1 Thessalonians: Activity Express Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Give thanks: to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards)
Always: evermore
All: means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies. The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time. Then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
Mention:  recollection; by implication, recital -- mention, remembrance; a bringing to mind, a mention (recollection); a personal remembrance recalling a particular aspect of a person
Prayers: earnest prayer; addressed to God
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_thessalonians/1-2.htm

"Please" and "Thank You". Words that as a child I was reminded to say often. Sadly, in our society today, those words have disappeared. Expressing gratitude is only in fashion in November as we celebrate "Thanksgiving. But that's shortlived as the sales start on Thanksgiving day. We can't even be grateful for what we have for a single day? We have to begin to "get" after a few hours?! 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:2, the focus is not on being grateful for things, but rather people, in particular, the Church in the City of Thessalonica. And as we see from the meaning of the word, "all", but only as an entire group, but EACH individual in that Church. 

Give thanks to God always for you all. 
Stop and think of the people in your life. First, those who live in the same home as you. Next, those with whom you work. Then friends and acquaintances. When was the last time you stopped and thanked God for those whom He has brought into your life? 

Activity express gratitude to God for the people in your life. That's action. And I think a very good challenge! 

Will you accept the challenge of activity expressing gratitude to God for the people in your life? 

Thanks Living: At a Loss for Words

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Indescribable: to describe and commemorate which words fail

Gift: focusing on "the free nature of the gift"

At a loss for words. 

How does one give thanks for a gift that is beyond description? 

Do I even grasp or understand the value that gift? 

He then recites the advantages of giving. The first of these is that giving will fill the wants of the saints. That in itself is good, but the outcome is even better. Through such ministry gifts will cause glory to God.

And yet again, they will bring the intercession of those they have helped, a harvest of precious value. The final word concerning this whole subject is an expression of thanks to God for His unspeakable gift, for the apostle knows that the remembrance of it will do more than all his argument to stimulate the generosity of those who have received the inestimable blessing. 

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift;” i. e., His own Son to come down, suffer and die to redeem us all from sin, death and Hell; in consideration of which momentous reality how glad should we be to cast in our little mite and bear some humble part in the glorious enterprise for which God gave His only Son to die. This is the climax of all incentives to Christian liberality. William Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

Thanks Living: Recount in Celebration (TOWDAH)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:21, 22

Give thanks: praise

Goodness: covenant loyalty, lovingkindness in redemption from enemies and troubles

Wonderful works: to be surpassing or extraordinary

Sacrifice: denotes worship or adoration

Thanksgiving: Towdah (todah), thanking God for “things not yet received" as well as things already at hand.

Declare: intensively, to recount, celebrate

Rejoicing: gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, triumph; shout of joy

God is loyal and faithful.

He has done mighty and beyond extraordinary things.

He more than deserves our worship and adoration.

Because God is faithful, He deserves our thanks for past, present, and future blessings. 

His loving acts and kindness should be counted and recounted in celebration of who God is! 

And in doing each of these, the heart should be overflowing with joy—causing one to shout in triumph and joy!

Thanks Living, TOWDAH. Recount in celebration God's faithfulness! 

Thanks Living: Promote Proudly (TOWDAH)

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Praise: be boastful, celebrate, to shine

Song: in worship

Magnify: To be, make, large in estate or honor, also in pride; promote, proudly

Thanksgiving: Towdah (or todah), thanking God for “things not yet received" as well as things already at hand.

Promote proudly.

We wear shirts, shoes, jerseys and we carry travel mugs, backpacks, etc all showing our favorite sports team/player. We do it proudly. 

Right now March Madness is happening. People have changed their Facebook profile to proudly promote their team. 

How do I promote God Almighty? 

The way which is one that can be done by all—is to praise and give thanks to God. Be boastful in my speech, and words. Promote God by thanking Him for all He's done and all He's going to do. 

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Thanks Living—promote proudly with TOWDAH, my great and awesome God! 

Thanks Living: TOWDAH

Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; Psalm 50:14

Offer to God thanksgiving. 

Offer: Sacrifice

Thanksgiving: TOWDAH

-TOWDAH-

Thanking God for “things not yet received"

as well as things already at hand.

Do I thank God for "things not yet received"? 

