Psalm - Psalm 10

Psalm 10:16aThe Lord is King forever and ever.

As I read Psalm 10, I couldn't help but think of the state of our nation today, in fact the world. I too with the Psalmist wonder why God is just "sitting back" letting evil rule the world. But then I remember that God in His mercy and love wants to give mankind an opportunity at repentance. 

Each time God brought judgement upon the World, He provided a way of salvation. He was going to destroy the World at one point due to the wickedness of mankind, but one man, Noah found grace in the eyes of God. God provided time and opportunity for salvation of any who would choose. 

There are also other examples in the Bible of God's mercy and grace. 

The Lord is King forever and ever. 

That is a fact. And if the Lord is no King of your life, then you have the opportunity to choose Him - today. 

If He is your King, are you bringing honor and glory to Him by the way you are living? 

Psalm 10 - The Lord is King forever! 

Christmas Story Part 1: "To Cause To Be"

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Luke 2:1-3

It came to pass: "to cause to be"
Went out: to be made known, declared

Decree: ordinance; public law

Caesar Augustus: a title of the Roman emperor

World: equivalent to the Roman empire

Registered: to enter in the public records the names of men, their property, and income, to enroll

Census: an enrollment; by implication, an assessment- a taxing

took place: to be made, done, finished; to be established, enacted; implying a certain action

Quirinius: Roman governor of Syria

Governing: to be/act as governor of a province

Went: to pursue the journey (with a purpose) on which one has entered

Registered: tax, enroll

Everyone: when it denotes individually, every one of many

To cause to be.
I'm sure that everyone did not like the inconvenience of traveling and the idea of registering to be taxed. Yet, there was a divine purpose for that inconvenience — God's Word had to be fulfilled. Mary and Joseph had to be in Bethlehem so that Christ would be born as was told in Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

To cause to be. 
Looking back on my life, I see times when I was required to do something, that I didn't particularly like at that time. However, now I can see the reasons and have a greater understanding of why God did what He did. 

To cause to be. 
God does have control and does people to accomplish His will. Yet, we also are given a choice to accept God as our Lord and Savior or not. 

God's gift of Salvation is free.
God's gift of Salvation is available. 
God's gift of Salvation has an eternal warranty! 

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. John 3:16

Captain. Through.

In preparation for this morning's Worship Service, I read Hebrews 2:9-18. Verse 10, caught my attention. 

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 (NKJV)

For: indeed, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification

Many: emphasizes the quantity involved

Sons: properly, a son (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the same nature as their Father. For the believer, becoming a son of God begins with being reborn (adopted) by the heavenly Father – through Christ (the work of the eternal Son). Emphasizes likeness of the believer to the heavenly Father, i.e. resembling His character more and more by living in faith; highlights the (legal) right to the Father's inheritance.

Glory: "the glorious condition of blessedness into which it is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Saviour's return from heaven" Thayer's Greek Lexicon 

Captain: from two words meaning "the first" and "to lead" – properly, the first in a long procession; a file-leader who pioneers the way for many others to follow. Arxēgós does not strictly mean "author," but rather "a person who is originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader – i.e. 'pioneer leader, founding leader' " HelpsBible.com

Salvation: to bring to the end (goal) proposed

Perfect: to bring to the end (goal) proposed

Through: "thoroughly," literally, "successfully" across to the other side

Sufferings: misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction, something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain

A couple words stand out to me as I read and studies Hebrews 2:9-18.

Captain (first and leader, currently involved)

Through (successfully across to the other side; victory!)

Looking forward to hearing Pastor Osborne preach

on Hebrews 2:9-18 this morning. 

To listen the sermon, check this website:

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/watchservice/

Faith Baptist Church • Winter Haven, FL

For. Benefit. Betterment.

Hebrews: Jesus Christ is better - 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

Made lower: to be made less or inferior, in dignity

Suffering: an enduring, undergoing, suffering

Crowned: to crown as victor

Glory: infinite, intrinsic worth (substance, essence)

Honor: a value, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself, precious, price

Grace: contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved

Taste Death: experience

For: or one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit; one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend;  "for the betterment (advantage) of," i.e. focusing on benefit

Everyone: "each, every" means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time."

