A Crucified Life - - Overflows in Expressions of Thanksgiving

 

    2 Corinthians 9:12

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

    *Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2169

Expressions of Thanksgiving:  thankfulness, giving of thanks, gratitude

From the Greek word 'eucharistia' (pronounced yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah). Active grateful worship to God. 

    Being able to financially support God's kingdom is a blessing, for though not everyone can give lots of money into supporting the needs of God's missionaries, yet even the smallest amount counts and God can multiply the little into a lot. When our hearts give cheerfully and willingly, God is able to turn that little into a lot. 

    Because the little goes farther than any of us can imagine, through that little "many expressions of thanksgiving to God" are given. The many people who get blessed through out giving turn around and praise God for our giving. 

    As the widow gave her mite into the offering box, the Lord said her little was greater than the little the wealthy put in the offering box. Why? They gave large portions of their wealth; she gave all that she had. They gave what they deemed worthy to give; she gave what God deems worthy to give. But it wasn't about the money: it was about what is in our hearts. (Mark 14:41-44).

    We read of the times when the Lord used a child's lunch to feed thousands of men and women. God multiplied their littles into many. (Matthew 16:39-48 & Luke 9:10-17).

    Our littles, when we give what the Lord directs to give, will honor and glorify God. It will bring Him thanksgiving from the lips of untold numbers. Therefore, let us give generously of ourselves into God's kingdom, that our God would be praised from many grateful hearts. Whether we give financially or in His service, going where He directs us and leads us to go. 

    We are the body of Christ and we are an expression of worship in everything we do for God. Let us sing His praise, thanking Him for His many blessings which we have received of Him through the generosity of other saints.

EXPRESSIONS OF THANKSGIVING

Greater Is The Blood - Mark & Sarah Tillman

Gratitude - Brandon Lake 

While I Wait - Lincoln Brewster

Thank You Jesus For the Blood - Charity Gayle

When You Walk Into The Room - Bryan & Katie Torwalt

I Give Myself Away/Here Am I to Worship - William McDowell

Great Are You Lord - All Sons and Daughters

Goodness of God - Cece Winans

Shout to The Lord - Darlene Zschech

Ten Thousand Reasons - Matt Redman

Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin

A Crucified Life - - Is Enriched For Purpose

 

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4148

Enriched: cause to abound in

From the Greek word 'ploutizó' (pronounced ploo-tid'-zo): to bring fullness, make abundant.

    Used three times in the New Testament. In addition to today's verse: 1 Corinthians 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 6:10.

    1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!

    James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

    What is the purpose of God giving His people increase? (To Praise Him & Thank Him. (2) That we might give our increase back to Him through our giving to advance His kingdom. We are the conduit through which the Power of God (His Holy Spirit) flows, dispensing and dispersing His gifts where He so chooses. 

    1 Corinthians 12 describes the spiritual gifts which we receive as the body of Christ. Verse 4: many gifts, one Spirit. Verse 5: different administrations, same Lord. Verse 6: diverse operations, same God. 

    1 Corinthians 12:7

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the  profit of all." 

    Manifestation simply means 'disclosure', a revealing of; bringing into the light (illuminating). In other words, making clearly known. It is not a shimmering, vague spirit, but The Holy Spirit Who makes known the gifts God has given His people. 

    Gifts which advance God's kingdom. These gifts are the tools and weapons whereby we are able to spread and share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. God loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. This best includes His Son, His Spirit and His enriching power which is given us in the gifts He gives us.

    Whatever gifts God gives His people we are meant to share with all of His people in the way in which the Spirit leads us to share said gifts. We are to be good stewards of the blessings we receive. We learn this lesson in the Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). And again, in The Sheep and The Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 [the least of these]).   

    We need to take responsibility for our gifts and how we use them. It is not for our personal gain that God gives us good gifts and perfect gifts: it is for our spiritual gain. Are we using that which God has given us for His glory and honor? Are we a people after God's own heart? 

