Refresher of Hearts

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.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I, Paul, write it with my own hand, I promise to repay it [in full]—and that is to say nothing [of the fact] that you owe me your very self! Yes, brother, let me have some profit from you in the Lord. Cheer and refresh my heart in Christ. Philemon 1:19-20 (AMP)

“Refresh” - ἀνάπαυσόν anapauson- means “to give rest to, to give repose, to free from sorrow or care;” and the sense is, that by receiving Onesimus, Philemon would cause the deep and anxious feelings of Paul to cease, and he would be calm and happy. 

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Cheer and refresh my heart. Do my actions cheer and refresh the hearts of others? That would be an awesome daily goal—be a refresher of hearts! 

How does one be a "refresher of hearts"? 

Well, first and foremost, it all begins with a relationship with Christ. Then that relationship with Christ must impact one's daily life and relationships with others  (Colossians 3; Put On). And as that relationship with Christ impacts relationships with others, then one can be a "refresher of hearts". 

Refresher of hearts. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed andrestored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16

To be a "refresher of hearts", my own heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Stay Put

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 91. Here is what I learned.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. Psalm 91:1 (AMP)

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” Psalm 91:1 (EXB)

He who is dwelling In the secret place of the Most High, In the shade of the Mighty lodgeth habitually, Psalm 91:1 (YLT)

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High." Note, he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High is not he that conjures up one or two slight and fleeting acts of hope in him, but the man that places in him an assiduous and constant confidence. In this way he establishes for himself in God by that full trust, a home, a dwelling-place, a mansion,... The Hebrew for he that dwelleth, is ישׁן, that is, dwelling in quietude, and resting, enduring and remaining with constancy.  Le Blanc

The truth is that I need to be dwelling in that secret place long before “trouble” comes. How many times have I forgotten God in my daily life to remember Him when trouble appears? 

When I’m sitting down—staying put—in the secret place... during the “good times”, I not only enjoy God’s presence, but I learn more about God and am already safe when troubles come. 

Job, was a man who was dwelling in the secret place BEFORE he lost his family, riches, etc. He had already taken the time to know God BEFORE anything ‘bad’ happened. And since Job knew God was worthy of praise and honor, simply because HE was GOD—Job was confident that no matter what bad things happened, God would remain God! 

Resting, staying put, in the presence of God should be a  constant—during good times, so when the bad times come, I already am safe in secure knowing that God is still God, worthy of praise and honor. 

To create a positive day, I must first stay put in God’s presence, and take the time to get to know God—that will prepare me for whatever may come on any given day. 

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. 

Complete Protection

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 121. Here is what I learned.

The Lord will ·guard [watch] you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:8 (EXB)

He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always. Psalm 121:8 (MSG)

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 (AMP)

“Thy going out and thy coming in," marks the completeness of the protection, extending to all that the man is and that he does. J. J. Stewart Perowne

Many insurance companies use phrases such as ”like a good neighbor.. is there” or “you’re in goo hands” to signify that they will be there when you need them. However, if you’ve had to deal with insurance companies, often you are “put on hold” or they don’t seem to there when you do need them. 

However, God provides COMPLETE PROTECTION. God is really there 24/7. He never leaves and is  EVER-PRESENT. 

Think about that concept... COMPLETE PROTECTION. That is a very assuring concept. That doesn’t mean that “bad things won’t happen” rather, that God only allows things to happen to further His gospel and He is right there to provide the support and whatever help we need. Nothing that happens to us surprises God... He knows all. 

To create a positive day, I only have to rest in the Complete Protection that God provides and realize that when things seem to be going wrong, remember that God is at work and that God has a perfect plan. 

God is on Watch!

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 121. Here is what I learned.

Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4 (AMP)

Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. Psalm 121:4 (MSG)

The sense then is, that as God never slumbers even in the smallest degree, we need not be afraid of any harm befalling us while he is asleep. John Calvin 

God is never exhausted, is never weary, is never inattentive. He never closes his eyes on the condition of his people, on the wants of the world. Albert Barnes

Sleepy: asleep,  comatose, dopey, dozy, draggy, drowsy, heavy, hypnotic, inactive, lethargic, listless, out of it, quiet, sleeping, sleepyhead, slow, sluggish, slumberous, slumbersome, snoozy, yawning.

