Daniel • Daniel 1

This begins my study of the Book of Daniel. 

As I read Daniel chapter 1, the first thing that stood out to me was in verse 2, "the Lord GAVE Jehoiakim". This shows that God is in control. We may not understand why God does what He does, but He is a just and holy God, therefore, He does require obedience and there are consequences to disobedience. 

The next thing that stood out was in verse 4, "young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve".  Out of the list of characteristics, the one that stood out the most was, "had ability to serve". 

As I focus this year on "Create/Renew" (Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10), that would definitely encompass the ability to serve. Just as important as the action of serving, the attitude of serving is equally as important. 

Action and attitude of serving are the results of a clean heart and steadfast spirit. 

Renew Psalm 51:10

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

Renew: to rebuild, repair, make anew, to be new

Dictionary.com defines the word renew as "to make effective for an additional period". 

Make effective. I like that aspect of the word "renew". As God works to restore and rebuild my spirit, then I will be effective! How awesome is that?!! 

Clean Heart Psalm 51:10

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

Clean: ethically pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
Heart: the feelings, the will, the intellect; the center; with specific reference to moral character

Clean. That, at times, means different things to different people. Growing up, what I thought was a clean room, did not meet my sister's expectation. We both had different meanings for the word, "clean". And since we shared a room, that was a cause of contention between us. 

However, in Psalm 51, there is no room for personal interpretation. For it is God, who is creating a clean heart, therefore, it is God's absolute truth and pureness that defines "clean". 

The Psalmist knows that he has sinned and that only God can create a clean heart, a heart of purity according to God Himself. 

Create in me a clean heart. 

Heart. The essence of man's being. The heart is what determines actions and attitudes. The heart is the center hard drive that determines what the output. 

When sin enters the heart, the hard drive is corrupt and malfunctions. Sin is a virus that creates havoc. The only "upgrade" that will purge the heart of the virus is God Himself. 

Create in me a clean heart. 

That prayer will then have a great impact on all I do, say, and think. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Create • Psalm 51:10

Create: shape, fashion, create, always of divine activity. 

The same word is used in Genesis 1:1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

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

In Psalm 51:10 meaning of "create", is to fashion and transformation.

The process of "creating" may cause some pain and discomfort as God molds my heart into one pleasing to Him. 

Create in me — a prayer that must be accompanied by a willing and wanting soul. 

Create. Renew.

Fruit Producer

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 1. Here is what I learned.

He is like a tree planted beside streams— a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does. Psalm 1:3 (GW)

And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 (ASV)

He is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;" not unseasonable graces, like untimely figs, which are never full-flavoured. But the man who delights in God's Word, being taught by it, bringeth forth patience in the time of suffering, faith in the day of trial, and holy joy in the hour of prosperity. Fruitfulness is an essential quality of: a gracious man, and that fruitfulness should be seasonable.

But to the eye of faith this word is sure, and by it we perceive that our works are prospered, even when everything seems to go against us. It is not outward prosperity which the Christian most desires and values; it is soul prosperity which he longs for.  The trials of the saint are a divine husbandry, by which he grows and brings forth abundant fruit. The Treasury of David

As I read Psalm 1:3 this morning, the phrase, “produces fruit”, I had to stop and think... Am I producing fruit? If so, what kind? As I asked myself these questions, Galatians 5:22, 23 came to mind. 

The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this. Galatians 5:22, 23 (VOICE)

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22, 23 (MSG)

So, am I a fruit producer? Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life, so that I can produce fruit? Or am I just a tree that grows leaves and “looks pretty”? 

The only way to be a fruit producer is to study God’s Word and allow it to impact my life. To create a positive day, I need to be a fruit producer. 

Changing Habits

Not sure about you, but this last week of the year, is...well, strange. I'm winding down from all the Christmas activities, and it's not quite time to begin the "New Year's" activities.... then I thought why not?

Why can't I begin working on the New Year's Resolutions now? What is it about Jan 1st? It's not a "magic" date. "If you begin your resolutions on Jan 1st you will succeed". We all know that's not true.

This year, I'm doing several things differently. One, I'm not making resolutions, I am working on creating HABITS! I want to create habits which will have a positive impact in my life. 

My chiropractor has a very unique idea. He has 6 Factors of Health, which he's divided into the year. Every 2 months, we will work on creating a new health habit to build on the one created the months before. January and February the focus is Nutrition. I'm still working on my Nutrition habit, but it will do with eating proper meals on time. (I tend to eat when I remember or not at all... rather than when my body needs nutrients.)

I'm also creating a habit to be thankful. To help me with this habit, each day I'm writing down at least one thing for which I'm thankful.

Another habit I want to create is to be more aware of and encourage others. I have to figure out exactly what I want to do, and how to make it into a habit.

It's not about a date, or creating some unobtainable goal, rather it's about what habits do I want to change, or create. I like the idea of building on habits throughout the year. The end result is to become a better person. Maybe if I do it slowly over the entire year, the habits I create will actually become part of my life. Habits don't happen all at once.. they are CREATED.

Beginning today, I will begin creating new habits.

Creating a positive day is about habits. To make creating a positive day a habit, write down something positive about each day... then increase it to several times a day.. than as many times as you need to remind yourself that there is much of which you can be positive!

Thanks to Digi Web Studio (www.digiwebstudio.com) for the penguin artwork used to create this blog post.