Do justly — the Required Routine

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

Do.
Accomplish, be busy.

Do.
It is an action.

Do.
It requires effort.

Do.
To bring an action to a conclusion.

Do justly.
Accomplish honesty.

Do justly.
The effort to live truthfully.

Requirement involves action. And not just random action, but action that is honest and truthful. And how do I know what is true?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

Do justly — the Required Routine. 

2016 — 2017 Thanks Living!

2016. 

This past year, I focused on "Thanks Living!" and I have to say that it was awesome! I wish I could say that I had a "thankful attitude" 24/7, 366 days, but I did not. (366 - Leap Year). 

However, when I did look for things for which to be thankful—I always found them and I found them in abundance! 

I read this quote the other day, "Attitude determines action and action determines accomplishment." Looking back over the past year, I can say that when I had the attitude of "Thanks Living!" I was more wiling to act in a godly way and that allowed me to accomplish many things.

For 2017, I was thinking of what I'd want to use for my theme, and I was having a hard time deciding what my focus should be. Then I realized, I don't have to change the theme!

So, for 2017, I'm going to once again focus on "Thanks Living!" I want to embrace all that God has to teach me, enjoy all God's blessings, and encourage those around me to focus on "Thanks Living!"

"Attitude determines action and action determines accomplishment." Just think of all that can be accomplished, when the attitude is one of "Thanks Living!"

Looking forward to a "Thanks Living!" filled 2017. 

I hope you will join me!

Impossible Requests

Have you ever thought of the impossible requests God made of individuals?

I was thinking this morning of some of the "Impossible" requests, the responses to those requests by the individuals, and the reactions by others, the relationship between God and the person, and the amazing things God accomplished when people acted in faith to obediently fulfill His requests.

Examples:

Noah. He was told to build a enormous boat - that took "forever" to build because God would flood the earth.

Joseph. Not sure he fully understood all that God requested of him, but he remained faithful through all the struggles. And God put him in the exact place and gave him the authority necessary to help his family.

Moses. He was told to lead the Children of Israel from Egypt to the Promise Land. Not only did he have to face Pharaoh many times, he had to deal with all the complaining and hardships along the way.

Joshua and Caleb. They were excited to conquer the giants, but others were not. Then Joshua took over the leading of the people. And I love that Caleb, even in his old age, claimed the mountain that God had promised him.

Daniel. So much was requested of him and he remained faithful.

Those are just a few examples. As I was thinking about the requests, the obedience and all that God accomplished through individuals — I wonder..... how would my account, of obedience to what God has requested me to do, read?

Something to think about, and pray about..........

Trust: Accomplish His Plan

Trust

As I continue on my desire to have a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, I thought I'd study "Trust" throughout the Bible. What is trust? In whom do I place my trust? Who is trustworthy? Am I trustworthy? What are the results of trusting God? How do you continue to trust God with things don't go as I planned? 

I'm looking forward to learning about Trust, hope you will enjoy reading what I learn as I study God's Word. 

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And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God). Genesis 15:6

The command to go to the land which the Lord would show him, accompanied with the promise to make of him a great nation, had awakened in him a certain expectation; which, however, waited for some performance to ripen it into faith. But waiting in a state of suspense is not faith, but doubt; and faith after performance is not faith, but sight. 

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

What was there now, then, to call forth Abram‘s faith more than at the first promise? There was the reiteration of the promise. There was the withholding of the performance, leaving room for the exercise of pure faith. There was time to train the mind to this unaccustomed idea and determination. And, lastly, there was the sublime assurance conveyed in the sentence, “I am thy shield, thy exceeding great reward,” transcending all the limits of time and place, comprehending alike the present and the eternal, the earthly and the heavenly. This, coupled with all the recorded and unrecorded dealings of the Lord, leads him to conceive the nobler feeling of faith in the Promiser, antecedent to any part of the execution, any unfolding of the plan, or any removal of the obvious difficulty.

Thus, faith springs solely from the seed of promise. And from that moment there stands up and grows within the breast of man the right frame of mind toward the God of mercy - the germ of a mutual good understanding between God and man which will spread its roots and branches through the whole soul, to the exclusion of every noxious plant, and blossom forth unto the blessed fruit of all holy feelings and doings.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Abram trusted in the Lord even when it seemed impossible, because God had fulfilled other promises. Although Abram couldn't understand or even begin to see how God would accomplish His promise, Abram trusted. 

Abram trusted in God. And God saw that Abram was willing to trust God to make the seemingly impossible happen. When we place our trust in God and WAIT on Him to accomplish HIS plan in HIS time, we have a peace and joy that overflows when God acts. However, when we try to do things on our own, then we cause trouble for ourselves and others! Consequence of trust in God lead to promises fulfilled and joy! Consequence of trust in oneself or others, often leads to misery and heartache. 

