Create. Renew.

Blessings Celebration - 18 Years

The year was 2000. The month, October. I can see the apartment as though I was standing in it right now. The green sofa facing the window. The TV in the far right corner. It was late at night, and I was working on getting a book ready for the printer. The deadline was in the morning. I hadn't been feeling well, as I had bronchitis. Over most of it not, just a deep cough remained.

Uncomfortable, I repositioned myself to sit up more on the sofa so I could continue working. Then I coughed. I felt an explosion in my back. Slowly I rolled off of the sofa, onto the floor. I laid there, trying to get up the strength and courage to move. Finally, I rolled over and crawled back to the sofa and slowly stood up. Gingerly, I walked to the bathroom, to get ready for bed. 

The morning came all too quickly. The pain in the back was intense and that made getting ready and to the Office very difficult. I finished the book and sent the file to the Pre-press department, and I prepared to go home. 

A friend saw me and noticed that I was hurting. She mentioned that she knew a great chiropractor and even had a free first visit coupon. That was the first of MANY blessings that God would provide along this journey. 

Had I known on October 25, 2000, what the next 18 years would hold......well, I don't think I would have made it passed that first night. BUT GOD—He knows when and how to send encouragement along the way! The blessings are abundant and my God is a gracious God who loves me! 

Please join me on this Blessings Celebration day, and take time to thank God for His goodness, and count your blessings! 

You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good things in the laps

of the right-hearted. Your blessings surround them like a shield.

Psalm 5:12 (VOICE)

1 Thessalonians: Echoes

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

Sounded forth: to "echo" forth; broadcast

From you sounded out - As Thessalonica was very conveniently situated for traffic, many merchants from thence traded through Macedonia, Achaia, and different parts of Greece. By these, the fame of the Thessalonians having received the doctrine of the Gospel was doubtless carried far and wide. And it appears that they had walked so conscientiously before God and man, that their friends could speak of them without a blush, and their adversaries could say nothing to their disgrace. Adam Clarke Commentary

What sound does your life create? We all broadcast something. What is it that you believe in, that impacts your life in such a way that it literally echoes from your words, lifestyle, actions, attitude? 

Choose a few people, either people you know or see on TV. Then consider what they broadcast. It may be the truth, or it may be false, but since they believe it, they will echo it loud and clear. The dangers are when we look to people and take what they are broadcasting as truth, without checking the facts. 

What are you broadcasting? The people in Thessalonica broadcasted the truth of God. And their echo was heard far away. If you are not broadcasting God's truth, then changes need to be made. Echoes travel far - make sure your's is based on truth. 

1 Thessalonians: Role Model

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,  so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Examples: from two words, first: "strike repeatedly" – properly, a model forged by repetition; second: "pattern"; an example; α. in the technical sense, viz. the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made; in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, pattern of warning; a stamp or scar becoming a model for warning

As I read this passage, my thoughts went to the term, "role models". There are many people who hold the title of "role model", but what do they model? From what pattern were they molded? And what pattern am I following? 

Does it really matter who we pattern ourselves after? Does it really matter who we consider role models? 

Yes, it really does matter. Whether you are seven or seventy, the people who you want to imitate will mold your thoughts, actions, and attitudes. 

Whether you realize it or not, or want to or not, your actions, attitude, and words demonstrate who your role model is. 
Perhaps it's time to consider what type of role model you are becoming. What actions, attitudes, and thoughts are you stamping on others? 

The people to whom this letter was written, were role models of the Lord Jesus. They were living lives that demonstrated Christ's love and warned others of the truth of sin and the everlasting consequences. 

Who is your role model? What type of role model are you?

1 Thessalonians: Solid Foundation

1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5

Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

When sharing the truth about the Gospel of God, it's vital that your lives match that truth. The old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." 

You know what kind of men we were: How we preached, and how we lived; our doctrines and our practices ever corresponding. And for your sakes we sustained difficulties, endured hardships, and were incessant in our labors. Adam Clarke Commentary

It's easy to say something, and it can be much more difficult to live it. But God has supplied the power to do so, the Holy Spirit. 

Paul begins this book by letting the people at the Church of Thessalonica that he prays for them, and reminds them of who they are — in Christ. That is the solid foundation on which they live their lives.

1 Thessalonians: Active Decision

1 Thessalonians 1:3

remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 

Verse 3 is a continuation of the thoughts in verse 2. This verse describes the people for whom thanks were given in verse 2. 

Remembering: to be mindful of, to call to mind: to think of and feel for a person
Without ceasing: uninterruptedly
Work of faith: an act, deed, thing done; the course of conduct which springs from faith; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation
Labor of love: the labor to which love prompts, and which voluntarily assumes and endures trouble and pains for the salvation of others; intense labor united with trouble; love which centers in moral preference; "to prefer" 
Patience: remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to "remain (endure) under" the challenges He allots in life
Hope: joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
In the sight of: in the presence of

The one aspect of this verse that I want to focus on, is "labor of love". In an instant gratification society, we have lost the real meaning of longlasting, work through the troubles and turmoils kind of love. 

Look at the definition of love — moral preference, "to prefer". It's a choice! It's an active decision. 

Labor of Love. It's a commitment no matter how hard it gets. You do the work, because of love. And you love through the work. 