When I stop and remember all the blessings that God has given me—WOW! I can't imagine what He has in store. But then I remember that HE is GOD—He has unlimited resources, and He is very creative, and He loves me—so it should be a joy to give thanksgiving to God for things not yet received! 

Today's Sunday School lesson is on Joshua 3 and 4. God told the Israelites to set up a memorial stones to remember what God had done. Too often we forget what God has done — and forget that God can do it again, or something totally different, to meet our needs and take care of us—all to accomplish His will and bring Him glory and honor. 

-TOWDAH-

Thanking God for “things not yet received"

as well as things already at hand.

True Thanks Living is TOWDAH. Knowing with full confidence that God will continue to accomplish His will, in His way, in His time—because I know who God is, and remember what He has done. TOWDAH—thanking God! 

Thanks Living: Actively Expressing Gratitude

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Give thanks: actively to express gratitude

Always: at all times, evermore

For you: consideration where "all the bases are covered"

Making mention: as often as I remember you; literally, 'on all my remembrance'

Prayers: earnest prayer

People—World.

The world is full of people. Some we see on a regular basis. Some we know. Some we pass by. And others we interact with in varying degrees. Family. Friends. Acquaintances. Neighbors. 

People—Introduction.

Introduction based on commonality.

Back: Lately I've meet people because I wear a back brace. Several people have stopped me to ask about my back and what has helped, or what I had done as they are seeking answers for their own back issues.

Faith: I have the privilege of attending a great church. It's been exciting over the past year to meet various people and become engaged in some of their lives. 

Problems: Due to a fence that needs to be replaced, I've had the opportunity to get to know my neighbor more and meet some contractors. Often problems introduce us to people as we work for a common solution. 

Serving: Often we neglect this aspect of people. We are often so busy on what others can do for us, we neglect that we are to be serving others. Helping and encouraging others usually ends up being a blessing for the "server" as well as the recipient. 

I keep thinking about "actively to express gratitude"—to God for people. As I think about the people in my life, WOW, am I ever blessed! Thanks Living is recognizing the people that are in my life and actively expressing my gratitude to God for them—and making sure I say "thanks" to those individuals who are part of my life.

We give thanks to God always for you all. 

Actively expressing gratitude, making sure all bases are covered—not leaving out who and/or what was done. Actively expressing gratitude to God for people.

As there is much that we ought to be thankful for on the behalf of ourselves and our friends, so there is much occasion of constant prayer for further supplies of good. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

Thanks Living is recognizing who God brings into our lives, and taking time to "actively to express gratitude"—to God for them. 

Thanks Living: The A's Have It!

I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Praise: give thanks

According to His righteousness: of God's attribute as sovereign

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music

Name: as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Most High: the Supreme

As a result, I will thank the Eternal for His justice and sing praises in honor of the Eternal, Most High. Psalm 7:17 (VOICE) 

I thank Jehovah, According to His righteousness, And praise the name of Jehovah Most High! Psalm 7:17 (YLT)

PRAISE: 

noun: the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

verb (used with object), praised, praising: to express approval or admiration of; commend. extol.

Idioms: sing someone's praises, to praise someone publicly and enthusiastically.

(Dictionary.com)

acclaim: noun. expression of approval

admire: verb. hold in high regard, great respect

applaud: verb. clap for; express approval

appreciate: verb. value highly

(Thesaurus.com)

I will give thanks, acclaim, admire, applaud and appreciate the Lord—not for anything I have done—But according to HIS Righteousness. And as I give thanks to Him, my soul will celebrate in song in honor and respect to the Supreme and only God! That is true Thanks Living! 

The A's Have It! Express approval, holding in high regard and expressing approval and appreciating God's righteousness—Thanks Living!

Thanks Living: Memories

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4

Remembrance: to mark (so as to be recognized), to remember; by implication, to mention; memorial, memory

Holy name: sanctity -- consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, holiness

Memories.

There are some memories that make me smile, and some make me laugh out loud—literally! And yes, some memories make me sad and cry. Memories evoke emotion. 

When I remember God's holiness, I am to filled with thankfulness. The question is, "Am I?" 

When I remember God's holiness, what emotion does it evoke? Am I filled with wonder and awe? Am I filled with terrifying fear? Am I filled with regret? Am I filled with apathy? 

