Soaking in His Light

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 4. Here is what I learned.

Many say, Oh, that we might see some good! Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord. Psalm 4:6 (AMP)

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Psalm 4:6 (NIV)

Crowds of disheartened people ask, “Who can show us what is good?” Let Your brilliant face shine upon us, O Eternal One, that we may know the undeniable answer. Psalm 4:6 (VOICE)

If I’m in the living room, and it gets dark, I do not turn on the bedroom light. Turning on a light in another room, does not make the darkness disappear in another room. 

The same concept is true if I want God’s blessing on my life. If I want the light of God’s face to shine on me, then I must be near Him. I can’t be off on my own “in another room” doing my own thing. I must be in the presence of God to enjoy the light He provides. 

How often do I spend time in the dark, simply because I do not want to obey God? How many times do I complain to God that I’m “in the dark”, but I’m not willing to move to allow Him to shine His grace and mercy on me? 

Lord, let the light of your face shine on me.... and direct me to Your presence so that I can be bathed in Your light of grace and mercy. 

To create a positive day, I need to move out of the dark, and spend time in God’s presence soaking in His light of grace. 

Keep a Very Important Appointment

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 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!— Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] us and bless us and ·show us your kindness [make your face shine on us] ·Selah [Interlude]. Psalm 67:1 (EXB)

Selah: pause, to lift up, exalt

Selah. Take time to reflect and praise God. 

All our calendars are full of activities, appointments. Seems that we are taught if we aren’t busy, than we are lazy. However, being too busy to take time to reflect on God’s mercy and grace is wrong in so many ways. 

Taking time to pause, reflect on God’s mercy and grace as a way of putting things in the proper perspective. So often, we are overwhelmed by life and all the things we think we must do, that we miss the really important factors in life. 

Perhaps it is time to “make appointments” to pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace. If it’s “on the calendar” perhaps we will not only have the time to pause, but we will actually do it. And once we begin to pause to reflect on God’s mercy and His goodness, it will be so inspiring and encouraging that it will be come a necessary habit. 

To create a positive day, I must keep a very important appointment—pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace!

Time Frame

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 90. Here is what I learned.

A thousand years to you are like one day; they are like yesterday, already gone, like a short hour in the night. Psalm 90:4 (GNT)

Time. At times it seems that time literally stands still, while other moments fly by. Time. 24 hours in a day. 7 days in a week. 52 weeks in a year. 

A Thousand years, like a day. 365000 days is just like ONE day. That’s hard to grasp in my small mind. But if I really think about it... it sure makes me understand a “waiting period” a bit more. 

I’m waiting on a surgery date, to remove the broken spinal implant stimulator. I feel likes it’s been “FOREVER” but it really has only been a few weeks... and I learned yesterday, that I’ll have to wait a few more days/weeks until I learn the date... than it’s more waiting until that date arrives. 

I’m not a good “waiter”, as I’ve stated before. I like to move full-steam ahead! However, God continues to teach me that I have a lot to learn in God’s waiting room. 

A thousand years are like one day. When I think of that fact... that God is not bound by our time, the waiting period really isn’t about “time” rather it’s about what works best in God’s plan. In the eternal scope of eternity, God’s plan continues and my life is but a “blip” on the screen, if you will. 

Today. 24 hours. One day. May seem like eternity to me.... yet, it’s not even a second in God’s perspective. I have a choice, fret about something taking soooo long, or relax and allow God to accomplish His plan... in His time frame. A second really isn't that long of a time, neither is a day or two, in light of eternity. 

God is not bound by my time frame, rather He works in the scope of eternity. And when I stop measuring time and relax knowing that God will accomplish His will according to His plan, that is when I can create a positive day. 

School's in Session!

On Oct 25, 2000, I was enrolled in school. It was not of my choosing...well it was kind of. The course work is hard and often difficult. No idea when I'll get my degree...or if I'll pass. 

God enrolled me in this school. I'm learning to live my life pleasing to Him (even in chronic pain), and be transformed into God's image. 

The first lesson I had to learn is that God does love me and He can care for me in more ways than I can even imagine. This lesson has many review sessions, as I tend to forget things!
Another lesson has dealt with "time". Either I'm trying to rush God to do something, or I'm jumping ahead of God. But God works in Him time frame for His good. This is one lesson which I've had many examples the past few weeks (just read the last few of my blog posts). 

When God begins a new chapter or new subject which I think I already know... He quickly shows me that I have a lot to learn. Some of the topics are ones I'd rather skip... can't I take that another year..... or never? 

As God teaches me, the lessons vary from easy and fun to difficult and frustrating. When I look back I can see some of the progress God as made. I have learned a great deal about God and about myself. The most important lesson learned is that I am far from graduation. And I'm VERY thankful for a very patient and kind teacher—God. Being a student of God has many blessings. Just when I think I've failed a test, God gives another exam. Or just when I need some encouragement... He provides it.

One of my on going lessons is creating positive days. This is just one way I can focus on God and His goodness. This also helps me keep a balance in my life. Focusing on pain 24/7 is not healthy. God knows the importance of keeping our minds focused on truth.

Creating positive days

is not only exciting.. but fun!

And I'm all for FUN—

even if I'm in school!

What do I value?

What do I value? What is important to me? What matters? If something is important to me, then I make it a priority. If it's a priority, I do what's necessary to make it possible. If something is NOT really important to me than I don't spend energy, time or money on it. This is true for things and relationships.
If I value someone and consider them a friend, I'm willing to make them a priority. I will turn off the TV when he/she calls so I can listen and hear what he/she is saying. I schedule time on the calendar to get together with him/her. Some relationships I value more, so I spend more effort and time to develop that relationship. Some relationships aren't really as important to me, so I spend less time with him or her.
I have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How I use those hours is a window of what's important to me. Do I take a few minutes to send a note to a friend? Do I spend a few minutes to call someone to say 'hi"? Or do I spend that time watching the TV or surfing the web for strange and unimportant sites?
Often I hear, "I don't have time." We all have the same amount of time. We each make daily choices on how we spend that time. Even at work, choices are made as to which project or person will get how much time and attention. The more time we allot to a particular project, the more attention we spend on it.
I want to strive to spend each hour of each day wisely. Just as I want to make wise choices with my money, I want to make wise choices with my time and energy. Making wise investments now, will enrich my life for years to come.

Creating a positive day for myself, is often done by creating a positive day for someone else. Maybe it's sending a card to calling to say "hi, I care". Creating a positive day is a wise investment!