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. 

Why would I doubt? (James)

For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. James 1:7

For: indeed (a conjunc. used to express cause, explanation, or continuation); take note of what came before (James 1:6)

Not: where one is bidden to cease from something already begun, or repeated, or continued

Think: suppose, imagine

Receive: to gain, get, obtain, to get hold of

Anything: some or any object

From: the side or the vicinity of one, or from one's sphere of power, or from one's wealth or store

Lord: a person exercising absolute ownership rights; denotes an owner (master) exercising full rights 

Why would I ask something of God, knowing that He has FULL OWNERSHIP of everything, only to doubt that He could supply? (James 1:6- Seasick). Asking in faith, doesn't mean that God will automatically give me everything I ask for— rather it means that I will trust God to supply what's BEST for me. 

And remember what James is discussing here, it's not our "wants" in general. Rather, the emphasis is on WISDOM! We are asking God for wisdom, "the art of USING wisdom", so that we can live a godly life that honors and brings glory to Him. 

God is the only source of true wisdom. And if we want wisdom, all we need to do is ask God believing that we will receive wisdom. But often we become "seasick" as we don't trust God to give us what we asked. 

👉👉👉 Perhaps we don't care for the answer wisdom offers. We'd rather go it on our own—since we know better — (we may think that, but NO, we don't). 

👉👉👉 Perhaps we don't really want wisdom, as we know that we would have to change our attitude, actions, and thoughts. 

👉👉👉 Perhaps we don't really want wisdom, for if we USE wisdom, we may have to make lifestyle changes. 

So, if I want to put into practice the art of using wisdom, I need to ask God believing that He will give it to me — knowing that He is fully capable of doing so, as God is the source of wisdom. 

Why would I doubt knowing that I'd receive nothing? Ask in full confidence knowing that God is the source and will give wisdom—and be ready to put that wisdom to good use!

UNSWERVED from the Deliberate Purpose! (James)

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:3

Knowing: to come to know, recognize, perceive

Trying: the proving, a testing; by implication, trustworthiness; trial

Faith: belief, trust, confidence

Worketh: to do that from which something results, produce

Patience: steadfastness, constancy, endurance (the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings)

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/1-3.htm

The characteristic of a man UNSWERVED from his deliberate purpose. Focused. Goal oriented. Steadfast. 

There is a purpose to the testings and trials. There is to be a result from all that happens in our lives. We can have maximum calmness (James 1:2) in the midst of the trials, because we RECOGNIZE that God has a very SPECIFIC purpose. 

UNSWERVED from the Deliberate Purpose!

Power is Readily Available

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

After I finished studying Galatians 5:22-23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words. I don't think I ever noticed how often God tells us to live — the "Fruit of the Spirit". I think that God knew that we needed many reminders and explanations of how He wants to live our lives. 

Today, I'm studying 2 Peter 1:5-7. It starts with "for this very reason" — for this very purpose.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)

I've been thinking about the meaning of "for this very reason". It's not haphazard. There is a very specific purpose that we are — giving all diligence.

Giving all diligence: from speudo; "speed", with eagerness, earnestness.

But before we get to 2 Peter 1:5-7, we should stop and look back at the very specific reason we should quickly with earnestness proceed.

2 Peter 1:1-4

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The two thoughts that stand out to me in these verses are: 1. I owe my live to Jesus Christ. I am his bondservant — because without Him, I would be left in my sin and separated from God. 2. God gives me the power and wisdom needed to live the life He asks me to live. I don't have to do it alone. 

Because of those two facts, for that very reason — and am to speedily with earnest, ADD........ 

Add: "bring deeply into," to carrying through with real personal involvement (energy). This strongly stresses the need of the believer's deep, personal involvement in the faith-life

Faith: Faith is only (exclusively) given to the redeemed. It is not a virtue that can be worked up by human effort.

Virtue: moral excellence, which is displayed to enrich life

Knowledge: moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

Self-control: dominion mastery, proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself — only be accomplished by the power of the Lord.

Perseverance: steadfastness, constancy, endurance, the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

Godliness: reverence, respect, piety toward God

Brotherly kindness: the love which Christians cherish for each other as 'brethren'

Love: love which centers in moral preference;  typically refers to divine love = what God prefers

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_peter/1-5.htm

There is a theme that runs through the meaning of these words — moral. And that morality is not based on feelings, or what I perceive to be moral on any given day. No, these are all based on what God says is morality. 

And since they are each based upon the Holy and Upright God, God Almighty, there is no way I, as a sinner, could even begin to achieve or live out any of these characteristics — EXCEPT for the fact that God says that HE gives me the power and wisdom needed to do so! 