I don’t sleep as much as I’d like. Pain usually wakes me up several times throughout the night, and often I can’t fall back alseep.  When I get none or very little sleep, it causes me to be very sleepy and slow moving the next day. 

God doesn’t sleep. He doesn’t even close His eyes to ‘rest a moment’. Yet, He is also never tried, or sleep deprived. He’s not inactive. He’s not sluggish. He’s always vigilant and diligent. 

As a human, I can’t comprehend that God never sleeps, dozes, or rests His eyes for a moment. But He is God Almighty and is greater than I could ever imagine. 

I find it a great comfort to know that God is alert and watching over me 24/7. To create a positive day, I only need to rest in peace, knowing that God is on watch!

Magnificent morning. Positive day. Peaceful night.

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 92. Here is what I learned.

It is good to ·tell of [proclaim] your ·love [loyalty] in the morning and of your ·loyalty [faithfulness] at night. Psalm 92:2 (EXB)

It is good to announce your mercy in the morning and your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:2 (GW)

To speak of Your unfailing love in the morning and rehearse Your faithfulness as night begins to fall. Psalm 92:2 (VOICE)

Morning: dawn, the beginning of the day

Night: end of the day, darkness

Mornings can be mayhem, mishmash, monstrosity or magnificent, marvelous--depending on how I choose to START my day.

On March 23, 2013, my Ponder Morsel from Psalm 57:8, was Waking up with Great Anticipation! “Psalm 57:8 expresses the same thrill of anticipation concerning praising God. The very thought of praising and giving thanks to God, wakes me up rejoicing! Literally, waking singing a song! ” Waking up with Great Anticipation!

If I want to have a magnificent, marvelous morning, it HAS to start with praising and honoring God! That’s the ONLY way to start my day on a positive note! I’ve learned that when I START my day praising God, I have a “better” day. No, praising God doesn’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly. But, rather I have a “better” day because I have God’s perspective on the day. 

Uneasy, unpeaceful, unquiet, unrestful—.uncertainty, uneasiness producing a restless and nightmarish night OR unafraid, unnervous, unworried—unbend, unlax, unwind and drift off into a peaceful sleep. Which night sounds magnificent and marvelous? I’ll pick the unafraid, unnervous, unworried—unbend, unlax, unwind and drift off into a peaceful sleep.

I’ve endured those unrestful, nightmarish nights mostly due to my pain medications. However, I have learned that even in the midst of those unrestful nights, if my focus changes from the pain and uneasiness, to praising God and His faithfulness, I am overcome with peace. 

If I want a magnificent, marvelous morning make my day awesome, the moment I awake, I need to praise God for His lovingkindness. And if I want to enjoy a night, unafraid, unnervous, unworried—and drift off into a peaceful sleep, I need to end my day praising God for His faithfulness! Praising God changes a magnificent morning into a positive day and creates a peaceful night. 

A magnificent, marvelous morning, a positive day, and an unafraid, unnervous, unworried—peaceful night is possible, if I only take the time to praise and honor my amazing and wonderful God. 

My Eyes Will Sparkle

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 seventeenth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 13. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Psalm 13:3 (NLT)

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death. Psalm 13:3 (AMB)

When a person is sick, or unhappy, the eyes are dull and lack luster. Depression causes they eyes to “be in a fog”. Eyes sparkle when they see something they like, approve of, or are happy with. Eyes that sparkle are radiating the joy from within.

The old saying, “The eyes are windows to our souls.” has some truth to it. When we are happy and at peace, our eyes sparkle, they “smile”. When we are sad, depressed, and yes, sinning and ignoring God, our eyes are dim and lifeless. 

How do I keep that sparkle? Simply, “keep the soul clean”, meaning that first when I sin, I repent and ask God for forgiveness; and secondly, I remember who God is and what He is doing. 

In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul! Psalm 94:19 (AMP)

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits— Psalm 103:2 (AMP)

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty— Psalm 104:1 (AMP)

For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:9 (AMP)

My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the night, yes, my spirit within me seeks You earnestly; for [only] when Your judgments are in the earth will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God). Isaiah 26:9 (AMP)

When my soul fainted upon me [crushing me], I earnestly and seriously remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Jonah 2:7 (AMP)

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28 (AMP)

When my soul is right with God, when my “soul is clean”, my eyes will sparkle because of God’s amazing love, and that will create a positive day!

