Thanks Living: If I am mindful...

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17

Whatever: everything (anything) whatsoever

Word: the act of speaking

Deed: the idea of working; doing

Do all: whatsoever

Name: relying or resting on the name of Christ, rooted (so to speak) in his name, i. e. mindful of Christ

Give thanks: to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude 

Father: one who imparts life and is committed to it; a progenitor, bringing into being to pass on the potential for likeness

Through: of one who is the author of the action as well as its instrument, or of the efficient cause (because the possibility both of glorifying God and of giving thanks to him is due to the kindness of Christ)

If I am mindful of Christ, then my attitude and action will be done in accordance with His will. And my heart-set and mind-set will be filled and overflowing with gratitude to God, the Father. 

If I am mindful...... 

There are times, when being mindful of Christ is easy, and then other times, not so much. During those "other times", my focus changes from Christ, to ME—and that is a dangerous occurrence. For when "Me, myself, and I" take the lead, I not only am telling God He doesn't know what He's doing, I am setting myself up for disappointment, discouragement and heartbreak. 

If I am mindful......

Creating a habit of relying and being mindful of Christ—how exactly is that done? First and foremost, I must acknowledge that God is real, and that He sets the standard. I must accept God as Lord and Savior. Then as I begin to know God, learn who God is, learn His ways, learn His characteristics, then that solid unwavering trust is developed and then the desire to obey Him impacts my actions and attitudes. 

If I am mindful—

That means, when I get frustrated with someone, I stop and pray—that creates a change in attitude. Then I must act on that change in attitude! 

That means, when I don't want to do something, I stop and pray —that creates a change in my attitude with then will translate into action. 

That means, when "Me, myself, and I" want to make the decisions, I stop and pray—that creates a spirit of humility allowing God to once again become "number 1" and my attitude and actions will change in accordance with His will. 

If I am mindful—

That means, each and every actions and attitude must first be "approved" by Christ. If Christ disapproves—there must be a change on my part. 

If I am mindful—

I will not only have the desire, but the determination to act and respond Christ-like in each and every situation. 

If I am mindful—then I'll want to express my gratitude to God by having the right actions and attitude. That means that Thanks Living is to be evident in each chore, in each interaction, in each and every thought. 

If  I am mindful........ 

Another post on Colossians 3:17: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/06/do-all.html

Proverbs 12:21-23 Honor in Communication

No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. Proverbs 12:21-23

Lying: deceitful, falsehood, untruth, sham

Abomination: something disgusting

Lord: God of deity, Yahweh

Truthfully: steadfastness, fidelity, faithfulness, trust

Delight: goodwill, good pleasure

Prudent: a shrewd (in a good sense) or sensible man

Conceals: overwhelms, is full, securely hidden

Heart: knowledge

Fools: stupid fellow, dullard

Foolishness: folly, (from the word "evil", meaning to be perverse)

Lying lips disgust the Eternal, but those who act faithfully delight Him. Proverbs 12:22
(VOICE)The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22
(NIV)Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22 (AMP)

Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. Proverbs 12:23 (GNT)

A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows, but a fool betrays his incompetence. Proverbs 12:23 (VOICE)

Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness. Proverbs 12:23 (MSG)

As I read these verses, I kept thinking that verse 23 should precede vs 22. If you don't talk a lot, you won't lie. Simple right? 

Although that is true. When I looked back at the verses, I realized one very important detail—where the Lord fits, and where I fit. 

Vs 22 clearly states that Lying is an abomination to the Lord. Lying is disgusting to God. He abhors it. 

vs. 23 shares the impact of talking on those around us. When we talk too much, we get ourselves into trouble. 

Vs 22: God directed.

Vs 23: People directed. 

If I guard against lying, I will THINK before speaking, and therefore I am more opt to keep my mouth shut! 

Lying is deceitful. It damages trust. It causes doubt. And it is disgusting to God! 

Too often we try to justify lying. We don't want to hurt someone's feelings, or we want to get out of trouble, or the lie makes us sound "better." 

No matter why we want to lie—it's sin. Period. No justification or reason makes lying "ok". 

"Smart people keep quiet." (Proverbs 12:22; GNT)

You don't have to tell everything you know. Often, it's better to remain quiet, than to share all the wisdom you have (or think you have). We've all been in situations where someone starts talking, and you soon realize that the person talking has NO knowledge about the subject, yet they can't stop talking — even if it is pure nonsense. Just because you KNOW something, doesn't mean to share that knowledge. Often it's better to be quiet and listen. 