The focus for this particular study is "self-control". Before I can have dominion mastery, I just first make sure that I'm accepting God's faith, virtue, and knowledge. For those are the foundation necessary to having self-control. 

Dominion Mastery — can only be accomplished by the power of the Lord. And that power is readily available. The question is, am I willing to accept it? 

Amazing Prayer

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Goodness: beyond being good — doing good

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,  that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

Pray: with a specific result in mind

Count you worthy: matching value to actual substance – i.e. worth as it corresponds to reality

Fulfill: to make complete in every particular; to render perfect

All: any and every, of every kind

Good pleasures: delight, pleasure, satisfaction: with the genitive of the thing that pleases

Goodness: uprightness of heart and life; beyond being good — doing good

Work:  the course of conduct which springs from faith

Power: "inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth"

Glorified: viewed in high, personal esteem, befitting great (intrinsic) worth

According to:  in consequence of, by virtue of

Grace: "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues"

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_thessalonians/1-11.htm

That is why [To that end; In this regard] we always pray for you, asking our God to ·help you live the kind of life he called you to live [make/consider you worthy of his calling]. We pray that with his power God will ·help you do the good things you want [ fulfill every desire for goodness] and ·perform the works that come from your [every work of] faith.  We pray all this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will ·have glory [be glorified] in you, and you ·will have glory in him [ in him]. That glory comes from the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (EXB)

What an amazing prayer. A prayer with a specific RESULT in mind. A prayer that one's faith be real, evident and truly lived. A prayer that I need to pray for myself and others. A prayer where the results are possible, because of God's goodness! 

Impossible Requests

Have you ever thought of the impossible requests God made of individuals?

I was thinking this morning of some of the "Impossible" requests, the responses to those requests by the individuals, and the reactions by others, the relationship between God and the person, and the amazing things God accomplished when people acted in faith to obediently fulfill His requests.

Examples:

Noah. He was told to build a enormous boat - that took "forever" to build because God would flood the earth.

Joseph. Not sure he fully understood all that God requested of him, but he remained faithful through all the struggles. And God put him in the exact place and gave him the authority necessary to help his family.

Moses. He was told to lead the Children of Israel from Egypt to the Promise Land. Not only did he have to face Pharaoh many times, he had to deal with all the complaining and hardships along the way.

Joshua and Caleb. They were excited to conquer the giants, but others were not. Then Joshua took over the leading of the people. And I love that Caleb, even in his old age, claimed the mountain that God had promised him.

Daniel. So much was requested of him and he remained faithful.

Those are just a few examples. As I was thinking about the requests, the obedience and all that God accomplished through individuals — I wonder..... how would my account, of obedience to what God has requested me to do, read?

Something to think about, and pray about..........

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. 

Trust: Accomplish His Plan

Trust

As I continue on my desire to have a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, I thought I'd study "Trust" throughout the Bible. What is trust? In whom do I place my trust? Who is trustworthy? Am I trustworthy? What are the results of trusting God? How do you continue to trust God with things don't go as I planned? 

I'm looking forward to learning about Trust, hope you will enjoy reading what I learn as I study God's Word. 

__________________________________________

And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God). Genesis 15:6

The command to go to the land which the Lord would show him, accompanied with the promise to make of him a great nation, had awakened in him a certain expectation; which, however, waited for some performance to ripen it into faith. But waiting in a state of suspense is not faith, but doubt; and faith after performance is not faith, but sight. 

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

What was there now, then, to call forth Abram‘s faith more than at the first promise? There was the reiteration of the promise. There was the withholding of the performance, leaving room for the exercise of pure faith. There was time to train the mind to this unaccustomed idea and determination. And, lastly, there was the sublime assurance conveyed in the sentence, “I am thy shield, thy exceeding great reward,” transcending all the limits of time and place, comprehending alike the present and the eternal, the earthly and the heavenly. This, coupled with all the recorded and unrecorded dealings of the Lord, leads him to conceive the nobler feeling of faith in the Promiser, antecedent to any part of the execution, any unfolding of the plan, or any removal of the obvious difficulty.

Thus, faith springs solely from the seed of promise. And from that moment there stands up and grows within the breast of man the right frame of mind toward the God of mercy - the germ of a mutual good understanding between God and man which will spread its roots and branches through the whole soul, to the exclusion of every noxious plant, and blossom forth unto the blessed fruit of all holy feelings and doings.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Abram trusted in the Lord even when it seemed impossible, because God had fulfilled other promises. Although Abram couldn't understand or even begin to see how God would accomplish His promise, Abram trusted. 

