Ultimate Exactitude!

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.

God’s word is ·true [upright; virtuous], and everything he does is ·right [faithful]. Psalm 33:4 (EXB)

The word of the Lord is correct, and everything he does is trustworthy. Psalm 33:4 (GW)

For the word of the Lord is right - The command; the law; the promise of God. Whatever he "says" is right; or, is true. It is worthy of universal belief; and should, therefore, be a reason for praise. The fact that God says a thing is the highest proof that it is true.

And all his works are done in truth - Or rather, "in faithfulness." That is, All that he does is executed faithfully. He does all that he promises, and all that he does is such as to claim universal confidence. Whatever he does is, from the very fact that He does it, worthy of the confidence of all his creatures. None, however they may be affected by what he does, have any reason to doubt that it is perfectly right. God is the only Being of whom we have any knowledge, concerning whom we can feel this certain assurance. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Truth. Absolute. 

Truth: accuracy, actuality, authenticity, certainty, correctness,  exactitude, exactness, fact, facts, factualism, factuality, factualness, genuineness, gospel truth, gospel, honest truth, infallibility, legitimacy, perfection, precision, principle, rightness, trueness, truism, truthfulness, unvarnished truth, veracity, verisimilitude, verity.

With truth, comes trust. When someone lies to us, trust is broken and relationships are broken. However, truth leads to trust and strong relationships. God not only speaks truth — He is truth. God is the ultimate exactitude! He cannot lie. He can be only truth for that is Who He is, and He can be nothing else. 

What does it mean to me that God is the ultimate exactitude? That provides me with great assurance. Knowing that God is truth and speaks truth, those promises that I’m standing on.. that rock-solid foundation... is not going to waver, or shake. I can rest assured that God says what He means, and means what He says. No question on if He’ll “change His mind”, or have a different story to tell today. God was, is, and will always remain faithful and true. God is the ultimate exactitude! 

Knowing that God means what He says, and says what He means provides the basis for a positive day!

Standing Tall!

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 twenty-seventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 121. Here's what Treasure I found today.

He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; Psalm 121:3 (NIV)

He will not let ·you be defeated [your feet be moved/slip]. He who ·guards [watches] you never sleeps. Psalm 121:3 (EXB)

He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Psalm 121:3 (MSG)

Not: nay, neither, never, no, nor, not, nothing.

Be moved: a shaking; tottering, wavering.

On February 25, 2013 my Ponder Morsel was “Mighty God One.” God is my sure foundation–Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. If I’m standing on that sure foundation, I will not be shaken!  When standing on God’s foundation, that is sure and steadfast, I can remain “standing tall”. 

There is an old gospel song, “Standing on the Promises”. 

When I’m “standing on the promises” I will not be shaken, no matter what is happening around me. Satan can be creating earthquakes of fear, doubt, and disappointments, but if I remain standing on God’s rock-solid foundation—I won’t even shake! I will remain standing tall. 

I use crutches due to nerve damage in my left leg. The left leg doesn’t always support me. One thing I’ve learned about winter, is that crutches are not very reliable on ice. My sure footing, no matter how careful I am, disappears on a sheet of ice. Sometimes I fall down, other times, I catch myself and often twist my back... yes ouch. On a sheet of ice, I don’t remain standing tall, my footing is shaken, and I find myself tottering, and even falling. 

Each day, I have a choice on where I’ll stand; on God’s rock-solid foundation, or on the slippery slopes Satan provides... including fear, doubt, and disappointments. I’d much rather my feet be on the rock-solid foundation so that I’m not shaken! I want to be standing tall. 

To create a positive day, I must be trusting God and remain on His rock-solid foundation, so that I will not be shaken, but rather I’ll be standing tall! 

Positive Praise!

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 96. Here is what I learned.

Let’s hear it from Sky, With Earth joining in, And a huge round of applause from Sea. Psalm 96:11 (MSG)

The “it” in Psalm 96:11 is “praise to God”. This past weekend, I heard the most amazing thing... stars making music. And no, it was not a reaction to my pain medication. I learned that stars create a vibration, and literally make noise! And then I heard whales singing! Put just those two creations of God together and you have an amazing song of praise to God! 

