Psalm - Psalm 7

Psalm 7:1a, 17O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Trust: to flee for protection, to confide in -- have hope, make refuge
Praise: to revere or worship with extended hands
According to His righteousness:  God's attribute as sovereign
Sing praise: celebrate in song and music
Most High: as title, the Supreme

As you read Psalm 7, the first words are "O Lord my God, in You I put my trust". Then you read about all the wickedness that was happening to and around the Psalmist. But because the Psalmist put his trust in God, the Psalmist could end the Psalm with Praise to God!

Psalm 7 -

Trust in God will result in Praise to God!

UNSWERVED from the Deliberate Purpose! (James)

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:3

Knowing: to come to know, recognize, perceive

Trying: the proving, a testing; by implication, trustworthiness; trial

Faith: belief, trust, confidence

Worketh: to do that from which something results, produce

Patience: steadfastness, constancy, endurance (the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings)

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/1-3.htm

The characteristic of a man UNSWERVED from his deliberate purpose. Focused. Goal oriented. Steadfast. 

There is a purpose to the testings and trials. There is to be a result from all that happens in our lives. We can have maximum calmness (James 1:2) in the midst of the trials, because we RECOGNIZE that God has a very SPECIFIC purpose. 

UNSWERVED from the Deliberate Purpose!

Amazing Prayer

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Goodness: beyond being good — doing good

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,  that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

Pray: with a specific result in mind

Count you worthy: matching value to actual substance – i.e. worth as it corresponds to reality

Fulfill: to make complete in every particular; to render perfect

All: any and every, of every kind

Good pleasures: delight, pleasure, satisfaction: with the genitive of the thing that pleases

Goodness: uprightness of heart and life; beyond being good — doing good

Work:  the course of conduct which springs from faith

Power: "inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth"

Glorified: viewed in high, personal esteem, befitting great (intrinsic) worth

According to:  in consequence of, by virtue of

Grace: "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues"

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_thessalonians/1-11.htm

That is why [To that end; In this regard] we always pray for you, asking our God to ·help you live the kind of life he called you to live [make/consider you worthy of his calling]. We pray that with his power God will ·help you do the good things you want [ fulfill every desire for goodness] and ·perform the works that come from your [every work of] faith.  We pray all this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will ·have glory [be glorified] in you, and you ·will have glory in him [ in him]. That glory comes from the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (EXB)

What an amazing prayer. A prayer with a specific RESULT in mind. A prayer that one's faith be real, evident and truly lived. A prayer that I need to pray for myself and others. A prayer where the results are possible, because of God's goodness! 

Love - what God prefers — Commands

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words. 

Love - what God prefers

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

Commandment: reach the end, consummation – properly, "in the end," focusing on the end-result (objective) of a command

Another: each other. This is a reciprocal pronoun. Reciprocal is a mathematical expression or function so related to another that their product is one. 

As I have: according to;  properly, "in proportion, to the degree that" (J. Thayer); just as (in direct proportion), corresponding to fully (exactly). (HelpsBible.com)

You: singular, personal

The end result of God's love is that I will love those with whom I come in contact. I am to love each and every person — and not in a general sense, but love —as God prefers. 

How does God love me? 

His love is unconditional. God loved us as sinners. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

His love is everlasting. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

His love is just. Psalm 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The Fruit of the Spirit should be evident in my life. God commands—and expects results — that I love all those around me — each and everyone. 

Love - what God prefers - is that I love others with the same love God has for me. 

The question is, am I doing that?

Chronological: Rebranding 1

Rebranding. 

Over the years, Companies have been known to change their logos, and "rebrand" themselves. Sometimes with good results, sometimes it has an opposite effect. 

As I've been studying about Name Changes, (another rabbit trail from my Chronological Bible Study), I realized that often it was a "rebranding" of an individual. Sometimes for positive reasons, and sometimes for a negative reason. 

Names are important to us. We like to be addressed by our name. It's our identity. What happens when God gives you a new name? What are the effects of rebranding? What impact does the rebranding have on the individual and those around them? 

Rebranding: Who?

Let's first take a look at WHO is doing the rebranding. In the rebranding of Abram and Sarai, it was God doing the rebranding. 

The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God." Genesis 17:1

It's important to know Who is rebranding, as He has the authority to carry out the rebranding. 

Rebranding: Why? 

Abram. God changed his name to Abraham.