We all like communicating. Phones aren't just for talking anymore, now there is texting, emails, Twitter, Facebook, integral, Pinterest..... the list goes on and on. No matter HOW you are communicating, the importance is WHAT you are communicating! 

Are my words TRUE? Are they KIND? Are they NECESSARY? Are they BENEFICIAL? Are they PURPOSEFUL? 

In order to have my communication truthful and appropriate, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when I am fearing and respecting God, I'll want to honor Him in my communication. 

Proverbs 8:6-9: Lying. Is it a big deal?

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:6-9

Excellent things: princely things—as from a commander or honorable position; excellent things

Right things: in ethical sense, uprightness, as taught in the school of wisdom

Truth: trustworthiness, faithful,

Wickedness: wrong (especially moral)

Abomination: something disgusting (morally)

Righteousness: the right (natural, moral or legal), accurate

Nothing: does not exist

Crooked: fraudulent, anything tortuous (not direct or straightforward), deceitfully indirect

Perverse: distorted, false

Plain: straightforward, correct, integrity, right, uprightness

Understands: diligently, discerns

Right: straightforward, just upright

Find: thing sought, acquire

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Lying. 

Is it really something to ignore? Or is it a big deal? 

Is there such a thing as a "white lie"?

It is ok to lie so you don't hurt a person's feelings?

Is it EVER ok to lie?

Are there circumstances that warrant lying? 

What is a lie? 

Dictionary.com:

a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; anintentional untruth; a falsehood.to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive; convey a false impression

What does lying do? 

First off, it lays a foundation for mistrust. How can one be trusted if they lie? 

Second, it makes one question everything said thereafter. If you lied once, are you lying now? 

And lastly,  it starts a snowball effect. For when you lie once, you must maintain the lie, and that leads to additional lies. 

Justification for lying? 

Is there such a thing? Well, it's so we don't hurt someone's feelings. REALLY? Tell a lie, so that person can't trust us later? That justifies lying? 

If I tell the truth, the person won't like me? Again, REALLY? A person would like you if you lied, but not if you told the truth. And if that person won't like you if you told the truth, what does it say about that person? Is that really someone you want to like you? Someone whose relationship is based on mistrust and lying? Yeah, that's a great foundation for friendship—NOT! 

Lying. It is a big deal. It is not something to ignore. 

Wisdom does not lie. Wisdom is to be trusted. Wisdom doesn't try to flatter or smooth talk her way around issues. Wisdom is straightforward and honest! 

Perhaps if we all had hearts that were permeated with a deep sense of reverence (fear) for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), there would be a lot less lying and more honesty.

Lying is a big deal, because it is sin. That's it, period. No white lies, not justification, call it what it is—SIN. And that is a big deal to God. And if you want to live in accordance with His wisdom, lying will be a big deal to you too.

Speech that Reflects God Almighty

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 Colossians.    

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:6 (AMP)

Let your speech: Your conversation.

Be alway with grace: It should be such as religion is fitted to produce; such as to show that the grace of God is in our hearts. It means that our conversation should be such as to show that we are governed by the principles of religion, and that there is unfeigned piety in the heart. So as to show that the soul is under the influence of love to the Redeemer.

Seasoned with salt: That our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food. It makes it wholesome and palatable. 

That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man: Be imbued with the spirit of piety, that you may not utter any thing that would be rash and foolish, but be prepared to answer anyone who may question you about your religion in a way that will show that you understand its nature, and that will tend to edification. If he addresses you in a haughty, insolent, and overbearing manner, you will be able to repress the risings of your temper, and to answer him with gentleness and kindness.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Speech. Conversation. And yes, this includes Facebook, Twitter, texting, emails, and other forms of communication. 

When we communicate it should be through the filter of God's grace. Each word we speak (write), should be such that it reflects God Almighty. 

That does not mean that we can't talk about Sports, or the weather, or other topics. Rather when we are speaking about ANY and ALL topics, our conversation is one that will still honor God. We must make sure that we are speaking THE truth—not embellishing, or gossiping, or slandering .... the list can continue. 

Speech that reflects God Almighty. When certain people are present, our speech is altered. For example, most people won't swear in the presence of a Clergyman or Priest. If we wouldn't say something in the presence of a human, then why would be think it ok to say it at all? For God Almighty is ALWAYS present! 

Is my speech reflecting my relationship with God Almighty? Are the things I'm "liking" and reposting on Facebook and Twitter reflecting God's grace? Am I speaking the truth? Am I gossiping? 