Just Remember

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 fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord’s voice is powerful; the Lord’s voice is ·majestic [splendid; awesome]. Psalm 29:4 (EXB)

Voice: to call aloud, a voice or sound.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Powerful: ability, able, force, might, strength, substance, wealth.

Majestic: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty.

Often when I think of powerful, I think if loud and very strong and mighty... a display of superior strength. But as I watch the snowflakes fall outside, I see that those tiny flakes are powerful—they shut down airports, close schools, delay traffic, etc. The snowflakes don’t make any noise. They just gently fall to the ground, but they are powerful enough to disrupt our daily lives. 

God is the ultimate “powerhouse”. His voice can be “booming”. But there are times when He speaks in a whisper. The truth that I need to remember that weather God is speaking loudly and showing His mighty power, or if He’s whispering and showing a gently display of power, I am to be listening. 

Today, I had planned to go see my chiropractor. However, as I watched the snow fall,  I knew that cancelling the appointment would be the safer thing to do. As I stayed inside and watched the snow continue to fall, Psalm 46:10 came to mind.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be ·praised [exalted] in all the nations; I will be ·praised [exalted] throughout the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (EXB)

Be still. Absolute let alone, i.e. do nothing, be quiet, relax. If I can grasp even a bit of God’s power and might—I should be able to relax and do nothing, resting in Him. If I can just remember that the God of all power and majesty loves me—I should be able to trust Him to care for me. If I can just remember that God Creator, who hung the stars in place and keeps them there, watches over me—I should be able to relax and rest, knowing that He’s in control. 

To create a positive day, I need to just remember that God is powerful, and majestic. 

Why the “Therefore” is There For

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 16. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety. Psalm 16:9 (AMP)

Therefore: according to such conditions, that being so.

Heart: seat of the emotions and passions of joy and gladness.

Glad: cheer up, be make glad, have, make joyful, be make merry, cause to, make to rejoice.

Glory: my honour, seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man.

Rejoices: be glad, joy, be joyful, to spin round under the influence of any violent emotion—rejoice!

Body: flesh, person.

Also: especially as introducing emphatically a new thought.

Rest (dwell): not to be removed, especially at rest, peace, in security.

Safety (hope): assurance, boldly, without care, confidence, hope, safely secure, surely.

Psalm 16:9 begins with “Therefore”. So, we must first learn why the “therefore” is there for. Looking back at Psalm 16:8, we learn that “the Lord is always with me”. According to the condition—the Lord is always with me..... the following are available to me: gladness, rejoicing, rest, confidence of hope!

Notice also that the gladness, rejoicing, rest and confidence of hope all come from WITHIN me! They are not based on outward situations, outward physical traits, outward circumstances. Each one is from within... based on the solid fact that the Lord is always with me. 

Since October 2000, I’ve lived with chronic pain. It’s always present. I’m often asked, “How can you smile, when you are in pain?”  This verse explains it. The joy and gladness that I have is from within and based on the “therefore”—the Lord is always with me. 

Gladness, rejoicing, rest, confidence of hope—are all present, it’s up to be to let them shine forth.  No matter my pain, no matter my circumstances, no matter what is happening around me..... the Lord is always with me, THEREFORE, gladness, rejoicing, rest, confidence of hope are mine! 

To create a positive day, I only have to remember why the “therefore” is there for— the Lord is always with me—and gladness, rejoicing, rest, confidence of hope are mine!

Peace in the Midst of Pain

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 seventeenth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 13. Here's what Treasure I found today.

How long must I ·worry [or bear pain; [hold counsels] and ·feel sad [hold sorrow] in my heart all day? How long will my enemy ·win [rise up] over me? Psalm 13:2 (EXB)

How: of time to what point ?

Long: as far (or long, or much) as.

How long? Like that proverbial question, “Are we there yet?”. How much longer? Will it ever end? 

Sorrow: affliction -- grief

Heart: inner man, mind, will, specifically of seat of the emotions and passions.

Daily: always, continually, each day.

Each day when I awake I hope to find the sorrow, grief, pain gone, but it remains. 