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/hebrews/2-9.htm

As I read Hebrews 2:5-9 this morning in preparation for hearing Sunday's message, I focused on verse 9. As I studied verse 9, the word "for" caught my attention. 

For: one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit; one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend;  "for the betterment (advantage) of," i.e. focusing on benefit

Jesus Christ suffered and died — for MY benefit. For the betterment of me! There is NO way I could pay for my sin. There was no way for me to enter the presence of a Holy God. So for my benefit, Jesus died. 

So, thankful that Jesus is God and overcame death and hell! Because He lives, I too will live forever! 

God's plan of salvation is only possible, because Jesus Christ was willing to be made less and endured the cross and death. 

For. Benefit. Betterment. 

To hear Pastor Osborne's sermon on Hebrews 2:5-9, visit this website: 

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/watchservice/

Ultimate and Highest Example of Kindness

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)

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared . . . Titus 3:4

Kindness: favorable attitude — that is serviceable

But—there is a contrast from Titus 3:1-3 to verse 4. 

The apostle takes the advantage of the above character of himself, and others in their former state, to set off and magnify the grace of God in their conversion; so contraries, as black and white, illustrate each other. John Gill's Exposition

The act of redeeming us was one of great kindness, or goodness. The plan of salvation was founded on love to man, and was the highest expression of that love. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

This is a very practical Epistle. See how closely Paul keeps to the doctrines of grace. He never teaches that we are to be saved by works; but, being saved by the grace of God alone, and being made heirs according to the hope of eternal life, we are then, out of gratitude to God, to abound in everything that is good, and holy, and kind, and after the mind of Christ. Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible

We have the ultimate and highest example of kindness in God Himself. For there is no way for us to earn or deserve salvation. It is only by His kindness and mercy that salvation is provided. We are to show that same kindness to others, and the only way to do that is through allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. 

The fruit of the Spirit is  . . . kindness. 

Favorable attitude — that is serviceable. Kindness is action. 

Jesus Christ is better .....

Reading Hebrews 1 today, and verse 3 really jumped off the page. 

"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3, NKJV)

Upholding: Uphold (keep from falling), the preserver of the universe.

All things: in an absolute sense, all things collectively, the totality of created things, the universe of things

Word: declaration of one's mind made in words, God's omnipotent command

Power: the word uttered by his power, equivalent to his most powerful will and energy; ability and strength

Just stop and think for a moment of the power and authority that Jesus has...... yet, He was still willing to die on the cross and bear my (our) sin and endure the wrath of God — I'm at a loss for words.... awe struck.... when you grasp that reality......if you can. 

The power that Jesus Christ has — yet because He loved me (us), He willingly bore the wrath of God Almighty (His Father), and died, so that I (we) can have eternal life free from God's wrath. 

The preserver of the universe, the One who created and holds everything together, the One who has the ability and strength to create and sustain — paid the price for my (our) sin. 

Jesus Christ is better—

I'm looking forward to this morning's message on Jesus Christ is better - than Angels and Prophets from Hebrews. 

You can listen to Pastor Osborne's Sermons online at:

www.faithbaptistwh.org (The Sermons are listed under the Media tab.)

Thanks Living: At a Loss for Words

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Indescribable: to describe and commemorate which words fail

Gift: focusing on "the free nature of the gift"

At a loss for words. 

How does one give thanks for a gift that is beyond description? 

Do I even grasp or understand the value that gift? 

He then recites the advantages of giving. The first of these is that giving will fill the wants of the saints. That in itself is good, but the outcome is even better. Through such ministry gifts will cause glory to God.

And yet again, they will bring the intercession of those they have helped, a harvest of precious value. The final word concerning this whole subject is an expression of thanks to God for His unspeakable gift, for the apostle knows that the remembrance of it will do more than all his argument to stimulate the generosity of those who have received the inestimable blessing. 

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift;” i. e., His own Son to come down, suffer and die to redeem us all from sin, death and Hell; in consideration of which momentous reality how glad should we be to cast in our little mite and bear some humble part in the glorious enterprise for which God gave His only Son to die. This is the climax of all incentives to Christian liberality. William Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

Thanks Living: At a loss for words.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks: graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude, joy, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

His: self (emphatic)

Indescribable: that cannot be thoroughly related indescribable, that cannot be thoroughly related, inexpressible. It is higher than the mind can conceive; higher than language can express.

