Psalm - Psalm 4

Psalm 4:8I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare
Alone: solitary
Dwell: make to abide, to remain
Safety: without care, confidence, hope, safely secure

As I read Psalm 4 there are many good truths. However, I continued going back to verse 8. Particularly, the words, "You alone". 

So many times people "give up" on Christianity, because they look at people. They look at what people have or have not done. They try to justify giving up on God, because of people - all who are sinners! Some of those sinners are saved by grace, but no the less sinners. 

We look at the World and wonder where God is. Why is He allowing such terrible things to take place. The reason, He gave us free will to choose or not to choose Him. The more people abandon God the more unchecked sin goes. Then we have "every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes" (Deuteronomy 12:8).

This is not the time to abandon God. Rather we need to look to Him ALONE. For God is the One who sets the standard and He is the one we desperately need. 

Psalm 4:8 - You Alone, O Lord! 

Chronological: Promises

Promises. 

What does the word promise mean? One dictionary defines as such: an express assurance on which expectation is to be based.

As we look at the life of Abraham beginning in Genesis 12, we see something that is no unique to Abraham nor the time in which he lived— his actions did not always reflect the belief that God keeps His promises. 

God is always faithful. God is truthful. God keeps His promises. Abraham's actions are often inconsistent with the characteristics of God. 

Genesis 12 begins with a command. "Get out of this place — (go) to another place. That command is followed by the following promises.

I will show you the land. 

I will make you a great nation. 

I will bless you.

I will make your name great—and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those that bless you.

I will curse those that curse you.

Looking at the list of promises, it covers everything. And then we look at Abraham's actions. Sadly, his actions do not convey faith or obedience in God's promises. 

Genesis 12:10-20

Abraham lied. 

Abraham was scared. He thought he'd be killed because his wife Sarai was beautiful and the Egyptians would want her. So, he said Sarai, was is sister not his wife. Due to that lie, the Egyptians were cursed and Abraham and Sarai were  commanded to leave. 

Look at which promises that Abraham forgot at he entered Egypt. Yes, all of them. That's not a good start to Abraham's journey. 

God's Word is full of promises. Do I act as I believe those promises? 

Sadly, too often I am like Abraham, thinking that God doesn't really mean what He says. Or I think that maybe I know better than God. Or that God needs my help. That's just plain wrong thinking—period! That's when I need to stop and remember WHO God is! For when I have a correct thinking and understanding of WHO God is—my actions will then be such that reveal that I do trust God and I want to obey Him. 

Promises. When the promises are made by God Almighty—you can be assured He will keep them! 

Chronological: The Who

Continuing to my Chronological Bible Study. I am stuck on Noah right now.... Genesis 6-8. 

"This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9

Verse 8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." 

Verse 9—tells us why: Noah walked with God. 

And the result: Verse 22, "Noah did according to all that God commanded him, so he did. Also, Genesis 7:5, "And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him."

Have you ever thought about what would have happened if Noah didn't obey ALL that God had commanded him? What if Noah decided that the dimensions of the ark just weren't right and recalculated them? What if Noah decided not use the pitch on the inside and outside of the ark? 

Yet, even if Noah didn't understand the NEED for all that God commanded, Noah knew WHO was giving the orders! 

That the key in the story of Noah. Not the ark, or all the animals, but the WHO—God Almighty. 

God created the World. (God said)

Man sinned. (he said)

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (He listened to God said)

God is Holy. God is merciful. God is patient. 

The WHO is the key—from the beginning throughout all eternity. 

If you don't have a respect for WHO God is, the result is the vile and sin that was rampant in Noah's day, and we see again in our generation. It's time for us to focus on The WHO—and remember that God is holy. God is just. God is merciful. God is patient—but for how long? 

Do my thoughts, actions, attitudes, words—reflect that I know WHO God is? Does the truth of WHO God is impact my entire life? Are the choices I make each and everyday honoring to God? 

"Did according to all the Lord commanded him." Can that be said of me?

Chronological: Questioning Truth—"He Said"

Questioning Truth— “He Said”

Genesis 3-5

What a contrast from Genesis 2 to Genesis 3. 

In Genesis 2 God Almighty is speaking with authority and power. Then in Genesis 3 creation speaks and immediately begins to question God and Truth. 

Genesis 3: 1 “And he said… Has God indeed said?” 

Genesis 3: 4 A blatant lie is stated. “You shall not surely die.” 

