Thanks Living: VERY Grateful–but for what?

And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. Jonah 4:6

Prepared: be reckoned, assigned (a place), of servant of

Very: in magnitude and extent, in intensity

Grateful: be glad, joyful, rejoicing

If you know the story of Jonah, a lot took place before Jonah found himself sitting in the hot scorching sun. Jonah was given a Mission from God. Go tell the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins, or God will destroy the City. Jonah refused and ran in the opposite direction—ended up on a boat, then in the belly of a fish, then back on dry ground. Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh. The people of Nineveh repented and God spared the City. Jonah as upset with this, and went out of the city to sulk and pout. It was hot, so God created a plant to give Jonah shade. Jonah was VERY grateful for the plant. But then God destroyed the plant and sent a very hot wind. Jonah become angry—the plant was now dead. Jonah cared more about the plant and his comfort than the entire City of Nineveh.

(Read the Story here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NKJV) 

Thanks Living means to first recognize that all things come from God. We are to be VERY grateful for all He give us. However, we also need to be VERY careful where we place our thanks. To be grateful for THINGS should not be greater than being thankful to God and doing His will. 

Thanks Living—VERY grateful—but for what? I first and foremost must be LIVING in God's Word and allowing God's Word to live in me and direct my thoughts, actions, attitudes and motivations. If God's Word is LIVING in me, then my THANKS LIVING will be directed to God, and not just the things He gives me. 

Thanks Living starts when I am obeying God and doing as He instructs—then my thanks, will be directed to God for all He provides. 

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! 

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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). 

In Living Action

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.    

Tychicus will give you full information about my affairs; [he is] a much-loved brother and faithful ministering assistant and fellow servant [with us] in the Lord. Colossians 4:7 (AMP)

As I read this verse, I thought of the word, "trust." Paul knew of Tychicus' relationship with Christ, and how Tychicus conducted himself. Therefore, Paul knew he could trust Tychicus to deliver a message to the Colossians. 

Paul could trust Tychicus because he was FAITHFUL. In other words, Tychicus was a great example of Colossians 3—in living action. Tychicus "put on" all that Paul described. Tychicus relationships with others was godly. Paul could trust Tychicus because he proved himself to be dependable.

Ephesians 6:21

Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things. Tychicus accompanied the apostle in his travels. Paul calls him "a beloved brother": he was a "brother", because he was a partaker of the same grace, was of the same family and household of God, and was a "beloved" one: he was beloved of God and Christ. Paul also styles Tychicus "faithful minister in the Lord"; he was a "minister" in things pertaining to the Lord. And a greater character Tychicus could not well have; and therefore it need not be doubted but that he would faithfully relate all things concerning the apostle, and what he said might be depended on as truth. 

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Tychicus is Colossians 3 in living action. His relationship with Christ, was evident throughout his life. 

Is my live Colossians 3 in living action? Am I faithful first of all to Christ, and then to others? Am I dependable? 

My heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), if I want to be able to be Colossians 3 in living action.

My Whole Life

  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. 

When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. Colossians 3:4 (AMP)

As I read this verse, I first had to ask the question, "Is Christ REALLY my life?" Looking back over the previous verses, He should be. But is He—really?

Christ is returning. And when He does, I will be overwhelmed with His glory and honor. But am I, RIGHT NOW, overwhelmed with His glory and honor?

Think about it this way: In the presence of certain people we act a certain way. For example, when we see a police car driving behind us, we immediately take our foot off the gas and check the speedometer. The presence of that police car, makes us more aware of what we are doing, and if we are breaking the law by speeding.
The fact that Christ is ever-present, should have a constant impact on my thoughts, actions, words, motives—all aspects of my life.

Christ, who is our life. Because of Who Christ is. Because of all He's done. Because of His love for me. I should want Him to be my whole life.

Only when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), will Christ be my whole life. 

Live a Life Alive

  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.

 

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (AMP) 

You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. Colossians 3:3 (TLB)

died: definite event 

hidden: locked together with; cannot be separated

And if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. We should be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it. Our true life lies in the other world: You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)

New perspective on things. I should not be seeking happiness or joy from things that .... well, are sin. Satan tries his best to make sin enjoyable and fun. But the problem is that—it's all short lived. There is no satisfaction. There is no joy. There is no contentment. 

Where as the joy and happiness that is pure from God, is everlasting. It's a hope that endures. 

I have a choice, live a life as a dead person—trying to find fulfillment in short-term sin, or live my life alive in Christ and enjoy all that God has to offer. 

How do I make the choice to live a life alive in Christ? 

Develop this spiritual life in practice.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Choose each day, each hour, to make choices that are God-honoring. The Bible isn't just a book to read. It's a book which teaches how to live a God-honoring life—so that I can develop a spiritual life and live it—in practice (do it)! 

In order to make the choice to live a life alive—I must permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Living Like Road-kill

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. 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

[Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared [completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. Colossians 2:12-14 (AMP)

Old vs New. Death vs Life. Contrasts.  

Placing my faith in Jesus Christ has given me life. After Salvation comes a choice: live for Christ or remain stuck in my sinful ways. 

As I read these verses, all I could think about was the smelly, bloated road-kill on the side of the road. Swarming with flies, and the buzzards circling overhead. Death. 

Why, since I have the choice, would I want to continue living like road-kill? Living a life of sin and death instead of living a victories life through Jesus Christ? 

How can one "live" like road-kill? That doesn't make any sense. EXACTLY! That's the point. God forgave me of my sins. I know have the power to make the choice to live for Him, obeying His Word. Yet, too often sin seems easier or more exciting for that moment. But there are consequences for each and every action. 

Think for a moment of what Christ did for us on the Cross. He had all our sins place upon Him. God the Father had to turn away because of the sin on Jesus Christ. The price was paid so that my sins could be forgiven. The very least I can do is live a life in accordance with God's Word. Living a life—or living a life of death, like road-kill. Contrast. Choice. 

To enjoy the freedom God provides through His grace and mercy, and not live like road-kill, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

No Regrets!

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 91. Here is what I learned.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:16 (AMP)

I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you. Psalm 91:16 (GW)

"With long life will I satisfy him." The man described in this Psalm fills out the measure of his days, and whether he dies young or old he is quite satisfied with life, and is content to leave it. He shall rise from life's banquet as a man who has had enough, and would not have more even if he could. "And shew him my salvation." The full sight of divine grace shall be his closing vision. He shall look from Amana and Lebanon. Not with destruction before him black as night, but with salvation bright as noonday smiling upon him he shall enter into his rest. Treasury of David

I read an article the other day about interviews of regrets people had as they knew they had a short time to live. The top 5 regrets are:

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself,

not the life others expected of me.

(Bronnie Ware, The Guardian February 1, 2012)

I find it interesting that no-one said that they’d would have loved God more, or served Him more. The regrets listed were all about “me, myself, and I”. Rather than a focus on what matters in light of eternity!

Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (GW).

A truly satisfied life is one that has an eternal purpose—and that is living a life loving and obeying God. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I live my life so that I have no regrets—according to God’s standards!