Positive Names

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

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This post is the continuation of my study of Ruth.

Ruth 1:20-22 Naomi and Ruth reach Bethlehem, Naomi's home. As the people greet them, they are excited that Naomi is back home. However, Naomi says, "Do not call me Naomi, rather call me Mara for the Lord has dealt bitterly with me." The name Mara means bitter. 

I have always liked to learn the meaning of names. My name means strong and powerful. That can be good or bad. Being strong in some areas is a virtue, but being strong-will and stubborn—is not a good thing. I all too often have a "do it myself" mentality. Yes, that of a 2-year-old. I want to do it myself, my way—and sometimes God lets me so that I'll learn that I do not know best. Other times, He in His graciousness stops me quickly, reminding me to allow Him to have control. 

God gave me a great object lesson. My computer has been crashing. And I did all the recommended things to fix it, but it still keeps crashing. Yesterday it crashed and no matter what I did, the computer would NOT turn on. This morning, I tried again. Nothing. I read Ruth and thought about names. 

As much as I am "powerful", I lacked the power to fix my computer. It was/is totally out of my control. 

After reading Ruth and thinking through the meaning of names, I tried again—the computer turned on! It then crashed again. But then once again, it came back on. I have NO control over the computer and do not know what is wrong with it. I have NO POWER over getting it to work—Powerless.

As I thought of Naomi and her changing her name to Mara, as a statement of how she viewed her life, I wonder what name I would pick to represent how God has and is dealing with me. 

First off, I'd say a very positive name would be "Blessed". For God has and is blessing me abundantly. 

"Rookie" comes to mind, as I have much to learn in trusting God and giving Him complete control. Thankful, that God continues to train and teach me. 

I think I'm going to continue thinking of names that represent how God has and is dealing with me. But no matter what name I choose, I know that the greatest is "Child of God", for that depicts my relationship with Him. I am His Princess! And that is an amazing name—a Princess of the King of kings! 

If I want to continue to have "positive names", then my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Abundant Strength

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 28. Here is what I learned.

The Lord is powerful; he ·gives victory [is a saving refuge] to his ·chosen one [anointed]. Psalm 28:8 (EXB)

The Lord is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah. Psalm 28:8 (GW)

The Lord is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed. Psalm 28:8 (AMP)

Strength: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.

The Lord is their strength - Margin, "his strength." The Hebrew is, "their strength," or "strength to them." The allusion is to the people of God. The course of thought seems to be, that the psalmist, having derived in his own case assistance from God, or having found God a strength to him, his mind turns from this fact to the general idea that God was the strength of "all" who were in similar circumstances; or that all His people might confide in Him as he had done. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

God not only give strength... He Himself is the strength. The very power of God is available and graciously given to each of us. 

So, if the strength of God... God Himself is available to me, why do I try to “go it alone” and “do it on my own power”? 

The Lord is the strength, and He knows exactly how much power I’ll need to get through the day. He knows if I need physical strength, emotional strength, spiritual strength... doesn’t matter God is the very strength I need. 

To create a positive day, I only need to rely on God’s abundant strength.

Powerless or Powerful?

On the way home from my chiropractor I saw a bumper sticker... it read: POWERLESS I thought how depressing to be powerless. Am I powerless? Where does power originate?

Am I powerless over my pain? My initial response was "yes". But then I had to change it to "no". I have a lot of power over my pain. I can allow my pain to be in control, or I can take control. Although there are some activities I can't do because of the pain, there are many I can do. I focus on the "cans" rather than the "can nots". 

Powerless. As I continued thinking, I realized that being Powerless can apply to any area of life.

I have a choice if—

I'll be defeated and powerless 

or if I'll be strong and take control. 

Some like to blame their problems on what happened in their childhood. I don't agree. Yes, various situations do shape our lives, but as we grow, we have the power to make new choices and go in new directions. We have the power to change what characteristics and habits we don't like. We are not powerless to make choices. 

There is only ONE thing which I am truly powerless to do on my own. That is save me from my sins. However, thanks to God's gift of Jesus Christ, that is an area I don't have to remain powerless. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins. The only requirement to receive forgiveness is to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died for each of us and now lives again. It's that simple. 

For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name given under heaven

by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Powerless. No, I don't see myself as powerless at all. I think it is a matter of choice. God gives strength to His people. His mercies are new each morning. So, no I'm not powerless. Rather I am very powerful. Mostly, because I have a know-so Hope that God has forgiven me of my sins, and that I'll spend eternity in Heaven praising Him.

God loves me!

And that is a wonderful

and powerful gift. 

Each day, we make choices. And each choice has a consequence. Those consequences can be good or bad. Creating a positive day is about making good choices. And when you make good choices, that makes you POWERFUL!