When you start to question what God says, don’t try to answer it on your own. Rather, go back to the source! Go back to Scripture. What did God REALLY say? 

We know the consequences of blatantly disregarding Truth and disobeying God’s word. Adam and Eve were ashamed before God, there was separation from God. Their relationship changed. 

Genesis 3:8-9 God still wanted a relationship with mankind, but now sin had to be dealt with—for God is holy. 

Adam and Eve and to live with the consequences of their disobedience to God. For questioning Truth started a pattern—that had deadly consequences. 

Cain the firstborn worked in the fields. Where as, his younger brother Abel was a shepherd. Both knew that they had to give an offering to the Lord, however, one did it truthfully, the other did not. Rather than seeking the truth of why the sacrifice was rejected by God, Cain chose to follow his own voice and killed his brother. 

Once again there are consequences to sin. Abel was dead. Cain was sent to wonder about and his livelihood would no longer support him. Genesis 4:13.

Look at the decedents of Cain. Genesis 4:16-24. The sin of Cain had long-term effects as his great, great, great, great, great grandson was prideful in his murdering and he knew what happened to Cain and it was of no consequence in Lamech mind. He said— Genesis 4:23, 24. 

In contrast, Genesis 4:36—“Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”

Genesis 5 is the genealogy of Adam. Several times throughout the Bible, we read genealogies. Why is a list of names important? Because when God says something—it is trustworthy. The genealogies throughout Scripture show us the line in which the Lord Jesus Christ would be born. God in His mercy and grace, was planning a way of redemption. 

Genesis 5 begins with Adam and ends with Noah and his 3 sons. Look in the middle of this genealogy at Genesis 5:24. A testimony to one who listened to “God said” rather than “he said”. “Enoch walked with God” That was the relationship that Adam had in the garden before sin entered the picture. The relationship Enoch had with God was possible, because Enoch believed and listened to the truth of God’s Word. He obeyed God.

Enoch walked with God. What a great testimony in the midst of others who are choosing to follow the ‘he said’ rather than what God said. 

Read Genesis 3-5 and take note of who people were listing to—God or Satan. God said. He said. 

In your life, are you listening to “God said” or “he said”? In our world today, the ‘he said’ is louder as people have ignored God and His truth for generations. However, God’s Word can still be heard—if you choose to hear it and obey it. 

What legacy will you leave—one who listened to the “he said” like Cain and Lamech? Or a legacy of one who listened to “God said” like Enoch? 

God said. He said. You have a choice to make. 

Chronological: The Beginning "God Said"

Today, I started a new Bible study. I'm going to be studying the Bible chronologically, starting in Genesis. 

The Beginning "God Said"

Genesis 1-2

As I read these two chapters, two word stood out. "God said." In those two words, we learn a lot about God. 

First, when God speaks there is Reason. He speaks to accomplish something. 

When God speaks there is Result. His Words produce something. They have a desired effect. 

When God speaks there is Reaction. There is a response. 

Reason.

Genesis 1:1 

In the beginning, God created. 

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5

God created—for Himself. He the Almighty created everything with beauty, interaction, perfection—and He deserves our praise and honor. 

Result.

And it was so. And it was good.

Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 25, 31.

There is a chronological sense to Creation. God created in an orderly fashion so that the needs of each next day's creation would have its needs met. There is order and planning. A specific reason for each specific act of Creation. It was not haphazard, with out any planning.

Reaction.

What God says—happens. His speech produces exactly what He wants. He speech is powerful, because He is God! He is the creator of all. He is the sustainer of all. God says it—it's reality! 

Psalm 104

From Genesis 1-2, what do we learn about God? 

• He is the Creator of all.
• There is authority and power in His speech.
• He is mighty.
• He is worthy of praise.
• He cares about mankind. 
• He supplies all the needs of Creation. 
• He is orderly and does nothing haphazardly. 

God said. 

How should those two words and the truth of Genesis 1-2 impact my life? 

1. I have confidence in knowing that God's word is powerful.

2. Knowing that God has authority, and His words have power— I should obey what He says.

What else has God Said, that deserves my attention? 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 

God said. 

Two words with a mighty powerful result–that should impact my life as I realize the power and authority of God Almighty. 

Will I allow those two words to impact my thoughts, motives, actions, and words today? 

Thanks Living: Nothing Else To Add

Thanks Living

He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. Deuteronomy 10:21

He is your praise. 

He is your God.

Nothing else to add, no need to. 

Thanks Living.

