MAXIMUM Calm Delight! (James)

Continuing my study in James. 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1:2

Brethren: a fellow-Christian

Count: (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think

All: the highest degree, the maximum

Joy: the cause or occasion of joy, calm delight, gladness

Fall into: so to fall into as to be encompassed by

Divers: variegated, various in character, diverse

Temptations: adversity, affliction, trouble (cf. our trial), sent by God and serving to test or prove one's faith, holiness, character, a putting to proof

Make the determination (rule over/have the power) to choose maximum calm delight when I am encompasses by a wide variety of trouble as God works to prove me faithful! (Rhonda's paraphrase)

Choose MAXIMUM Calm Delight! 

Attitude and Accountability

Join me as I study the book of James. 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1 (KJV)

Servant: one who gives himself up wholly to another's will

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

Greeting: to be well, to thrive, to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off

Being a servant is a choice. And choosing whom you will serve is an important factor to consider! James, chose to be a servant, to God, and the LORD Jesus Christ. 

Because James placed his faith in Jesus Christ, then the Lord has full ownership of James (and anyone else who places their faith in Christ). And as a servant of Christ, there comes responsibilities and accountabilities. 

James begins his letter, with the word "greeting". I like the meaning of that word, "to thrive". And I like that meaning especially as you read verse 2. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." 

But we'll study that verse another day. Today's focus is on my attitude and accountability of being a servant to the LORD Jesus Christ. Since He has full ownership of me, He can choose what comes into my life. I am responsible to handle it with the grace and mercy He provides so that He will be glorified. 

I am to wholly give myself to the LORD (absolute ownership rights) and live my life honoring and representing Him well. 

Thanks Living: Blithesomeness

For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3

Joy: exultation, cheerfulness; specifically, welcome - gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing

Gladness: lighthearted; merry; cheerful, blithesomeness

Thanksgiving: in songs of liturgical worship (of or relating to formal public worship)

Voice: meaning to call aloud, thunderous

Melody: as subject of song, to celebrate in song and music -- give praise

The prophet exhorts the children of Abraham to trust in the Lord; and briefly, but beautifully, describes the great blessedness which should be the consequence, Isaiah 51:1-3. 

Adam Clarke Commentary

Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the Lord. Isaiah 51:1a

Obeying God fills one with a sense of awe, wonderment and cheerfulness. Blithesomeness (a new word for me), meaning:

Blithe: without thought or regard; carefree; joyous or merry in disposition

Some: characterized by

So, the result of trusting and obeying God is being characterized with a disposition of joyfulness! 

Disposition: the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; naturalmental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude.

Blithesomeness the PREDOMINANT tendency of one's spirit, characteristic attitude—that's what Thanks Living is all about! Having a predominate tendency to give thanks and praise to God! And notice is all STARTS with trusting God. 

Thanks Living—Blithesomeness! 

A Cheerful Christmas!

I will be glad and rejoice in You I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!
Psalm 9:2

Crowds, complaints, long check out lines,
You better watch out, you better not cry,
The chaos makes our tune all wrong.
Time to change our focus and sing God’s song!

Family, friends, neighbors, kids too 
Complaints, frustrations, expectations
No matter who or what, be unwavering—
Let your speech to God be favoring!

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and Friend
Oh the joy — when we comprehend!
-Rhonda Sawtelle

Cheerful Attitude

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.   

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 (AMP)

Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, Colossians 3:23 (TLB)

Whatever the task—no matter what it is—do it with a cheer attitude and to the VERY BEST of my ability. Remember I am working for GOD, not just your employer. 

If you do all your work in that spirit, how noble it becomes, and how cheerfully you will get through it! You may have a master who is unworthy of your service; yet, if you “do it heartily, as to the Lord,” you will have rest of heart even in serving those who are froward and perverse, and the Lord will reward your service in due time. Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible

How often do I do something to the very best of my ability, but the entire time I'm grumbling and complaining about the task at hand? The two (hard work and cheerful attitude) must go together. 

I can't help but think of "Mary Poppin's" as I read this verse. 

"In every job that must be done, there is an element of funYou find the fun and snap, the job's a gameAnd every task you undertake becomes a piece of cakeA lark, a spree, it's very clear to see...."

In each and every task, I am to put my whole heart into it, cheerfully to my utmost best — because I am serving our Great God! 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, then that will be evident in my cheerful attitude as I carry out each and every task I'm given.