How Can I Be Thankful in All Circumstances?

In review of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I reminded to  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Paul wasn't saying that I should thank God for everything that happens to me, as evil does not come from God, so I should not thank him for it. However, when evil does strike, I can still be thankful for God's presence and for the good that he will accomplish through distress it creates. 

We celebrate a day of thanksgiving once a year. But I believe God wants me to be intentional about my thankfulness every day. He wants me to develop this spiritual habit, one that is reflected in the life of a radical believer. The more deeply I understand God’s love, the more grateful I’ll be.

To be radically grateful means that in every circumstance give thanks, because it’s God’s will for my life.

I can thank God in every circumstance because God is in control. He can bring good out of evil. He can turn around the worst mistakes I’ve made. No matter what happens, God isn’t going to stop loving me. If I look, I can find lots of things to be thankful for in any circumstance, even when the circumstance stinks. Being thankful, is God’s will because it creates fellowship.

Gratitude will always builds deeper relationships between myself and others and between my and God. If I want to get closer to someone, I need to start expressing gratitude to that person. 

To build others, text, email, call or write others. Say, “I’m grateful for you, and here’s why.” I’ll find that the more grateful I am the stronger the bond will be.

The Bible tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV). As I build others up, I’ll find that God also builds into my life through my deep relationships with him and others.

Father, this is a fitting verse for me today, especially as my team is experiencing a problem with one of our key capabilities folks need to do their work. While I would prefer it didn’t happen, I can look for what you are doing in and through this. And more importantly how you can use me to be a source of encouragement that those who work for me will need.

I pray this morning for your wisdom and guidance in this situation and in what work I have to do today. Help me to lead well and interact with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus name amen.

Giving the Gift of My Attention

In review of Philippians 2:4 it reminds me, “Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others” (NCV).

Paul tells me to take the focus off of myself, and be interested in others and what's good for them. He encourages me to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension. Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity along with loving and being of service to others.

In my life; on the train, in a restaurant, in the mall or at work in a meeting. Many people (including myself) are sitting there looking at their phones and computers. Heads seem to be always down, engrossed in a video or game, and our earbuds keep us from hearing the people near us. It’s so easy to sit in a restaurant with friends or family, yet be more concerned about our “friends” or things on social media or email.

I live in a world where tools and technology have left not only me, but many perpetually distracted, and I/we no longer pay attention to those around us.

To develop happier relationships, I need to learn the lost art of paying attention. God’s Word in Philippians 2:4 reminds me, “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.” (TLB).

This doesn’t come naturally, especially for an introvert. Based on my nature, I may not care what others are interested in. Based on my nature, I’d rather focus my attention on me, not others.

What I’m learning is that the greatest gift I can give somebody is my attention because my attention is my time and my time is my life. I’ll never get it back, and that’s why it is so precious when I give it.

This is a simple but powerful tool in growing strong relationships. Am I interested in what my daughter / son-in-law or my grandchildren are interested in? Do I really listen to what my wife has to say? Do I give my coworkers my attention when they speak to me? Do I notice my neighbors as I walk by their home in the morning?

Learning the lost art of paying attention is an act of love. When I practice it, It will transform my relationships and help me live a happy life.

In summary, I need to take the focus off of myself, and be interested in others and what's good for them. Guard against selfishness, by showing a genuine interest in others in order to be loving and of service to others. As I look to Jesus example, he never looked down or passed up an opportunity to be interested in others. With my head down, I miss hearing from the people near me. I need to learn the lost art of paying attention. The greatest gift I can give somebody is my attention, because my attention is my time and my time is my life. Paying attention is an act of love. It will also help transform my relationships and help me live a happy life.

Having my head down buried into my phone/computer keeps me from having and developing relationships. It puts the focus on me and for things that are not going on right in front of me. I need to be conscience today of my tendency to do this. I need to lift my head up, and at least smile, allow any conversations to take place. I also need to keep my phone down when I’m out with others, or in situations when I’m with others around me. Today Father I pray that your Spirit will help remind me of this and allow me to get over my introvertedness and engage in being interested in others above myself. I ask for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.

Happiness and Humility Go Together

In review of Philippians 3:12-13 Paul tells me, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (NLT).