Give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Give thanks. Take time to realize who God is and that He personally loves and cares for me! Take time to remember that God, the Creator of all, created me in my mother's womb, and knows EVERYTHING about me—and loves me. 

Give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Remember. 

I have to say that as I get older, I find myself forgetting things. I have good intentions on remembering, but I forget. However, there are some things which I remember — it's like there is a NEON sign flashing in my mind. I can't forget. God's holiness, should be one of those "I can't forget memories". 

Remember. Long-lasting Memory. 

If I want God's holiness to be a long-lasting memory, that I need to make it important in my life. I need to make sure that each and everything I remember God's holy name, I give thanks! 

Thanks Living is making an conscious decision to remember God's holy name and give thanks! Thanks Living is making sure God's holy name is memorable and important in my life. 

Memories. God's holy name should be a very precious memory. 

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! 

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! 

Thanks Living: It is Good!

92 

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound. For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1-4

Good: beautiful, best, better, cheerful, glad, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, loving, merry, pleasure, precious, sweet

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Declare: publish declare, proclaim, especially of proclaiming wisdom, power, loving-kindness, etc.,

Lovingkindness: divine attributes, kindness and fidelity

Faithfulness: divine mercy

Made me glad: cause to, make to rejoice, to brighten up

Work: deed of, especially in deliverance and in judgment

Triumph: be joyful greatly, make to rejoice, cause to shout for joy

Want to change your perspective? Want to change your mood? Want to get out of... how did we say it?... the funk? Feeling overwhelmed, grumpy and discouraged? 

The key is to stop and GIVE THANKS to the Lord. It is GOOD. It is joyful, sweet, cheerful to give thanks. When you stop and start giving thanks, your attitude changes. You realize who God is and all that He does. You realize that God is great and that God is good. You begin to see life from His perspective. You begin to see that God is working in and through you and your situation. You begin to see that circumstances will change, but God will not. 

It is Good! Thanks Living will make the heart glad! 

Thanks Living: Puts Life Into Perspective

Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.

Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Blessed: adore with bended knees

Greatness:  mighty acts -- dignity, great things(-ness), majesty

Power: valor, victory -- force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), strength

Glory: beautiful, brave, comely, fair, glorious, honor, majesty

Victory: eminence, always, constantly, end, nevermore, perpetual, strength

Majesty:  splendor, vigor, grandeur

Riches: wealth, far richer

Honor: splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

Thank: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Praise: make boast self, celebrate, commend

Glorious: splendor, majesty, vigor, grandeur

Name: especially as embodying the (revealed) character of

Thanks Living. When it begins with God, it puts life into perspective. 

Attention and acknowledgement of who God is + realizing that all we have is from God = thanksgiving and praise. 

To truly give thanks and praise to God, one must first begin with acknowledging who God is. For when one acknowledges who God is, it puts all of life into perspective. 

To truly give thanks and praise to God, one must realize that all is from God. For when one realizes that all come from God, it puts all of life into perspective. 

To truly give thanks and praise to God, one must make a point and determination to thanks and praise God. For when taking the time to thank and praise God, it puts all of life into perspective. 

Who is God. All we have is from God. Thank and Praise God. 

When done in that order, it puts life into perspective. For when one realizes all that God is capable of, and that He does, then thanks and praise should be automatic! Knowing that God is God and that He is in control puts life into perspective—God's perspective! 

How is God's perspective different than mine? Well, when I choose my perspective, I see only how things benefit me and what I can get out it all. I only want the good, the great, the blessings. I want the Lottery winnings. I want things to be easy. 

However, from God's perspective—life is good in the sense of how will it glorify Him and accomplish His will. His perspective includes all of Eternity, not just the here and now. 

Puts life into perspective. 

Attention and acknowledgement of who God is + realizing that all we have is from God = thanksgiving and praise. 

1 Chronicles 29:10-13: David said. A wonderful ascription of praise follows, tracing all good to Jehovah"s sovereign grace. E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Thanks Living. When it begins with God, it puts life into perspective.

Thanks Living: God is good. Period

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the Lord... why? 
Because He is good. 
That's it. 
Simply, because God is good. 
Not because of the benefits that He gives because He is good. 
Simply because of the fact that God is good. 

