Being a 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 117. Here is what I learned.

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)  Psalm 117:2 (AMP)

For His unfailing love is great, and it is intended for us, and His faithfulness to His promises knows no end. Praise the Eternal! Psalm 117:2 (VOICE)

Mercy: compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy; the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment; an act of kindness, compassion, or favor; benevolence, blessing.

So, brethren, in whatever station or state or condition of life each one was when he was called, there let him continue with and close to God. Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable maidens) I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord’s mercy is rendered trustworthy and faithful. 1 Corinthians 7:24-25 (AMP)

Because at [your] standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones]. And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you. Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! 2 Corinthians 9:13-15 (AMP)

As take a look at my life, I see the touch of God’s mercy in so many situations. God is faithful and merciful to me—not because I deserve it—but rather simply because of His goodness and love. 

Being a recipient of God’s mercy provides an overwhelming sense of protection, love and comfort. Knowing that God’s mercy is never ceasing and is everlasting, makes me realize that each and every day I can be a recipient of God’s mercy and unfailing love. 

Being a recipient of God’s mercy creates a positive day—a day that is filled with God’s love and blessings. 

Absolute Truth

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 117. Here is what I learned.

Because ·the Lord loves us very much [great is his loyalty/love toward us], and his ·truth [faithfulness] is everlasting. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2 (EXB) 

Truth is a representation of things as they are; and truth, therefore, must be ever the same. What was true in the first ages of the world in regard to the relation of the sum of the squares on the two sides of a right-angled triangle to the square of the hypothenuse is true now, and will always be true; and so, what God has affirmed at any one time will always remain the same in all ages and in all lands. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

God does not change. His truth does not change. I cannot decide that I want God’s Word to say something different than it does. Oh, many times I want to try to justify what I’m thinking, or doing and bend God’s truth to make it fit what I want to do. But that is not true reality. 

God’s Word is eternal, and absolute. What calls sin is sin—period. Just because I think it’s fun, or I enjoy it, I can not randomly decide one day that a sin is no longer a sin. A sin is a sin based upon a Holy, eternal , truthful God. God is pure and holy, what goes against Him and His Word is sin. 

Knowing that God’s truth does not change is a comfort. I don’t have to guess at what is truth today. Unlike our society which bases their “truths” on man’s findings, God’s truth is based on God Himself. 

To create a positive day, I only need to look to the absolute truth and live in accordance with that truth

Great Privileges

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 117. Here is what I learned.

Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! His love has taken over our lives; God’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah! Psalm 117 (MSG)

The privilege of these servants: that, as to the Jews, so also to the Gentiles, who know and serve God the Saviour, eternal life and blessedness are brought, assured in this life, and prepared in heaven. Mollerus

I can’t even fathom the great goodness of God. How do I begin to understand Who God is and what He has done and has planned for me? 

Perhaps you are thinking, “But wait, you live in chronic pain... how can you say that God is good?” Because God’s goodness isn’t based on me, or my life on earth. Rather His goodness is based on Him and His plan of eternity. 

If I look at things from my perspective of only wanting to feel good and do things I enjoy... well that’s not even reality. There are things we must do each and every day that we don’t necessarily enjoy. Maybe you don’t like vacuuming, or dusting. Or maybe going to work each day is drudgery. But you still do those things, knowing that it is all necessary. There are times when God allows “bad things” to happen in our lives so that His ultimate will and purpose can be accomplished. But from God’s perspective, they are not “bad things” rather they are only necessary to bring glory and honor to Him, and share His news of salvation. 

Sometimes, God allows things in our lives so that we first of all will recognize God for Who He is–God Almighty. Then we will realize that we are not in control of things, rather He is. And lastly, realize that His purpose and plan is based on eternal outcomes, not just “feeling good” right now. 

Privilege of knowing God.

Privilege of experiencing God’s blessings.

Privilege of serving God.

