. I had forgotten to add the coffee! If I pray only asking for things, not only is my prayer life going to weak, but I’ll miss out on the “full-body” flavor of what prayer is all about. 

Praise should be the first and most often ingredient in prayer. Praising God is the essence of prayer and creates a heart in me ready to be molded to God’s plan and purpose. 

To create a positive day, and to make my prayers and life “full-body” I need to be praising God Almighty!