If God is so good why does He allow bad things to happen? That's an age old question. The only answer I have is that no matter the circumstances, no matter the situation, God remains good. He cannot change. He is good. Period. 

As I have been thinking about Psalm 106:1 and 107:1, and that God is good, I continued to think of God's goodness in relation what I get because of God's goodness. That is NOT what these verses are saying to do. We are to give thanks, simply because God is good—period. Just thanking God that He is good. It's who God is. A characteristic that cannot change. 

The fact that God can be nothing less than who He is reminded me of a post I had written several years ago: (http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2011/01/god-is-faithful.html)

God is Faithful

by Rhonda Sawtelle

God, my Confidant, my Savior,
Faithful is His code of behavior.
Steadfast, unchangeable, unshakable.
Being something different—He’s just unable.
I Am can be nothing other than who He is.

True blue, never slow, never wavering.
Rock-solid; forever unchanging.
In the past, He has proven Himself true.
In the present and future, He’ll simply continue.
I Am can be nothing other than who He is.

Promises kept, loyal, reliable, sure.
Awesome faithfulness—without measure.
No role in God’s faithfulness, has human frailty.
Unfaithfulness to God’s Being is contrary.
I Am can be nothing other than who He is.

Unfathomable, incomprehensible,
It is simply and utterly impossible—
Unfaithfulness is not even a choice.
In God’s faithfulness—with assurance—rejoice.
I Am can be nothing other than Who He Is.

__________________________

“When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:17-19 (The Message)

____________________________________________

Give thanks..... for God is good. Period. Thanks Living is based on the fact that God is good. Not on things I receive because God is good. Give thanks—for God is good. Period. 

Thanks Living: Appreciate. Acknowledge. Advertise.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Call: to call out to (i.e. Properly, address by name) -- invite, mention, preach, (make) proclaim, pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say

Name: honor, authority, character

Make known: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); observation, recognition; acknowledge, acquainted with, be aware, comprehend, consider, declare, be diligent, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, have knowledge, have respect, teach, understand

Deeds: action, doing, invention, occasion, work

Peoples: a people (as a congregated unit); (collectively) troops or attendants; folk, men, nation, people.

Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Psalm 105:1 (MSG)

When someone does something nice for us, we want to tell everyone we meet. We are excited and often overwhelmed. We will even tell strangers as we wait in check out lines. 

Yet, sadly, we remain silent about all the wonderful things God has done and is doing. 

Notice the order of events that are to take place in Psalm 105:1—

1. Give thanks. Be thankful, appreciative

2. Call upon His name. Say it, in prayer, talk to Him and talk about Him. 

3. Make known His deeds. Observe them, acknowledge them, discover them, understand them and make sure those around you know about them too! 

Thanks Living is first being appreciative of and acknowledging the Giver, then that is followed by advertising the joy with those whom I know and meet. 

Appreciate. Acknowledge. Advertise. Three important "As" in Thanks Living!

Thanks Living: Doing Good!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1

Good: be do better, cheer, be do, seem good, make goodly

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Sing praises: celebrate in song and music -- give praise, sing forth praises, psalms

Name: by implication honor, authority, character

It is good! What is "it"? Giving thanks and praising Almighty God! 

Adoration to the Holy God

Rhonda Sawtelle

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

God, the most holy. I meditate on Your majesty.

God, the most holy. I am in awe­—Almighty, Absolute Being

God, the most holy. I glorify Your greatness.

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

God, the most holy. I can’t begin to fathom Your faithfulness.

God, the most holy. I marvel at Your mercy.

God, the most holy. I can’t imagine Your immutability. 

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

God, the most holy. I treasure Your trustworthiness.

God, the most holy. I give voice to Your goodness.

God, the most holy. I’m wowed by Your wisdom.

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

God, the most holy. I am secure in Your sovereignty.

God, the most holy. I am sheltered in Your Self-existence.

God, the most holy. I am galvanized (inspire) by your Grace.

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

God, the most holy. I am invigorated by Your infinitude.

God, the most holy. I am overcome by Your omniscience.

God, the most holy. I am humbled by Your holiness.

To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.

Thanks Living starts with "doing good"—giving thanks and praising Almighty God!