Give thanks IN ALL circumstances!!!

       "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is             God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The last few months I have been doing the "Children of the Day" study on 1 & 2 Thessalonians by Beth Moore at church with a wonderful group of women. It was sad to see it end this last week, but I'm excited to see what the next study brings as well. To be honest, I haven't finished all the homework yet for the study, so for me it's not completely over and I'm so excited to finish it. Anyways, this verse came up in one of the homework assignments, and it really stuck out to me, and I thought is was super appropriate for this time of year (ThanksGiving is just around the corner).

The homework question on this verse asked us to compare giving thanks for all circumstances vs. in all circumstances.  The Bible clearly says to give thanks in all circumstances.  Let us first look at what thanking God for all circumstances could look like.

FOR- Before I write about this, I wanted to say this hit me because this is what I thought I was supposed to do, even if it didn't make sense completely. It's easy to thank God for all your good circumstances…which ironically seems to be the times we forget to go to God and thank Him, and honor Him. Let's take a look at bad times in life, whether it's happened to you or someone else. There are bad times in history when food was scarce, jobs were scarce, bad leaders, wars, persecution etc. I always thought you were supposed to thank God for them, even when they are horrible. Here are some more bad times in life: sickness, cancer, death, war, recovery from an accident, violence, abuse, divorce, break-ups, mis-carriage, infertility, being laid off, not knowing what to do with your life, conforming constantly, etc- (remember these are scenarios I think are tough for humans).  I thought you had to thank God for all those things, and it's hard to think that cancer, death, etc could be good. So I thought about it some more…and decided to look at it from an optimistic way. Instead of thanking God for the situation you are in, I decided to look for the positives, like Pollyanna (see clip below to find out about "the glad game" -it's an old video so I'm sorry if the quality isn't the best). When it comes to cancer, death, and sickness, I try and think about how the story may touch someone, the effect on others that person could have. I try to think of a positive in it all, and sometimes it's hard but I think it's a good thing. You can also use negative experiences to grow and learn…I mean isn't that what history is all about in a way. As humans we are always learning from the past and present for the future. I still think it's important to play "the glad game" or try to find something positive in everything, but God does say to give thanks IN all times.

IN - The Bible says to give thanks IN all times. There is a big difference there. That doesn't mean you have to thank God for all the horrible things that go on in the world, but be thankful in all times. It's easy to be thankful in the good times, because oftentimes you are thankful for your good circumstances.  But who should we be thanking and praising. In good times, it can be easy to forget to give praise, and we should give praise where praise is due. Let's thank God for bringing us to this place, for what He has done, and how He has blessed us. But what about when you are in the storms of life? How do you give thanks in those times…if it isn't for your situation and such? Once again, Our God is an Awesome God- give Him praise. It doesn't have to have anything to do with what you are going through, but think about who God is and what He has done. If you are struggling because your circumstances are so bad, look at God's creation, and thank Him for what He has created, thank Him for giving us His one and only Son, different attributes of God, you can thank Him for things that He has done in you're life already! I think it would be very fulfilling to focus soley on God at times, and not bring it back to us. We live in a culture where we can relate everything back to us and make it about us, and I think it would be very fruitful to pray and focus solely on God and how great He is at time. Psalm 106:1 says, "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Let's praise the Lord for what He has done, and give Him thanks. To me thanks and praise can be very similar…praise to the Lord, I would say is a form of thanks. There is a Casting Crowns song, titled "Praise You in the Storm"- do you notice it isn't called Praise you FOR the storm? We are to praise and thank our lord in all times of life, even the storms. Check out their video below- and message he has right before it =) 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/praise-you-in-this-storm/id269440851?i=269441147

The last year has been one of the greatest yet most challenging years of my life so far, and at times it's easy to get down or whatever. When I was at the Regenerate conference at my church, they talked about counting your blessing, even in the tough times, and I thought that was a fantastic idea, to stay thinking positive even when it's hard. Now I have a confession. I want to go and buy a cute little jar and cut out little pieces of paper to put the blessings in for the 30-day challenge…well the challenge has been going to get a jar and paper…cuz my mind wants pinterest cuteness…but what's more important…I can easily write them on my phone until I get that cute little jar that I would like. So my confession is that I haven't done it yet, I will post a picture on my twitter or Facebook, when the jar part comes =) #accountability but before then…I'll start it on my phone. I'm even going to extend the challenge and say on one side count your blessing and the other side of the paper praise/thank God! Below is the start of it on my phone =)