Gift: a gift, freely given and hence not acquired by merit or "entitlement." Expresses a brand of giving that highlights the beneficent desire of the giver.

At a loss for words. Inexpressible. 

Can't describe the "awesomeness". No words to describe it. Overwhelmed to the point of total awe. 

An indescribable gift. Gift, given freely. Nothing earned. No entitlement. Simply a gift with no strings attached. 

God in His grace and mercy, gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin. (For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3)

Our sin is forgiven. Indescribable! 

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3

At a loss for words. Inexpressible. 

Do I realize that magnitude of God's gift? Am I at a loss of words in trying to express my overwhelming gratitude to God? 

Thanks Living is not about the gifts, it's about realizing that God in His grace and mercy forgave me of my sin. It's all about God and His amazing goodness! No way to earn it. No entitlement. Simply an indescribable gift from God! 

Proverbs 12:1, 2 Longing to Learn

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. Proverbs 12:1, 2

Loves: an appetite 

Instruction: discipline, chastening, correction

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Hates: enemy, detest

Correction: reproof, chiding, chastisement

Stupid: brutish person, foolish, dull-hearted, unreceptive

Good: agreeable; makes the heart glad

Obtains: to secure

Favor: delight, desire, good pleasure

Wicked: lewdness, mischievous device, thought

Condemn: declare wrong, as guilty, in ethical and religious relations

This word, "appetite" is back! (See the post for Proverbs 11:23, Dec 3, 2015.) 

Appetite. I really could go for a good brownie with nuts right now! That sounds so good. However, this verse isn't talking about an appetite for food. Rather, it's talking about instruction and wisdom. 

An appetite for instruction, correction, discernment and understanding? Yes. An appetite, a longing, a desire for learning wisdom. 

We our appetite is strong enough, we will go out of our way to get that meal or treat we are craving. Our appetite for wisdom should be that strong. We should crave wisdom and instruction. We should wake up each day with a longing to learn! 

That longing to learn then will translate into our conduct — and our lives will radiate goodness. And that secures delight with God. Now, doing good and learning wisdom, DO NOT erase sin, nor is that how we get into Heaven. Doing good is not enough to forgive our sins. God is Holy and our sin must be paid for—in full. And doing good is not enough. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins—in full. When you place your trust in Christ and accept Him as Lord an Savior, then and only then will you be able to enter Heaven. (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13)

Doing good and learning wisdom, simply is our way of honoring and respecting God. When God is recognized as LORD—than a longing to learn and live a life agreeable to His will and wisdom is the result. 

Longing to learn begins when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Am I longing to learn wisdom? Is my conduct a reflection of that appetite? 

Paid in Full

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.    

And if he has done you any wrong in any way or owes anything [to you], charge that to my account. Philemon 1:18 (AMP)

Paul was telling Philemon, "I will pay Onesimus' debt IN FULL." Why would Paul be willing to do that? 

Reason 1: Because that is what God did for him (us). There can never be a way for us to pay for our sin. We are born sinners. And sinners cannot enter the presence of a Holy God. Yet, God in His gracious mercy, provided a way for ALL our Sin to be forgiven. Jesus Christ died in our place, and EACH and EVERY sin was placed upon Him.  (For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJ)

Reason 2: Because Onesimus was now a fellow Christian and was helping Paul in a great way. Onesimus knew that he needed to return to Philemon, and set things right. Paul saw Onesimus' heart of submission and willingness to do the right and godly thing.

Reason 3: Paul, didn't want there to be any reason for Philemon not to accept Onesimus back. Paul wanted Onesimus to begin with a clean slate. No past debt, rather a new beginning. 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), I then begin to fully understand what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. Having my debt paid in full should make me forever grateful to God and I should be willing to do all I can for Him. "Should" — sadly, I fall short on both those accounts. However, God in His love, provides grace and mercy on a continual basis—for that I am very thankful! 

Debt is paid in full. That provides freedom to live, not randomly, but rather with a sincere and godly purpose—because my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence and apparition for God. 

Taking Pleasure And Going On Securely In It

  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.  

