Psalm - Psalm 12

Psalm 12:6The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Pure: pure in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense

Pure Words.  Truthful. 

When you begin with pure words and refine them - 7 times - the words remain pure! There is no blemish or fault. The words of the Lord are true. He speaks only truth. He always keeps His promises. 

Pure Words. Truthful. 

In the midst of our World today, pure words are hard to find. Words are tainted by feelings of hurt, anger, rage, political viewpoints, and even evil. 

Pure Words. The words of the Lord are what we need, even more now than ever. It's time to share the true and pure words of God. 

Psalm 11 - Pure Words. Truthful. 

Psalm - Psalm 1

It's been a while since I've posted on the blog. I've been posting on Facebook, and sorry to say, I've forgotten to post the information here. 

Today, I'm starting a new Bible Study. I'm going to pick out one verse from each Psalm on which to focus. 

Psalm 1

Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Delight: things desired, purpose
Meditates: to ponder, contemplate, talk it over with oneself

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 (AMP)

They ·love [delight in] the Lord’s ·teachings [laws; instructions], and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night. Psalm 1:2 (EXB)

I like that word in the Amplified Version - Habitually. It's important to create a habit of thinking about God's Word. If I habitually ponder what God's Word has to say, the greater impact it will have in my life. 

Psalm 1:2 - Habitually Meditate! 

Thanks Living: VERY Grateful–but for what?

And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. Jonah 4:6

Prepared: be reckoned, assigned (a place), of servant of

Very: in magnitude and extent, in intensity

Grateful: be glad, joyful, rejoicing

If you know the story of Jonah, a lot took place before Jonah found himself sitting in the hot scorching sun. Jonah was given a Mission from God. Go tell the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins, or God will destroy the City. Jonah refused and ran in the opposite direction—ended up on a boat, then in the belly of a fish, then back on dry ground. Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh. The people of Nineveh repented and God spared the City. Jonah as upset with this, and went out of the city to sulk and pout. It was hot, so God created a plant to give Jonah shade. Jonah was VERY grateful for the plant. But then God destroyed the plant and sent a very hot wind. Jonah become angry—the plant was now dead. Jonah cared more about the plant and his comfort than the entire City of Nineveh.

(Read the Story here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NKJV) 

Thanks Living means to first recognize that all things come from God. We are to be VERY grateful for all He give us. However, we also need to be VERY careful where we place our thanks. To be grateful for THINGS should not be greater than being thankful to God and doing His will. 

Thanks Living—VERY grateful—but for what? I first and foremost must be LIVING in God's Word and allowing God's Word to live in me and direct my thoughts, actions, attitudes and motivations. If God's Word is LIVING in me, then my THANKS LIVING will be directed to God, and not just the things He gives me. 

Thanks Living starts when I am obeying God and doing as He instructs—then my thanks, will be directed to God for all He provides. 

Questions

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.

And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea.And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully [the duties of] the ministry and fulfill the stewardship which you have received in the Lord.I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it). Colossians 4:16-18 (AMP)

First READ the letters. Important information for the church. This can be applied to us, as read the Bible. That's the only way to truly KNOW what the Bible says. 

Second, encourage Archippus, who was a minister of the Gospel. Encourage him and pray that he remain true to God's teachings as there were (are) many the false teachers.

Lastly, Paul reminds him that he is in prison but God's grace is sufficient for him and the Colossians. 

Questions. 

1. Am I reading God's Word so that I know what it says? 

2. Am I praying for and encouraging those in ministry positions so that they remain true to God's Word in their personal lives and as they teach others? 

3. Do I accept God's grace and realize that it is all sufficient, no matter my situation? 

In order to answer, "Yes" to each question, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31, MSG). 

Deep Sense of Reverence for God: Holiness; Relationship cont 4

As I study on being Permeated with Deep Sense of Reverence for God Holiness—Relationship... 

[For; Because] It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy [Lev. 11:45; 19:2; 20:7].” 1 Peter 1:16 (EXB)

My relationship with God Almighty should be creating a deep desire to be holy—because God is holy. 

"Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way." Matthew Henry

This is not about others and what they say is right or wrong. This is about my relationship with God and living my life in accordance with His will. God is holy. That fact cannot be disputed in anyway. 

If I want to be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, I must have that desire to be holy.... because God is holy. That desire only comes, when I submit to God and His will. My prayer is that desire will burn in me—each and every day.

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. 

Forever Unchangeable

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 fourth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 19. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The fear of the Lord is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of the Lord are true. They are completely fair. Psalm 19:9 (GW)

·Respect [Fear] for the Lord [Prov. 1:7] is ·good [pure]; it will ·last [endure] forever. The judgments of the Lord are true; they are ·completely [altogether] ·right [righteous]. Psalm 19:9 (EXB)

God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. Psalm 19:9 (MSG)

"The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether;" - jointly and severally the words of the Lord are true; that which is good in detail is excellent in the mass; no exception may be taken to a single clause separately, or to the book as a whole. God's judgments, all of them together, or each of them apart, are manifestly just, and need no laborious excuses to justify them. The judicial decisions of Jehovah, as revealed in the law, or illustrated in the history of his providence, are truth itself, and commend themselves to every truthful mind; not only is their power invincible, but their justice is unimpeachable. The Treasury of David

“The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.” Psalm 19:9 (MSG) God’s Word is not only accurate, but enduring. God does not change, and neither does His Word. 

