Thanks Living: You can hear me, now! (repost)

Thanks Living: Remembering. 

I've been reading some of my old posts. So thankful that God knows me and what is a happening in my life. The topic of this post is just as true as it was in 2013, and will remain true forever. God never changes! 

You can hear me, now!

This year (2013), I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today (April 5, 2013) I studied Psalm 29. Here is what I learned.

The voice of the Lord rolls over the water. The God of glory thunders. The Lord shouts over raging water. Psalm 29:3 (GW)

The Lord’s voice [thunder] is heard over the ·sea [waters; a symbol of chaos]. The glorious God thunders; the Lord thunders over the ·ocean [many/mighty waters]. Psalm 29:3 (EXB)

"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters." The thunder is not only poetically but instructively called "the voice of God," since it peals from on high; it surpasses all other sounds, it inspires awe, it is entirely independent of man, and has been used on some occasions as the grand accompaniment of God's speech to Adam's sons. There is peculiar terror in a tempest at sea, when deep calleth unto deep, and the raging sea echoes to the angry sky. No sight more alarming than the flash of lightning around the mast of the ship; and no sound more calculated to inspire a reverent awe than the roar of the storm. 

"The Lord is upon many waters." Still the Psalmist's ear hears no voice but that of Jehovah, resounding from the multitudinous and dark waters of the upper ocean of clouds, and echoing from the innumerable billows of the storm-tossed sea below. The waters above and beneath the firmament are astonished at the eternal voice. When the holy Spirit makes the divine promise to be heard above the many waters of our soul's trouble, then is God as glorious in the spiritual world as in the universe of matter. Above us and beneath us all is the peace of God when he gives us quiet. The Treasury of David

Chaos. Noise. Confusion. Anarchy. Pandemonium. Tumult. Turmoil. 

It’s amazing how chaos can rob me of the peace that God has given me. My chaos can be caused by focusing on the “what ifs”, or focusing me how I’ll fix things, instead of trusting God to take care of things. Man-made chaos creates noise, confusion, restlessness, and disharmony. The longer I remain in a state of chaos, the more overwhelmed and depressed I become. 

Thankfully, God’s love and peace is “louder” than any noise my chaos can produce. God “thunders” through my created mess, and assures me of His presence, and that He hasn’t gone anywhere, and had no plans to leave me or abandon me. 

“Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.” Hebrews 13:5 (MSG)

No matter how loud the noise of my chaos is around me, I know I’ll have a positive day, when I hear, “You can hear me, now!” spoken by my Almighty, loving God.

Status of My Relationship

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 29. Here is what I learned.

The Lord’s voice ·makes the lightning flash [strikes with flashes of lightning]. Psalm 29:7 (EXB)

The psalmist here sets forth God's dominion in the kingdom of nature. In the thunder, and lightning, and storm, we may see and hear his glory. Let our hearts be thereby filled with great, and high, and honourable thoughts of God, in the holy adoring of whom, the power of godliness so much consists. O Lord our God, thou art very great! The power of the lightning equals the terror of the thunder. The fear caused by these effects of the Divine power, should remind us of the mighty power of God, of man's weakness, and of the defenceless and desperate condition of the wicked in the day of judgment.  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Respect. Honor. Fear. Awe. Terror. The power of God can evoke many emotions. 

If my soul is right with God, then the power of God produces honor, respect, awe, and yes, even comfort. Knowing that God is all-powerful, that means nothing is out of His control. 

If, however, I have sin in my heart, the power of God produces fear and terror. A Holy, all-powerful God, becomes Judge. Sin is an abomination to God. I’m very grateful that God provided a way of forgiveness and I have restored fellowship with God. 

The power of God is real. The status of my relationship with God determines if His display of power creates awe, respect and honor, or fear and terror. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure the status of my relationship with God is good standing, according to His standard. 

First NOTICE then React

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 voice of the Lord makes the hinds bring forth their young, and His voice strips bare the forests, while in His temple everyone is saying, Glory! Psalm 29:9 (AMP)

God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.

We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9 (MSG)

The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9 (NLT)

"In his temple doth every one speak of his glory." Those who were worshipping in the temple, were led to speak of the greatness of Jehovah as they heard the repeated thunder-claps. The whole world is also a temple for God, and when he rides abroad upon the wings of the wind, all things are vocal in his praise. We too, the redeemed of the Lord, who are living temples for his Spirit, as we see the wonders of his power in creation, and feel them in grace, unite to magnify his name. No tongue may be dumb in God's temple when his glory is the theme. The original appears to have the force of "every one crieth Glory," as though all things were moved by a sense of God's majesty to shout in ecstasy, "Glory, glory." The Treasury of David 

When something gets our attention, we usually act on it. We take notice, and then react, or we take notice and ignore it. But we do notice! 

When God does something, and gets our attention, we need to first NOTICE it, and then we need to react. Our reaction should be one of praise and honor to God. 