ENRICHED FOR PURPOSE

Who Are We - Mercy Me

Spirit of God - Canyon Hills Worship

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

To Live Is Christ - Sidewalk Prophets

Torches - Forerunner Music/Lauren Alexandria

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective

By Our Love - For King & Country

Storm All Around You - Forerunner Music/Jon Thurlow, Mike Bickle, Todd White

    

How To Pray For Our Leaders

 

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

These verses tell us how we should be praying for the authority and leadership of our nations, our states, our cities, our towns, our communities, our churches, our homes.

1. Petitions:

Pray for a specific need - a heart-felt deep personal need

2. Prayers:

Directed God-ward - both on an individual and congregational level: in a quiet place and in a meeting together place

3. Intercessions

Intervention led by God, marking intersection between heaven and earth as it reflects the Lord's specific will.

4. Thanksgivings

Thankfulness, gratitude for God's grace

With the end result being that we 'lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.' (verse 2)

Verses 3-4 denote why we should pray in such a manner, while verses 5-6 emphasize the omnipotence and sovereignty of God and His Mediator Jesus Christ.

Mediator: an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). A reconciler.

Romans 5:9-11 & Colossians 1:21-23

Reconciled by Christ Jesus through His death and His life

How can we love one another like Christ loves us, if we do allow the love of God through Christ Jesus to change us? We can't. Nor can we have faithful to God's Word leaders if we do not pray for them in this manner.

Self-love is not the way to a better life. A self-oriented lifestyle is not a God-oriented lifestyle. Submission to God is a wonderful way to live our lives. It is a life lived in joy. Even though trials and grief are a part of life, joy is still evident when we abide in Christ as He lives in us.

And so we pray for our leaders. We pray to God for His *good and acceptable will: *Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

* Romans 12:1

*Matthew 6:10

Counting My Blessings ~ 30 Days of A Thankful Heart

 

Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One

God blesses us with so many blessings on a daily basis that we can only try to number them when we give thanks. What we lack in memory we make up for in praise and worship and thanksgiving. But if we could 'count our blessings and name them one by one', where would we start? With number one, of course.

1. Thank You, God, for Who You Are.
2. Thank You, God, for creating me.
3. Thank You, God, for loving me.
4. Thank You, God, for saving me.
5. Thank You, God, for calling me to serve You.
6. Thank You, God, for air to breathe, eyes to see, ears to hear.
7. Thank You, God, for how my body works to serve Your purpose.
8. Thank You, God, for blessing me with a godly husband.
9. Thank You, God, for blessing me with a good family, but even more that my family chooses to honor You. 
10. Thank You, God, for the blessing of children in our home.
11. Thank You, God, for blessing me with a faithful, faith-filled church family, who show by their example what it means to be the Bride of Christ according to Your Word.
12. Thank You, God, for giving me Your Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me through Your Word all the days of my life.
13. Thank You, God, for both answered and unanswered prayer. For choosing what is best for me in the long run, the enduring run. 
14. Thank You, God, for saving our children, giving them a desire to know You better, love You more, serve You faithfully and with an overwhelming joy.
15. Thank You, God, for strong friendships that withstand the test of time.
16. Thank You, God, for beautiful sunsets, sunrises and cloudy days.
17. Thank You, God, for the rain that falls gently, nourishing the earth You created, that the earth might nourish us, as well.. 
18. Thank You, God, for the food on our table, the clothes on our bodies and the shelter over our heads.
19. Thank You, God, for saving a wretch like me, who could have died in her sins, but who was prayed for and then prayed herself to have a lasting relationship in Jesus Christ and You.
20. Thank You, God, for sending Your Son to die in my place, becoming my sin, that I might receive salvation through Him.
21. Thank You, God, for rolling away the stone after He rose from the dead, conquering the grave and death, that He might walk out of the grave and into the garden, giving me everlasting life.
22. Thank You, God, for the ability to read and comprehend, to enjoy study time and apply it to my life.
23. Thank You, God, for the mercy You show me everyday, when I have let You down.
24. Thank You, God, for the lovingkindness You give me everyday, that I do not deserve, but am thoroughly pleased to receive. 
25. Thank You, God, for meeting my needs, giving me the desires of my heart and filling my cup to overflowing that I might bless others with the abundance of what You have given me. 

This is only 25 blessings. Surely there are many that have not come to mind, but nonetheless are present in my life. For this I give Him praise and thanksgiving, too. 