Trust: Proven Trustworthy

And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people provoke (spurn, despise) Me? And how long will it be before they believe Me [trusting in, relying on, clinging to Me], for all the signs which I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11 (AMP)

The Israelites had been walking through the desert toward the promise land. They arrived at Canann. The spies went in to check it out, and returned with their report. Most said, "The land is awesome! But there is no way we can fight those that live there. They are just too strong and powerful for us." Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, said, "God said He'd give it to us, let's go get it!" 

The people rather than TRUST in all that God had proven He could do, relied on what only they, themselves could do. 

God had proven Himself to be trustworthy. He did what He said He would do. He took care of His people at the right time, even in the midst of their complaining and disobedience. God said it, all the Israelites had to do was TRUST that He'd do what He said. 

Trustworthy. God is trustworthy. That means when I don't understand what or why He is doing something, I have to stop and remember all that He did, and that He is One who always keeps His word! God is trustworthy. 

Trustworthy. We only know if someone is trustworthy by what they've done. However, with God, we know that He is not only trustworthy for ALL that He has done, but because of WHO He is! 

God is faithful. God is honest. God does not lie. God is God Almighty! 

Too often I, like the Israelites, forget Who I am placing my trust in—God Almighty! Rather, I look around and see the impossible situations—at least impossible based on my abilities. If I know someone is trustworthy, and they have proven themselves trustworthy time and time again, then I need to continue trusting. Sadly, it's too easy to get caught up with the impossibilities, instead of trusting in someone else. And the impossibilities are based on what I CAN DO—not on the one I am to be trusting to do it. 

Only, when I stop trusting in myself, and put my trust in the One who is trustworthy to accomplish all He says He will do, can I fully enjoy the journey and end results. And I will only be able to fully trust God when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Non-debatable

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

 _______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. Colossians 2:9 (AMP)

This word "dwelleth" notes out to us the joining together of those natures, so that God and man, is one Christ. These words declare that the perfect Godhead is in Christ. The union of God and man, is substantial and essential. Geneva Study Bible

Paul states emphatically, that JESUS is God. Jesus was not merely a "good man"—rather He is God. That is vital because only a perfect, holy, sinless sacrifice could be accepted for our sins. 

The truth that Jesus is God is non-debatable. It's Truth. Oh, I know that people debate it and say that Jesus was just a "good guy". However, the standard for Truth is God. God made it very clear that Jesus is God. 

Throughout the entire time Jesus was on earth, His actions, words, His entire being declared Him to be God. The miracles He did. The Truth He taught. 

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), begins with understanding and believing that Jesus is God. 

Promises of Grace

For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently. Colossians 1:19 (AMP) 

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Though all the perfections of God are in Christ, as eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability, independence, and necessary existence, and every other, or he would not be equal with God;" 

"There is a fulness of grace in him, out of which saints receive, and grace for grace, or a large abundance of it; the fulness of the spirit of grace, and of all the graces and gifts of the Spirit is in him; and of all the blessings of grace, as a justifying righteousness, pardon of sin, adoption, sanctification, even of all that grace that is implanted in regeneration, that is necessary to carry on and finish the good work upon the soul; there is a fulness of all light and life, of wisdom, and strength, of peace, joy, and comfort, and of all the promises of grace, both with respect to this world and that which is to come;"

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible; Colossians 1:19.

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"There is a fulness of all light and life, of wisdom, and strength, of peace, joy, and comfort, and of all the promises of grace.." 

Because Jesus Christ is God, I have the promise of wisdom, strength, peace, joy and comfort—all because of God's grace given to me through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

To fully enjoy all that God and His Son has to offer me, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG) 

For Him

"For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him." Colossians 1:16 (AMP)

FOR HIM. all things were created and exist... FOR HIM. 

All things were made according to his pleasure, and for His praise and glory. 

All things.......for Him.... for His glory and honor. 

Am I as a creation of God, and HIS child, living a life that is bringing glory and honor to God? 

In order to live a life that is pleasing to Him, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Reflection

"[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation." Colossians 1:15 (AMP)

Jesus Christ is God in every way. Perfect. Holy. For God to accept Jesus Christ death as a payment for my (our) sin, He had to be — without blame Himself. Only the Son of God could meet the qualifications to provide redemption to sinners. 

As I read this verse, and thought through the accounts of Jesus Christ's time on earth recorded in the Gospels, it was evident that He was indeed the exact likeness of God. His actions, words, abilities, everything Christ did was a reflection of His Heavenly Father. 