Privilege of spending eternity with God.

Each of those privileges in and of itself should produce praise to God. And if I consider them altogether, I should be bursting with praise for God Almighty. 

To create a positive day, it’s all about realizing the great privileges that are mine because of God Almighty’s love. 

Let the Momentum Build

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 117. Here is what I learned.

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise him, all you people of the world! Psalm 117:1 (GW)

Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! Psalm 117:1 (MSG)

"Praise him, all ye people." Having done it once, do it again, and do it still more fervently, daily increasing in the reverence and zeal with which you extol the Most High. The Treasury of David

As I recover from my most recent surgery, I have found that I don’t much FEEL like praising God. The pain is high... I’d rather complain. However, this verse doesn’t say “Praise the Lord when you FEEL like it.” Rather is says, “Praise the Lord”---PERIOD. 

Praise is not based on me, rather I am to honor and acknowledge God... who He is and what He has done and what He is doing. Praise is not based upon feelings, circumstances, situations, or really anything to do with Me. Praise is to be about God. And since He doesn’t change, He is a constant, faithful, merciful and loving God... my praise to Him should also be constant. 

If I praise God, only when I feel like it, I’d have to say that I don’t think I’d praise God very often. But, when I praise God, I find that how I feel changes. For praising God has an effect on me and my feelings. Praising God changes my focus from me to God. Praising God changes my attention to how I feel to Who God is and what He is doing. Praising God changes my perspective from my viewpoint to God’s viewpoint. Praising God produces more praise! For when I praise God, I want to praise Him more.... it’s a momentum builder! Praise produces more praise and it continues to build... and as my praise to God builds, I find that my feelings change too! 

I only have to begin to praise God and let the momentum build..... for that will create a positive and praise-filled day!

The Pantry is Full, the Storage Unit is Full, & the Trucks are Waiting to Unload

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 117. Here is what I learned.

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 117:2 (AMP) 

Because ·the Lord loves us very much [great is his loyalty/love toward us], and his ·truth [faithfulness] is everlasting. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2 (EXB)

The word “great” means so much! It’s means “strong, powerful, but with blessing”; it is not only great in bulk or number; but it is powerful.

Often I wonder what it would be like to have an unending supply of stuff in my home. The refrigerator would always be filled with yummy food, the pantry would have enough boxes, cans, and spices that I’d be able to cook any recipe without having to substitute. The linen closet would be full of all the cleaning supplies, soaps, shampoos, etc; again so that everything I’d need would be right at my fingertips. 

Yet, although that is wishful thinking to have an unending supply of stuff.... it’s not so when it comes to God’s mercy and loving-kindness. Not only is God’s mercy and love powerful enough to forgive my sin, and it’s so abundant there is a unending supply.

Seems like some days I need more of God’s mercy and love than others. And some days it seems like I’ve needed so much I’ve “used up” His supply... but the truth is that’s impossible. For no matter how much mercy and love I need, there is always more, and God is always ready to give it to me. 

So, not only is God’s mercy and loving-kindness unending, it’s always available for me to accept. Not only is the pantry is full, but the storage unit is full, and then there are trucks just waiting to unload. When I realize how great God’s love and mercy is and that there is literally an unending supply... WOW! How can I not stop and praise God? 

Just knowing that the pantry is full, and the storage unit is full, and the trucks are waiting to unload......that is just a small amount of the unending and powerful mercy and love my God wants to give me. 

To create a positive day, I only need to open the pantry door and see it overflowing with God’s mercy and loving-kindness. 

Specific Destination

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 eleventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 117. Here's what Treasure I found today.

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 117:2 (AMP)

Toward us: literally, prevailed over or protected us.

God’s mercy and loving-kindness is great TOWARD US... TOWARD ME! It’s not just randomly thrown out there. God’s mercy and loving-kindness has a specific destination—me (and you too!). God knows about me. He cares about me, specifically 

God, investigate my life;

    get all the facts firsthand.