Lately people have been saying that the Bible is out of date, and needs to evolve and change with time. However, God’s Word is based upon a Holy God. God’s Word does not need to evolve to fit the whim of man. The Bible it not about making us feel good, rather it is to show us who we are—sinners, and show us who God is—a Holy Savior. 

As much as we can think we can change God’s Word, we can’t. It’s steadfast and true. God judgments are just, and based upon a Holy God. No matter what man thinks should change because it make us feel good, the truth is that God’s Word will not, and cannot change. 

It is this steadfast truth, that God’s judgments are fair and for eternity, that we can be assured of the promises God has made. If we think we can change the parts of the Bible we don’t like, what happens to the promises we do like? It’s all inclusive. God’s Word is true, just, and is forever. 

Knowing with full assurance that God’s judgments and promises are forever unchangeable makes for a positive day!

Do I really value God’s Word?

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 19. Here is what I learned.

The Word of the Lord is worth more than gold, even more than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey straight from the comb. Psalm 19:10 (NLV)

They are ·worth [desired; coveted] more than gold, even ·the purest [fine] gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the ·finest honey [droppings of the honeycomb]. Psalm 19:10 (EXB)

Desired: greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, great delight, desire, lust, precious (thing).

Gold: gold as wealth.

Fine Gold: refined, pure gold.

Much: in abundance, enough, exceedingly, full, greatly.

Sweeter: sweet, sweetness.

Honey: honey, made by bees.

Dripping: flowing honey, honey from the comb, the purest honey. 

Honeycomb: the bees natural storage for the honey.

God’s Word. Do I value it? Do I give it the respect it deserves? 

If I do value God’s Word, then there should be a desire.... an overwhelming desire... to hear what God has to say. Then that desire would translate what I read into action. 

Wealth: abundance, affluence, assets, belongings, bounty, capital, cash, commodities, cornucopia, dough, estate, fortune, funds, gold, goods, holdings, lap of luxury, long green, lucre, luxuriance, luxury, plenitude, plenty, possessions, profusion, property, prosperity, prosperousness, revenue, riches, richness, security, stocks and bonds, substantiality, treasure, worth.

Gold, the purest gold. Far better than the purest gold. Highly valued. 

How do I know if I really value God’s Word?

First, do I take time to read it? Am I satisfied with 10 minutes of reading a few verses? How much time do I spend doing other things that have no real value... like watching TV? How often do I rearrange my schedule so that I can watch a certain TV show? And then consider the morals that show taught. So many of the TV shows on today, are filled with examples of sin—yet, I sit and watch them for hours.  I’d say , if I have time to watch (and fill my mind with ‘trash’) than I have time to study God’s Word. So, the question remains.. “Do I really value God’s Word?” 

Secondly, do I obey God’s Word? If I value something, I cherish it. Reading God’s Word is a great place to begin, but if I really value God’s Word, I’ll want to make it part of my life and allow it to change me into the person God wants me to be. 

And lastly, do I share God’s Word with others? Remember those TV shows that I rearrange my schedule to watch? I talk about those with others... and they have no eternal value. If really think that God’s Word is worth more than pure gold, shouldn't I want to share my “riches’ with others? 

The only true way to create a positive day is to make sure that I really value the richness of God’s Word.

On My Mind

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.

They ·love [delight in] the Lord’s ·teachings [laws; instructions], and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night. Psalm 1:2 (EXB)

Delight: delightsome, desire, purpose, a valuable thing, things desired.

Laws: of codes of law, instructions, teachings.

Meditate: soliloquize, to ponder -- imagine, study. 

Day: daily, in the daytime.

Night: literally night, opposed to day.

In late 2012, I thought that I needed to do more meditating. That is I’m creating this Ponder of Morsels Book. “I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you.” Psalm 119:15 (MSG).

On January 1, 2013, as I started studying the 31 Psalms I had picked, I wondered if my study would have an impact in my life. Would I really mediate on the truth I found each day? Would my Ponder Morsel be in my thoughts?  The answer is YES! God has shown me that He has much to teach me and I’m enjoying focusing my thoughts on His truth. 

It’s exciting to see what God wants to teach me each day and what morsel of truth, I can think on throughout my day..... and night. 

Psalm 1:2 discusses meditating on God’s teaching day and night. In order to meditate, one first has to study the learn God’s instruction. The idea of “day and night” means continually. That does not mean that I don’t think of other things. Rather, it means that as I go about my day, and wake up at night, the Ponder Morsel is “on my mind”. 

