True and Long-lasting Blessings

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God is the source of our blessings; may every corner of the earth respect and revere Him. Psalm 67:7 (VOICE)

You mark us with blessing, O God. Earth’s four corners—honor him! Psalm 67:7 (MSG)

If I follow the thinking of commercials, if I buy the latest style of phone, or have new newest car, or a new pair of jeans, I’d be filled with peace and contentment. That is, until the next style of phone comes on sale.... then the “old” just wont do anymore. 

But as we all know, having the newest phone, or car, may give us a “moment of thrill”, but it soon fades. Finding contentment and peace in things, provides only disappointment. 

The focus of Psalm 67 is God, the True God. When God marks us with blessing.... not only do we have peace and contentment, but those around us can see God’s “blessing mark” upon us. 

God’s blessings aren’t about things, or being pain free. Rather God’s blessings are simply those reminders of His amazing love. It could be a beautiful sunrise, or sunset. It could be a smile from a stranger. Or a song that lifts our spirits. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, and are often very unexpected. 

If you are looking for blessings in your life, stop looking to people or things, rather look to God .... He is the only source for true and long-lasting blessings! 

To create a positive day, I only have to be alert to the blessings God is giving me! 

Remember ‘My Place’

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

Gracious: compassionate, good-hearted, loving, merciful, kindness, and generosity of spirit, responsive, right, righteous, thoughtful.

So often we think we deserve something from God. We often ‘demand’ things or try to bargin with God. “God, if you do ..................., then I’ll do ................” But God is not one to make bargins nor does He need to listen to any of our demands. 

God is gracious, but that does not mean that He will give us everything we think we deserve or want. For in reality if God gave us what we really deserved, that would be eternity in Hell, separated from a Holy God.

However, God graciously provided His Son as a sacrifice to pay the debt we owe for our sin. Only, by accepting that substitute can we have access to God’s grace and mercy. 

God be merifcul and gracious to us. He has been.... and abundantly so... simply in the way He demonstrated His love toward us. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember ‘my place’ and be grateful for God’s mercy and grace. 

Keep Calm!

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 67. Here is what I learned.

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1, 4 

There is are images that is spreading rapidly on the internet that all begin with “Keep Calm and.....” 

As I read Psalm 67 this morning, the phrase found in verses 1 and 4 reminded me of that “Keep calm” image. 

We are reminded twice in this Psalm to pause...stop what you are doing.... and calmly think about a specific truth of God. We are to literally STOP fretting, STOP worrying, STOP everything, and spend time in the peace and calmness of God’s security  and simply think, meditate on who God is and what He is doing. 

Keep calm and ...... ? How would I fill in that blank? Keep calm, I have it under control? As much as I think I do.... I don’t! So, that phrase won’t work. Keep calm, I can handle it? Well, again as much as I think I can handle any situation that arises, I often fall short. 

Keep calm and let God take care of it! Now that is a phrase that is packed with truth! 

To create a positive day, I need to stop, keep calm, knowing full well that God has it all under control! 

Keep a Very Important Appointment

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!— Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] us and bless us and ·show us your kindness [make your face shine on us] ·Selah [Interlude]. Psalm 67:1 (EXB)

Selah: pause, to lift up, exalt

Selah. Take time to reflect and praise God. 

All our calendars are full of activities, appointments. Seems that we are taught if we aren’t busy, than we are lazy. However, being too busy to take time to reflect on God’s mercy and grace is wrong in so many ways. 

Taking time to pause, reflect on God’s mercy and grace as a way of putting things in the proper perspective. So often, we are overwhelmed by life and all the things we think we must do, that we miss the really important factors in life. 

Perhaps it is time to “make appointments” to pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace. If it’s “on the calendar” perhaps we will not only have the time to pause, but we will actually do it. And once we begin to pause to reflect on God’s mercy and His goodness, it will be so inspiring and encouraging that it will be come a necessary habit. 

To create a positive day, I must keep a very important appointment—pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace!

Exercise Gratitude Repeatedly

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God! Let people thank and enjoy you.  Let all people thank and enjoy you. Psalm 67:5 (MSG)

God, the people should ·praise [thank] you; all people should ·praise [thank] you. Psalm 67:5 (EXB)

The repetition shows that this was the principal thought in the mind of the author of the psalm. It expresses an earnest - an intense - desire, that all nations should acknowledge God as the true God, and praise him for his mercies. Barnes' Notes on the Bible 

Let the people praise thee, O God! Having spoken of all nations participating in the saving knowledge of God, he next tells us that they would proclaim his goodness, and exhorts them to the exercise of gratitude. The repetition used clearly shows of itself that he alludes to an event of a new and unprecedented kind. Calvin's Commentary

Exercise of gratitude. Repetition. I like the picture that creates. We know that physical exercise is a set of repetitions to build up strength and flexibility, not to mention remain healthy. The same can be true of “gratitude exercise”, for repetitions of expressing praise will build up our spiritual strength and help our souls to remain healthy. 