Paul's goal was to know, be like, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all of Paul's energy. This is a helpful example for me. I too should not let anything take my eyes off of my goal of knowing Christ. I must lay aside everything that is harmful and forsake anything that may distract me from being an effective Christ follower. 

Paul had strong reasons to forget his past for the things he had done before committing himself to Christ. I have done things in my past for which I am ashamed, and have some of the tension of what I have been and what I want to become. Because my hope is in Christ, I can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help me become. I don't need to dwell on my past. Instead, I need to continue growing in the knowledge of God by concentrating on my relationship with him now. I am forgiven, so I can move on to a life of faith and obedience. I can look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of my hope in Christ.

When Paul wrote this Scripture, he was an older man in prison in Rome. He was at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. If anybody had the right to say, “I’ve arrived spiritually,” it would be the guy who wrote so much of the New Testament. But Paul said, “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m still growing. I’m still learning. I’m still becoming more like Christ.”

Pride is the trap that will keep me from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow. Pride will keep you from growing because when I pretend I’ve got it all together, I won’t make an effort to become more spiritually mature. No one has it all together! Humility leads to happiness because it will allow me to be teachable.

Happy people never stop growing. Happy people never stop discovering, never stop stretching, never stop learning. If I stop growing, I’ll become miserable because I was meant to grow.

Happiness and humility go together because humble people are teachable. They are always asking, “How can I be a better spouse? How can I be a better friend? How can I be a better boss? How can I be a better follower of Jesus?"

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it” (2 Corinthians 13:5 The Message).

In summary, I need to press on to possess the perfection for which Christ Jesus first saved me for and wants me to be. I have not yet achieved it, but will focus on one thing: forgetting the past and look forward to what lies ahead. Like Paul, my goal should be to know, be like and be all that Christ has in mind for me. Nothing should take my eyes off of this. Therefore, I need to lay aside everything that is harmful and forsake anything that may distract me from being effective for Christ. Because my hope is in Christ, I can let go of the past and look forward to what God will help me become. I just concentrate on my relationship with him now. I am forgiven, so I can move on to a life of faith and obedience. In growth I need to consider my pride, as it can keep me from growing, (ignoring or pretending to have it all together). In reality, no one has it all together. Humility on my part will lead to happiness because it will allow me to be teachable. Happy people never stop growing, discovering, stretching, or learning. I was meant to grow. So happiness and humility go together because humble people are teachable.  

As I reflect on today’s passage and devotion, I realize that I lose focus on the ultimate goal. I let pride get in my way. I don’t always respond well to criticism or chances to learn. I need to press on toward growing. Happiness in my life will come from my willingness to be humble and teachable for anyone and any situation. This morning Father, I pray for focus on my relationship with you Father and Jesus your Son. I want to be humble, and learn through what you present to me each day. I also ask you for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my leadership, and my interactions with others. Help me to be who you meant me to be. Help me to be of service and to make a difference in the lives of others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.

A New Soundtrack for My Life

In review of 2 Corinthians 10:5 I read, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

Paul used military terminology to describe warfare against sin and the enemy. God must be my commander in chief, even my thoughts must be submitted to his control as I live for him. As a Spirit empowered believer I must capture every thought and yield it to Christ. When exposed to ideas or opportunities that might lead to wrong desires, I have a choice. I can recognize the danger and turn away, or I can allow unhealthy thoughts to take me captive. I capture my fantasies and desires when I honestly admit them to the Lord and ask him to redirect my thinking. I need to ask God to give me the spirit of discernment to keep my thoughts focused on his truth. 

I’m told that my brain stores everything. This is good, but also bad news: My brain can’t distinguish between what’s imaginary and what’s real. It will take in both truth and lies.

As a result I have stored all kinds of garbage in my brain. And whether I realize it or not, I often end up basing my decisions upon that garbage.

When I was a child, adults said things to me I believed without question because they were authority figures. Maybe they said I wasn’t good enough or I wouldn’t amount to anything in life. They were lies then, and they’re lies now. But I believed them anyway!

I need to change the soundtrack that’s playing in my mind. Instead of playing something based on lies, I need to play the truth of God’s Word. Romans 12:2 says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (NLT). 