God changed Abram's name because of the promise God gave to Abram.

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. Genesis 17:5

“No longer shall your name be Abram (exalted father), but your name shall be Abraham (father of a multitude); for I will make you the father of many nations. Genesis 17:5 (AMP)

God rebranded Abraham based on a promise — that God would fulfill in the future. Each time Abraham heard his name it would be a reminder of what God promised He would do. 

God changed Sarai's name because of the promise made to Abraham. She would be the princess of many nations. 

Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai (my princess), but her name will be Sarah (Princess). Genesis 17:15 (AMP)

The rebranding of the Abraham's and Sarah's names were to signify what God planned to do through them. He created a covenant with them and their rebranding was to signify their role in that convent to future generations. 

Rebranding: Owning it

Even though God rebranded Abram and Sarai, to remind them of the covenant, Abraham and Sarah, did not fully own the meaning behind the rebranding. They were still in the mindset of Abram and Sarai. 

For when God told them what and how He would fulfill His promise to make them the Father and Princess of a great Nation, there was laughter and disbelief. They did not grasp the full implications of their names, nor the One who rebranded them. Both Abraham and Sarah's attitude and reactions, showed their disbelief in what God could and would do. They were looking at the rebranding from their point of view, rather than Almighty God's view. 

Rebranding: New Identity

As we continue reading throughout Genesis, we learn that God did indeed keep His promise to Abraham and Sarah. Their new identities matched what God did through them. 

Rebranding only works when it is done by one who has the Authority. And the rebranding does has an effect on each individual and those around him/her.

Rebranding.

If God would change my name—would my actions and attitude accept and be worthy of that new brand?

Chronological: Promises

Promises. 

What does the word promise mean? One dictionary defines as such: an express assurance on which expectation is to be based.

As we look at the life of Abraham beginning in Genesis 12, we see something that is no unique to Abraham nor the time in which he lived— his actions did not always reflect the belief that God keeps His promises. 

God is always faithful. God is truthful. God keeps His promises. Abraham's actions are often inconsistent with the characteristics of God. 

Genesis 12 begins with a command. "Get out of this place — (go) to another place. That command is followed by the following promises.

I will show you the land. 

I will make you a great nation. 

I will bless you.

I will make your name great—and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those that bless you.

I will curse those that curse you.

Looking at the list of promises, it covers everything. And then we look at Abraham's actions. Sadly, his actions do not convey faith or obedience in God's promises. 

Genesis 12:10-20

Abraham lied. 

Abraham was scared. He thought he'd be killed because his wife Sarai was beautiful and the Egyptians would want her. So, he said Sarai, was is sister not his wife. Due to that lie, the Egyptians were cursed and Abraham and Sarai were  commanded to leave. 

Look at which promises that Abraham forgot at he entered Egypt. Yes, all of them. That's not a good start to Abraham's journey. 

God's Word is full of promises. Do I act as I believe those promises? 

Sadly, too often I am like Abraham, thinking that God doesn't really mean what He says. Or I think that maybe I know better than God. Or that God needs my help. That's just plain wrong thinking—period! That's when I need to stop and remember WHO God is! For when I have a correct thinking and understanding of WHO God is—my actions will then be such that reveal that I do trust God and I want to obey Him. 

Promises. When the promises are made by God Almighty—you can be assured He will keep them! 

Chronological: The Who

Continuing to my Chronological Bible Study. I am stuck on Noah right now.... Genesis 6-8. 

"This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9

Verse 8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." 

Verse 9—tells us why: Noah walked with God. 

And the result: Verse 22, "Noah did according to all that God commanded him, so he did. Also, Genesis 7:5, "And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him."

Have you ever thought about what would have happened if Noah didn't obey ALL that God had commanded him? What if Noah decided that the dimensions of the ark just weren't right and recalculated them? What if Noah decided not use the pitch on the inside and outside of the ark? 

Yet, even if Noah didn't understand the NEED for all that God commanded, Noah knew WHO was giving the orders! 

That the key in the story of Noah. Not the ark, or all the animals, but the WHO—God Almighty. 

God created the World. (God said)

Man sinned. (he said)

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (He listened to God said)

God is Holy. God is merciful. God is patient. 

The WHO is the key—from the beginning throughout all eternity. 

If you don't have a respect for WHO God is, the result is the vile and sin that was rampant in Noah's day, and we see again in our generation. It's time for us to focus on The WHO—and remember that God is holy. God is just. God is merciful. God is patient—but for how long? 