I decided to add the song "Forever" by Chris Tomlin, as it talks about giving thanks, and how God's love endures forever. Either listen to the lyrics while you watch the videos, and think about how great God is, or this video has many Bible verses in it as well, and all these verses are verses of encouragement, God's love, giving thanks, praising God, singing for the Lord and so much more. Write down any that stick out to you and than I challenge you to thank God in whatever circumstance you are in good or bad!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/forever/id721275443?i=721276341

I think it's important to play the "glad game" when life just isn't going you're way, think of the positives in life, and try and find something good that may come out of it, but when it comes to prayer, don't forget to give thanks IN every circumstance. Praise the Lord, put your focus on the Creator of all things and give Him thanks and praise! This concept completely hit me, and was like I don't have to thank God for what's going on necessarily, but I can give HIM thanks! Also, when things are going great, don't forget to give thanks then as well! it says to give thanks in ALL circumstances…not just the bad, not just the good, or ok, but in ALL. Ironically, as I was writing the blog, I took breaks from writing here and there, and at one point I found myself on Facebook looking through my newsfeed, when one of my favorite Christian author's Karen Kingsbury posted this & God Bless!: 

The Big 10

            The post is finally finished!!!
 
            No, it's not March and I'm not talking College Basketball, even though it's in my top 2 for favorite sports. The Big 10 that I'm talking about are thousands of years old. They were given by God to a man named Moses, who shared it with his people. I'm talking about the 10 Commandments found in Exodus 20.
            My church is currently going through the story and we recently studied when God gave Moses the 10 Commandments and then how the Israelites responded when he went back up the mountain for 40 days.  At the end of Pastor Cal's sermon we did an exercise as a church with the 10 Commandments, that was very humbling in a way and really hit you at the same time. Smack!
         
The first thing I want to do is list the 10 Commandments:

                                                          10 Commandments                                   
                            1.  You shall have no other gods before Me.
                            2.  Do not make for yourself an idol.
                            3.  You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
                            4.  Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.
                            5.  Honor your father and mother.
                            6.  Do not murder.
                            7.  Do not commit adultery.
                            8.  Do not steal.
                            9.  Do not lie.
                          10.  Do not covet.

image from google

     
      Now at first glance it's easy to look at them and say: I'm a Christian, I only believe in God, I'm following the first commandment. I don't need to make myself an idol, why would I do that?  I personally don't say "OMG" but I say oh my gosh, so I'm good. I go to church on the weekend…oh and I even go multiple times…I'm an extra good person [note I am exaggerating how we as a society and individuals generally skim through the 10 Commandments].  I listen to my parents when it matters, or I'm a good girl (guy). I haven't murdered anyone, or cheated on a relationship. I don't steal. I don't lie, unless it will make someone feel better. What does covet even mean…well it doesn't matter, cuz it sounds bad and I don't do it…. get the picture? We don't dive into the 10 Commandments to see what they really mean and include.
     Pastor Cal now went through the list and had each person put a finger up for a commandment they haven't broken. For church he kept it easy and simple like murder means actual murder. Yet the Bible also says something else, which I'll get to when I get to that commandment. So I am going to go through the list again…and write some examples or a small blurb on each. Take some time and read through them and see what you haven't broken.
                             
                                                              10 Commandments
                                 1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
                                           - Before quickly responding, ask yourself: Have I ever put anything before God? I know I have. For all the commandments I will give some examples and they are not necessarily personal…some I may dig into and get personal, but think of these generally. Have you ever put a relationship before God? Your job? Money? Your own plans? Sports? Music? Being fit? the list can go on and on and on. If you answered yes to any of those, or thought of something else yourself- you join the "rule breakers club"…rebels.
                             
