Force to Overcoming!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10

Strong: enable, increase in strength, to empower; be empowered
Power: mightily, with great power, vigor 
Might: force to overcoming immediate resistance

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Ephesians 6:10 (AMP)

Love the meaning of this verse. 

Absolutely Trustworthy

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NKJV)

Trust: A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare batach); figuratively, to confide in -- have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

Why is God worthy of trust, and trustworthy?

Rock: literally cliff, from a root word meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively a fortress, strong hold.

Fortress: Castle, a fastness, defense, a strong place

Deliverer: bring into security, carry away safe

Strength: mighty God one,  a rock or boulder, strong

Shield: to hedge about, i.e. protect, defend

Horn: symbol of strength

Of my salvation: liberty, deliverance, prosperity, safety

Stronghold: God as refuge, a cliff or other lofty or inaccessible place, high tower

Refuge: place of escape, a retreat

Savior: to be safe, deliverer

Violence: cruelty, damage, injustice, unrighteous

Call: summon, address by name

Worthy to be praised: to rave, to celebrate

Saved: be liberated, properly placed in freedom

Enemies: hating; an adversary, foe

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_samuel/22-2.htm

Meditate on each of the words describing God. Once the meaning of the words and the power displayed in each, then the truth that God is absolutely trustworthy stands out. 

Knowing who God is — how can you help but trust Him? 

Powerful and Steadfast Unmovable Source

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 62. Here is what I learned.

How long will you set upon a man that you may slay him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? Psalm 62:3 (AMP)

How much longer will all of you attack someone who is no stronger than a broken-down fence? Psalm 62:3 (GNT)

How long will you attack a man? How long will all of you strive to crush your prey when he’s like a leaning fence or a wall on the verge of collapse? Psalm 62:3 (VOICE)

A bowing wall. A wall, when ill built, bulges out in the centre, presenting the appearance of nearly twice its actual breadth; but, as it is hollow within, it soon falls to ruins. The wicked, in like manner, are dilated with pride, and assume, in their consultations, a most formidable appearance; but David predicts that they would be brought to unexpected and utter destruction, like a wall badly constructed, and hollow in the interior, which falls with a sudden crash, and is broken by its own weight into a thousand pieces. John Calvin 

Comparing Psalm 62:3 to Psalm 62:2 there is a HUGE difference between the strength and steadfastness of God vs the frailty and weakness of man. 

He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:2 (AMP)

With this difference so great, why do I continually want to trust, or get the praise of man? Why would I want to lean upon a wall, ready to collapse? 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure that my trust is in God, the powerful and steadfast unmovable source of truth and love. 

Shattered or Gently Molded

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 29. Here is what I learned.

The Eternal’s voice shatters the cedars; His power splinters the great cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 29:5 (VOICE)

The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 29:5 (NLT)

Facts about the Cedars of Lebanon: “Cedrus libani” is an evergreen coniferous tree growing up to 130 ft tall, with a trunk up to 8 ft 2 in in diameter. The Cedar of Lebanon was important to various ancient civilizations. The trees were used by the Phoenicians for building commercial and military ships, as well as houses, palaces, and temples. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah used the Lebanon Cedar as a metaphor for the pride of the world (Isaiah 2:13). Foreign rulers from both near and far would order the wood for religious and civil constructs, the most famous of which are King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and David's and Solomon's Palaces. Because of its significance the word Cedar is mentioned 75 times (Cedar 51 times, Cedars 24 times) in the Bible.  

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_Cedar)

"The Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon." - What a shame is it then that our hard hearts break not, yield not, though thunder-struck with the dreadful menaces of God's mouth! John Trapp

"The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars." "Black from the stroke above, the smouldering pine Stands a sad shatter'd trunk."

Noble trees fall prostrate beneath the mysterious bolt, or stand in desolation as momentoes of its power. Lebanon itself is not secure, high as it stands, and ancient as are its venerable woods: "Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon." The greatest and most venerable of trees or men, may not reckon upon immunity when the Lord is abroad in his wrath. The gospel of Jesus has a like dominion over the most inaccessible of mortals; and when the Lord sends the word, it breaks hearts far stouter than the cedars. The Treasury of David

My name “Rhonda” means “strong and powerful”. Often I think I’m the strongest and most powerful being.. I’m super-woman! However, I have to say that I’m thankful that God is stronger and more powerful than I am. He only needs to speak and He can shatter the mighty cedars. 

When necessary, I’m thankful that God can break through my stubbornness and get my attention. But it’s much more pleasant a learning experience when I’m soft and pliable in His hands. 

To create a positive day, I can be shattered by God or I can choose to listen to Him and be molded into His image gently.

Mighty God One!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The twenty-fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 62. Here's what Treasure I found today.

He is my rock and my ·salvation [victory]. He is my ·defender [fortress]; I will not be ·defeated [shaken]. Psalm 62:6 (EXB)

He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. Psalm 62:6 (MSG)

Rock: rock, cliff, mighty God one, strength, strong.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. Is that where I’ve placed my faith and trust? Or am I relying on a small pebble? Not sure about you, but my feet are too big to have a sure footing on a pebble. And a pebble may even crush beneath my weight. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. My name means “strong, powerful one”. And at times, I think I am invincible. I often have this “I can do anything—myself” attitude. However, I’m learning that although I can do some things.... I am not invincible. 

Unlike me, God’s name is a very true and accurate description of Him. He is the solid cliff under my feet. He is might God one! He is my sure foundation. 

Mighty God One!

(by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

“I can do it myself” that attitude is really wrong.

Going it on my own, is not a wise choice at all—

And without God, I am just heading for a fall.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

Trust in Him, should be easy, but I’m so headstrong.

But God is a sure foundation, waiting for me to stand,

And when I fall, He’ll make sure on my feet I’ll land. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

No matter my failures, doubts, and all I’ve done wrong.

God is patiently waiting—steadfast and true.

And no matter what I do, He simply says, “Trust me, I love you.”

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

A firm foundation, rock-solid my whole lifelong.

Rock-solid, steadfast, mighty God one, unshakable!

God is faithful and true and that is unmistakable.

When I’m relying on a firm foundation, rock-solid, faithful and true, my day is filled with positive blessings from Mighty God One!

Body Guard

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. 

Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. Psalm 16:1 (Amplified)

Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. Psalm 16:1 (MSG)

The word for “protect” conveys that of a “body guard”. The job description of a body guard: The primary responsibility of bodyguards is assessing security threats and providing the necessary security measures. 

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7710/Bodyguard.html#ixzz2GvD6j0yY

God is the ultimate ‘body guard’ because of Who He is. The Word for “God” is “El” which means Mighty, Strong, Powerful.

Who better could provide protection and keep me safe, than the Almighty Powerful God? There is no one else who could even come close. 

Because of WHO God is, the Almighty Powerful God, I know that I am safe in Him. Nothing can separate me from the Love of God. 

The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us.[a] We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces  or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation. Romans 8:37-39 (GW)

God is my body guard, and because of Who He is, I can rest and relax knowing that I am safe in Him. That fact creates a very positive day!