Do my thoughts, actions, attitudes, words—reflect that I know WHO God is? Does the truth of WHO God is impact my entire life? Are the choices I make each and everyday honoring to God? 

"Did according to all the Lord commanded him." Can that be said of me?

Chronological: Questioning Truth—"He Said"

Questioning Truth— “He Said”

Genesis 3-5

What a contrast from Genesis 2 to Genesis 3. 

In Genesis 2 God Almighty is speaking with authority and power. Then in Genesis 3 creation speaks and immediately begins to question God and Truth. 

Genesis 3: 1 “And he said… Has God indeed said?” 

Genesis 3: 4 A blatant lie is stated. “You shall not surely die.” 

When you start to question what God says, don’t try to answer it on your own. Rather, go back to the source! Go back to Scripture. What did God REALLY say? 

We know the consequences of blatantly disregarding Truth and disobeying God’s word. Adam and Eve were ashamed before God, there was separation from God. Their relationship changed. 

Genesis 3:8-9 God still wanted a relationship with mankind, but now sin had to be dealt with—for God is holy. 

Adam and Eve and to live with the consequences of their disobedience to God. For questioning Truth started a pattern—that had deadly consequences. 

Cain the firstborn worked in the fields. Where as, his younger brother Abel was a shepherd. Both knew that they had to give an offering to the Lord, however, one did it truthfully, the other did not. Rather than seeking the truth of why the sacrifice was rejected by God, Cain chose to follow his own voice and killed his brother. 

Once again there are consequences to sin. Abel was dead. Cain was sent to wonder about and his livelihood would no longer support him. Genesis 4:13.

Look at the decedents of Cain. Genesis 4:16-24. The sin of Cain had long-term effects as his great, great, great, great, great grandson was prideful in his murdering and he knew what happened to Cain and it was of no consequence in Lamech mind. He said— Genesis 4:23, 24. 

In contrast, Genesis 4:36—“Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”

Genesis 5 is the genealogy of Adam. Several times throughout the Bible, we read genealogies. Why is a list of names important? Because when God says something—it is trustworthy. The genealogies throughout Scripture show us the line in which the Lord Jesus Christ would be born. God in His mercy and grace, was planning a way of redemption. 

Genesis 5 begins with Adam and ends with Noah and his 3 sons. Look in the middle of this genealogy at Genesis 5:24. A testimony to one who listened to “God said” rather than “he said”. “Enoch walked with God” That was the relationship that Adam had in the garden before sin entered the picture. The relationship Enoch had with God was possible, because Enoch believed and listened to the truth of God’s Word. He obeyed God.

Enoch walked with God. What a great testimony in the midst of others who are choosing to follow the ‘he said’ rather than what God said. 

Read Genesis 3-5 and take note of who people were listing to—God or Satan. God said. He said. 

In your life, are you listening to “God said” or “he said”? In our world today, the ‘he said’ is louder as people have ignored God and His truth for generations. However, God’s Word can still be heard—if you choose to hear it and obey it. 

What legacy will you leave—one who listened to the “he said” like Cain and Lamech? Or a legacy of one who listened to “God said” like Enoch? 

God said. He said. You have a choice to make. 

Chronological: The Beginning "God Said"

Today, I started a new Bible study. I'm going to be studying the Bible chronologically, starting in Genesis. 

The Beginning "God Said"

Genesis 1-2

As I read these two chapters, two word stood out. "God said." In those two words, we learn a lot about God. 

First, when God speaks there is Reason. He speaks to accomplish something. 

When God speaks there is Result. His Words produce something. They have a desired effect. 

When God speaks there is Reaction. There is a response. 

Reason.

Genesis 1:1 

In the beginning, God created. 

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5

God created—for Himself. He the Almighty created everything with beauty, interaction, perfection—and He deserves our praise and honor. 

Result.

And it was so. And it was good.

Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 25, 31.

There is a chronological sense to Creation. God created in an orderly fashion so that the needs of each next day's creation would have its needs met. There is order and planning. A specific reason for each specific act of Creation. It was not haphazard, with out any planning.

Reaction.

What God says—happens. His speech produces exactly what He wants. He speech is powerful, because He is God! He is the creator of all. He is the sustainer of all. God says it—it's reality! 

Psalm 104

From Genesis 1-2, what do we learn about God? 