It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices]. Colossians 3:6-7 (AMP)

Sin is a road or path, in which sinners walk a way of their own, or of their own choosing and approving, though a dark and crooked one, and which leads to destruction: walking herein denotes a continued series of sinning, a persisting in it, a progress therein, a proceeding from evil to evil, taking pleasure, and going on securely in it. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

"which sinners . . . of their own choosing . . . proceeding from evil to evil, taking pleasure, and going on securely in it" — All in defiance of Holy Almighty God. 

God is a God of love, that's why He provided a way of salvation, but He is also a holy just God—that too is why He provided a way of salvation (sin had to be paid for). 

As I search my own heart and life, are there sins which I am choosing? Am I proceeding from evil to evil taking pleasure and going on securely in my sin? Remember to God—SIN is SIN, period. There are no "little sins" and "big sins"—just sin, against a Holy and Just God. 

It's often easy to justify that I am "good" since, well, I haven't murdered anyone. But I'm not the standard by which sin is measured. The Standard is God Almighty. So, I am not "good", rather I am a sinner, saved by God's almighty grace. 

Taking pleasure and going on securely in it. Instead of that being said about sin, I'd rather it be said about me living a godly life. Taking pleasure in obeying God and going on securely in living a life pleasing and honoring Him. 

Taking pleasure and going on securely living a godly life, is only possible when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Living Like Road-kill

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. 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

[Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared [completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. Colossians 2:12-14 (AMP)

Old vs New. Death vs Life. Contrasts.  

Placing my faith in Jesus Christ has given me life. After Salvation comes a choice: live for Christ or remain stuck in my sinful ways. 

As I read these verses, all I could think about was the smelly, bloated road-kill on the side of the road. Swarming with flies, and the buzzards circling overhead. Death. 

Why, since I have the choice, would I want to continue living like road-kill? Living a life of sin and death instead of living a victories life through Jesus Christ? 

How can one "live" like road-kill? That doesn't make any sense. EXACTLY! That's the point. God forgave me of my sins. I know have the power to make the choice to live for Him, obeying His Word. Yet, too often sin seems easier or more exciting for that moment. But there are consequences for each and every action. 

Think for a moment of what Christ did for us on the Cross. He had all our sins place upon Him. God the Father had to turn away because of the sin on Jesus Christ. The price was paid so that my sins could be forgiven. The very least I can do is live a life in accordance with God's Word. Living a life—or living a life of death, like road-kill. Contrast. Choice. 

To enjoy the freedom God provides through His grace and mercy, and not live like road-kill, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Non-debatable

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. 

 _______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. Colossians 2:9 (AMP)

This word "dwelleth" notes out to us the joining together of those natures, so that God and man, is one Christ. These words declare that the perfect Godhead is in Christ. The union of God and man, is substantial and essential. Geneva Study Bible

Paul states emphatically, that JESUS is God. Jesus was not merely a "good man"—rather He is God. That is vital because only a perfect, holy, sinless sacrifice could be accepted for our sins. 

The truth that Jesus is God is non-debatable. It's Truth. Oh, I know that people debate it and say that Jesus was just a "good guy". However, the standard for Truth is God. God made it very clear that Jesus is God. 

Throughout the entire time Jesus was on earth, His actions, words, His entire being declared Him to be God. The miracles He did. The Truth He taught. 

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), begins with understanding and believing that Jesus is God. 

God's Redemption

"In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins." Colossians 1:14 (AMP)

In Whom: Jesus Christ. Salvation is not based on some book or feeling. It's based on the God's Son, who died in payment for MY sins (and yours). 

Redemption: bought, delivered, rescued. 

Forgiveness: How does one describe "forgiveness"? In our human minds, when we forgive, we more than not, remember the action against us, and hold it against that person for years. That is not the forgiveness God gives. Rather, His forgiveness is full and He not only forgives but "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)"

Our sins: My sins. All sins. The thoughts, the actions, the non-actions. 

If only I could fully grasp the truth of God's redemption....the impact it would have in my life. The more I'm permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), the more I'll begin to understand God's holiness and His grace and mercy in redeeming me.

