Gratitude is all about Attitude, 11-20-2016

Philippians 4:4-9   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord [is near]. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to speak a bit about giving thanks, about gratitude.  In preparation for this message, I read some commentaries that really pick apart these verses from Philippians.  Everything I read can be summed up in one phrase, “Gratitude is a matter of Attitude”.    When I read this text in preparation, I realized that I have heard each of the verses before, but not necessarily all together.  We hear them as platitudes, stand-alone tidbits of advice and comfort.  But putting them all together really makes for a bigger, deeper message. 

We say “rejoice always, in all things.”  But sometimes that’s really hard to do – what if we are sad, what if something awful has just happened?  How do we rejoice in tragedy?  But yet that is what we are called to do.  But I don’t think that it means we are to laugh and joke in the face of misfortune or heartbreak.  When we rejoice, we remember that the Lord is with us, in all things.  The Greek word for rejoice is Kaírō (from the root Kar-, "leaning towards" and Káris, "grace") – literally, to experience God's grace, to be conscious of  His grace.  Lean into God, trust Emmanuel to be present at all times. 

We can also trust, and rejoice with our fellow believers, our friends and neighbors.  We are all in this together and we should be always ready to help each other.  Verse 5 says Let your gentleness be known to everyone, or Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Gentleness and consideration are forms of moderation.  When we are joyful in the Lord, we are raised above strictness towards others and we are prudent in our own affairs.  When we are harsh or strict towards others, we are prematurely judging them, and that privilege belongs solely to the Lord.  When we wallow in sadness and let ourselves be pulled down into negativity, we are harsh towards others and restless or troubled in our spirits.  Maintaining Joy in God is of great benefit to Christian living and we often need to be reminded to do so.  It is easy to be dragged down into the muck, but we need perseverance to rise above, to show compassion, kindness and grace to others around us – even those who test our patience.  By doing so, we show the love of Christ and God’s peace.  People around us can see that we are steady in our daily lives, even when we experience loss and hardship we have the assurance of God’s peace and mercy.

The next familiar verse is  “Do not worry about anything…”  The King James version uses the word “Careful” for “worry” and the NIV says “do not be anxious”.   There are two kinds of cares – those that are due diligence,  our responsibilities and obligations – and those that are anxieties or worries – fear and distrust, sin and folly, things that perplex and distract the mind.  By praying about everything (in all things, at all times), we keep our mind in a state of grace, of joyfulness.  Worries and Joy cannot occupy the same space – “Care and Prayer are as mutually opposed as Fire and Water.”  Say that again…. 

“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Supplication means to ask earnestly for something.  We should make our requests with confidence, with familiarity.  We know we don’t need to or shouldn’t hold anything back – God already knows our hearts.  We have been promised that even a groan will do when we have no words.  But we must begin – we must GO to the Lord in prayer.  We must reveal our hearts to him.  God is our protector, our confidante – our greatest ally.  We can trust his love and mercy, patience, grace and love beyond all of our understanding.  When we pray with Thanksgiving, we are putting our prayers into effect.  Thanksgiving proves results, recognizing outcomes to our prayers.    When we live with a spirit of gratefulness, with joy and thanksgiving, by giving praise in all things, we acknowledge and immerse ourselves in the Peace of God – the sense of being reconciled to God and having a part in his favor.  The hope of the “heavenly blessedness”, a greater good, can be fully expressed.  “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”  This peace stands guard over our hearts and minds, it will keep us from sinking under troubles and keep us calm with inward contentment.

“⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[b] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

In the last two verses, I believe Paul is telling us to Do as Jesus says and also to Do as Jesus did.  All our privileges and salvation arise in the free Mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct.  In everything, when we perform daily tasks in our everyday lives, when we offer our prayers and concerns to God, when we work to benefit his Kingdom by serving others, we can be faithful in the knowledge that surrounding our own efforts is the ongoing workings of God.  God is with us – Emmanuel! 

