Thanks Living: Which State Are You In?

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Continue: give constant attention to a thing

Vigilant: to be watchful in, employ the most punctilious care in a thing

In, With: of the state or condition in which anything is done or anyone exists, acts

Thanksgiving: gratitude; actively, grateful language to God, as an act of worship

The state in which anything is done, or anyone exists or acts.

We all are in some State.

No, I don't mean one of the United States, I mean the STATE—

State: the condition of a person or thing, as with respect to circumstances or attributes; particular condition of mind or feeling

We all are in some State—how we respond to what is happening to us and around us, our thoughts and actions/reactions to life. 

We are to be giving constant attention to prayer—our need and desire to communicate with God—and be most punctilious in actively thanking God. 

We are to be in a constant state of thanking God! When Thanks Living is where we take up residence, our perspective on life changes. We see how God is working in aspects of our lives. We see God's blessings where before we only saw questions or disappointments. And when we are in the state of Thanks Living, joy begins to overwhelm us as we trust God. 

Which State are you in? Are you in the state of Thanks Living? 

Proverbs 3:7, 8: Do Be. Will Be.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7, 8

Do be: exist, abide, remain, continue

Not: to express with emphasis its negation (NO!!)

Wise: shrewd, crafty, cunning

Your own eyes: think best, of mental and spiritual faculties

Fear: reverence, honor

Depart: turn aside, out of one's course

Evil: ethical evil

Will be: fall out, come to pass, become, result

Health: healing

Flesh: body

Strength: drink (figurative for refreshment)

Bones: as representing entire person = one's whole being, including physical and moral

Do Be. Will Be. 

Often we see people out shopping, and we stop and say to ourselves, "Did that person even look in a mirror before they left the house?" We see one thing, and that person saw another. 

We don't always see ourselves honestly. We see ourselves in the way we want to be, not what we actually are. We tend to put ourselves the best light possible. Who wants to admit that we aren't wise, and good, and..... the list goes on. 

Yet, trying to be wise based on our own cunning crafty ways is just plain foolishness. Do Be. The fact is that we will BE, exist in someway. The question is how will be "Do Be"? Will be "Do Be" based on our own shrewd and cunning ways to get what we want and try to survive? Or will be "Do Be" based on the fear of God and His sovereign and holy wisdom? 

Do Be. We will exist. That's a fact. The choice clear—oneself or God.

Will Be. The Result is also clear. Fearing God has a greater result as it will result in healing refreshment to the body and soul. When the soul is at peace with God, then one's whole being is refreshed—pure peace from God Himself. 

If I want to enjoy the end result of refreshment from God, then my heart must first be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Act 9:31 MSG). And as my heart is set to fear God, my "Do Be" will be in accordance with God and the end result will be peaceful refreshment.