Thanks Living: He's Right Here!

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Wondrous works: Distinguish; by implication, great, wonderful, accomplish, marvelous

Declare: to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount.

Name: especially as embodying the (revealed) character of;

Near: to approach, (cause to) draw near, be at hand, join

We thank You, O True God. Our souls are overflowing with thanks! Your name is near; Your people remember and tell of Your marvelous works and wonders. Psalm 75:1 (VOICE) 

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1 (NLT)

As I reflect on the Christmas season, I realized that it seemed easier to "thank" those who were near by at the time of the gift giving. The ones who were farther away, that took a bit of effort. Not, that I didn't appreciate the gifts any different—it's just easier to communicate with those who are "right there". 

I know that I am to give thanks to God. But as I read, Psalm 75:1, the truth that God is not off in the distance—rather is is right here, close at hand—made the thought of giving thanks even more vital and relevant. 

God is near and He is involved in my life. And if I want to enjoy a "Thanks Living" life, then I must start with giving thanks to God! All the things He does confirms Who He is and what He is capable of doing. 

Think for a moment of the sunrise and sunset. The Earth continues to spin on it's axis tilted just at the precise angle as it rotates around the sun. The stars are hung and kept in Space. The oceans contain amazing creatures that we continue to discover. 

Am I giving thanks to God? Am I noticing His marvelous works? Am I recognizing that God is right here? 

Thanks Living: Remember

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music -- give praise, sing forth praises, psalms

Saints: godly man, good, merciful

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Remembrance: to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; memorial, memory, scent

Holy Name (His holiness): sacred, apartness, sacredness

Remembrance. Memory. Scent.

"A smell can bring on a flood of memories, influence people's moods and even affect their work performance. Because the olfactory bulb is part of the brain's limbic system, an area so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain," smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously." (http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/smell3.htm) 

So often when we think of "thanks" we think of things received. Yet, Psalm 30:4 reminds us that we are to give thanks at the "remembrance of His holy name". Just remembering Who God is—should set into action are gratitude. A scent can call up memories and powerful responses—that is how we should respond to remembering Who God is! 

Celebrate Thanks Living by remembering God's holiness! That's a great way to begin 2016! As we begin the new year, take time to REMEMBER God's Holy Name! 

Thanks Living! Happy New Year!

Thanks Living: Big Picture & Parts

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Everything: "each, every" means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time."

Give thanks: literally, "thankful for God's good grace"; to be grateful
For: indeed (a conjunc. used to express cause, explanation, inference or continuation)

Will: what one wishes or has determined shall be done (i. e. objectively, thing willed)

God: the Creator and owner of all things

In: "in the realm (sphere) of," as in the condition (state) in which something operates from the inside (within).

Christ Jesus: "the Anointed One," the Christ (Hebrew, "Messiah"); the incarnate, eternal Son of God

For: of reference or relation; with respect to, in reference to; as regards

You: the person pronoun

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.) (VOICE)Be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. (GNT)And give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus. (EXB)In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (AMP)

Everything. The big picture. Each and every part. 

The big picture. As we live our daily lives, we are so focused on the here and now, the small piece that concerns us this very moment, that we lose sight of the big picture. We lose perspective on what God is doing. 

The word "everything" in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encompasses each individual part and the big picture. We are to give thanks, for the details that are taking place as God creates the entirety of His will. 

Everything. The little details which we overlook. The little blessings God sends, but we are too busy trying to figure out the big picture, we miss them. The daily everyday routines and tasks that are viewed an unimportant and mundane, but are actually necessary in view of the big picture. 

Give thanks.

Thankful for God's good grace. Simply thankful, grateful, for God and His grace upon our lives.

Grateful: feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness.

Will of God.

The Creator of all, has a specific plan for each of us. So often we say, "If only I know what God wants me do to." or "What is God's will for my life?" 

The verse tells us specifically—be grateful for everything—it's what God wants you to do! Be Thankful! 

"Thanks Living" must begin with being grateful for God and His grace toward me. And if I am truly grateful and realize that God is the Creator and owner of all things—then I will be thankful for each and every part of the big picture, knowing that this is what God wants for me. Thanks Living is God's will and it begins now no matter the circumstance, no matter place, no matter..... give thanks.

Thanks Living: Awareness & Action

As I think about "Thanks Living", I realized that I must first learn what "Thankful" means. As I started thinking about it, I found it hard to define. 

Dictionaries define it this way: 

Thankful: A feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. Pleased and relieved. Glad that something has happened or not happened, that something or someone exists, etc.

Synonyms:

accountable • answerable for • appreciative • at peace • beholden • cheerful • comfortable • content • glad • grateful • gratified • honor-bound • indebted • much obliged • obliged • overwhelmed • pleased • relieved • satisfied • under an obligation

In trying to grasp what "Thanks" or "Thankfulness" is, I found it hard to define. It encompasses several aspects. But first and foremost I must recognize Who and I am to thank, and why I am thankful. 

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.  Psalm 26:7 (NKJV)
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. Psalm 26:7 (MSG)

Thanksgiving is not just a feeling, it requires awareness (of what was done/or given) and action (response to the giver). In order to create a life that is "Thanks living" I must have an awareness of what God is doing and take action in giving thanks to Him.

Thanks Living

This past November, a friend sent me this quote:

"Thanksgiving is once a year.

Thanks Living is all year long."

Since reading that quote, I've been thinking about it.

There are many verses about being Thankful. Here are few:

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

Throughout 2016, I want to make it a point to be THANKFUL. I want to enjoy a life that is filled with "Thanks Living". 

I'll be taking a short break from Proverbs to study "Thankfulness", so that I can begin a habit of Thanks Living.