I’m an open book to you;

    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

    I’m never out of your sight.

You know everything I’m going to say

    before I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you’re there,

    then up ahead and you’re there, too—

    your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

    I can’t take it all in! Psalm 139:1-6 (MSG) 

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day. Psalm 139:13-16 (MSG)

God’s love and mercy have a specific destination—TOWARD me! Knowing that I am the specific destination of God’s love and mercy, sure makes for a very positive day! 

A Rock-Solid Guarantee!

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 eleventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 117. Here's what Treasure I found today.

His mercy toward us is powerful. The Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Psalm 117:2 (GW)

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 117:2 (NIV)

Faithfulness: establish, steadfast, reliability, sureness, stability, continuance, right, sure, true, truth.

As I heal from my latest back procedure, and as I think about how to move forward, there is one factor that I wish I could change—the fact that there are no guarantees in medicine. Before each procedure/surgery I have had to sign many forms. On one form there is a statement that I have to initial, to make sure I read it and understand it: “No guarantees have been given.”

No guarantees. No assurance that the procedure or surgery will work, or that it won’t make me worse. No guarantees that this procedure will be the “cure all” I’m seeking. No guarantees—period. 

As I read Psalm 117 this morning, the word that was flashing like a neon sign, was “faithfulness”. The steadfastness of God endures forever. That is a guarantee. 

What does the guarantee of God’s faithfulness include? So much!

• God’s faithfulness is the foundation for His promises. He can make and keep all His promises, because He is faithful.
• God’s faithfulness is the foundation of His love. He can love with an unconditional everlasting love, because He is faithful.
• God’s faithfulness is the foundation of His grace. He provided a way of salvation and everlasting life, because He is faithful.
• God’s faithfulness is the foundation of His mercy. His mercies are new every morning..... there is an never-ending supply, because He is faithful. 

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-24(MSG)

No guarantees. That means that the person or product is not sure of an outcome. No idea if it will work. How long it will last. If it will cause additional problems. No guarantees. 

Yet, God has a guarantee—His faithfulness assures it! His way of salvation will work. His love, mercy, and grace is everlasting. God’s guarantee comes with many additional benefits! A rock-solid guarantee.

The Lord’s faithfulness endures forever—that is one guarantee that makes for a very positive day!

Praise-filled Day!

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 117. Here is what I learned. 

Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm, but is filled with truth!

Psalm 117:1 is similar to Psalm 111:1. It begins with Praise to God.

(Read more about Psalm 111:1 here: All In!) 

Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! Psalm 117:1 (WE)

Psalm 117:2 begins to give reasons why God is to be praised. And these are not abstract reasons, rather they are ABSOLUTE reasons! 

For he loves us with unfailing love;

the LORD's faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 117:2 (NLT)

For his lovingkindness is great toward us;

And the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever.

Praise ye Jehovah.

Psalm 117:2 (ASV)

The word “great” means so much! It’s means “strong, powerful, but with blessing”. 

“Lovingkindness” means "kindness with favor and fidelity".  Think for a moment what fidelity means! 

fidelity 

        1. strict observance of promises, duties, etc.

        2. loyalty. 

        3. faithfulness.

        4. adherence to fact or detail.

        5. accuracy; exactness.

God’s great, strong and powerful 

filled-with-blessing love and kindness

is based on WHO God is!

He is loyal. He is faithful. He is VERY detailed. He is very accurate! God can be NOTHING else, because that is WHO He is—He cannot change! 

And the most amazing aspect of this strong, powerful blessing of love—it’s FOREVER!

This is an UNENDING supply of love

from a faithful, promise-keeping,

detailed, accurate, and eternal God.

That should make each of us SHOUT Hallelujah, Praise Yahwah.

Knowing that the faithful, promise-keeping, detailed, accurate, eternal God loves me creates not only a positive day, but a praise-filled day!