Who do people see in my reflection? I'm not God and never will be. I was born a sinner, but thankful I'm saved by God's grace. And because I'm a child of God, my reflection should be of my Heavenly Father. 

In 2011, I wrote "My statement to God about my desire to be in His Word." 

I ended it with this statement: "Your Word has the power to change me into a daughter who 'looks like her Father'. And that is my desire—which I will work toward with strong determination." 

The only way for me to "look like my Father" is to be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG)

Reverence

They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. Acts 9:31 (MSG)

When the ·holy ones [ council of holy ones] meet, it is God they fear. He is more ·frightening [awesome] than all who surround him.  Psalm 89:7 (EXB)

A God greatly feared and revered in the council of the holy (angelic) ones, and to be feared and worshipfully revered above all those who are round about Him?  Psalm 89:7 (AMP)

In the council of holy ones, God is lifted high and feared; His presence overwhelms all who are near Him. Psalm 89:7 (VOICE)

I'm studying Colossians, but went off on a "rabbit trail"... and then that led to another trail.... It started with "Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God’s master plan." Col 1:1 (MSG). 

I wanted to study more about when God's special assignment began for Paul, so went back to Acts 9. 

Acts 9:31 stopped me.... as I read "they were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God". 

What does it mean to have a sense of reverence for God? So, I went back to the Psalms to read about reverence for Almighty God. 

Today, I read Psalm 89. I like how Ps 89:7 reads in the Message, "His presence overwhelms all who are near Him". 

First off, am I near God? Is my heart pliable in God's hands? Am I listening to Him? And if I'm near to God, am I overwhelmed by the presence of God? 

God is to be greatly feared... He is more frightening (awesome) than any other. Do I revere God? He is God Almighty. He is a Holy God. Revering God......how is it impacting my life? 

I'm also humbly grateful that I can come boldly before the Throne of Grace to talk with my Heavenly Father. 

Permeated with deep sense of reverence for God........ my prayer is that this truth would be true of me... and that I'd live it each day. 

Not Even Give A Thought

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 16. Here is what I learned.

All the while the despair of many, who abandoned Your goodness for the empty promises of false gods, increases day by day. I refuse to pour out blood offerings, to utter their names from my lips. Psalm 16:4 (VOICE)

Those who quickly chase after other gods multiply their sorrows. I will not pour out their sacrificial offerings of blood or use my lips to speak their names. Psalm 16:4 (GW)

Nor take up their names into my lips - As objects of worship. That is, I will not in any way acknowledge them as gods, or render to them the homage which is due to God. The very mention of the name of any other god than the true God was solemnly forbidden by the law of Moses Exodus 23:13, "And make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth." So the apostle Paul says Ephesians 5:3, "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints." The idea in these places seems to be, that the mere mention of these things would tend to produce dangerous familiarity with them, and by such familiarity take off something of the repugnance and horror with which they should be regarded, They were, in other words, to be utterly avoided; they were never to be thought of or named; they were to be treated as though they were not. No one can safely so familiarize himself with vice as to render it a frequent subject of conversation. Pollution will flow into the heart from words which describe pollution, even when there is no intention that the use of such words should produce contamination. No one can be familiar with stories or songs of a polluted nature, and still retain a heart of purity. "The very passage of a polluted thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it." How much more is the mind polluted when the thought is dwelt upon, and when utterance is given to it in language! Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When man turns from God, they seek other gods to worship. They are dissatisfied with themselves, and their lives yet can’t find the solution; therefore, they continue to search for satisfaction in other gods—anything but the one true God where they can find peace and contentment. 

Why do so many reject God? Perhaps because they have to realize that they are not in control, and need to surrender to One more powerful and Holy. 

Even though I believe in God, and love Him...... how often do I turn from Him because I’d rather enjoy a few moments of sin... or think I am smarter than God... or whatever the reason. Any item, thought, or action that is contrary to God’s holy standard is sin. And if I continue to follow after that sin, that is an idol. And there is to be no other god than GOD... in my life. 

To create a positive day, I need to not even give a thought to anything that is not in accordance with God and His Word.

Everlasting to Everlasting

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.

