Thankfulness, Part V

It is all about perception. Even some people who seem to have everything can be at the end of their rope. Some people are talented at hiding their pain and others allow their pain to drive them to anger and can be hard to be around. Some people drown their pain with drugs and alcohol or other medicines. As a Christian, pain and worry can come from all different angles but we are not called to live in pain and drowned in worry. We are called to be thankful and express this thankfulness to God. He has given us all things, even though on the best of days that can be hard to see. God provides us with life. He provides nature and allows his goodness to rise upon the evil and the good.

God has been good to us. He gives us life and sustanence. We live better in these days (no matter how rich or poor) than any people before us in history. Although, that may not be said of all countries but in the United States and numerous other nations we live a life of convenience where food is on every corner and we have access to almost anything a human would ever want or need. You might attribute many of our advancements to mankind but God is behind such things. He blesses us through man's accomplishments in medicine, science, food processing, supply chain, etc. He is behind it all. Without God we are nothing. His mercy and love shines on us with each new rising of the sun.

^{1 Chronicles 29:10-13}

¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

Thankfulness, Part IV

As Gentile believers, there is nothing more evident than our reliance on God for all things. Even though the world may drag us down with it's cares and burdens, it is essential that we stay in thanksgiving. We should make every effort (daily and even hourly) to praise God for everything He has done for us.

One of the things that has struck me lately is the meaning of our existence. A scripture that explains our overall purpose so eloquently is the verses in the first chapter of Colossians. Especially, verse 16 which very clearly states that all things were created by Him and for Him. That includes you and I and everything else in creation. We were created for Him not the other way around.

This simple statement (Created by Him and for Him) speaks volumes about what God and His Son should mean to us. He is God. He is Creator of life and everything we see. He is the Creator of the heavens and all that is within them. He is not only Creator of what we see but even the unseen world both microscopic and spiritual. This is the reason why God is pleased with our humility before Him. When we understand our place and honor Him as God alone.

Yet, He is not only Creator but sustainer of life. Everything that exists continues to do so as a result of Him. He is not only Creator and sustainer of life but protector of life and saviour of our lives. We, in our daily walk should never forget just how important God is and we should often remind ourselves of the deep impact of His love and grace that is shed on us through Jesus Christ.

We must be thankful and praise the Father for his goodness, mercy, salvation, protection, and provision everyday. Letting Him know how precious He is to us, for we are because He is.

^{Colossians 1:15-16}

¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Thankfulness, Part III

It is always good to be thankful and express to God how grateful we are to Him for all He provides. Not just life itself and the provision but the gift of grace that is given freely to us through faith in Jesus Christ. Expressing thanks to God is an act of worship and not only this but it does something to us. Just as negativity can rule someone's life and mind to the point of immeasurable despair, so the positive nature of being thankful has a strong impact on our life and day.

It also has a strong impact on others around us. Most people know this by common sense so it may seem ridiculous to point it out but it is amazing how little we practice it. It takes serious effort... concentrating on the "right" things that bring about real joy. So though it sounds easy, it clearly is not. The world around us with all it's deadlines, responsibilities, and social structure can make even the best day go bad quickly. People in general can also make your day miserable but we must keep our eyes focused on the prize.

Focus on Jesus and all the things that God has done for you instead of dwelling on what you deem as negative.

Colossians 2:6-7

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Thankfulness, Part II

Colossians is another great book of the Bible. There is quite a bit of interesting insight into how we should live once we have accepted the free gift of grace through Christ Jesus. Paul, in Colossians shows us how to tackle life. It is an expression of joy in our lives that He is trying to get us to tap into. There is nothing worse than a child who grumbles and complains all the time. For those of us who are parents, we know this all too well. A happy and grateful child is such a pleasure to be around but nothing irritates us more than a crying fit. I believe that God's relationship with His children is in basic terms very similar to our own relationship with our children. In other words, there are many parallels.

How petty our complaining can be sometimes and we complain many times without realizing just how good we actually have it. There is always someone going through something worse than what we are going through. It is all perception. It may seem like a bad time because we have nothing to compare it too.

It is truly hard but we have to stay focused on positive thoughts and be grateful for whatever God has given us so far. Positive thoughts are not some new age idea. Positive thoughts are an essential element in our walk of faith. Faith is hope in something better. Faith is trust that no matter what we go through, God is working it out in our favor. Always remind yourself daily to thank Him for all things.

Colossians 3:15-17

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Thankfulness

True joy is seldom seen in life. Dragged down by the day-to-day cares and worries of this life we seem almost too busy complaining or expounding on how uncomfortable we are with life. You'd be surprised how blessed the world is these days. Not to say that there is not severe poverty and disease that afflicts many but if you could go back several centuries in time you would find a world much different from the one we live today.

It is true that we focus way too much on the negative and quite seldom do we speak of the positive nature of things. God does not want us to be that way. We must be content with what God has blessed us with; no matter how much or how little. Joy is a true key to igniting the power of God's word. He does not want us to worry about things and live in fear but He truly wants us to be happy and joyful.

Fear, depression, and anxiety are the weapons of the devil. As long as he can keep us strangled by such devices, doubt and pain are just around the corner and he has us right where he wants us. However, we were not made to be subject to the devil or his weapons but instead to be thankful before God for all his provision and blessings. Where ever you are in life, God is with you for Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us. Trust in him and know that the bible promises that good things come to those that love him. When was the last time you told God you loved him? Now might be a good time.

While you are there you might want to take time to tell him how truly grateful you are for everything he has done for you. Do it with sincerity. Remember, you can't wear masks when dealing with God. Joy is a choice. It is a by-product of faith. No true joy? Probably no faith either. Choose joy instead of murmuring and complaining and be thankful for all things. Even in the face of dire circumstance. A verse I love is the following.

Psalm 37:3-8

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 4 Delight yourself in the LORD
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 5 Commit your way to the LORD;
       trust in him and he will do this:

 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
       the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
       do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
       when they carry out their wicked schemes.

 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
       do not fret—it leads only to evil.