• He is the Creator of all.
• There is authority and power in His speech.
• He is mighty.
• He is worthy of praise.
• He cares about mankind. 
• He supplies all the needs of Creation. 
• He is orderly and does nothing haphazardly. 

God said. 

How should those two words and the truth of Genesis 1-2 impact my life? 

1. I have confidence in knowing that God's word is powerful.

2. Knowing that God has authority, and His words have power— I should obey what He says.

What else has God Said, that deserves my attention? 

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 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 

God said. 

Two words with a mighty powerful result–that should impact my life as I realize the power and authority of God Almighty. 

Will I allow those two words to impact my thoughts, motives, actions, and words today? 

Thanks Living: PR Business

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Offer: of presentation as a priestly act

Praise: a thank-offering, presented to God for some benefit received

Fruit: that which originates or comes from something; an effect, result

Giving thanks: to praise, celebrate

To His name: promoting his cause; therefore equivalent to his divinity, the divine majesty and perfections

Comes from something. 

When you think about it, our attitudes and outlook on life, all are the result of something. If we want to live a positive life, we must start with praising God. Praising God puts us in our place, so to speak. We realize that it's not all about us, or what we want. Rather, it's about who God is and accomplishing His will to bring glory and honor to Him. 

Giving God the praise and worship because of who He is and the salvation He give us, will result in our celebration of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving will then in turn let others know of God as we promote Him and all He does. Yes, we are to be in the PR business for God! 

What is Public Relations (PR)? Public relations focuses on promoting the image of a company or individual. The aim of public relations is to inform the others and ultimately persuade them to maintain a certain view about an organization or individual. 

And to be in the Thanks Living PR business, it begins with praise to God as the result will be a celebration of thanksgiving to God! 

Are you in the Thanks Living PR business? I sure want to be! 

Proverbs 4:3, 4: Influence

When I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live. Proverbs 4:3, 4

Heart: mind will, heart, from influence of 

Retain: hold, keep, hold firmly

Keep: observe = follow dictates of prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom

Commands: code of wisdom

Live: continue in life, remain alive

Influence. What makes us act, speak, think the way we do. We are all influenced by something or someone. And that influence impacts our life. 

When wisdom influences then the result is positive. However, in order for wisdom to be able to influence, the words, and code of wisdom must be known and held onto firmly. For what we don't know can't influence us. 

Influence. Impact. Predominance. What will control my thoughts, my actions, my attitude, my motives? If I want wisdom to have the greatest influence, then I had better grasp it and hold firmly to wisdom.

The only way for a heart to truly be influenced by wisdom, is of it to be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For a heart that respects and fears God, will be ready to hear and be influenced by wisdom.

Proverbs 3:7, 8: Do Be. Will Be.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7, 8

Do be: exist, abide, remain, continue

Not: to express with emphasis its negation (NO!!)

Wise: shrewd, crafty, cunning

Your own eyes: think best, of mental and spiritual faculties

Fear: reverence, honor

Depart: turn aside, out of one's course

Evil: ethical evil

Will be: fall out, come to pass, become, result

Health: healing

Flesh: body

Strength: drink (figurative for refreshment)

Bones: as representing entire person = one's whole being, including physical and moral

Do Be. Will Be. 

Often we see people out shopping, and we stop and say to ourselves, "Did that person even look in a mirror before they left the house?" We see one thing, and that person saw another. 

We don't always see ourselves honestly. We see ourselves in the way we want to be, not what we actually are. We tend to put ourselves the best light possible. Who wants to admit that we aren't wise, and good, and..... the list goes on. 

Yet, trying to be wise based on our own cunning crafty ways is just plain foolishness. Do Be. The fact is that we will BE, exist in someway. The question is how will be "Do Be"? Will be "Do Be" based on our own shrewd and cunning ways to get what we want and try to survive? Or will be "Do Be" based on the fear of God and His sovereign and holy wisdom? 

Do Be. We will exist. That's a fact. The choice clear—oneself or God.

Will Be. The Result is also clear. Fearing God has a greater result as it will result in healing refreshment to the body and soul. When the soul is at peace with God, then one's whole being is refreshed—pure peace from God Himself. 

If I want to enjoy the end result of refreshment from God, then my heart must first be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Act 9:31 MSG). And as my heart is set to fear God, my "Do Be" will be in accordance with God and the end result will be peaceful refreshment.