Before mountains were born, before You fashioned the earth and filled it with life, from ages past to distant futures, You are truly God. Psalm 90:2 (VOICE)

Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Psalm 90:2 (AMP)

Everlasting: infinite, never-ending abiding, boundless, ceaseless, constant, continual, continuous, deathless, endless, eternal, immortal, imperishable, indestructible, interminable, lasting, limitless, permanent, perpetual, termless, timeless, unceasing, undying, unending, uninterrupted, unremitting.

Even from everlasting to everlasting - From duration stretching backward without limit to duration stretching forward without limit; that is, from eternal ages to eternal ages; or, forever.

Thou art God - Or, "Thou, O God." The idea is, that he was always, and ever will be, God: the God; the true God; the only God; the unchangeable God.  The mind cannot take in a grander thought than that there is one eternal and immutable Being. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Everlasting to everlasting is a concept I just can’t grasp. But even if my human mind can’t comprehend it... it’s still true! And I find that knowing that God has always been and will always be, is a great comfort. He is a constant that never changes. He was God. He IS God. He will ALWAYS be God. Nothing I can say, do, or feel will change the fact that God is God. Fact doesn’t change.

Permanent. Timeless. Unceasing. Eternal. Limitless. Everlasting. 

The eternal God is your shelter, and his everlasting arms support you. Deuteronomy 33:27 a (GW)

Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The eternal God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t grow tired or become weary. His understanding is beyond reach. Isaiah 40:28 (GW)

To create a positive day, I simply rest in the knowledge that God is God—from everlasting to everlasting.

Say, “No to Sin”

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 47. Here is what I learned.

God rules the nations. He sits upon his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (GW)

God is King over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (EXB)

God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - He is a holy God; he proclaims holiness. His laws are holy, he requires holiness, and his genuine people are all holy. The throne of his holiness is the heaven of heavens; also the temple at Jerusalem; and, lastly, the hearts of the faithful. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Holy: blessed, chaste, clean, consecrated, dedicated, devoted, devout, divine, faithful, faultless, glorified, god-fearing, godlike, godly, good, hallowed, humble, immaculate, innocent, just, messianic, moral, perfect, pietistic, pious, prayerful, pure, revered, reverent, righteous, sainted, saintlike, saintly, sanctified, spiritual, spotless, sublime, uncorrupt, undefiled, untainted, unworldly, upright, venerable, venerated, virtuous.

Evil: depraved, immoral, irreligious, irreverent, sacrilegious, sinful, unholy, unsacred, vile, wicked.

Holy. Evil.  Pure. Vile. Sanctified. Sinful.

There is a huge contrast between God and man. God is pure, without sin. Sin is vile to Him. And sin is not what I say it is, rather what sin is, is based on a Holy God. 

I can never live a sin-free life. For I am a sinner. However, because of God’s love and mercy, He provided a way of forgiveness for my sin—the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that I have eternal life and my sins are forgiven. 

Do that give me a “free ticket” to sin? No! For if I truly love God, I will not, and do not want to live a life of sin. Paul states it with way: 

·So [What then shall we say?] ·do you think we should [shall we] continue sinning so that ·God will give us even more grace [grace may increase/abound]? 2 ·No [Absolutely not; May it never be]! We died to ·our old sinful lives [sin], so how can we continue living ·with [or in] sin? Romans 6:1, 2 (EXB)

To create a positive day, I need to acknowledge that God is holy, and that because of His love and mercy, I am forgiven of my sins.... but remember that I am to say “no to sin” because I love a holy God.

God’s Glasses or Rose-Colored Glasses?

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.

·People cannot [Who can…?] ·see [detect; understand] their own ·mistakes [errors]. ·Forgive [Clear] me for my ·secret [hidden] sins. Psalm 19:12 (EXB)

Who could possibly know all that he has done wrong? Forgive my hidden and unknown faults. Psalm 19:12 (VOICE)

How can you sin and NOT know it? It’s simple. So often we have become desensitized to sin, that we don’t recognize it as sin. We often view sin from our perspective rather than seeing sin in from God’s perspective. God is holy. He is just. So, in contrast to Him, sin is ugly, disgusting, filthy... it is the exact opposite of God and all that He is. 

If I really want to face my sins and repent of them, I have to stop viewing with my rose-colored glasses and see sin with my “God-glasses”. 

A few years ago, I was in a Bible Study and we read the book, “Respectable Sins; Confronting the Sins we Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges. In his book, he discusses how “sin” has seemed to disappear. We call sin by many names now... rather than what it really is... SIN against a Holy God! 

