Thanks Living: Instead Choose the BEST

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:2-4

Walk: to regulate one's life, to conduct oneself

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

Sweet-smelling aroma: fragrance, perfume

Fornication: from the Greek "porneuo"; harlotry (including adultery and incest)

Uncleanness: impurity (the quality), physically or morally

Covetousness: greedy desire to have more

Not even: not once, so much as

Be named: of things which are called by their own name because they are present or exist

Fitting: to be suitable or proper

Filthiness: dishonor, shamefulness, obscenity

Foolish talking: silly talk, buffoonery

Course jesting: grossly or obscenely abusive, vulgar or indecent in speech, abusive

Not fitting: unbecoming, discreditable

But: a strong adversative conjunction – but instead

Rather: comparative adverb so it refers to what is better as compared to what is merely "good." This involves prioritizing or ranking to elevate the better over the good, i.e. the higher priority (the more important)

Giving of thanks: gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)

Nicknames are often given based on what we do, or some characteristic we have. What name is associated with you? Is it proper and suitable—for a Christian to have? Does the nickname represent Christ in a good way? 

Ephesians 5:3, 4 give a list of areas to avoid for they are discreditable in view of Christianity. Partaking in those things tarnishes your reputation and creates a pungent odor to God. 

BUT rather—Don't even begin to think about those pungent things, instead choose the BEST! And what is that BETTER thing to choose? Actively giving thanks to God! When we are actively involved in Thanks Living, our desire will be to choose the BEST! 

Prayer a Priority

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! 

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This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.

For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. Colossians 4:13 (AMP)

Paul continues to talk about Epaphras (vs 12, the prayer warrior). 

For I bear him record: The apostle (Paul) was an eye and ear witness of his fervent prayers, his labour of love, and zealous affection for these saints and others; and therefore, as he judged he ought, he bears a testimony for him,

that he hath a great zeal for you: for their spiritual welfare, that the Gospel might continue with them, and they in that, against false teachers, and their attempts to subvert them; that they might grow in the grace of the Gospel, and walk worthy of it, and be at peace among themselves:

and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis: here were many believers, for whom Epaphras had a like zeal and affections as for the Colossians, and to whom very likely he had been useful, either in conversion or edification, or both. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

What an awesome testimony to have—a prayer warrior who has labored hard, who is zealous affection for other christians, and who makes prayer a priority. 

I often wonder what our Churches and Nation would be like, if we each were a bit more like Epaphras. If we made deep spiritual prayer a priority. If we went beyond the "get well", "feel better" surface prayers, and prayed earnestly for maturity and confidence in knowing God's will. 

Making prayer a priority and laboring hard on the behalf of believers—begins when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

Priority One

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 27. Here is what I learned.

You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]. Psalm 27:8 (AMP)

The prodding of my heart leads me to chase after You. I am seeking You, Eternal One—don’t retreat from me. Psalm 27:8 (VOICE)

Necessity. Indispensable. An imperative requirement or need for something. Absolutely necessary. Essential. 

Is God’s Word a vital necessity for me?  Is studying, and applying God’s Word an imperative requirement for me? Does my heart ache for the Truth of God?

I need to make God “Priority One” in my life. For only when I make God “Priority One” will I have the privilege of getting to know Him, and work on building a deeper more meaningful relationship with my great God. 

Necessity. Indispensable. If I really want to create a positive day, God must be “Priority One”!