Residence

[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13 (AMP)

As I read this verse, the first thought that stood out was the The Father delivered or rescued us (me). Now, as much as I like to "do it myself", when it comes to Salvation it CANNOT be done by ones self, no matter who you are. God in His grace and mercy is the only One who can rescue us from the dominion of darkness; sin. 

The next things that stood out, was that God didn't just rescue me, but PUT me or transported me to His Kingdom! God completely changed my situation! 

And this isn't just "any Kingdom". This is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son. A Kingdom in which Jesus Christ as complete royal power, kingship, and dominion.

So, am I living like I am part of God's Kingdom? Or am I still wanting to wallow around in the darkness and despair? Sadly, there are days I choose sin over God's amazing love. Thankfully, God forgives. 

Only when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), will I live as a residence of God's Kingdom. 

Giving Thanks

And you will joyfully give thanks [or …have patience with joy, giving thanks] to the Father who has made you able to have a share in ·all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light [ the inheritance of the saints/holy ones in the light]. Colossians 1:12 (EXB)

Giving Thanks. 

This verse is not about giving thanks to God because of the material things He gave/gives us that we wanted or think we deserve. Rather this verse is about giving thanks, because of the Salvation God has given us. That is the most important and precious gift. All the other blessings that God gives are bonuses. 

God in His mercy and grace, has forgiven me of my sins. Because I have placed my trust in God and what His Son did on the cross—paid for my sins, I am now a child of His. If I can't give thanks for the gift of salvation alone, then I need to have a heart check. For that is the greatest gift. And the gift was not given me based on ANYTHING I did nor did I deserve the gift of His grace and mercy. 

As I read continued to meditate on this verse, I had to stop and think about "giving thanks". It's easy to "give thanks" when we get what we want. Yet, those times when God answers our prayers in ways which we don't understand, do I still give thanks? I should, especially in light of His gift of grace and mercy and salvation.

Giving thanks.... to God the Father.... for His amazing gift of salvation. That should be my hearts desire. No matter the circumstances. No matter how God answers my prayers. No matter...... just a grateful heart because God in is great love, saved me. That is enough. 

In order to permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), I have to have a grateful heart. 

Remember ‘My Place’

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

Gracious: compassionate, good-hearted, loving, merciful, kindness, and generosity of spirit, responsive, right, righteous, thoughtful.

So often we think we deserve something from God. We often ‘demand’ things or try to bargin with God. “God, if you do ..................., then I’ll do ................” But God is not one to make bargins nor does He need to listen to any of our demands. 

God is gracious, but that does not mean that He will give us everything we think we deserve or want. For in reality if God gave us what we really deserved, that would be eternity in Hell, separated from a Holy God.

However, God graciously provided His Son as a sacrifice to pay the debt we owe for our sin. Only, by accepting that substitute can we have access to God’s grace and mercy. 

God be merifcul and gracious to us. He has been.... and abundantly so... simply in the way He demonstrated His love toward us. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember ‘my place’ and be grateful for God’s mercy and grace. 

Now and on the Day I Die

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 146. Here is what I learned.

·When people die [Their spirit goes out], they ·are buried [return to the ground]. ·Then all of [On that day] their plans ·come to an end [perish]. Psalm 146:4 (EXB)

When they breathe their last breath, they return to the ground. On that day their plans come to an end. Psalm 146:4 (GW)

As soon as their breath leaves them, they return to the earth; on that day, all of them perish—their dreams, their plans, and their memories. Psalm 146:4 (VOICE)

Last night a NASCAR driver was killed in a Sprint Car dirt track race. Only 37 years old. Sad. But it’s a reminder that death can happen at anytime. It’s often unexpected and not in our plans. 

At the time of death our plans, dreams, etc, won’t matter. What does matter is our relationship with God. He doesn’t look at “how good we’ve been”, or “all the good things we’ve done”, because no matter how “good” we think we are, compared to a Holy God we are just sinners. 

But thankfully, God provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven. 

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (AMP)

I know that when I die, I will enter Heaven, because I’ve placed my faith in God and accepted His gift of salvation. That’s an assurance that is comforting. 