Abram trusted in God. And God saw that Abram was willing to trust God to make the seemingly impossible happen. When we place our trust in God and WAIT on Him to accomplish HIS plan in HIS time, we have a peace and joy that overflows when God acts. However, when we try to do things on our own, then we cause trouble for ourselves and others! Consequence of trust in God lead to promises fulfilled and joy! Consequence of trust in oneself or others, often leads to misery and heartache. 

If I want to learn to trust God and wait on Him to accomplish His plan for me and through me, then my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For only when I have a deep reverence and respect for God, will I be willing to wait on Him and TRUST that He will, in His time and in accordance with His will, accomplish His plan. 

Joy-Giver

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon. 

For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother. Philemon 1:7 (AMP)

This verse shows the importance of encouraging and helping others. Philemon encouraged and gave joy to others and this in turn encouraged and gave Paul joy as he heard about what Philemon was doing. 

Philemon as a "joy-giver". That's a great reputation to have! Being a "joy-giver" begins with helping and encouraging those at home, then in your neighborhood, and then as word spreads can encourage others. 

Being a "joy-giver" starts with a heart right with God. Again this goes back the study of Colossians 3:1-17 "put on". And Philemon 1:5, "your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus". As one loves God and "puts on" the characteristics of God's love, then the result can be becoming a "joy-giver"!

A "joy-giver" begins with a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For out of the heart filled with love and respect for God, will flow the joy and encouragement to all those around you. 

Living + Effectual = Acknowledging God

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon. 

[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].

Philemon 1:6 (AMP)

That the communication of thy faith: An account of it, of its actings and exercises, of the joy of it, and of the peace a soul is filled with through believing, may be given to the mutual comfort and edification of saints; and it may be shown forth to others by the fruits of it, works of righteousness: but here it seems to design acts of beneficence, communicating to the necessities of others, as flowing from faith; and these words are to be connected with Philemon 1:4 as a part of the apostle's prayers, as what is contained in the preceding verse is the matter of his thanksgiving. And his prayer is, that such a communication of good things, which springs from faith, 

may be effectual: to answer some very good purposes, the good of others, and the service of the interest of Christ, and the glory of God; or, that it "may be evident"; that it "may be fruitful in works"; or show itself in fruits of righteousness, in works of mercy and kindness; and the apostle's sense is, that it might be more and more so: 

by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus: the meaning is, that every good thing that is in the saints, or among them, should be acknowledged to come to them in and through Christ Jesus, in whom all fulness of grace dwells, and from whom all is imparted; and that every good thing that is communicated, or done in faith, which is effectual to any good purpose, should be owned as done by the grace and strength of Christ, and be done to his saints, as if done to himself, and be directed to his glory.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Talking about and living one's faith should be effectual and evident, resulting in acknowledge that God is the One who blesses us with grace. And this is only possible when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Diligent & Evidence

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon. 

I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,

Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

Philemon 1:4, 5 (AMP)

Paul once again mentions that he is praying for others. This such an important aspect in the Christian life, but so often neglected. I also like the fact that Paul lets others know that he is praying for them. What a great encouragement that is; to know someone is praying for you. 

Thanks to God:

A prayerful heart is keenly appreciative of the least evidence of Christian excellence, and joyfully thanks God as the Source and Giver of all good. Prayer and gratitude are usually blended together. 

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

Word travels fast... and even faster today with the internet! Paul continued to hear about the faith and love demonstrated. What a great thing to hear about another person; love and loyal faith! 

Love and Faith:

This faith embodies the theoretic principles of Christian life, while this love for saints embodies these principles on their practical side. Like heart and lungs in the body, each has its own functions; and, though separate, the one never acts apart from the other--life being the combined play of both. Faith binds to all Christian verities, translating them into personal convictions; while love binds to all Christian motives, translating these into personal activities--love being well called the daughter of faith and the mother of virtue and good works. A. H. Drysdale, M. A.

Am I praying diligently for others? Am I encouraging them, by telling them I'm praying for them? 

What are others hearing about me? Are they hearing about my love and loyal faith to God? Is the love I have for God evident to those around me? 

A heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will cause one to be diligent in prayer, and there will be evidence of a love for God in his/her life. 