                             2. Do not make for yourself a false idol.
                                           - I am a Christian I don't believe in a polytheistic deity. Ok, but think of the things you've put before God or idolized. Do you have any memorabilia for any of that? For example I've always loved music and sports. I remember in high school I specifically gravitated towards the Jonas Brothers and Steve Nash. I had a lot of their stuff: posters, multiple copies of the same CD or iTunes download, I scheduled my life around the Suns basketball games etc. Those magazines, posters, jersey's etc can become an idol if you are putting them before God. Yes, you may not be making them specifically but you have them (crafting idols), and sometimes you do make something for your favorite___ - just make sure you don't put these items, people, etc up higher than God. **Disclaimer: In no way am I dissing the Jonas Brothers or Steve Nash or any musician or sports team. I'm just giving a quick reality check. If you put it before God and obsess unhealthily over it..it crosses a line and needs to be dialed back. You could also put the money you make, or moving up in your job, or a number of things in this category as well.

                          3. Do not use the name of the Lord in vain.
                                      - The obvious is "OMG" or saying Jesus (as a cuss word), or saying a cuss word with "God" apart of it. What about the slang substations for those words? Do they count? For example: oh my gosh! gosh dang it! gosh darn it! - and more. What do you think…are substitutions ok or no? But besides that, how many times have you thought the dishonoring words or phrases in your head, but not said it. I don't say those, but they do pop into my head sometimes. Here's a point my Pastor made that was a lightbulb moment for me. Has your mind ever wandered during a worship song? In that case you are saying these wonderful things to the Lord, yet being disrespectful to the Lord. To be vulnerable and honest…that was me last night (from when I wrote this a few weeks ago)…during worship in a young adult ministry (923) I'm apart of, my brain was pre-occupied and I felt horrible, because I was conscious of what I was doing…
                   
                        4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.
                                 - Yes, you may go to church multiple times a week…but have you ever skipped? I know growing up I was in both volleyball and basketball travel teams and we'd almost always have tournaments on the weekends. In college many times I was so happy to finally be able to sleep in, that a number of times I'd chose sleep instead…even though there was a late service. I also went to a Christian University where we had chapel 3 times a week, and I didn't always go…sometimes I'd sleep, do homework, etc Have you ever skipped a youth activity? If you chose not to go to an "organized church" do you forget to take time to just spend with God?

                      5. Honor your father and mother.
                               - Alright…we were all toddlers and or teenagers once…you can't tell me you've never disobeyed your parents. I have a good relationship with my parents, but there have been times I haven't listened or taken their advice. Have they ever asked you to clean something and then you didn't do it? Have you ever told them a lie? Have you ever made fun of them with your friends? As an adult have you ever belittled them? If you're an adult have you ever not listened to them in your adult life? It's very important to honor your parents, even when you disagree on something. There's a way to do it respectfully.

                    6. Do not murder.
                             - No I have not murdered anyone. The chances are you haven't either. So we're good right? Wrong. Jesus says in Matthew 5: 21-22 " You're familiar with the command to the ancients, ' Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder…The simple moral of the fact is that words kill (The Message)." In that respect, I'd argue that we've all been angry with someone at some point…especially ones we love. We would never want those we love and even those we don't "murdered". But words hurt. Think back to a time you were arguing and said something mean, those words hurt. Think about when someone has said something mean to you and how you felt. It hurts right? Have you ever wished someone wasn't in office? Did you rejoice a few years ago when they caught the bad guy?  With all of this, have you kept this commandment?

                   7.  Do not commit adultery.
                               -  First off, most of you are probably like I haven't cheated in my relationship (whatever level you're at). Matthew 5: 28 "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (ESV)." This is the same for women looking at men. Let's quick look at the word lust.  Dictionary.com defines lust as, " intense sexual desire or appetite; a passionate or overmasting desire or craving." Have you ever been in a relationship and lusted over the person you were in a relationship with? Have you lusted over a celebrity- this totally goes for guys and girls, not just girls…I know guys have celebrity crushes and such too haha.  What about lust that has nothing to do with sexual desire…but like the lust for money or power? Has a thought ever came to your head that was impure?  Those are all some ways to break the 7th commandment.
             