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving which ends with the beginning of Advent, the season where we prepare for the coming of the Messiah, our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ…  as we undergo preparations for a meal, or travelling, welcoming family and friends…  May we always remember to Rejoice in the Lord Always, All Ways. 

Let us Pray, “Father in Heaven, Creator of all things, we humbly lay our cares at your feet, knowing that you will bear them for us, that you guard our hearts from all troubles and that you Bless us in all circumstances with your presence and Peace.  We believe that you are with us, that you will not forsake us, and that you sent your only son to be our Redeemer and Savior.  As we prepare our hearts with gladness to receive your gracious gifts, show us the way to reveal your presence to those around us. By the Spirit and your son Jesus, Amen”

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV New International Version)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Gratitude is all about Attitude, 11-20-2016

Philippians 4:4-9   New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord [is near]. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to speak a bit about giving thanks, about gratitude.  In preparation for this message, I read some commentaries that really pick apart these verses from Philippians.  Everything I read can be summed up in one phrase, “Gratitude is a matter of Attitude”.    When I read this text in preparation, I realized that I have heard each of the verses before, but not necessarily all together.  We hear them as platitudes, stand-alone tidbits of advice and comfort.  But putting them all together really makes for a bigger, deeper message. 

We say “rejoice always, in all things.”  But sometimes that’s really hard to do – what if we are sad, what if something awful has just happened?  How do we rejoice in tragedy?  But yet that is what we are called to do.  But I don’t think that it means we are to laugh and joke in the face of misfortune or heartbreak.  When we rejoice, we remember that the Lord is with us, in all things.  The Greek word for rejoice is Kaírō (from the root Kar-, "leaning towards" and Káris, "grace") – literally, to experience God's grace, to be conscious of  His grace.  Lean into God, trust Emmanuel to be present at all times. 

We can also trust, and rejoice with our fellow believers, our friends and neighbors.  We are all in this together and we should be always ready to help each other.  Verse 5 says Let your gentleness be known to everyone, or Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Gentleness and consideration are forms of moderation.  When we are joyful in the Lord, we are raised above strictness towards others and we are prudent in our own affairs.  When we are harsh or strict towards others, we are prematurely judging them, and that privilege belongs solely to the Lord.  When we wallow in sadness and let ourselves be pulled down into negativity, we are harsh towards others and restless or troubled in our spirits.  Maintaining Joy in God is of great benefit to Christian living and we often need to be reminded to do so.  It is easy to be dragged down into the muck, but we need perseverance to rise above, to show compassion, kindness and grace to others around us – even those who test our patience.  By doing so, we show the love of Christ and God’s peace.  People around us can see that we are steady in our daily lives, even when we experience loss and hardship we have the assurance of God’s peace and mercy.

The next familiar verse is  “Do not worry about anything…”  The King James version uses the word “Careful” for “worry” and the NIV says “do not be anxious”.   There are two kinds of cares – those that are due diligence,  our responsibilities and obligations – and those that are anxieties or worries – fear and distrust, sin and folly, things that perplex and distract the mind.  By praying about everything (in all things, at all times), we keep our mind in a state of grace, of joyfulness.  Worries and Joy cannot occupy the same space – “Care and Prayer are as mutually opposed as Fire and Water.”  Say that again…. 

“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Supplication means to ask earnestly for something.  We should make our requests with confidence, with familiarity.  We know we don’t need to or shouldn’t hold anything back – God already knows our hearts.  We have been promised that even a groan will do when we have no words.  But we must begin – we must GO to the Lord in prayer.  We must reveal our hearts to him.  God is our protector, our confidante – our greatest ally.  We can trust his love and mercy, patience, grace and love beyond all of our understanding.  When we pray with Thanksgiving, we are putting our prayers into effect.  Thanksgiving proves results, recognizing outcomes to our prayers.    When we live with a spirit of gratefulness, with joy and thanksgiving, by giving praise in all things, we acknowledge and immerse ourselves in the Peace of God – the sense of being reconciled to God and having a part in his favor.  The hope of the “heavenly blessedness”, a greater good, can be fully expressed.  “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”  This peace stands guard over our hearts and minds, it will keep us from sinking under troubles and keep us calm with inward contentment.

“⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[b] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

In the last two verses, I believe Paul is telling us to Do as Jesus says and also to Do as Jesus did.  All our privileges and salvation arise in the free Mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct.  In everything, when we perform daily tasks in our everyday lives, when we offer our prayers and concerns to God, when we work to benefit his Kingdom by serving others, we can be faithful in the knowledge that surrounding our own efforts is the ongoing workings of God.  God is with us – Emmanuel! 

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving which ends with the beginning of Advent, the season where we prepare for the coming of the Messiah, our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ…  as we undergo preparations for a meal, or travelling, welcoming family and friends…  May we always remember to Rejoice in the Lord Always, All Ways. 

Let us Pray, “Father in Heaven, Creator of all things, we humbly lay our cares at your feet, knowing that you will bear them for us, that you guard our hearts from all troubles and that you Bless us in all circumstances with your presence and Peace.  We believe that you are with us, that you will not forsake us, and that you sent your only son to be our Redeemer and Savior.  As we prepare our hearts with gladness to receive your gracious gifts, show us the way to reveal your presence to those around us. By the Spirit and your son Jesus, Amen”

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV New International Version)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Love is all there is....

Love is all there is....

(Re-posting from a Facebook note so I can keep it for eternity.)

November 16, 2010 at 8:30am

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My friend posted this:

 Via the Dalai Lama: "According to my own experience, the highest level of inner calm comes from the development of love and compassion. The more concerned we are with the happiness of others, the more we increase our own well-being. Friendliness and warmth towards others allow us to relax and help us to dispel any sense of fear or insecurity so we can overcome whatever obstacles we face."

I readily admit that I don't know much of anything about the Dalai Lama, I am a Christian.  It is always very interesting to me when I come across other belief systems that mimic the message of Christ:  that we are to love God above all else and love our neighbors as ourselves.  If you do not like to be bullied, do not bully others.  If you don't like to be frowned at, wear a smile.  If you want to be trusted, then trust.  I esp like the part about relaxing - instead of spending all that time worrying and plotting and stressing over what someone else might be doing, why not spend it doing something sweet and loving and kind for them?  Instead of saying harsh words, why not say loving and supportive words? 

Another of my favorite sayings is "Actions speak louder than words."  You can walk right past your friend or lover, or you can pause and reach out to them - a pat on the shoulder or a quick kiss on the cheek.  There's a theory about the Love Bank - everytime you do something sweet and nice and loving, you make deposits.  Inevitably you will do something unkind, it's human nature.  Those are withdrawals.  But if you have 5000 in the bank, losing 5 or 10 is not very painful.  If you only have 5 or 10 in the bank, you must be very, very frugal!  So the idea is to make as many deposits as possible!  I went to exercise class yesterday morning with sink of dirty baking dishes waiting for me...  When I got home, the dirty side was empty and the clean shiny dishes were all stacked up on the drying side!  That's like triple bonus points!  ;)

And because something nice was done for me, getting the ironing done is moved up higher on the list - not 'cause I feel the need to iron :P, but because I know how much the ironing is appreciated.  A few years ago I was guilty of leaving every pair of shoes I wore around the house exactly where I took them off.  If I wore different shoes each day, there would be 6-7 pairs around the living room.  Now - I am still not perfect at putting my shoes away, but because I know that having shoes all over caused tensions, I learned to put them away much more often!  I was able to change my own behavior for the man that I love so much.  Love can do these things. 

I am rambling along about love because I believe that it must be the most important thing in any relationship.  You've heard - Love Conquers All - and some do not believe that.  But I do, if BOTH sides are willing to surrender to the all consuming power of love and live a life of self-sacrifice, kindness and reciprocity, then Love can conquer all! 

Spoil the ones you love with kindness and good deeds!  They will love you even more!  :)  ...and spoil strangers, too, it won't hurt anything and it will make you feel better!