Good trainers know that you can’t just exercise one time and then call it quits, because well you did exercise. To be effective, exercise must be done often and with increases resistance in order to continue to be beneficial. 

Exercising gratitude may begin with praising God for the good things, that’s easy. But exercising gratitude in the midst of something you don’t understand or as you go through a difficult situation—that will strengthen your soul. Because no matter the situation, you know that God is worthy of praise. 

To create a positive day, I need to exercise gratitude repeatedly! 

And Repeat!

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 67. Here is what I learned.

Let everyone give thanks to you, O God. Let everyone give thanks to you. Psalm 67:3 (GW)

Let the peoples praise You [turn away from their idols] and give thanks to You, O God; let all the peoples praise and give thanks to You. Psalm 67:3 (AMP)

May all people live to praise You, Our True God; may all come to praise You. Psalm 67:3 (VOICE)

There’s a song that “Lamb Chop” (puppet) sings with his friends... 

This is the song that never ends.

It just goes on and on my friends.

Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,

And they'll continue singing it forever just because . . . (and repeat)

The song continues “forever” because it doesn’t have an ending. That is what my praise to God is to be.... never ending. When I think I’m done praising God for Who He is and all that He does, I’m to start over again and repeat! 

He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23 (AMP)

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:20 

To create a positive day, I must first START the “Praise that never ends”, then continuing singing it.... and repeat! 

Counting the Blessings

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall reverently fear Him. Psalm 67:7 (AMP)

God is the source of our blessings; may every corner of the earth respect and revere Him. Psalm 67:7 (VOICE)

God shall bless us,.... The Holy Spirit blesses with regenerating and renewing grace; with faith, comfort, joy and peace, by shedding abroad in the heart the love of the Father and the Son; by applying precious promises; by testifying adoption; by making meet for heaven and happiness, and working up for the selfsame thing eternal glory. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 

God shall bless us - He shall ever be speaking good to us, and ever showering down good things upon us. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Being blessed by God provides an overwhelming sense of peace. Since surgery, I have to say that although my body is in extreme pain, and I can’t get comfortable, I find myself smiling. For God has blessed me with not only His love, but He continues to send gifts along the way to remind me of His love and that He “knows what I like”. 

Last week, a person sent me a book which she thought I’d enjoy. Now, this person did not know I was having surgery when the book was sent, but God knew that having a new book to read would be perfect following surgery. 

The afternoon, I arrived home from my surgery, I had an email waiting telling me that I won a contest. I won a Larry Dixon Al-Anabi 2010 Champ 1:24 Autographed Top Fuel Dragster NHRA Die cast. It will look great on my Sports Wall. 

Then the past few days, my Ponder Morsels for each day have been awesome for what I needed to focus on and remember. God blessed me with truths to keep my soul refreshed. 

God blesses me in so many ways, and as I think about each blessing, I can easily smile in spite of the pain I feel. 

Counting the blessings God sends my way is not only an easy way, but it’s the best way to create a positive day! 

Leave the Driving to Him—I’m Just Along for the Ride!

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 67. Here is what I learned.

The ·nations [peoples] should be glad and sing because you judge people fairly. You ·guide [lead] all the ·nations [peoples] on earth. ·Selah Psalm 67:4 (EXB)

May all nations celebrate together, singing joy-filled songs of praise to You because You judge the people fairly and give guidance to all the nations of the earth. Psalm 67:4 (VOICE)

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples fairly and guide, lead, or drive the nations upon earth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:4 (AMP)

Guide: to lead, direct, to transport.

God will guide, lead, transport me in accordance to His will and purpose. As I read this verse, I thought, I’m along for the ride! God will do the “driving” so to speak. I just have to be willing to join Him and allow Him to lead and transport me! 

God has given me an amazing friend, who graciously and willing drives me to my doctors’ appointments and surgeries. When we go to a  new office, we have a choice. We can just drive around and hope we find the office, or we can print out the directions and maps and then know where we are headed and arrive at our destination. Really, my part is easy, I just read the directions, and recline back and relax. My friend, navigates the traffic, the road construction, detours, etc. But I have learned to trust my friend. I know that she will get us to our destination. 

The same can be true in life. If I allow God to guide, transport, “drive” me, then I can relax knowing full-well that He will get me to the destination He has chosen. However, many times I find myself wanting to do one of two things, 1) jump out and go my own way, or 2) move over into the driver's seat. However, either of those two choices will result in many delays, detours, and perhaps even heartache and/or misery. 