We sing that song, Ten Thousand Reasons, in church sometimes. How long do you suppose it would take us to count 10,000 different reasons to praise God? What if we tried?

Diving into Surrender

Oh to be found in the favor of God,
Living the life He desires;
Surrendering daily  into His grace,
Enjoying the sweetest of times.


     While searching for photos or pic to align with this post, I stumbled across a NASA Science page on the colors of the ocean, with the help of the Holy Spirit. He is, after all, my Guide. See, I always thought that the deeper the ocean, the darker the green. I knew that some oceans were blue near the top, but I had believed that all oceans are eventually green after that. But the deeper you get into the ocean, not only is there less color, there is less light.
     Turquoise Plankton in the water reflect the light of the sun.
    Azure How many plankton living in the water decides what color the water is.
  Green Black Light Absorbed and light reflected.
Blue-Green Spiral  Type of plankton reveals color of water. In this photo, two types caused the blue-green effect. The spiral is because they are alive and in motion. Pretty cool, huh? This is my favorite.
     There is an emerald rainbow around the base of the throne of God. Revelation 4:5 "And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." Ezekiel 1:28 "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake." John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
     In the previous verse, John 4:23, Jesus stated not only that the true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth, but that this is the worshipper God is seeking, or looking for. Am I that true worshipper yet? Are you that true worshipper God is seeking? What does it take to be a true worshipper of God?
     The true worshipper walks in the Spirit, not in the world. In other words, he walks the walk. Romans 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.". 
     The true worshipper not only walks in the Spirit, but lives in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
     The true worshipper rejoices in Jesus, and trusts Him. Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
    The true worshipper has a circumcised heart and lifestyle. Colossians 2:6-23 and Colossians 3, but just let me whet your appetite with the first few verses in it. You can continue in your own Bible, okay? Colossians 2:6-11 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. (7)Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8)Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9)For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10)And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: (11) In Whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 
     These scriptures are speaking to the Christian, the person who repents of their sins and accepts the forgiveness of God for such. So, we see here that the true worshipper to whom Christ is referring to in John 4:23, 23 is a Christian not just in name, but in heart and mind and spirit, which make up the soul of a person. In John 3:3 Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again. What follows in John 3:4-21 is Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.
     As we have already covered what it means to be Christian, we will continue from here to verse 7 in Colossians 2. This verse tells us that the Christian is also not a newbie, or newly born again Christian, but one whose faith is visible to others, a Christian who is always thankful for everything in their lives. But it is hard to be thankful for every little thing, isn't it? Unless you determine to be thankful; having that "Gratitude Attitude". Verse 8 warns us to be careful, and not believe those who would turn us away from the truth of God's Word according to their logic and flattery. Verse 9 reveals to us without reservation that Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
      Verse 10 reminds us that we are complete in Him. Which is what He prayed for in the garden of Gethsemane, later on in this book: John 17:21 "That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, are in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." Finish reading this chapter through verse 26, it's really awesome how every Word of God comes together when the Holy Spirit is active in your Bible studies.
     Verse 11 tells the Christian that God circumcises the heart, not the body. Ezekiel 11:19, 20 "And I will give them a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. That they may walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 36:26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep my judgments, and do them."
     The true worshipper is strong in the Lord, strong in the Spirit, strong in the Word. Their heart is focused on the things of God, not on the things of this world. The true worshipper reads their Bible for to profit the soul, not to seek monetary gain. The true worshipper surrenders not only their heart to God, but their whole life. And having surrendered one's heart and given one's life to worship and thankfulness, the next goal is to see the glory of God face to face. It is not just this side of heaven we are to worship God in, but the other side of heaven, also.
     Where are the true worshippers?