On my mind. There are  songs that “get stuck in our heads” and we can’t seem to get them off our mind... example “It’s a Small World” or “The Song that Never Ends”. Have you ever loved someone so much that he/she seems to be always on your mind? That is the concept meditating day and night. God’s truth is ever present. And not only is God’s truth always on my mind—it should have an impact on my thoughts, actions and attitude. 

For example, I woke up many times last night, and was starting to focus on the pain and getting very frustrated that I could not get comfortable. But my Ponder Morsel for yesterday was “peace in the midst of pain”. As I started focusing on all that God had done for me, His love and care, and His goodness, I found that I was overwhelmed with peace. As my focus changed from the pain to God, that allowed my mind and soul to realize God’s peace. The pain remained, but the frustration and worry was erased. When the soul is at peace, the body can relax and my mind is no longer racing with thoughts of pain and agony. 

I have also found myself thinking of past Ponder Morsels as I go about daily routines. I’ll do something, or hear a song, and it reminds me of a truth.  This is what Psalm 1:2 is teaching. When I study God’s Word and take the time to think on it, the truth will have an impact in my life. 

Ponder Morsels are not just cute sayings, or stories, rather they are morsels, tidbits, of God’s truth. When I have a desire to study God’s truth, and ponder it continually, it can have an impact on my life. To create a positive day, God’s truth must always be..... on my mind. 

Two Constants

I have TWO CONSTANTS in my life.

And I'm learning that focusing

on ONE CONSTANT creates a miserable day,

while focusing on ONE CONSTANT

creates a day filled with blessings. 

What are these TWO CONSTANTS? 

1. Pain: chronic pain and headaches that are continuing without pause or letup; unceasing. 

2. God's love and peace: unconditional, faithful; unswerving in love, steadfast; firm in mind or purpose, not changing or varying, persistent.

This past couple of weeks, my headache and pain have been more intense than 'normal'.  

And when the pain is SCREAMING at me, it gets my attention. Yet, I'm learning that if I allow the pain to get my FULL ATTENTION, my day turns into a miserable day. The more I focus on the pain and how bad it is, the more the pain increases and the worse I feel. 

Yet, how do I change my focus from the pain—after all it's SCREAMING at me! 

I have to find something that will

"SCREAM EVEN LOUDER"!

What screams louder than

CONSTANT CHRONIC PAIN?

God's Truth.

God knows that each of us will have days where things will SCREAM at us. Whether it be pain, financial worries, dealing with people, just life in general. Therefore, God provided the perfect "prescription" to muffle one SCREAM and replace it with a more positive and comforting "SCREAM". 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV)

When I change my focus from the SCREAMING pain to "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable..... the screaming pain begins to change to a DULL ROAR.

Oh, the pain level is still high— it's just that when my focus is on something SO MUCH BETTER, there isn't much room for the pain thoughts. The less I think about the pain—the more my day improves.

So, there are TWO CONSTANTS in my life and I have a CHOICE as to which one gets my ATTENTION. If I want to CREATE A POSITIVE DAY—than I need to allow GOD'S TRUTH to SCREAM the loudest! 

Which choice will you make today? Which CONSTANT in your life will get your attention?

The Dark Side

We've had a mix of weather lately. There's been snow, rain, freezing rain, and warm temperatures. Guess that's normal for Chicago February/March weather.

The only snow left on the ground are a few melting piles leftover from when the plows cleared the blizzard. The other day, as I was leaving for my chiropractic appointment, I wasn't really paying attention to the parking lot, since it was clear of snow. However, as I approached the driver's side of my car, WHOA, there was a sheet of ice!

The car blocked the sun, creating a 'dark side' and the ice hadn't melted yet. I very carefully, edged my way along the car, to the door and climbed in—all without falling, thankfully.

As I sat in the car for a moment, I looked out on the patch of ice again. It was the length of my car and about 2 feet wide. The sunny side of my car, was clear. However, the 'dark side' was a sheet of dangerous ice.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (NIV)

Often when we think of darkness we think of evil. When we are involved in sin, we want to be hidden, not only from others, but from God. (Although God sees all.) Consider how many crimes are committed in the darkness of night, or masks are worn to "stay in the dark".

However, as I thought more about the ice patch on the 'dark side', I realized that often, I'm not trying to hide from God—really—rather I've just become cold and frozen to doing His will.
Staying on the 'dark side' I don't have to make changes in my life, I won't be responsible for obeying God's Word. The more time I spend reading the Bible, the more truths I learn. And when I learn those truths, I have a responsibility to act on those truths.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

God's Word is the light (sunshine). And if I allow His Word to work in my heart and life, it melts the ice and coldness of sin and indifference. Rather than living on the 'dark side', I'd want to live in the sunshine of God's Word and grow.
 

If I want to create a positive day, I have leave the 'dark side' and allow God's light to shine on me and allow God to work in my life.