Thanks Living: Divine Influence on the Heart

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 

1 Timothy 1:12-19

And I (have): such as possession; ability, continuity, relation, or condition; 

Thank (thankfulness): of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)

Lord: properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights

Enabled: to empower, increase in strength

Counted: esteem, judge, suppose, think

Faithful: trusty; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties

1 Timothy 1:12:

I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. (MSG)
I thank our Lord Jesus the Anointed who empowers me, because He saw me as faithful and appointed me to this ministry. (VOICE)
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] strength andmade me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service [for this ministry]. (AMP)
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he ·trusted me [considered me trustworthy/faithful] and ·gave me this work of serving him [placed me in his service; appointed me to ministry]. (EXB)
How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him. (TLB)

Thankfulness. 

A divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life. 

Thanks Living begins in the heart and is reflected or manifested in life. A life filled with thankfulness can't be hidden from others. It's reflected in actions, attitudes, thoughts, words, motivations. When one lives a life of Thanks Living, no matter the circumstances—one can remain faithful to the to the task. When one acknowledges the Source (God) of ability, strength, wisdom, knowledge, then thankfulness is the result—as one knows it can't be down alone. 

Thanks Living: Divine Influence on the Heart. 

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.

Superhuman Energy

For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me. Colossians 1:29 (AMP)

Superhuman energy. (AMP) 

His amazing power and energy surge within me. (VOICE)

Christ’s mighty energy. (TLB)

Christ’s great strength that works so powerfully in me. (EXB)

Often I'm amazed at what I can do, when it's a God-designed assignment. In Nov-Dec 2014, my Mom was in the hospital for 6 weeks. Each day, I drove to the hospital and spent many hours there. Yet, even though my pain level increased greatly, God continued to give me strength, especially on the days I need to stay longer to meet with the Doctors. Looking back, I know that the only way that I endured those weeks, was because of God's power and strength. 

It was a good example, that when God has a specific assignment He will supply ALL the is needed to accomplish the task—especially, when it involves sharing His Gospel and teaching His Word. 

Noticing that it is a strength and energy from God is important, because reliance upon God is vital to allowing Him to work in and through me. Sadly, many times, I want to do it "myself" and time and time again, I only make a mess of things. When I step back and allow God do supply the energy and the necessary instructions, then He is glorified and I am equipped to complete His task. 

A specific assignment completed with God's superhuman energy begins when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Special Assignment

 "I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God’s master plan." Colossians 1:1 (MSG)

"From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus. ·I am an apostle because that is what God wanted […by the will of God]."  Colossians 1:1 (EXB)

Special assignment by Christ. Because that is what God wanted. His will. 

I like that concept... special assignment! Makes me think back to that old TV show, "Mission Impossible". They'd get an special assignment:

"Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to ............ . As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. "

Christ has a special assignment for me and if I decide to accept it, unlike on "Mission Impossible", Christ will not "disavow any knowledge of me or my actions." I do like that God chose a SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT for Paul, and yes, for me too. 

So, as I go about my day, I need to remember that I'm on a "special assignment" from God. And if I fulfill my "special assignment, then the day will be a positive day!