Thanks Living: Appreciate. Acknowledge. Advertise.

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

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.)

Call: to call out to (i.e. Properly, address by name) -- invite, mention, preach, (make) proclaim, pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say

Name: honor, authority, character

Make known: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); observation, recognition; acknowledge, acquainted with, be aware, comprehend, consider, declare, be diligent, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, have knowledge, have respect, teach, understand

Deeds: action, doing, invention, occasion, work

Peoples: a people (as a congregated unit); (collectively) troops or attendants; folk, men, nation, people.

Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Psalm 105:1 (MSG)

When someone does something nice for us, we want to tell everyone we meet. We are excited and often overwhelmed. We will even tell strangers as we wait in check out lines. 

Yet, sadly, we remain silent about all the wonderful things God has done and is doing. 

Notice the order of events that are to take place in Psalm 105:1—

1. Give thanks. Be thankful, appreciative

2. Call upon His name. Say it, in prayer, talk to Him and talk about Him. 

3. Make known His deeds. Observe them, acknowledge them, discover them, understand them and make sure those around you know about them too! 

Thanks Living is first being appreciative of and acknowledging the Giver, then that is followed by advertising the joy with those whom I know and meet. 

Appreciate. Acknowledge. Advertise. Three important "As" in Thanks Living!

Proverbs 3:16-18: False Advertisement?

Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3:16-18

Length of days: according to (the length of) thy life

Her right hand/left hand: wisdom personified

Riches: far richer, wealth, fortune

Honor: splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

Ways: duty, journey, manner

Pleasantness: agreeableness, delight, suitableness,

Paths: course of life

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, safety

Tree: figurative of source of (life and) happiness

Life: sources (origin and direction) of life

Take hold of: seize, catch

Happy: be made happy, blessed

Retain: grasp, lay hold of

As I read these verses, it reminded me an advertisement. Look at all the great things wisdom has to offer! And unlike most advertisements today, there are not adverse side-effects. 

Perhaps some are thinking as they read these verses, that Wisdom is participating in false advertising. They aren't rich, their life isn't "delightful", they aren't content, they aren't happy—rather they are struggling and frustrated and overwhelmed with life and responsibilities. 

Yes, life and responsibilities can be hard, however, when handled with true wisdom, decisions are easier and we have peace that God is in control and overseeing each and every detail. We can rest and relax in the safety of God Almighty. 

There is no false advertisement here regarding what Wisdom offers. Rather, if we are not enjoying the God given bounties of peace and joy—it's that we are not receiving His gift of wisdom. Remember a heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), to accept Wisdom and life in accordance to that wisdom. No false advertisement here—just false reality for not applying wisdom correctly.