Having sorrow in my heart daily - Every day; constantly. That is, there was no intermission to his troubles. The sorrow in his heart seems to have been not merely that which was caused by troubles from without, but also that which sprang from the painful necessity of attempting to form plans for his own relief - plans which seemed to be in vain. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In October 2000, I injured my back. I figured in a few days that pain would be gone. However, it remains. Each day when I wake up, the pain greets me. At times it’s overwhelming. I wonder, how long will the pain remain. Will it ever go away? 

Yet, greater than physical pain, is the grief and sorrow that is present when the soul is in pain. What causes ‘soul pain’? Several things. First, and foremost, I can cause ‘soul pain’ when I’m not right with God. When I allow sin to come between me and God. Secondly, ‘soul pain’ can be caused by Satan trying to rob me of God’s peace. Doubts and fears take place of God’s peace and comfort. And lastly, ‘soul pain’ can be growing pains. As God stretches my faith and teaches me more about Him, the soul can grieve knowing what an amazing God I have, and what a small being I am, yet He loves me. 

How long? Will it ever end? Although the pain may not end while on earth, knowing that God is still God does allows my soul to have peace—even in the midst of pain. God is still at work. He remains faithful to His promises. He will not forsake His children. God is still God! 

I don’t have to be ‘pain-free’ to create a positive day. I only need to rest in God’s goodness and watch Him work, then I can have peace in the midst of pain. And the peace that God gives, creates a positive day!

Fear Eraser

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 Twentieth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 27. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NRSV)

The Lord is my lightening, and mine health; whom shall I dread? The Lord is defender of my life; for whom shall I tremble [for whom shall I quake]? Psalm 27:1 (WYC)

Light: as source enlightenment & prosperity; light & salvation; from the word meaning “God Himself-He is Light”.

Salvation: deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare.

Fear: be afraid of. 

Is the defense: a place or means of safety, protection, stronghold, from the word meaning to take or seek refuge.

Dread: be in dread, trembling fear, be in the state of fear, dread. 

FACT: God, of deity Yahweh, is the absolute light; the very source of life and light. In contrast to darkness. Physical darkness, or “being in the dark”, not knowing can create fear. I need to recognize that God is Light, Himself, and therefore, there is nothing to fear. God is in control.  

FACT: Because God is in control and my source of life and light, is there anyone of whom I should be afraid? God is the ALMIGHTY. No one compares to Him. Therefore, there isn’t anyone I need to be afraid of, or fear.

FACT: Yahweh is the not only provides a place of security, but a means of safety and protection. I need to understand that when I  am afraid I can find security and rest in God. 

FACT: Fear is real. Fear is powerful. Being so afraid that one trembles, or dreads something so much it causes physical reactions, is a reality. 

FACT: If I truly believe that God is the very source of light and life, that He is in control, that He is the Almighty God, then there is no one, or thing, of which I need to be afraid. I have a safe place to go and find peace. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember that circumstances, people, things, do not have the power that God has. God is my security. God is my safe haven. God is my “fear eraser”.

Taking a Break

Taking a break. That sounds easy, but can often be very difficult to do. When working toward a goal, it can be a both positive and negative. Positive: to review the progress. Negative: hard to get started again. Positive: a time to reflect and modify the goal as needed. Negative: get side-tracked on other goals. Positive: gather strength to continue. Negative: realize how much energy is needed to reach the goal. 

The list could continue. Everything can have a positive or negative effect. However, taking a break can be very positive and usually is needed. If we don't stop from time to time to reflect, and if needed, readjust our goals, we can lose sight of where we are going and what we are doing. Sometimes, we are forced to take a break, and we waste that time wishing we were moving forward, rather than evaluating and enjoying the break.

Taking a break.

Simple, yet very difficult. 

To maintain momentum when a break is needed, keep focused on the ultimate goal. Review your progress and make notes of what worked and what didn't. Make adjustments as necessary so when your break is over, you can begin working toward your goal again. 

There are times when God forces us to take a break (simply because we are too stubborn to stop ourselves). God has very unique and creative ways to make us face and evaluate our goals. God wants to keep us on track and if we lose sight of His leading, He may sideline us to get our attention.

Taking a break.

Time to reflect, make adjustments

and gather strength

to continue toward your goal. 

Do not take a break from creating a positive day! Being positive is vital especially when taking breaks. By remaining positive, you will continue to see the possibilities before you as you continue on your journey to reach your goal.