If I want to learn to trust God and wait on Him to accomplish His plan for me and through me, then my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For only when I have a deep reverence and respect for God, will I be willing to wait on Him and TRUST that He will, in His time and in accordance with His will, accomplish His plan. 

Agenda

Heard a few great messages this morning. One got me thinking. 

When Jesus Christ was here on earth, He was often challenged about what He was doing or not doing. The people had preconceived ideas and agendas as to how God would create His kingdom. When Jesus didn't fit their agenda, instead of changing and reevaluating their thoughts and actions, they wanted Jesus to change. 

How many times do I miss what God wants to accomplish in my life and through me... because I have created MY agenda based on my preconceived ideas as to what I think God wants? 

If God starts working in ways that I don't understand or are contrary to what I THINK should be happening, instead of challenging God, I need to change my agenda and ideas to match God's.

A good source for solid Bible teaching: http://www.calvarygreenville.org

Enjoy with Confidence

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.

How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5 (AMP)

Your works are marvelous, O Eternal One! Your thoughts are unfathomable. Psalm 92:5 (VOICE)

"Thy thoughts." The plural of מחשׁבת, from the verb חשׁב, to meditate, to count, to weave; and this last word gives a good idea of what is here made the subject of admiration and praise, the wonderful intricacy and contrivance with which the Divine Mind designs and executes his plans, till at length the result is seen in a beautifully woven tissue of many delicately mingled and colored threads.  Christopher Wordsworth

"O Lord, how great are thy works!" He is lost in wonder. He utters an exclamation of amazement. How vast! How stupendous are the doings of Jehovah! Great for number, extent, and glory and design are all the creations of the Infinite One. "And thy thoughts are very deep." The Lord's plans are as marvellous as his acts; his designs are as profound as his doings are vast. Creation is immeasurable, and the wisdom displayed in it unsearchable. Some men think but cannot work, and others are mere drudges working without thought; in the Eternal the conception and the execution go together. Providence is inexhaustible, and the divine decrees which originate it are inscrutable. Redemption is grand beyond conception, and the thoughts of love which planned it are infinite. Man is superficial, God is inscrutable; man is shallow, God is deep. Dive as we may we shall never fathom the mysterious plan, or exhaust the boundless wisdom of the all-comprehending mind of the Lord. We stand by the fathomless sea of divine wisdom, and exclaim with holy awe, "O the depth!" The Treasury of David

God owes us no explanation of why He does what He does. He is God. Even if I can’t figure out or even imagine what God is doing, or why He allows what He does, I do know that God is God and He has purpose that is far greater than anything I could imagine. 

I often wonder, why I think I can figure out what God is doing. I can’t even grasp the beauty of a sunrise, or understand how a bird can fly. So, why do I even begin to think I know what God is doing... or why He’s doing it? 

To create a positive day, I only have to enjoy with confidence that God’s way are much greater than mine, and trust Him as He accomplishes His plan. 

Translate into Action

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 15. Here is what I learned.

The one who does not collect interest on a loan  or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:5 (GW)

If they loan money to someone, they do not charge them interest. And they refuse to testify against an innocent person, even if someone offers them money to do it. Whoever lives like this will always stand strong. Psalm 15:5 (ERV)

He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:5 (ASV)

"He that doeth." 'Tis not said he that professes this or that, or he that believes thus and thus, or he that is of such or such an opinion or wail of worship, or he that sets up new lights, and pretends the Spirit for his immediate guide; 'tis not he that hears much or talks much of religion; no, nor he that preaches and prays much, nor he that thinks much of these things, and means well; but 'tis he that "doeth these things" - that is actually employed about them - that is the religious and truly godly man. Condensed from Adam Littleton, D.D., 1627-1694 

Do: carry out, accomplish, achieve, act, arrange, be responsible for, bring about, cause, close, complete, conclude, create, determine, discharge, do one's thing, effect, end, engage in, execute, finish, fix, fulfill, get with it, go for it, look after, make, make ready, move, operate, perform, produce, pull off, see to, succeed, take care of business, take on, transact, undertake, wind up, work, wrap up.

Accomplish. Execute. Produce. Achieve. Act. Do. It’s one thing to know something, and it’s another things to act on that knowledge. 

I’m reminded of physical therapy. When I was going through physical therapy, my therapist would give me exercises to do at home. When I arrived at my next appointment, he would ask if I had done the exercises. Since I did do them, I would answer, “yes”. I remember asking him one time, if he knew if people  lied about doing them. He replied, “yes, because they don’t get stronger, or gain range of motion.”  Doing the exercises produced a positive result. There was evidence of the “doing.”

The same is true for knowing God’s Word and acting upon it. There is evidence in my life that an be seen by those around me, if I “do” what God’s Word says I’m to do. Knowing about God, and knowing what His Word says is good. However, there must be more to that knowledge—it must be acted upon. 

To create a positive day, my knowledge has to translate into action, producing godly actions.

