Thursday, March 31, 2016

Thanks Living: Take Notice!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) 
But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did; let them break out in joyful song. May You keep them safe—their love for You resounding in their hearts. Psalm 5:11 (VOICE)
Rejoice: to brighten up
Trust: have hope, make refuge, confide in
Ever: continuance, duration
Shout for joy: (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph
Defend: to entwine as a screen; to fence in, protect, hedge in
Love: beloved like, friend
Name: by implication honor, authority, character
Joyful: jubilant, rejoice, triumph

Take Notice! 
Notice where my trust is to be placed—in You (God Almighty). 
Notice why I am to shout for joy—because God protects me.
Notice how long I'm to shout—continually (because God is faithful).
Notice who I am to love—God because of his authority, character, simply because of who God is. 
Notice the reason for my joy—God Himself. 

Thanks Living is all based and centered on God Himself. No matter my circumstances. No matter my questions. No matter if I understand or not. It all is dependent on God, who is faithful, unchanging, loving, and in complete control. 

Thanks Living—Take Notice

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Thanks Living: The heart of Thanks Living

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20
Easter Sunday, I read Matthew 26 through 28. As I read Matthew 28:6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said"; those last three words stood out to me. "As He said." 

So, I started reading some of the promises in Scripture. 
Today, I read Romans 4. I stopped at Romans 4:20........"He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God." 

This verse is about Abraham regarding the promise of an heir which seemed impossible at the time of the promise. 

Waver: hesitate, doubt
Promise: an announcement for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good
Unbelief: faithlessness, disbelief
Strengthened: to make strong, endue with strength
Giving glory: good opinion concerning one, and as resulting from that, praise, honor, glory by not distrusting God's promises
God: the Creator and owner of all things

He did not waver at the promise of God.

Thanks Living is acknowledging and believing who God is, and knowing with all certainty that God keeps His promises, and giving praise and glory to God—because God can be trusted! 

Thanks Living—He did not waver at the promise of God—but giving glory to God. That is the heart of Thanks Living. 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Thanks Living: God's Perfect Timing

Thanks Living. 

I was just thinking back over the past few weeks about some of the blessings and I saw, once again, the truth about God's perfect timing. 

Back up several weeks ago, when I had the gate and fence replaced. What was to be a team effort, ended up with me paying for the entire job. That change of plans, delayed me in the next project which was buying screens for the lanai doors. 

Then I received a notice that it was time for my yearly termite inspection. Since the year wasn't actually up until April, 18, I figured it could wait a few more weeks. When I called to schedule the appointment, they said there was one available on March 25th. Ok, that would work, even though I was thinking in another week or two. 

This past week turned into a busy one for me, and a few times I started to call to reschedule the inspection, but each time, God interrupted me.

On Friday, the BugMan told me that I had some things in my attic—Surprise to me! And among those things were screen doors. 
On Easter Sunday, a friend and my brother, GRACIOUSLY got the screens out of the attic and worked VERY HARD to get them back in working shape and installed. 

I love how God made sure that I did not buy new screens, and the He let me know that screens were there, and even provided the help to install them. God's timing is perfect. 

Thanks Living. Thanking God for the blessing of His perfect timing, and the willingness of friends and family who go above and beyond to help me. 
God continues to take care of His Castle!

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Thanks Living: As He Said

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Matthew 28:6a

Today is Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection day! The truth and fact that our Lord and Savior is living and alive —is not only amazing, but provides that eternal hope. 

The crucifixion and resurrection can be read in Matthew 26 through 28

As I read Matthew 28:6 this morning, I especially liked the last three words in the first sentence, "as He said". 

As He said. 
Those three words contain so much! They show the faithfulness of God to His word. They show that He knew the full scope of His death, burial and resurrection. They show that God speaks the truth. They show that God has the authority and power to do what He says! 

As He said. 
Thankful that I serve a risen Savior! Thanks Living is finding the security in three words—As He Said. 

Happy Resurrection Day!