As I live my life, I need to keep in mind, my plans and activities will come to an end. I need to sure that I’m involved in “eternal work”, work that will last, things that matter to God. “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.  Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal.  Your heart will be where your treasure is. Matthew 6:19-21 (GW)

My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (GW)

Knowing that I’m saved for all eternity, and doing God’s work, will create a positive day.. now and on the day I die. 

Say, “No to Sin”

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 47. Here is what I learned.

God rules the nations. He sits upon his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (GW)

God is King over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (EXB)

God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - He is a holy God; he proclaims holiness. His laws are holy, he requires holiness, and his genuine people are all holy. The throne of his holiness is the heaven of heavens; also the temple at Jerusalem; and, lastly, the hearts of the faithful. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Holy: blessed, chaste, clean, consecrated, dedicated, devoted, devout, divine, faithful, faultless, glorified, god-fearing, godlike, godly, good, hallowed, humble, immaculate, innocent, just, messianic, moral, perfect, pietistic, pious, prayerful, pure, revered, reverent, righteous, sainted, saintlike, saintly, sanctified, spiritual, spotless, sublime, uncorrupt, undefiled, untainted, unworldly, upright, venerable, venerated, virtuous.

Evil: depraved, immoral, irreligious, irreverent, sacrilegious, sinful, unholy, unsacred, vile, wicked.

Holy. Evil.  Pure. Vile. Sanctified. Sinful.

There is a huge contrast between God and man. God is pure, without sin. Sin is vile to Him. And sin is not what I say it is, rather what sin is, is based on a Holy God. 

I can never live a sin-free life. For I am a sinner. However, because of God’s love and mercy, He provided a way of forgiveness for my sin—the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that I have eternal life and my sins are forgiven. 

Do that give me a “free ticket” to sin? No! For if I truly love God, I will not, and do not want to live a life of sin. Paul states it with way: 

·So [What then shall we say?] ·do you think we should [shall we] continue sinning so that ·God will give us even more grace [grace may increase/abound]? 2 ·No [Absolutely not; May it never be]! We died to ·our old sinful lives [sin], so how can we continue living ·with [or in] sin? Romans 6:1, 2 (EXB)

To create a positive day, I need to acknowledge that God is holy, and that because of His love and mercy, I am forgiven of my sins.... but remember that I am to say “no to sin” because I love a holy God.

Fear, Panic, and Chaos

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.

1. In the Lord I take refuge [and put my trust]; how can you say to me, Flee like a bird to your mountain?

2. For see, the wicked are bending the bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they [furtively] in darkness may shoot at the upright in heart.

3. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what has He [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished?

4. The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.

5. The Lord tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence.

6. Upon the wicked He will rain quick burning coals or snares; fire, brimstone, and a [dreadful] scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7. For the Lord is [rigidly] righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face, or He beholds the upright.

Psalm 11 (AMP)

In this psalm we have David's struggle with and triumph over a strong temptation to distrust God and betake himself to indirect means for his own safety in a time of danger.

In singing this psalm we must encourage and engage ourselves to trust in God at all times, must depend upon him to protect our innocence and make us happy, must dread his frowns as worse than death and desire his favour as better than life. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

Yesterday, at the end of the Boston Marathon, several bombs exploded. Fear. Panic. Chaos. Some ask, where was God then? Why didn’t He stop it? If He is so powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen. 

The first thing that I have to remember, is that God doesn’t owe us any explanation, nor does He owe us any “good thing”. We are sinners. He is a holy God. 

The second thing to remember is that actions of sinners have consequences. Yes, I’m a sinner, saved by God’s grace, and each action I do, has consequences. Some consequences impact more than just a single individual. 

Thirdly, God gave each of us a free will. We choose if we will obey and follow God, or ignore Him and go our own way. God did not create “robots” who will simply do as “programed”. Rather, God wants us to follow and obey Him because of who He is and because we love Him. 

Lastly, bad things do happen to good people, simply because we live in a world of sin. That does not mean that God doesn’t love us. His love is far greater than we can ever imagine. So, even in the midst of chaos, fear, and pain, God continues to love us. Assurance in Him calms our fears and we know that no matter what happens on this earth, because of God’s gift of salvation, we will spend eternity with Him.

To create a positive day, I need to place my trust in God, for He alone can change the fear, panic, and chaos, into courage, peace, and calm.