My Very Heart

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! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I am sending him back to you in his own person, [and it is like sending] my very heart. Philemon 1:12 (AMP)

"My very heart"

As I read this verse, I took a moment to think about what would make Onesimus, a servant who was unprofitable to one, become so dear to Paul. 

First and foremost, Onesimus trusted in Christ after he left Philemon. So now Onesimus was a changed man. As a believer in Christ, Onesimus' actions reflected his new relationship with Christ. 

Secondly, I think that Onesimus was learning and growing under Paul's teaching. For learning how to "put on" the godly characteristics from Colossians 3, Onesimus then was reflecting Christ in his actions and attitude. 

And lastly, Onesimus had become and encourager and blessing to Paul. 

"My very heart"

A relationship based on the bond of Jesus Christ between two Christians. That is second only to a personal relationship to Christ. 

First and foremost, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), so that my relationship with Christ can have an impact in my relationship with others—so that the bond is deep—"my very heart". 

Personal Ultimate Relationship

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! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.   

Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). Colossians 3:24 (AMP)

Ye shall receive: to get back, to recover.
The full recompense: Given back in return.
Ye serve the Lord Christ: As his slaves and gladly so, keep on serving.
Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

Verse 24 is a continuation of the relationship between Servant and Master in verse 23. Fulfilling responsibilities cheerfully and to the very best of ones ability because the work is being done for God. 

In turn, because the Servants referred to in this verse are Christians, they know that they have an eternal inheritance awaiting them. They may not get paid their just due while working on earth, but none-the-less, they are to continue serving and be the BEST servants because of whom they belong to—God, Himself. 

The truth of this verse is also applicable to all believers. No matter what we do, or for who on earth we do it for, we are to go our utmost best — not for the earthy reward, but because we have a great reward — given to us by grace — eternal salvation! 

How does this impact me on a daily basis? Colossians 3:18-24 have been dealing with relationships. Each individual we come in contact with, we have a responsibility to treat with respect and love. And that is because of all that we have "put on" (Colossians 3:10-17). 

Our relationship should be different, because we have the ultimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lives should be different than the unbelievers around us. That does not mean that we walk around with our noses in the air—we are not 'better' than they are—we are sinners BUT, we've been saved by grace! And our relationship with Christ, should impact all we do, say,  and think. 

They only way for me to have relationships with others that is godly, is to be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). My personal ultimate relationship with God starts with knowing Him, and then changing my thoughts, words, and actions to be in accordance with Him and His Word. 

Relationships

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! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.   

Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter orresentful toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]

Colossians 3:18-21 (AMP)

These verses move from how we conduct ourselves in general and with other believers (Colossians 3:1-17) to a more personal setting — relationships in the home. 

Wives, Husbands, Children. 

In today's "feminist" society, verse 18 is frowned upon. But the verse has to be taken into context with verse 19 as well. A husband who loves his wife with the godly love that is based on Christ's love, treats his wife well. And in turn a wife with that same love will allow the husband to be the head of the home and support him. It's all based on the previous verses. This doesn't just happen by magic, no it's all based on "putting on" the character traits listed before. 

Verse 20 address the last relationship of the family—Children. Once again, as the wife and husband demonstrate godly love toward one another and allow Christ to be the leader of the home, children then learn how to obey out of love and respect. 

And the motivation is not for a sticker, or prize, rather simply because it is pleasing to the Lord. And that should be the ultimate motivation for each of us in all we do—because it is pleasing to the Lord. 

Verse 21 again focuses on the Father, the head of the home. The father is to teach and train the child in the things of God and encourage the child as they learn and grow. The "Father/Husband" is an important and vital role in the home. And the other way a Father/Husband can fulfill his responsibility is by having "put on" each item listed in Colossians 3:1-17. 

Even if you are not a wife/husband, you can see from these verses that if we "put on" godly characteristics and if pleasing God is our motivation for living a godly life,  then it will affect each and every area of our lives and our relationships. 

In order to live a life that is pleasing to God—that affects each relationship, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31, MSG).

Rock-solid Friendships

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 16. Here is what I learned.

The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me. They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure. Psalm 16:3 (VOICE)

As for the godly (the saints) who are in the land, they are the excellent, the noble, and the glorious, in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3 (AMP)

And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Psalm 16:3 (MSG)

This verse is probably to be regarded as a further statement of the evidence of the attachment of the psalmist to God. In the previous verse, according to the interpretation proposed, he states that his happiness - his all was centered in God. He had no hope of anything except in him; none beyond him; none besides him.

In this verse he states, as a further proof of his attachment to him, that he regarded with deep affection the saints of God; that he found his happiness, not in the society of the wicked, but in the friendship of the excellent of the earth. The verse may be thus rendered: "As to the saints in the earth (or in respect to the saints in the earth), and to the excellent, all my delight is in them." In the former verse he had stated that, as to God, or in respect to God, he had no source of blessing, no hope, no joy, beyond him, or independent of him; in this verse he says that in respect to the saints - the excellent of the earth - all his delight was in them. Thus he was conscious of true attachment to God and to his people. Thus he had what must ever be essentially the evidence of true piety - a feeling that God is all in all, and real love for those who are his; a feeling that there is nothing beyond God, or without God, that can meet the wants of the soul, and a sincere affection for all who are his friends on earth. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It would seem logical, that if I enjoy God’s company, that I’d enjoy the company of those who love God. I think of my friends, we may not have a lot of common interests, but the one thing we do have in common is our love for God. That single bond is greater and stronger than liking the same sports team, or liking the same hobby. For loving God is the foundation for life and sets the standards for living. 