Steadfastness

For though I am away from you in body, yet I am with you in spirit, delighted at the sight of your [standing shoulder to shoulder in such] orderly array and the firmness and the solid front and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. Colossians 2:5 (AMP)

Steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 

Steadfastness: unwavering, adherence, faithfulness, determination, fortitude, moral fiber, resolve, tenacity

As I studied this verse, I couldn't have explained the truth better than John Gill's did here: 

and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ;

either in the grace of faith, and the exercise of it on Christ, in opposition to doubtings and unbelief; whereby God is honoured, and with which he is well pleased; souls are filled with peace and joy; Satan is resisted and overcome; and the hearts of others, particularly ministers of the Gospel, are comforted: or in the doctrine of faith respecting Christ, in which they stood fast; notwithstanding there was a majority against it, the wise and learned, the rich and mighty, did not receive it; and though it was opposed by false teachers, persecuted by profane men, and loaded with reproach and obloquy; and also in the profession of it, which they held without wavering: now to see a set of Christians, a church of Christ walking together in Gospel order, steady in their faith on Christ, abiding by the doctrine of faith, and maintaining an honourable profession, how beautiful and delightful is it! John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

What a great testimony... steadfastness of your faith, whereby God is honored, and with which he is well pleased; souls are filled with peace and joy. 

And that is only possible, when hearts are permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). 

Do I have my “God-glasses” on?

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The eighth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 90. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Show your servants ·the wonderful things you do [your miracles]; ·show your greatness [your splendor/beauty] to their children. Psalm 90:16 (EXB) 

Let Your work of love be on display for all Your servants; let Your children see Your majesty. Psalm 90:16 (VOICE)

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children. Psalm 90:16 (ASV)

I can “see” thing differently depending on my perspective. I noticed this today as I drove to my Chiropractic appointment. When I put on my sunglasses, my vision was sharper and clearer...but the clouds also looked darker. Sunglasses “tint” my perspective. When I had on my “normal” glasses, the sky was brighter, but it was harder to see details due to the glare of the sun. Glasses may make things appear brighter, but I miss the blessings of the details. 

As I look at what God is doing, I wonder which glasses I have on—ones that allow me to see greater detail, or ones that blur my vision so that things may appear brighter, but I miss the details.

Often when God works, He does not show us all the details at once, rather He shows us only what we need to see to be able to take the next step of faith. However, I often try to look in the future to see all the details, but I’m learning, if I try to look too far ahead, I miss what God wants to show me in the “here and now”. 

If I want to see the wonderful things God is doing, I need to make sure I’m wearing “God-glasses” and looking at things from His perspective. If I do see dark clouds on the horizon, I need to be patient and know that if God does send a storm, He will be right there with me. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I have on my “God-glasses” so I don’t miss the wonderful things God is doing! 

Is it responsibility or lack of faith?

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Since God will supply, do I just sit back and do nothing? Or do I have a responsibility to do something? If I do something, is that showing a lack of faith, or just being responsible?
Now that I've got you thinking, I'll share my thoughts on the question. I think it's a combination of both trusting God and doing my part. God does expect me to act responsibly and use my resources well. I need to make wise decisions and be good stewards of my money, time, talent, and resources. Of course, God can do anything and meet any need without any help from me! God does not NEED my help—believe me!
Being on disability due to a back injury, I'm on pain medication. And each year, I hit the "doughnut hole" in coverage. (For those not familiar with Medicare Part D. When you hit a certain dollar amount, you become 100% responsible for the medication.) That means my medications cost over $400 a month, rather than just over $50. Since my pain medications contain morphine, I cannot stop cold turkey. Plus, the meds are necessary to just function each day. So they are a NEED.
This brings me to my original thought. With the increase in costs, do I sit back and wait for God to supply? I know He is ABLE. But, I personally believe that I have a responsibility too. What can I do being on disability and unable to work? I am more careful with using lights when I don't need them. I also unplug all my electronics at night. I never use the clocks on those things anyway! "But that's just pennies and you need dollars"....yes, but pennies do add up. And if I do watch my pennies, I know God can take care of the dollars.
What if God doesn't supply by the time you need to refill your meds? That's easy. I'll pay cash for what I can and charge the rest. Just because I have to buy the meds on that day; that doesn't mean God has to meet the need by that day. God is not limited by time. If I have to charge part of my meds, so be it. God knows that, and He can supply any interest added to the bill too. God is not limited by amounts either.
So, back to my original question. Am I being responsible or simply not having faith, if I do what I can to meet a need? My answer. I'm being responsible by doing my part while trusting God to supply my needs. There is still the faith that God can supply my needs, but God also has given me a responsibility to do what I can.
Now that I've shared my answer to the question, what's your answer?

Creating a positive day isn't just done when things are going "great". But creating a positive day is a possible every day, it's all a matter of "choice of focus". To create a positive day, you focus on the good things. Can't think of any? What about the fact that God loves you unconditionally? That is the most positive fact to focus on!