Only when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of God's reverence (Acts 9:31 MSG), will my speech reflect God Almighty. 

My Silence is Shouting

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 19. Here is what I learned.

They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard. Psalm 19:3 (EXB)

There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3 (AMP)

Inaudible words are their manner of speech, and silence, their means to convey. Psalm 19:3 (VOICE)

`They have no speech, nor words, nor is their voice heard; yet into all the earth hath gone out their sound, and to the extremity of the world their words.' The Hebrew, kav, rendered, line, like the Greek by which the LXX (who are followed by Paul), render it, no doubt signifies the sound as well as the cord which emits it. The Vulgate, Jerome, and Symmachus, render it to the same purpose. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

There is no speech, etc. The sunset was one of the most glorious I ever beheld, and the whole earth seemed so still that the voice of neither God nor man was heard. There was not a ripple upon the waters, not the leaf of a tree, nor even of a blade of grass moving, and the rocks upon the opposite shore reflected the sun's "after glow," and were again themselves reflected from or in the river during the brief twilight, in a way I do not remember ever to have beheld before. No! I will not say the voice of God was not heard; it spoke in the very stillness as loud as in roaring thunder, in the placid scene as in rocks and cliffs impassable, and louder still in the heavens and in the firmament, and in the magnificent prospect around me. His wondrous works declared him to be near, and I felt as if the very ground upon which I was treading was holy. John Gadsby

Without uttering a sound, the stars speak volumes about God. His power. His majesty. His greatness. His eternality. Silent, but still glorifying and honoring God. 

One thing I’ve learned, especially living in an apartment building, is that people enjoy “people watching”. As people watch me, what do they hear? Even without uttering a word, my actions and attitude convey a message. What is my silence shouting? 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure that my silence is shouting praise and honor to God. 

Tried and True

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 111. Here is what I learned.

All His accomplishments are truth and justice; all His instructions are certain. Psalm 111:7 (VOICE)

In all he does he is faithful and just; all his commands are dependable. Psalm 111:7 (GNT)

·Everything he does is [The deeds of his hands are] ·good [faithful; true] and ·fair [just]; all his ·orders [precepts] ·can be trusted [are faithful/true/reliable]. Psalm 111:7 (EXB)

Dependable. I’m so thankful that God is dependable and that all His commands are dependable.

Reliable, responsible, always there, carrying the load, certain, constant, faithful, good as one's word, loyal, rocklike, secure, stable, staunch, steadfast, steady, sturdy, sure, to be counted on, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty, unfailing. 

No matter how you say it... God is trustworthy. He Himself if trustworthy, and He only speaks truth. Tried-and true. 

Knowing that there is Someone you can always count on to keep their word, provides an assurance that is indisputable. God doesn’t say things to “make us feel good”. Nor does He say things because it’s what WE want to hear. Rather God only speaks truth. 

Often, we place are faith in people, then we are disappointed with they don’t follow through or when they don’t live up to our expectations. But although people have good intentions and don’t always mean to break their promises, people are not always dependable. 

Whereas, God keeps all His promises. He is truth, and can only speak truth. He is trustworthy. He can be counted on. He is steadfast. He is tried and true! 

To create a positive day, I only need to place my faith in God and His Word—for He is tried and true and so is His Word!

Heard, because it was Spoken!

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 twelfth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 138. Here's what Treasure I found today.

All the kings of the land shall give You credit and praise You, O Lord, for they have heard of the promises of Your mouth [which were fulfilled]. Psalm 138:4 (AMP)

All the kings of the earth will give thanks to you, O Lord, because they have heard the promises you spoke. Psalm 138:4 (GW)

heard: to hear intelligently, attentively, carefully, certainly, consider.

Praise was given to God because the kings of the land, HEARD. If the message isn’t communicated, then people can’t hear.. and there is no praise. 

In the world of twitter, facebook, emails, text messages, etc., we have instant access to telling people what is going on in our lives. We make sure everyone knows what we ate for dinner, or what we are doing at that very instant, or who we just saw, or even our location. 

But how many times do we share what God is doing in our lives? How many times do we share what God is teaching us? How many times do we simply share God’s love with others? How can people praise God... if they don’t hear? And how can they hear, if we don’t speak? 

I think it’s time I evaluate my tweets, wall posts, emails, and even my actual spoken words, to see if I’m speaking about God and His promises. For if I want the ‘kings of the lands” to praise God... it has to start with me voicing reasons that my God should be praised. 

Heard, because it was spoken—and if I want to create a positive day filled with praise to God, I must be speaking about Him!