This morning, I heard a noise outside my window, when I looked out, there

Two of the skunks running to safety.

were three little skunks playing. I watched them for a bit as they played tag around the tree. When I stepped out on my balcony to take a picture, the flash startled them. Two of the skunks ran for cover, the other simply keep exploring the area. Two kinds of reactions. Two were scared and knew where to go for safety. The other felt safe enough to keep having fun. 

When God gets my attention, could be with a thunderstorm, a sunset, a blessing, or a tragedy—first do I NOTICE? Secondly, how do I react? Do I ignore Him and what He is doing? Or I run and hide.... seeking safety? Do I praise God because of Who He is, knowing that I am safe in His care? 

To create a positive day, when God acts, I need to first NOTICE then react with praise and honor to Him simply because of Who He is. 

Hear and Listen

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 voice of the Lord makes the wilderness tremble; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. Psalm 29:8 (AMP)

The Lord’s voice shakes the ·desert [wilderness]; the Lord shakes the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Kadesh. Psalm 29:8 (EXB)

As the storm travelled, it burst over the desert. "The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh." God courts not the applause of men - his grandest deeds are wrought where man's inquisitive glance is all unknown. Where no sound of man was heard, the voice of God was terribly distinct. The vast and silent plains trembled with affright. Silence did homage to the Almighty voice. Low lying plains must hear the voice of God as well as lofty mountains; the poor as well as the mighty must acknowledge the glory of the Lord. Solitary and barren places are to be gladdened by the gospel's heavenly sound. What a shaking and overturning power there is in the word of God! even the conservative desert quivers into progress when God decrees it. The Treasury of David

Sometimes I sit listening intently for God’s answer to my prayers. The silence is so overwhelming. Then I realize that God is SHOUTING His answer, only I don’t hear it because I’m waiting for the answer I want to hear. 

God wants my attention and yet, I’m not hearing or noticing Him. I often wonder if He’s standing there waving His arms, jumping up and down, shouting at me to get my attention... only I am blind and deaf because of my own desires. 

When I finally notice and hear God, and listen to Him, His answer to my prayers are so much better than I could imagine. His plans are so much more thought out than mine. His plans take into consideration all aspects of the now and future, where my plans are short-sighted and are adequate for only the here and now. 

To create a positive day, I have to hear and listen to what God is saying. I may not always understand or agree, but God does has a plan and purpose! 

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.

You can hear me, now!

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 voice of the Lord rolls over the water. The God of glory thunders. The Lord shouts over raging water. Psalm 29:3 (GW)

The Lord’s voice [thunder] is heard over the ·sea [waters; a symbol of chaos]. The glorious God thunders; the Lord thunders over the ·ocean [many/mighty waters]. Psalm 29:3 (EXB)

"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters." The thunder is not only poetically but instructively called "the voice of God," since it peals from on high; it surpasses all other sounds, it inspires awe, it is entirely independent of man, and has been used on some occasions as the grand accompaniment of God's speech to Adam's sons. There is peculiar terror in a tempest at sea, when deep calleth unto deep, and the raging sea echoes to the angry sky. No sight more alarming than the flash of lightning around the mast of the ship; and no sound more calculated to inspire a reverent awe than the roar of the storm. 

"The Lord is upon many waters." Still the Psalmist's ear hears no voice but that of Jehovah, resounding from the multitudinous and dark waters of the upper ocean of clouds, and echoing from the innumerable billows of the storm-tossed sea below. The waters above and beneath the firmament are astonished at the eternal voice. When the holy Spirit makes the divine promise to be heard above the many waters of our soul's trouble, then is God as glorious in the spiritual world as in the universe of matter. Above us and beneath us all is the peace of God when he gives us quiet. The Treasury of David

Chaos. Noise. Confusion. Anarchy. Pandemonium. Tumult. Turmoil. 

It’s amazing how chaos can rob me of the peace that God has given me. My chaos can be caused by focusing on the “what ifs”, or focusing me how I’ll fix things, instead of trusting God to take care of things. Man-made chaos creates noise, confusion, restlessness, and disharmony. The longer I remain in a state of chaos, the more overwhelmed and depressed I become. 

Thankfully, God’s love and peace is “louder” than any noise my chaos can produce. God “thunders” through my created mess, and assures me of His presence, and that He hasn’t gone anywhere, and had no plans to leave me or abandon me. 

“Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.” Hebrews 13:5 (MSG)

No matter how loud the noise of my chaos is around me, I know I’ll have a positive day, when I hear, “You can hear me, now!” spoken by my Almighty, loving God.

Just Remember

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 fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord’s voice is powerful; the Lord’s voice is ·majestic [splendid; awesome]. Psalm 29:4 (EXB)

Voice: to call aloud, a voice or sound.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Powerful: ability, able, force, might, strength, substance, wealth.