True friendship is grounded in each individuals love for God. The more each person loves God and aims to accomplish God’s will, the friendship is stronger and more enjoyable. 

To create a positive day, I first must make sure my relationship with God is right and strong, then I can enjoy rock-solid friendships that have God as the foundation. 

Building My Relationship

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.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. Psalm 91:14 (ASV)

Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. Psalm 91:14 (GW)

The Lord says, “Whoever ·loves [desires] me, I will ·save [rescue]. I will ·protect [lift to safety] those who know ·me [my name]. Psalm 91:14 (EXB)

Because (for): assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless.

Set: to be (inaccessibly) high, be excellent

Love: join to love, delight in, be attached to, strongest attachment, himself with me; is my friend.

Deliver (rescue): carry away safe, deliver, cause to escape.

Know: be aware, comprehend, perceive, understand, acknowledge, acquainted with.

Name: honor, authority, character, especially as embodying the (revealed) character of, 

Because he hath set his love upon me - Has become attached to me; has united himself with me; is my friend. The Hebrew word expresses the strongest attachment, and is equivalent to our expression - "to fall in love." It refers here to the fact that God is the object of supreme affection on the part of his people; and it also here implies, that this springs from their hearts; that they have seen such beauty in his character, and have such strong desire for him, that their hearts go out in warm affection toward him.

Therefore will I deliver him - I will save him from trouble and from danger.

I will set him on high - By acknowledging him as my own, and treating him accordingly.

Because he hath known my name - He has known me; that is, he understands my true character, and has learned to love me. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

There are two responsibilities I’m to carry out in Psalm 91:14: 1. Love God. 2. Know God. And they are both intertwined. If I love God, I want to get to know Him, and the more I know about God, the more I’ll love Him. Think of your friendships. The deeper the love, the more you know, the more you want to spend time with that individual, and the friendship continues to become deeper and more meaningful. 

Love God. Know God. Two simple statements. But what do they mean?

Love: delight in, be attached to, strongest attachment. Know God: be aware, comprehend, perceive, understand, acknowledge, acquainted with. Simply put, I need to build a relationship with God. 

If I delight in God and get acquainted with Him, then He should have an impact in my life.  The impact starts with several things:

1. WANTING to obey His Word & to do that, I need to spend time IN His Word.
2. Share Him with others. Don’t you want others to know about your great friends? “Can’t stop talking about Him”
3. Talk with God. Praying is not giving God my wish list. Rather it’s about being ”in tune” with God so that I understand His will.
4. Create a desire to love God even more, which will be a natural occurrence as I get to know God. 

To create a positive day I need to work on building my relationship with God; the more I love Him, the more I want to know Him—the more I know Him, the more I love Him.

High or Low: What is my level of Praise?

"When your level of complaining
is at an all time high,
it could mean that

your level of praise
is at an all time low."
by Tony Evans

This was posted on Tony Evan's FB page. As it read it, I realized just how true it is. As I continued to think on it, I questioned:

What makes my level of praise

hit an all time low?

It didn't take me long to figure out the answer.  The past two weeks, I've been doing a Bible Study on "In the Presence of Jehovah" based on the song sung by Damaris Carbaugh.

When I spend time in the presence of God, my level of praise rises to new heights. Being in God's presence is comforting, encouraging, worshipful, humbling, and life changing.

When I spend time worshiping and praising God, that transfers to all aspects of my life. God provides new perspectives and insights. In God's presence, He confirms that He knows exactly what is happening and He is in control of it all. He has a plan and is accomplishing that plan. 

There is a thought that:

If you live with someone long enough,

you not only begin to think like them,

you look like them too.

 I want that to be true of my relationship with God. I want to spend time in God's presence, so that His thoughts become my thoughts and I want people to see Christ in me and through me.

If my complaining becomes an "all time high", and my praise hits an "all time low"; than I am over due for some time in God's presence.

When my relationship is right with God,

being in God's presence

is the most secure, peaceful,

and encouraging place I can be.

Creating a positive day is almost automatic

when I've been

In the Presence of Jehovah.

What do I value?

What do I value? What is important to me? What matters? If something is important to me, then I make it a priority. If it's a priority, I do what's necessary to make it possible. If something is NOT really important to me than I don't spend energy, time or money on it. This is true for things and relationships.
If I value someone and consider them a friend, I'm willing to make them a priority. I will turn off the TV when he/she calls so I can listen and hear what he/she is saying. I schedule time on the calendar to get together with him/her. Some relationships I value more, so I spend more effort and time to develop that relationship. Some relationships aren't really as important to me, so I spend less time with him or her.
I have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How I use those hours is a window of what's important to me. Do I take a few minutes to send a note to a friend? Do I spend a few minutes to call someone to say 'hi"? Or do I spend that time watching the TV or surfing the web for strange and unimportant sites?
Often I hear, "I don't have time." We all have the same amount of time. We each make daily choices on how we spend that time. Even at work, choices are made as to which project or person will get how much time and attention. The more time we allot to a particular project, the more attention we spend on it.
I want to strive to spend each hour of each day wisely. Just as I want to make wise choices with my money, I want to make wise choices with my time and energy. Making wise investments now, will enrich my life for years to come.

Creating a positive day for myself, is often done by creating a positive day for someone else. Maybe it's sending a card to calling to say "hi, I care". Creating a positive day is a wise investment!