Who can understand his errors? - It is not possible, without much of the Divine light, to understand all our deviations from, not only the letter, but the spirituality, of the Divine law. Frequent self-examination, and walking in the light, are essentially necessary to the requisite degree of spiritual perfection.

Cleanse thou me from secret faults - From those which I have committed, and have forgotten; from those for which I have not repented; from those which have been committed in my heart, but have not been brought to act in my life; from those which I have committed without knowing that they were sins, sins of ignorance; and from those which I have committed in private, for which I should blush and be confounded were they to be made public. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

If I want to experience God’s love, I must examine my life with “God’s glasses” and see the sins for what they are... sins. I must then as God’s forgiveness and make changes in my life so that I avoid those sins in the future. 

Each day I have a choice, will I put on God’s glasses and view my life as He sees it, or will I continue to wear my rose-colored glasses and ignore the sin in my life? If I want to create a positive day, and experience God’s amazing love, I must wear God’s glasses and repent of my sins. 

More About Him and Less About Me

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.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (AMP)

God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (MSG)

Cry. Shout. 

The word rendered cry in this place sometimes denotes a joyful shout - a shout of triumph; but the connection makes it certain that it here refers to the voice of prayer. It is implied that it was audible prayer, or that the psalmist gave utterance to his desires in words. It is language such as would be produced by deep distress; when a sad and burdened heart gives vent to its feelings in a loud cry for mercy. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As I read this verse this morning, I first am very grateful that when I am in trouble, or distress, that I can cry out to my God and He hears me. But is that the ONLY time I cry out to God? 

Do you like to hear people complain—all the time? I know I don’t. And I don’t like to hear kids (or even worse adults) with a “give me attitude”. But how often do my prayers to God sound just like that.... full of complaints and give me lists? Thankful that God hears and listens to my prayers.... but maybe, prayers need to be more than just complaints and wish lists. 

Prayer. What is prayer? Simply put,  prayer is talking with God. It’s a conversation. 

On June 10, 2010 I posted this on my blog: 

Prayer is not a vending machine—say the right words and get what you want. Prayer is the privilege of communicating with God. 

Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. -Oswald Chambers  

So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. A.W. Tozer  

Communication. So simple. So vital. So taken for granted. 

When I pray, I need to remember to Whom I’m talking—God Almighty! And as I talk with God, I need to stop my complaining and giving Him my wish list, and spend time getting to know Him.

To create a positive day, my conversations with God need to be more about Him, and less about me.

Heaped up in Happiness

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 thirteenth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 146. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Blessed are those who receive help from the God of Jacob. Their hope rests on the Lord their God. Psalm 146:5 (GW)

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5 (AMP)

Blessed: be blessed, happy, how happy!

God: the Almighty, power, strong, God of thy fathers.

Jacob: a son of Isaac.

Help: Protect or aid.

Hope: expectation—hope, by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience).

In: according to, after.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

God: Elohim, supreme God, mighty God.

Think of what this verse is saying: The almighty God, the supreme God, the all-powerful God, is my protector and helper, my hope is secure in the one-true God and that fact creates an overflowing abundance of happiness and joy.  

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help." Heaped up is his happiness. He has happiness indeed: the true and the real delight is with him. He is happy in help for the present and in hope for the future, who has placed all his confidence in Jehovah, who is his God by a covenant of salt. Happy is he when others are despairing! Happiest shall he be in that very hour when others are discovering the depths of agony. We have here a statement which we have personally tried and proved: resting in the Lord, we know a happiness which is beyond description, beyond comparison, beyond conception. O how blessed a thing it is to know that God is our present help, and our eternal hope. Full assurance is more than heaven in the bud, the flower has begun to open. We would not exchange with Caesar; his sceptre is a bauble, but our bliss is true treasure. The Treasury of David

I like that phrase, “heaped up in His happiness”. Happiness piled so high.... well there is no end. Reminds me of a pile of leaves... as you run and jump in and the leaves fly everywhere, and anyone nearby enjoys a deep belly laugh. That’s one thing about being “heaped up in his happiness”— those around you want to enjoy the happiness too!

But unlike that pile leaves, the source of true happiness is God, and He is eternal, so our happiness doesn’t depend upon the Season, or upon ourselves. Rather, our happiness and joy is from the Almighty, Eternal, Supreme God!  

O for a heart full of joyful gratitude, that we may run, and leap, and glorify God. The Treasury of David

When my heart is full of joyful gratitude, when I’m heaped up in happiness, that creates a positive day indeed!

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!

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.