Majestic: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty.

Often when I think of powerful, I think if loud and very strong and mighty... a display of superior strength. But as I watch the snowflakes fall outside, I see that those tiny flakes are powerful—they shut down airports, close schools, delay traffic, etc. The snowflakes don’t make any noise. They just gently fall to the ground, but they are powerful enough to disrupt our daily lives. 

God is the ultimate “powerhouse”. His voice can be “booming”. But there are times when He speaks in a whisper. The truth that I need to remember that weather God is speaking loudly and showing His mighty power, or if He’s whispering and showing a gently display of power, I am to be listening. 

Today, I had planned to go see my chiropractor. However, as I watched the snow fall,  I knew that cancelling the appointment would be the safer thing to do. As I stayed inside and watched the snow continue to fall, Psalm 46:10 came to mind.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be ·praised [exalted] in all the nations; I will be ·praised [exalted] throughout the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (EXB)

Be still. Absolute let alone, i.e. do nothing, be quiet, relax. If I can grasp even a bit of God’s power and might—I should be able to relax and do nothing, resting in Him. If I can just remember that the God of all power and majesty loves me—I should be able to trust Him to care for me. If I can just remember that God Creator, who hung the stars in place and keeps them there, watches over me—I should be able to relax and rest, knowing that He’s in control. 

To create a positive day, I need to just remember that God is powerful, and majestic. 

Abundantly Congratulates!

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 fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (EXB)

Gives: apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, cause.

Strength: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong, to be stout.

His people: specifically, a tribe, group of people.

Blesses: abundantly, altogether, congratulate, to kneel.

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, well, favor, friend, rest, safety.

"Peace." There is a threefold "peace," externa, interna, aeterna; temporal, spiritual, celestial peace. There is outward peace, the blessing; inward peace, the grace; and everlasting peace, of glory. And as in a stately palace there is a lodge or court that leads into the inmost goodly rooms, so external peace is the entrance or introduction to the inward lodgings of the sweet peace of conscience and of that eternal rest in which our peace in heaven shall be happy, inasmuch as external peace affords us many accommodations and helps to the gaining and obtaining both the one and the other. - Ephraim Udall. 1642.

The Lord will bless his people with peace - They have nothing to fear in the tempest and storm; nothing to fear from anything. He will bless them with peace in the tempest; He will bless them with peace through that power by which He controls the tempest. Let them, therefore, not fear in the storm, however fiercely it may rage; let them not be afraid in any of the troubles and trials of life. in the storm, and in those troubles and trials, he can make the mind calm; beyond those storms and those troubles he can give them eternal peace in a world where no "angry tempest blows." Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Why do we fight so hard to find peace, contentment, that sence of safety and calmness? God says that He will bless us with peace. It’s there, if we simply want to accept it. Nothing magical. Just accept the peace and completeness God abundantly pours out upon His people. 

Read though Psalm 29 again. The same God who shows His strength and power in the mighty storms, is very able to provide peace. Nothing is too hard for God! Today, I am to have my temporary spinal stimulator wire removed. And I’ll be making a decision on if I should make it permanent, or simply “give up” on the spinal stimulator as a way to reduce my pain. I’ve noticed the last few weeks, as I’ve discussed this with God, He has given me great peace about each step. It’s so great to know that God is listening to me as I talk with Him, and He is giving me guidance and I move forward. 

My Ponder Morsels lately have been “just what I need’. But God knew that too! Blesses His people with peace. God creates a positive day for me as He abundantly congratulates me with His peace.

Indescribable

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. 

Give to the Lord, O sons of the powerful. Give to the Lord shining-greatness and strength.  Give to the Lord the honor that belongs to Him. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holy living. Psalm 29:1, 2 (NLV)

Yesterday, I studied Psalm 19, and that the Heavens are a testimony to the ultimate greatness of God. Psalm 29, focuses the attention to God Himself and the honor, glory, and praise due Him, because of His ultimate greatness. 

How do you describe an INDESCRIBABLE God? In Psalm 29, David uses a thunderstorm. A thunderstorm is powerful and mighty.

The thunder is not only poetically but instructively called "the voice of God," since it peals from on high; it surpasses all other sounds, it inspires awe, it is entirely independent of man. The Treasury of David

The psalmist here sets forth God's dominion in the kingdom of nature. In the thunder, and lightning, and storm, we may see and hear his glory. Let our hearts be thereby filled with great, and high, and honourable thoughts of God, in the holy adoring of whom, the power of godliness so much consists. O Lord our God, thou art very great! Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

As powerful as man thinks he is, he is no match for the power and majesty of the Almighty God. We need to humble ourselves before the Creator of all. He and He alone is worthy of our praise. He and He alone is our Redeemer. How would I describe an INDESCRIBABLE God? That’s something I’ll have to work on this year. 

But even if I can’t describe Him, I know that He loves me and that fact, creates a positive day!