To change the way I think? I play a soundtrack of truth. I ask God to heal my memories. Tell God, “I need you to heal these memories of rejection, sin, resentment, guilt, and abuse. They hurt. Please heal me.”

Then fill my mind with God’s Word. The more truth I put into my mind, the more lies I can push out. Instead of spending a lot of time watching television and listening to music, fill my mind with God’s Word.

God’s Word says I’m lovable (John 3:16), capable (2 Peter 1:3), valuable (Luke 12:6), forgivable (Psalm 103:12), and usable (Ephesians 4:12). Let those messages become the soundtrack of my life, and God will transform my mind.

In summary, I demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I must let God be my commander in chief, submitting my thoughts to his control. When I'm exposed to ideas or opportunities that might lead to wrong desires, I have a choice. I can recognize the danger and turn away, or I can allow unhealthy thoughts take me captive. Take my thoughts captive when I honestly admin them to God and ask him to redirect my thinking. I can also ask God for a spirit of discernment to keep my thoughts focused on his truth. My brain will store a lot, it takes in both truth and lies. Whether I realize it or not, I often end up basing my decisions up that garbage. I need to let God transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. I do this by filing my mind with God's Word that says I'm lovable, capable, valuable, forgivable, and usable. Let those become the soundtrack of my life so that God can transform my mind. 

I have a choice, I can use what God says about me to transform my life and thinking or I can replay old negative soundtracks. Today I pray Father for your wisdom and guidance for my life, my leadership and my interaction with others. This I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.

Know What Counts, and What Doesn’t

In review of Philippians 3:8 it Paul says, “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (NLT).

In Philippians 3 Paul says there is joy in believing. Whatever happens, rejoice in the Lord. Rely on what Christ has done. Put no confidence in your own efforts. Paul came to a point in his life where he considered everything he had accomplished in his life as worthless, when compared with the greatness of knowing Christ. I should value my relationship with Christ as more important than anything else. To know Christ should become my ultimate goal.  I do so by (1) Studying the life of Christ in the Gospels, how he lived and responded to people. (2) Study all New Testament references to Christ. (3) As I worship and pray, let the Holy Spirit remind me of Christ's words. (4) Take up Christ's mission to preach the gospel and learn from his sufferings. To do so means making changes in my thinking and my life. Am I willing to change some of the things I do today in order to learn more about Christ?

It’s easy to lose joy over some little thing. It’s usually the small irritations that cause me to lose my happiness. Somebody cuts you off in the middle of the road when I’m trying to make a turn, and I lose your happiness. I’m having a bad hair day or the clothes I put on don’t fit anymore, and I lose your happiness. It’s the little things that sometimes affect me the most, yet they don’t really matter.

Whatever was the most important thing to me before I began to follow Christ doesn’t matter anymore compared to the joy of knowing Jesus.

In the small things, I need to ask myself, How much will this matter in 100 years? How much of what I’m worrying about right now is going to matter tomorrow? It’s probably not going to matter tomorrow, much less for eternity. I can choose to live in light of eternity: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT). Each day I should remind myself what counts, and what doesn’t.

In summary, everything is worthless when compared with knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Whatever happens, rejoice in the Lord. Rely on what Christ has done and put no confidence in my own efforts. Knowing Christ should become my ultimate goal. I can do so by studying his life in the Gospels (how he lived and responded to others), studying all New Testament references to Christ, letting the Holy Spirit remind me of Christ's words and taking up Christ's mission to preach the gospel and learn from his sufferings. I need to allow it to make changes in my thinking and my life. It's easy to lose joy over some little thing that occurs in my life. It's this little things that sometimes affect me the most yet they don't really matter. In this small things, I need to ask, how much of what I'm worrying about right now is going to matter tomorrow, much less for eternity. Instead I can choose to live in the light of eternity. Each day I should remind myself of what counts, and what doesn't. 

As I reflect on this I have to admit that I have let small things that happen rob my happiness. I really need to consider how much of what I’m worrying about right now is really going to matter tomorrow. I’ve seen where lots of things I thought would be a big deal, end up being nothing or quickly forgotten. What I need to keep in mind is to not sweat the small stuff. I pray this morning Father for this reminder to permeate my life, not only today but into the future. I ask for your wisdom and guidance for today in my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.