To create a positive day, I simply have to join God and leave the driving to Him—I’m just along for the ride!

Exercise that Knowledge

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 first of each month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. Psalm 67:2 (NLT)

So the world will ·learn [know] your ways, and all nations ·will learn that you can save [your salvation/victory]. Psalm 67:2 (EXB)

Your way: a course of life or mode of action, journey, manner.

Known: observation, care, recognition, acknowledge, acquainted with, advise, be aware.

God’s course of life, mode of action, manner....what is God doing, and what does He want me to do? Can one really know what God wants? The answer is “yes”. Oh, we may not know some things, or specific details, or what will happen... before it happens. But there is PLENTY that we do know! 

Just take the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:2-17

1. I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
3. Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shall not kill/murder.
7. Thou shall not commit adultery.
8. Thou shall not steal.
9. Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife (or anything that belongs to your neighbor).

The ten commandments, modes of action that God has specifically stated—we are very aware of them! The list is very simple. Yet, as simple as that list is..... how many times do I fail at exercising on that knowledge? 

Seeing “knowing” what God course of life, mode of action is..... is one thing. Notice that the word, “way” means mode of action. Knowing should produce action. I need to be “exercising” God’s way daily. As I exercise what I do know, God will reveal His will and way to me so that I can continue on the journey He has planned for me. 

So often I want to know what God’s will is for me tomorrow or next week. But I don’t want to do God’s will today. My focus can’t be on the future if I’m not willing to obey and do what God wants today. 

To create a positive day, I must learn God’s will for the ‘here and now’ and exercise (act on) that knowledge, and let God take care of the tomorrows. 

My God is Personal!

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 First of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The earth has yielded its harvest [in evidence of God’s approval]; God, even our own God, will bless us. Psalm 67:6 (AMP)

As I read Psalm 67 this morning, verse 6 caught my attention, especially the phrase, “God, even our own God.” I had to stop and think about that. God, Elohim, meaning very great and mighty, is “mine”. That means that I have a personal relationship with Him!

Not only does God KNOW me, I can know Him. It’s an amazing thought—that my God is personal! 

Just looking at a (partial) list of the names of God I’m glad I know Him! 

• El Chaiyai: Living God, God of my life (Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 42:2)
• El De’ot: The God of knowledge (1 Samuel 2:3)
• El Echad: The one God (Malachi 2:10)
• El Emet: The God of Truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16)
• El Gibbor: The strong and mighty God (Jeremiah 32:17, 18; Isaiah 10:21)
• El Haggadol: The great God (Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 8:6)
• El Kakkodosh (Elohim Kedoshim, El Kadosh): The Holy God (Joshua 24:19; 1 Samuel 6:20)
• El Hanne’eman: The faithful God (Deuteronomy 7:9)
• El Sh’maya: The God of the Heavens (Nehemiah 1:4-5; Psalm 136:26)
• El Kedem: Eternal God (Deuteronomy 33:27)
• El Mauzi: God of my Strength (Psalm 43:2)
• El Mishpat: God of justice (Isaiah 20:18; Malachi 2:17)
• El Olam: The God of everlasting time; the everlasting God (Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 26:4)
• El Rechem: The merciful God ((Deuteronomy 4:31; Nehemiah 9:31)
• El Rah’ee: The God who sees me (Genesis 16:13)
• El Sali: God of my strength, God my rock (2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 42:9; Psalm 43:2)
• El Selichot: God of forgiveness (Nehemiah 9:17)
• El Tehilati: God of my praise (Psalm 109:1)
• El T’sadik: The righteous God (Isaiah 45:21)
• El Zur: God our rock (Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 26:4)
• El Yishi: God of my salvation (Psalm 25:5)

To create a positive day, all I have to do is remember Who God is, and that He knows me, and I can know Him—God, even our own God—my God is personal!

God's Smile!

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 First of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Today as I read Psalm 67... I had to stop and learn more about verse 1. 

God, mark us with grace and blessing. Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (Amplified)

First, the Psalmist realized the need for God to be merciful and gracious to us. We are sinners, and only because of God's mercy and love, does He forgive us of our sins. Today is the beginning of a New Year, what a great truth to begin the year with... God has forgiven me! 

The next request of the Psalmist is that God bless us. And He does in so many ways. Today, I woke up to a beautiful Sunrise. God displays His handiwork in the Heavens for us to enjoy. 

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Psalm 19:1 (MSG)

Then lastly the Psalmist asks God to Smile! The Psalmist wants God's glory to reflect on him. As I go about today, I'd like to reflect God's smile with those whom I come in contact. This verse makes me think of the song by The Ball Brothers, "I Glimpse of Your Glory". 

Knowing that I'm forgiven, and that God is smiling upon me...that creates a positive day like no other!