     
     
   

Thank You

     Thank you. How many times do we say this to one another? More than can be numbered? Or less than a handful? Do we mean it when we say it? Or is it automatic (thanks)? Sarcastic (Gee, thanks.)? Questioning (thank you?) 
     Why do we say "thank you"? We say 'thank you' to show our appreciation for the service which has been rendered us. Whether the words are said to the waitress, the clerk, the minister or the teacher, we say them. 
     If we are merely being polite, the words do not really resonate from our hearts. It is etiquette and nothing more. If we are being sarcastic, we are not really exhibiting thankfulness, we are showing them that they have no value to us and do not appreciate their service. If we question the sincerity of their work, we reveal our inability to say 'thank you'.
     Since we appear to have difficulty saying 'thank you' to each other, it must be really hard to say 'thank you' to God. How sad is that? There are so many, many things to be thankful to God for every single day that it would more than fill our waking hours to be thankful for them. We usually generalize our thankfulness, when we tell God how much we are thankful to Him for. 
     When we pray over our meals, saying grace, we thank God for the food placed before us; thank God for the hands that prepared it and ask Him to bless those hands. We ask God to bless the food to the nourishment and healing of our bodies, that we might continue to serve Him when He calls us. We thank God for the blessings of the day. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 
     The blessings of the day is a generalization. And that is, for most of us, the one time of day we are saying 'thank you' to God. But for my husband and I, thankfulness to our God is spread out throughout our day. God applies His love to us through His Word and we apply His Word to our lives. Beginning with our mornings: O give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. This line of thankfulness is repeated 8 times in the Book of Psalm. (Psalm 105:1; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1,9; 136:1,2,3,26) 
     In fact, the words 'thank(s) thanked thankful thankfulness thanksgiving(s)' appears in the Bible (KJV) 137 times. Of these 137 verses referring to 'thankfulness' in all its forms, 131 tell us to give 'thanks' to God. And they tell us how and why to give 'thanks', also.