The Unknown is the Very Best

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 11. Here is what I learned.

I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me: “Flee to your mountain like a bird? Psalm 11:1 (GW)

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 ·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)

Refuge: have hope, make refuge, put trust; a primitive root; to flee for protection.

God is a refuge providing security and protection. How often do I say I trust God, that I am taking refuge in Him, only to fly away on my own? The distance from the head to the heart, is often a difference of only 10 to 12 inches... on the outside. 

The longest distance in the world is from head to the heart. Taking what we know and turning it into a demonstrable action, something that will elicit change in our lives and the lives of those around us, is true wisdom. The ability to transform knowledge into action is oftentimes quite the hurdle. M. J. Formica

Why do I leave security to fly out on my own.. you’d think that would create more fear. But as I’ve said before, too often I have the “I can do it myself” mentality. I want to take control. 

The thing about God’s refuge and security, it’s with me all the time, as long as I stay in His will. But so often, I get fearful of where God is leading—the unknown—that I fly away and try to find my own safe way. However, being away from God’s refuge is never a safe place. 

To let God's faithfulness free me from the fear of the unknown, I only have to stay in the refuge that God provides as He leads me. God will make the unknown known in His perfect time. 

To create a positive day, I need to remain in the security of God’s will and trust God that the unknown is the very best for me to accomplish His plan for me. 

Left Out in the Rain

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 126. Here is what I learned.

“The Lord has done spectacular things for them.” The Lord has done spectacular things for us.  We are overjoyed. Psalm 126:2b, 3 (GW)

There’s an old song that I heard on the Partridge Family re-run, “She’d rather have the Rain”. The gist of the song is that no matter what the boy could do or give the girl, she’d would rather have the rain.... the more unpleasant item. 

As I read Psalm 126, I had to think, when God does spectacular things, am I happy with what He’s done and how He chose to accomplish it... or I’m I like the girl in the song... not satisfied, and would rather have the rain? 

I wonder how many times, God has given me an amazing blessing, but I was too focused on what I thought I wanted, or needed, that I missed seeing the blessing. 

I wonder how many times, God has wanted to give me a wonderful gift, but I was too focused on getting what I wanted myself, that I missed the opportunity of letting God present me with the gift of His choice. 

Would I really, “rather have the rain, than anything He could give me?” 

It comes down to making sure that my focus, will, and goals match what God’s are. I need to realize that I may not understand the gift God gives me at a particular time, but I can be assured that the gift is exactly what I need. 

To create a positive day, I need to be open and willing to accept what God wants to give me, otherwise I will be left out in the rain, miserable and missing God’s blessings! 

Consider it Accomplished

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 138. Here is what I learned.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalm 138:2 (ASV)

"For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name," the words may be thus read, and will better agree with the Hebrew; "thou hast magnified thy name above all things, in thy word," that is, in fulfilling thy word thou hast magnified thy name above all things, in that thou hast fulfilled thy word. What thou freely promisedst, thou hast faithfully performed; what thou hast spoken with thy mouth thou hast fulfilled with thy hand; for which thy name is wonderfully to be magnified. James Nalton, 1664.

What God says, He will do. No doubt. No ‘wiggle room’. Simply... if God said it, consider it accomplished.  God is to be trusted! That is a very comforting fact.

Consider it accomplished. 

All that God has said, I know that it is trustworthy because he is not only able to perform well, having a proven capacity to fulfil what He promises, but because of who God is... holy, just, faithful... He cannot go against His Word. He is faithful to do what He says. 

Consider it accomplished. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. It’s done. 

To create a positive day, I only have to remember and act upon the fact that whatever God has said... consider it accomplished—period!

8 days and counting

Today was one of those days I had all planned out... you know the type of day when the "To Do List" is full and the pencil is sharpened ready to mark off each task. Well, what I had planned was not what God had planned. My headache was the worst it's been in a while, and I injured my ankle a few weeks ago....it was really swollen today. Therefore, instead of finishing my to do list....I knew I'd be confined to the sofa all day.
I was thinking that the day was a total waste...I wouldn't get anything done on my list....until I remembered that my list doesn't really matter. I was to accomplish what God wanted me to do....not some list I concocted.
So, I started rethinking my "To Do List". Rather than what I thought I had to accomplish today, I consulted God on what He wanted me to do. When I changed from "my list" to God's list....the day was much better!
What was on God's list? Extra prayer time. Recently a few people asked I pray for some special requests. Being able to spend time discussing those issues with God was a good use of my time.
As the day progressed, God sent some special blessings my way. I received a nice email. And later in the day I received a package from Hawaii!! A package brightens anyone's day! And since this package was from some very special friends—it made it even better! (A big shout out to Hawaii—Thank you VERY MUCH!!!)
So, my "To do list" remains full. But personally, today turned out to be a special day.

If your plans need to change, don't consider the day a loss. You can still create a positive day by allowing God to direct your plans.