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.

Sunrise July 9.2014

As I was watching the Sunrise this morning, I noticed that the colors started to show to the left of the sunrise. It made me wonder if I had missed the colors on other mornings, since I was so focused on the actually "sun rising". That made me think even more.... how often am I so focused on MY solution, or where I think I'll find answers, help, etc, that I miss what God has planned "on the side-lines". 

I've written many times about God's creativity in supplying all my needs. He uses resources and ways that I could NEVER have even imagined. This week, He demonstrated how He planned WAY in advance (20 years!) to provide a discount on my car registration. (Click here for details.)

I hope that my pictures of this morning's sunrise will be a reminder to me, that I need to keep my focus on God, for He sees the "big picture"! If I focus on just one aspect, I'll miss out on some of His amazing blessings.

This is not my plan!

I forget that I don't always know what's best. God has a plan for my life. His plan includes the "big picture" items as well as the little tiny details. This past week my laptop has been giving me problems. I thought it was fixed after spending 4+ hours at the Apple Store. Nope. I've uninstalled/reinstalled/updated programs multiple times. Still not working correctly.
The next fix.....buy upgrades for my programs....that's only $700-$1200! That's out of my range right now....But then I remember....God is not limited.
He has a plan for my life. And with that plan, He will supply everything I need to carry out that plan. If He thinks my laptop is part of His plan, then He will take care of it. Even though my computer failing is not part of my plan, since it is part of God's....I'll relax....continue doing what I can do and allow God to carry out His plan.

Allowing God to carry out His plans makes any day more positive. Getting frustrated over something I can't change, just ruins my day. Relaxing and letting God do His work and take care of things, is much more enjoyable!