Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:10

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 10: Provides Boundaries

With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Psalm 119:10

With my whole: all, any or every

Heart: the inner man, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

Have sought You: seek deity in prayer and worship; to follow for pursuit or search the True God

Wander: lead astray, deceive, err

Not: nay, neither, never, no, nor

Your commandments: code of wisdom, ordinance, precept

With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. Psalm 119:10 (AMP)

Saturday night I had to take my Dad to the Emergency Room. As the hours dragged on into morning, I went in search of something Mom and I could eat for breakfast. I followed the signs to the Lobby, only to find another sign on the door, "Do not open. Alarm will sound!". Ok, I guess this isn't the way out, EVEN though all the signs point that way. I turned around headed back to the Reception area. I asked for directions and a Nurse kindly led me though some locked doors and the old ER to the lobby area. 
After purchasing some danish and coffee, I headed back following posted signs. Only to find more locked doors. I finally made my way back to the lobby area and went outside and walked to the ER entrance. 

Following signs and directions are only as good as the source. I thought since the signs were posted by the Hospital in the Hospital, they'd be correct. However, since the Emergency Room is a new addition and just opened, all the signage hasn't been changed. 

Thankfully, God's Word is unchangeable. And the source, God Himself, is true and reliable. My only responsibility is to learn and follow God's "signage". 

My prayer is that I would seek God with "ALL of my heart" and stay true to God and His Word. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:9

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 9: Provides Purity (Sanctification)

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9

How can: what end, what good, purpose
Cleanse: make or keep clean, pure
His way: of mode of living, or of character
Taking heed: guard, to protect, attend to
Your word: advice, answer, message

The ruin of young men is either living at large (or by no rule at all) or choosing to themselves false rules: let them ponder the path of their feet, and walk by scripture-rules; so their way shall be clean, and they shall have the comfort and credit of it here and for ever. (Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible)

The lack of respect for God and His word, is very evident in our society today. The idea that laws/rules don't apply to me has created a generation of godless and selfish people. The longer we as individuals and as a Nation continue to ignore God and His word, we will continue to decline and chaos will continue to reign. 

Want to clean up your act? Than pay attention to and guard God's advice. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:6

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 6: Provides Motivation

Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments. Psalm 119:6

Then: expressing logical sequence
Not: nay, neither, never, no
Ashamed: be put to confusion, to be disappointed
Look: look intently at, consider, regard, have respect
All: altogether, any manner, every one
Commandments: which was commanded, law, ordinance, precept

The past few days, we've been very motivated as we prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma. It's amazing how a threat can motivated us into action. We all knew that hurricane season was approaching, but most did nothing about it, until there was a real threat. 

In my life, do I would in crisis mode? Do I wait until I'm in trouble before turning to God? What motivates me into action? 

What should motivate me to obey God's Word, is that it is in fact His Word! If I am obeying His Word, then when I read His Word, it becomes a blessing. However, if I am disobeying God, then reading His Word should be convicting. 

Looking back at the previous verses, there are actions and choices that should be part of my daily life. If I am thinking and acting, in a manner honoring God, then I have no need to be ashamed. 

What motivates you? Do you wait until you are in crisis mode? Or are you creating a daily habit of obeying God? 

Proverbs 4:3, 4: Influence

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

Heart: mind will, heart, from influence of 

Retain: hold, keep, hold firmly

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

Commands: code of wisdom

Live: continue in life, remain alive

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

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

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

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

Outward Appearance—Hollow

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. 

If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude andelemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?—such as]

Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them],

Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines.

Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]  Colossians 2:20-23 (AMP)

"Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom"

If only there was a check list so that I'd know how to live a godly, God-fearing life. That would make it so much easier. But just because I can check off that I do or don't do certain things, that doesn't mean that I'm honoring God. 

Outward appearance of wisdom. But what's on the inward? That is what really matters. What is the motive? And those "check lists" can even turn into idols, as I put more importance on "The List" rather than WHY I am doing, or not doing those things. 

Outward appearance of wisdom, but hollow on the inside. Hollow. No substance. Reminds me of the hollow chocolate bunnies at Easter. Oh, I hated getting the hollow ones. I liked the SOLID bunnies. 

What is the motive behind what I do? Why do I choose or choose not to do certain things? God does list some specifics things which I am to NOT do. 

These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

But as I live my life, I am to honor God, not live with just the outward appearance of wisdom. I need to fear God as I live my life. 

If I want to live a life that is not just an outward appearance of wisdom, and hollow on the inside—I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Approved by God

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 33. Here is what I learned.

He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who considers all their doings. Psalm 33:15 (AMP)

He made the hearts of them all. And He understands whatever they do. Psalm 33:15 (KJV)

He has formed every human heart, breathing life into every human spirit; He knows the deeds of each person, inside and out. Psalm 33:15 (VOICE)

Their works - Both outward and inward, all the workings of their minds and actions, and all their endeavours and actions. Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Thinking about doing something is NOT the same and actually doing it. 

And doing something for the wrong reason or with the wrong attitude is NOT the same as doing something with your whole heart. 

Not every thought turns into action. And not every action is because of a good thought. The key is to turn those good thoughts into the proper action. 

God knows the whys and whats of my actions. He knows the thought, or lack of thought, that went into doing doing something. Why did I do it? Was it out of care and concern? Was it out of love? Or was it out of spite? Or was it done for attention? If the action was done with a proper motive, was it done well? 

I need to first get my thoughts to be approved by God. Then I need to turn those thoughts into the proper actions that will accomplish God’s will and bring glory to Him. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure that both my thoughts and actions are approved by God.