                  8. Do not steal.
                             - I know what you're thinking, I'm not a thief in jail. Let me tell you a story to prove how much of a thief that I'm not. So once upon a time, I was shopping with my mama, back in the high school days. We were shopping and I saw this clear bag you can put on your back that held a volleyball and such in it. I asked my mom if I could get it and she said yes. So while shopping, I put it on my back. After checking out, we were in the parking lot walking to the car…and I realized I still had the bag on my back and we hadn't paid for it. We rushed inside and I was so afraid I was going to get in trouble for stealing. They were appreciative of what we realized and we paid for it and all was well. I was wondering about their security system, because nothing went off…hopefully it's better now. So I definitley haven't broken this one…right?! Let me ask a few questions now: Have you ever cheated on homework or a test? Have you ever borrowed money or something from a family member or friend? Have you ever cheated while playing a game? Have you bought all your music on your mp3 or iPod/Iphone? Same with movies? Have you ever cheated someone out of something? When you put it this way it's like…shoot I have stolen.

                9. Do not lie.
                             - "Yeah, I don't lie"…well ya just did!  Have you ever lied about your age? Young and old both do this. Many young people lie about there age so they can do things, they aren't supposed to do yet, or get into places. Older people (not necessarily old) lie about their age, because they don't want to admit how old they're getting. Have you lied about your weight on your driver's license and other forms?…I can tell you mine is inaccurate. Have you lied to make someone feel better? Have you lied to yourself about the way your feel? Have you lied so you don't have to confront something…but then it always gets worse..right? Have you lied about any of the other commandments? Have you lied about your beliefs to fit in? The list could keep going…your lies may not be "BIG" lies, but let's face it, we've all lied.

           10. Do not covet.
                            - Covet? Covet? That's just a strange word, what does it mean? My dictionary app defines it as this, "to wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others; to wish for, especially eagerly." Has the big great giant of jealousy ever found you? It's found me before. Have you ever wanted something of someone else's that you wished something would happen to them (ex. a position in a sport- if they got hurt you'd start), so you could get it, or did you want to steal it? Have you ever acted on those thoughts and/or desires? Next time you find yourself coveting, pause, pray and give it to God. You can also ask the person where they got ____ or who made it, so maybe you can get one too. It may take awhile to get, but you can always try and get something the right way and then you can work on patience as well. I don't covet a lot, but there has been times in my life where I have, so there's another commandment I've broken.

            Going through this list of the "Big 10" I find that I've broken them all to some extent, some less than others, and others more frequently. I guess this makes me a failure and a bad person, and I have no hope. I mean, in order to live with Jesus forever and spend eternity forever with Him don't you have to be perfect and a good person? The answer is…
       
             No. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) says, "For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no on can boast." Guys! God send His one and only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for us, so that we could be with Him forever and have a relationship with Him. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb to end all sacrifices. He was pure and blameless and He took on all our sins, all the times we screw up, break the "Big 10," don't think of others, not show the fruit of the spirit, but the opposite, and so much more. Christ paid the price for us!  But, just because He did that, it doesn't give us a free pass to have the following mindset, "I know God will forgive me, so I'll keep doing what I'm doing and ask for forgiveness at church on the weekend (or whenever)". When someone gives you a gift you don't use it and abuse it right? There was a story I mentioned in my last blog where Jesus says, "Go now and leave your life of sin. (John 8:11)." 1 John 2:9 says, "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did." That means, even though we are human, sinners, and imperfect we can strive to be more like Christ. Good works don't get us into Heaven, but they are fruit of what life with Jesus is like.

           This sermon was a great reality check to really take a look at life and realizing how much you have sinned or broken the commandments. Then it is beautiful and wonderful to know that Christ took care of it. He shows us grace and love, and we need to have faith in Him. Join me in leaving our sinful ways behind and striving to be more like Christ. It doesn't mean we won't ever mess up, but we can strive to do the right thing and follow Jesus =)

                                               The Beauty of Grace by Krystal Meyers