Want to be happy? (James)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Blessed: happy (In congratulations, the reason why one is to be pronounced blessed is expressed by a noun or by a participle taking the place of the subject)

Endureth: to endure, bear bravely and calmly

Temptation: specifically, the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy

When he is: become, come about, happen

Tried: properly, accepted, approved

Shall receive: to gain, get, obtain absolutely

Crown: the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ

Life: real and genuine

Promised: to announce that one is about to do or to furnish something

Love: love to a master, God or Christ, the word involves the idea of affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, grateful recognition of benefits received

Want to be happy? Start loving God — with reverence, prompt obedience and grateful recognition of all God gives. Following Christ doesn't come with a promise of "easy street". There will be hardships along the way. But through it all, God remains faithful! 

Blessed—happy because no matter what happens, I choose to love God and obey Him with a thankful heart. 

Proverbs 4:8,9: Mug Shot

Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you. Proverbs 4:8, 9

Exalt: esteem highly, prize

Promote: lift up

Honor: make honorable, glorify

When: enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible

Embrace: to clasp

Place: give, put

Ornament: wreath 

Grace: favor, elegance

Crown of glory: of rank

Deliver: give, to hand safely over

In Proverbs 4:5-7 we learned that we were to put forth an "all-out effort" to get wisdom. And as we realize the true value of wisdom, wisdom "treats us right". Wisdom is the one that promotes us, and honors us, and gives us the rank of grace and glory. 

How often do we search for recognition and in searching do stupid stuff, thinking that we will be recognized. Sadly, we are given the attention—but all for the wrong reasons. It reminded me of the "Wall of Shame" posted by law enforcement agencies. Every month mug shots are posted of those caught shop lifting. And as you look at those images, you see the toll that sin has taken on the individuals. For no one looks good in mug shots, no glory, no honor, no grace. 

What does my "mug shot" look like to those around me? And more importantly what does it look like to God? Am I embracing wisdom and holding wisdom to the place of value she has? If so, my life should reflect that—my "mug shot" would be one showing glory and honor.

For my "mug shot" to reflect wisdom, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when I fear God, I'll want to highly esteem His wisdom and embrace it tightly. 

What does your "mug shot" reflect? 

Won the Prize

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 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)

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)

As I read Psalm 57:3, I immediately thought of a “deluge of blessings” send directly from Heaven! I was  overwhelmed by the fact that God will send His mercy, loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. I can be the recipient of God’s blessings! 

This past week, I won a gift card to a local mall. The gift card was waiting on the mall for me to pick i up. Now, if I didn’t go pick it up, I would have lost the benefits of the prize. Winning a prize is always fun and enjoyable, but getting the prize and taking full advantage of the prize is even MORE enjoyable! 

The same is true with blessings from God. He is sending His mercy, loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness, am I ready to accept and take full advantage of those blessings? It’s up to me to receive God’s blessings, and allow His blessings to impact my life. 

To create a positive day, I know that I “won the prize” of God’s blessings, but I have to be willing to accept and enjoy the blessings God sends. 

The gift card helped me buy a new Air Popcorn Popper! And the very cool thing... is that a friend gave me a new bowl today....and it's a PERFECT Popcorn Bowl!
Once again God sent blessings that complimented each other!! I know, how cool is that!?? 

Cowboy Grillin' Pack

Here are some pictures of PART of my Cowboy Grillin' Prize Pack I won a few weeks ago (see post 10th Anniversary Blessings Celebration!; Oct 16, 2010).

The grill is being assembled by a friend, so I don't have any pictures of it yet. But here are pictures of the "Prize Pack Fit for a Cowboy"! 

I know that I'll create many positive days (and meals) using my Prize. Plus the Grill and accessories will all be great reminders of all God's amazing blessings He continues to send my way! 

Loading the prizes into the van. 

The Cowboy Prize Pack (minus the grill).

Closer Look 1: Spices, Cookbook, Fryer Cover, and basket.

Closer Look 2: Grill Tools and Wok Topper.

Closer Look 3: Oil-less Infrared Turkey Fryer

Closer Look 4: Grill Cover, BBQ sauces, Grill Grate Cleaning Brush