Tag: giving thanks

22.k. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, or self.”

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31   So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

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

 1 Peter 4:11   whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 Colossians 3:23   Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

 Philippians 1:10    so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Do you give thought to “all that you do”, you are doing for the glory of God?  How much of each of our days are spent without the thought?  If God and His Word are not consistently within our thoughts we can be certain then honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ is not being honored.  We may do good things that honor Him but if the intent is not to honor Him by what we are doing then we miss honoring and glorifying Him.  A good place to start is by practicing the presence of Jesus Christ.  For sure He is always present but are our actions, thoughts, and tendencies reflecting we are aware.

Teach me

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

Psalms 86:11  Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalms 5:8     Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 25:4    Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

Psalms 25:12     Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

Psalms 27:11    Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Psalms 119:33      Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Psalms 119:73   Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalms 143:8     Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Job 34:32     teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Jeremiah 32:38     And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.  I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

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

Having the right mindset is key to fearing God and seeking His way for your life.  How many times can you give stories on people who have the mindset they can figure it out themselves and do not ask to be taught?  It is easy to fall into the trap believing the current amount of biblical knowledge and understanding is all that is needed when things seem to be going fine and without many issues.  This easily leads down a path of complacency and neglect.  Note these scripture references;  “Teach” me – let me “Hear” – make me “Know” – give me “Understanding” – “lead” me – He will “Instruct”.  The heart, mind and soul of these people were humbly seeking God.  They did not necessarily set time aside to give thought to God and about God, but rather this was their mindset foundation and permeated every second of their life.    With this foundation their mind, heart, eyes, and ears were open and actively seeking to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God’s purpose in and through their life.  Trying to please God with our own purposes on our own path takes us further away from God rather than closer.  Desire, seek, and choose to be led by Him.

Give God Praise

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Psalms 57:7  My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

Psalms 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!  Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!

Psalms 112:7     He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

Proverbs 1:33   but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.

Proverbs 3:25  Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,  for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Luke 21:9    And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Romans 5:3   Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Luke 21:19   By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Isaiah 26:3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Psalms 118:8  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Awake my soul and give thanks to God!  Awake my heart and mind, trust God and take refuge in Him! None of us are immune to having issues and when you think about it our attention and reliance on God seems to jump up to a totally higher level when trials and troubles come into our lives.  The thought that comes to mind; why is there another level to our attention and reliance on and in God during these times?  We would do well to be in attention and reliance of His presence every moment of our day.  Granted there are times of blessing and times of trials.  However, shouldn’t there be a high level of attention and reliance in times of blessings.  We easily understand crying out to our rock and refuge in times of trials.  We should just as easily sing out praises in times of blessings.  Singing and shouting out heart felt praises is a sure sign that you are not just seeking God when trials come but rather see His hand through out each day.  I was speaking with someone yesterday and reminded them of how their attention to signs of a stroke potentially saved the life of my sister.  He immediately said trust me on this – God made me see this and moved me to take action.  He alone allowed me to see this.  This was over 15 years ago and it is still fresh in his mind how God allowed him to see the signs.  He is still giving God praise because of this.  Everyday we have opportunity to see God’s hand at work and give Him praise.  Commit to seeing how many things you can give praise to God about today!!!