Here is the video. Take a moment to watch and listen. 

Louie Giglio - Nature Singing to God

God creation praises Him. If the stars and whales can make music to God.... shouldn’t I also be praising God? 

I live in an apartment complex and my building has 6 floors. I hear a variety of noises. But I find it interesting that the noise that carries the loudest.... is the crying, yelling, screaming, fighting.... the “negative” sounds. Seldom do I hear the laughter or singing of joyful songs. 

What does God hear me saying, singing, and shouting most? Are my “noises” praising and honoring God? Or are my “noises” of disharmony and discord..... negative noise? 

My philosophy is “Create a Positive Day!”. Not only should I be seeing the awesome blessings God continues to send my way.... I need to makes sure that my “noise” throughout the day is positive praise to God. 

Create a positive day..... I need to not only live it... I need to make noise about why it’s a positive day—because God is God! To honestly create a positive day... it MUST include positive praise to my Almighty God! 

Mighty God One!

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 twenty-fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 62. Here's what Treasure I found today.

He is my rock and my ·salvation [victory]. He is my ·defender [fortress]; I will not be ·defeated [shaken]. Psalm 62:6 (EXB)

He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. Psalm 62:6 (MSG)

Rock: rock, cliff, mighty God one, strength, strong.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. Is that where I’ve placed my faith and trust? Or am I relying on a small pebble? Not sure about you, but my feet are too big to have a sure footing on a pebble. And a pebble may even crush beneath my weight. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. My name means “strong, powerful one”. And at times, I think I am invincible. I often have this “I can do anything—myself” attitude. However, I’m learning that although I can do some things.... I am not invincible. 

Unlike me, God’s name is a very true and accurate description of Him. He is the solid cliff under my feet. He is might God one! He is my sure foundation. 

Mighty God One!

(by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

“I can do it myself” that attitude is really wrong.

Going it on my own, is not a wise choice at all—

And without God, I am just heading for a fall.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

Trust in Him, should be easy, but I’m so headstrong.

But God is a sure foundation, waiting for me to stand,

And when I fall, He’ll make sure on my feet I’ll land. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

No matter my failures, doubts, and all I’ve done wrong.

God is patiently waiting—steadfast and true.

And no matter what I do, He simply says, “Trust me, I love you.”

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

A firm foundation, rock-solid my whole lifelong.

Rock-solid, steadfast, mighty God one, unshakable!

God is faithful and true and that is unmistakable.

When I’m relying on a firm foundation, rock-solid, faithful and true, my day is filled with positive blessings from Mighty God One!

More About Him and Less About Me

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 61. Here is what I learned.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (AMP)

God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (MSG)

Cry. Shout. 

The word rendered cry in this place sometimes denotes a joyful shout - a shout of triumph; but the connection makes it certain that it here refers to the voice of prayer. It is implied that it was audible prayer, or that the psalmist gave utterance to his desires in words. It is language such as would be produced by deep distress; when a sad and burdened heart gives vent to its feelings in a loud cry for mercy. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As I read this verse this morning, I first am very grateful that when I am in trouble, or distress, that I can cry out to my God and He hears me. But is that the ONLY time I cry out to God? 

Do you like to hear people complain—all the time? I know I don’t. And I don’t like to hear kids (or even worse adults) with a “give me attitude”. But how often do my prayers to God sound just like that.... full of complaints and give me lists? Thankful that God hears and listens to my prayers.... but maybe, prayers need to be more than just complaints and wish lists. 

Prayer. What is prayer? Simply put,  prayer is talking with God. It’s a conversation. 

On June 10, 2010 I posted this on my blog: 

Prayer is not a vending machine—say the right words and get what you want. Prayer is the privilege of communicating with God. 

Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. -Oswald Chambers  

So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. A.W. Tozer  

Communication. So simple. So vital. So taken for granted. 

When I pray, I need to remember to Whom I’m talking—God Almighty! And as I talk with God, I need to stop my complaining and giving Him my wish list, and spend time getting to know Him.

To create a positive day, my conversations with God need to be more about Him, and less about me.