But the labor of love is based on the "work of faith". The reliance upon Christ enables one to then perform the labor of love. Faith is what provides the stamina to endure when the troubles arise. 

Remember, it's a choice. A labor of love is an active decision. 

1 Thessalonians: Activity Express Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Give thanks: to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards)
Always: evermore
All: 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. Then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
Mention:  recollection; by implication, recital -- mention, remembrance; a bringing to mind, a mention (recollection); a personal remembrance recalling a particular aspect of a person
Prayers: earnest prayer; addressed to God
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_thessalonians/1-2.htm

"Please" and "Thank You". Words that as a child I was reminded to say often. Sadly, in our society today, those words have disappeared. Expressing gratitude is only in fashion in November as we celebrate "Thanksgiving. But that's shortlived as the sales start on Thanksgiving day. We can't even be grateful for what we have for a single day? We have to begin to "get" after a few hours?! 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:2, the focus is not on being grateful for things, but rather people, in particular, the Church in the City of Thessalonica. And as we see from the meaning of the word, "all", but only as an entire group, but EACH individual in that Church. 

Give thanks to God always for you all. 
Stop and think of the people in your life. First, those who live in the same home as you. Next, those with whom you work. Then friends and acquaintances. When was the last time you stopped and thanked God for those whom He has brought into your life? 

Activity express gratitude to God for the people in your life. That's action. And I think a very good challenge! 

Will you accept the challenge of activity expressing gratitude to God for the people in your life? 

1 Thessalonians: Grace & Peace

Study of 1 Thessalonians

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Grace: favor, disposed to, inclined, favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefitPeace: wholeness, i.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace (God's gift of wholeness). "The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."
http://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_thessalonians/1-1.htm

Note where the grace and peace are generated — "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". For only true grace and pure peace can come from God. 

How does this specific greeting impact the recipient? A greeting reminding one of the grace and peace that God offers and supplies freely, will calm the turmoil of the physical life and the soul. 

Grace and Peace. 
FROM God OUR Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

May you receive God's gift of grace and peace today. 

Celebrate My Birthday - $5.40 or more!

On April 18, 2018, I'll be celebrating my 54th Birthday! This year, I'd really like to do something very special. My friend Jami is battling Lyme Disease. Her medical treatments are not covered by insurance so are very costly. To help her take a bite out of Lyme disease and her treatment costs, I'd like to ask for a donation of $5.40 or more! 

$5.40 isn't much. Just a specialty coffee drink, or a fast-food meal. But working together, we can make those $5.40 donations add up to make a difference for Jami! 

Please mail your donation to:
Rhonda Sawtelle
Attn: Jami's Battle
2048 Kings Xing SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

If you have any questions, please email me at createpositive@att.net. 

Thank you so much for your donation and spreading the word. I'll be collecting donations through April 30, 2018. 

Thank you! 

Do justly — the Required Routine

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Do.
Accomplish, be busy.

Do.
It is an action.

Do.
It requires effort.

Do.
To bring an action to a conclusion.

Do justly.
Accomplish honesty.

Do justly.
The effort to live truthfully.

Requirement involves action. And not just random action, but action that is honest and truthful. And how do I know what is true?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

Do justly — the Required Routine. 

The Greatest Choice

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Just. Justly. 

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed]. Proverbs 21:3 (AMP)

Doing what is ·right [righteous] and ·fair [just] is more ·important [preferable] to the Lord than sacrifices. Proverbs 21:3 (EXP)

This is a simple concept. Do what is right and acceptable so that you don't have to ask for forgiveness. However, too often we find ourselves making the wrong choice and doing the wrong thing..... and asking God to forgive us. 

This past week a person made a series of wrong choices. Her actions were not that of righteousness or justice. And those choices had deadly consequences. I found the comments posted on the news story interesting. So many spoke of what a great person she was. Some were quick to judge her for her actions. And some were just saddened by it all. A few mentioned the wrong choices she made that led to the consequences of her death. 

Actions do have consequences. What we do not only affect us personally, but others get caught up in those consequences as well. 

The lady mentioned above made wrong choices. I'm not judging, just stating the facts. She broke specific laws, and her actions caused her to lose her life. How many times have I made wrong choices? How many times have I chosen to do what I wanted, rather than what was acceptable to the Lord? 

Doing what is right is more preferable to the Lord than having to ask for forgiveness. Doing what is just is the right choice — 100% of the time. 

The act of doing what is just

is the greatest choice one can make. 

It's a Party! And all are invited.

It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. Proverbs 21:15

Joy: exceedingly, gladness, joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, rejoicing in festivity

Just: lawful, righteous man

To do: accomplish

Justice: attribute of right, rectitude

Destruction: dismay, ruin

Workers: habitually commit, do

Iniquity: mischief, wickedness, strictly nothingness

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

To do justly is not to be done with a begrudging attitude. Rather obedience should be done with joy. The word, "joy" in Proverbs 21:15 means "party of joy". And that party of joy comes when one accomplishes what is right, not according to themselves, but rather right according to God. 

The Required Routine of "Do justly" is to be accomplished with a party of joy. It's not just about doing what is right, it's about having the right attitude while doing. 

It's a Party! And all are invited. Do justly!