John 11:41      the why      "because You heard me"
Romans 1:8     the how       "through Jesus Christ"
1 Corinthians 1:4     the why     "always on your behalf"
1 Corinthians 14:18     the why     "that I speak in tongues"
Philippians 1:3      the why     "upon every remembrance of you"
1 Thessalonians 1:13     the how     "without ceasing"
1 Thessalonians 1:13     the why     "because the Word of God was received and applied"
2 Thessalonians 1:3     the how     "always"
2 Thessalonians 1:3     the why     "your faith grows exceedingly and your love for one another is                         in abundance"
1 Timothy 1:12     the why     "Jesus Christ enabled me, because He counted me faithful, and put me into the ministry"
2 Timothy 1:3     the how     "I serve with pure conscience"
2 Timothy 1:3     the why     "without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day"
2 Chronicles 5:13     the how     "the singers and the musicians sang and made noise as one voice"
2 Chronicles 5:13     the why     "He is good: His mercy endures forever"
2 Chronicles 5:13, 14     the result    "the glory of the Lord filled the house so full, there was no room in it for anyone else"
2 Samuel 22:50     the why    "therefore (because He has delivered me from my enemies v49)
2 Samuel 22:50     the how     "I will sing praises unto Thy name"
1 Chronicles 16:8     the why     "make known His deeds among the people"
I Chronicles 16:34     the why     "for He is good; for His mercy endures forever"
1 Chronicles 16:35     the why      "He is the God of our Salvation, our deliverer, He gathers us together"
1 Chronicles 16:41     the why     "because His mercy endures forever"
1 Chronicles 25:3     the how     "musicians handpicked by the king to give thanks to the Lord and to praise Him"
2 Chronicles 31:2     the how    "appointed by the king to minister the offerings, give thanks and praise the Lord"
Ezra 3:11     the how     "sing together"
Ezra 3:11     the why     "because He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel"
Ezra 3:11     the how     "with a great shout"
Ezra 3:11     the why     "because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid"
Nehemiah 12:24, 31, 38, 40     the how     "upon the walls, the gates and to the towers"
Nehemiah 12:43     the why     "so that the Joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off"
Psalm 6:5     the how     "alive"
Psalm 6:5     the why    "because I have life and everything that life entails"
Psalm 18:49   the why      "v48 He delivers me from my enemies, lifts me up above they that rise against me: delivers me from the violent man"
Psalm 18:49     the how     "among the heathen, sing praises unto Thy name"
Psalm 30:4     the why     "at the remembrance of His holiness"
Psalm 30:12    the why    "v11 You turned my mourning into dancing: You removed my grief, and girded me with gladness"
Psalm 30:12     the how    "to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. I will give thanks forever"
Psalm 75:1     the why     "for Your name is near Your wondrous works declare"
Psalm 79:13     the why    "we will show forth Your praise to all generations"
Psalm 92:1-4    the why     "v2 to show Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night" "v4 You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work: I will triumph in the works of Your hands"
Psalm 92:1-4     the how     "v1 sing praises to Your name" "v3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery, upon the harp with a solemn sound"
Psalm 97:12     the why     "at the remembrance of His holiness"
Psalm 105:1     the why     "make known His deeds among the people"
Psalm 106:1     the why     "for He is good: for His mercy endures forever"
Psalm 106:47     the why     "to triumph in Your praise"
Psalm 107:1     the why     "for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever"
Psalm 118:1, 29     the why     "for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever"
Psalm 119:62     the why     "because of Your righteous judgments"
Psalm 122:4     the why     "unto the testimony of Israel" (the commandments of God)
Psalm 136:1-3,26   the why     "for He is good: for His mercy endures forever"
                              ~ Have you ever read this chapter? There are 26 verses and each verse ends 
                                             with "for His mercy endures forever" ~
Daniel 6:10     the how     "facing Jerusalem, praying on his knees 3x day, in supplication (making his needs known before God)"
Daniel 6:7     the why     "disobeying the king's order to worship a different god than our God would cause the king to send that person to their death in the lions' den"
Matthew 15:36     the how     "simply"     the why     "to feed the need"
Luke 17:15, 16     the how     "with a loud voice glorified God" and "fell on his face at Jesus' feet"
Luke 17:14, 15     the why    "healed completely of leprosy"
Luke 22:17, 19     the why   "Christ declaring that both cup and bread were representative of His body and His blood and that when we take them it is a remembrance of Who He is and What He did for us"
1 Corinthians 15:57     the why     "God gives us the victory {over death and the grave} through our Lord Jesus Christ"
2 Corinthians 2:14    the why     "Who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes known the sweet taste of His knowledge by us to every place."
2 Corinthians 9:15     the why     "for His unspeakable gift {every good and perfect gift [James 1:17] is from God)"
Ephesians 5:3, 4    the why     "because an unclean life and unclean words do not adorn the saints of God" v2 "walk in love, as Christ loves us, and gave His life for us an offering and a sweet smell to God"
Ephesians 5:20   the how     "always"    the why     "for all things unto God and the Father"
Colossians 1:3, 4     the why     "praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of His love which you have for all the saints"
Colossians 1:12     the why     "God has qualified us to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light"
Colossians 3:17    the how    "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus"
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4   the why    "making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of our God and our Father; knowing beloved brethren, your election of God."
1 Thessalonians 5:18     the why     "for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you"
2 Thessalonians 2:13     the why     "because God has chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth"
1 Timothy 2:1     the why     "intercede on everyone's behalf"
Hebrews 13:15   the how"     offer a sacrifice of praise to God continually"
Revelation 11:16, 17   the who "the 4 and 20 elders" the how   "falling on their face and worshiping before God"   the why   "because God has taken to Himself His great power and has reigned"


    The remaining verses are in regards to the word 'thanksgiving(s)'. All of which are offered up to God individually. It is by our choice, our will, our decision. Each time the word 'thanksgiving' is mentioned it is with sacrifice, with praise, with singing, with offerings. 
     However, each of the preceding verses are also instructive verses. They tell us how the person gave thanks AND why the person gave thanks. We, too, are instructed even now; for the Word of God is constant, never changing, ever flowing. As we apply these truths to our lives, we learn to embrace God not from a distance, but ever nearer and nearer. 
     Thank You, Lord, for saving a wretch like me. For loving me so much You died for me, then fought death hell and the grave and overcame them for me. For loving me enough to create in me a clean heart every time I fall short of overcoming temptation. For filling me with Your Holy Spirit, who comforts me and guides me in all Your ways. For giving me a desire to draw close to You, so close that our hearts beat as one. For using me in Your kingdom, to lead other people to Your well of Living Water, which flows from the throne of God. Thank You, Lord, thank You so much.