Giving Thanks, Being Grateful

Giving Thanks, Being Grateful

by David Brenneman

 There's moments in my life when I just love it when a picture triggers something in my heart towards God, my Savior.  This picture triggered a song that we used to sing in one of the churches we used to go to.

"Give Thanks" by Don Moen

… Father, we wanna thank You

For givin' us and gifted Your Son, Jesus

And in return we wanna give You all that we have

Our hearts, our lives and our thanks

… Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given

Jesus Christ, His Son

… Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given

Jesus Christ, His Son

… And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us

… And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us

… Give thanks

We give thanks (give thanks)

We give thanks

… Lord God, we thank You

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts

For giving Jesus to us

And we can say for a weak, "I am strong"

Because You promised

Your strrength will be perfect in our weakness

… And for every financial need we have

We can sing, "I am rich"

Because You promised to provide all of our needs

According to Your riches and glory

By Christ Jesus, let's sing it together

… And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us

… And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich" (I am rich)

Because of what the Lord has done for us

… Give thanks (give thanks)

We give You thanks (we give thanks)

Give thanks

We give thanks

----------

It's so easy to go on about what you don't have in life.  It's easy to go on about having to go through this or go through that in life.   Determining our level of suffering in comparison to others.  To even call what we're going through as suffering when in even the past few decades it wouldn't have come close to being called that by our ancestors.

It's oh so easy to not rely on God for things when we live in such a world of plenty these days.  We don't even bother coming to Him for things when in most cases it's a click away from being at our doorstep.  The governments of the world call much of what we don't have as a 'supply chain' problem.  No it's quite the opposite.  We just don't know how to do more with less anymore.

We don't teach children how to plan.  We don't teach children how to not get into a financial hole they can't get out of.  We teach them that the government will provide bail-outs if you know where to look.

We don't teach children the way they should go that they might not depart from it as it's written in the book of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it." NASB

I also think on the words of someone who was a contestant on a popular talent show.  "You cannot wait for life to not be hard to be happy" - Jane Marczewski.

We also read : "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." NASB Romans 8:18

Yet in all this, over and over again, we're reminded to be thankful, to be grateful.  There's a popular acronym: ACTS.  Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication.

Adoration - tell Jesus of our love for Him and what He means to us

Confession - put our sins where they need to be. Confess them to get them out of our way between us and God.

Thanksgiving - be thankful for all that He's provided and is doing. This can and is usually combined with rejoicing.  There's another chorus:

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice!

Supplication: here's where we make our requests known unto God. Even in this it ought to be for others before ourselves as it's also written elsewhere in the New Testament.  

Are you thankful for today?  It's interesting to note that Jesus said to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make your requests known unto God.  To not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own.  

Think about that little point.  "it's own".  Today, not unlike tomorrow, is alive.  Your day is alive and we are alive in Christ to live in this day for the One who saved us.  

Are you grateful?  Are you just so used to getting what you want when you want it that you have stopped being either towards God?   

When they returned from their 70 year exile, those who came back to Jerusalem were thankful. Those who remembered wept at the look of the new Temple.  Realizing just what their rebellion and what their fellow Israelites did to warrant what befell them. 

Being thankful and being grateful.  We have such a blessing in being able to do so.  Those in Hell cannot.  Those in Heaven are already there immersed the greatest of blessings.  

"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians  5:12-24 NASB

What's the Purpose?

What's the Purpose?

by David Brenneman 

"For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification.  Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you." 2 Thessalonians 4:2-8 NASB 

My friend, what are you doing to follow these instructions?  These are not written just for the Thessalonian Church.  We who have Jesus as our Savior have a work in progress sign above our heads with an arrow pointing to our hearts. 

We are supposed to be His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

Sounds like a true purpose to me. 

Are you walking like it?  

Are you walking as a Disciple of Jesus or are your steps mirrored after the world?

Are you struggling and striving to create your own little Kingdom here on Earth or are you at work in His Kingdom?  The prayer says: Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven.".

We are easily lead astray by the plethora of wrong desires of our hearts.  We laugh and joke about how quickly a dog's attention span is when it sees a squirrel...human beings are worse.

We not only go after the squirrel, we can write up a spreadsheet or document to list every justification for going after what we do.  Thousands of books have been written on how to pursue this or that.  Thousands more on how to feel this or that about what amounts to justified selfishness. 

Our sanctification is a top priority in what we read Paul writing about. That word is repeated.  It's not just sexual immorality. It's all forms of immorality. It's about who's on the Throne of our hearts.  Who's commands we are going to follow.  Who's direction are we going to go. 

The work of the Spirit of God in the life of a Believer is to make us more like Christ Jesus.  Period. That work is of utmost importance. It's above personal pleasure. It's above personal comfort.  It's going to be involving quite a bit of suffering and pain to gain the righteous life that God desires in us.  

An addict goes through extremely powerful and painful withdrawals when separated from what they were on.  We are addicted to the things of this world.  To human beings practically everything is a squirrel.  In less than a second we can mentally check out on people with nothing more than a stray thought. 

When you look back over your life, as I have again today, what progress do you see?

I was reading in my Facebook memories about some things I wrote concerning the last 20 some years.  Regardless of the path and pain, God's been entirely faithful to stay with me through everything. Through every single Spiritual operation. Through every single Spiritually painful set of withdrawals. Through every single moment.  There's never been a moment that I was ever abandoned nor forgotten by my Savior. 

Letting go of me and my desires has opened me up to what God's got in mind for me.  I It's a work in progress. Seems that weekly I am thinking of more and more things to let go of.  

When you consider your purpose in life...as a Believer there's only one. To reflect the light of Jesus Christ in this world.  To tell people about what Jesus has done for us and what He would like to do for others.  

Honestly, striving for success in everything is a fleeting waste of time.  Worldly success never lasts and you always find yourself trying to figure out how to up the ante.  

As someone once said you learn more through failing than you do in succeeding.

We will always appear to be failing at living life in this world because of what Believer's are to reject as per God's Word.  In Christ we become something when we pursue sanctification rather than personal desires. 

We should be wanting what God wants. 

We should be desiring what God desires. 

God's Will should be of utmost importance to the life of the Believer. 

What steps are you taking towards sanctification?  Are you making time with Jesus every day a priority?

Are you confessing your known and unknown sins?

Are you filling your time trying to fulfill your desires or are you seeking what God desires to see in you?

Are you trying to please the world at the expense of pleasing God?

Are you wanting at all to hear "Well done!" from Jesus?

You, my Friend, have a wonderful purpose.  You have a specific, special, reason to be born in this here, this now, in history.  It isn't about personal success or accomplishments. It's not about amassing possessions or great things to go and see.  

We are to grow in Christ and show a lost world the way to be saved.  To point them to Jesus and pray for their growth in Christ.  To want what God wants. 

What is Light?

What is Light?

Light.

It's an interesting thing light. It illuminates. It reveals the truth about what we visually perceive, regardless of if our minds accept what is seen.

I use a few apps in my daily reading.  It was interesting that it turned into a word study this morning about the effects of the Light of Jesus Christ when the images that the app offered for sharing were of various translations. 

Light is indiscriminate. Light enables the unbridled truth to be seen.  It has but one job and it does it faultlessly.

This world is currently under the 'rule' of Satan.  Within limits set by God in order that the plans and purpose of God be fulfilled concerning salvation and the putting to an end of the effects of sin in mankind. 

People are fooled quite easily by the slight of hand tricks of the enemy of God.  We are easily convinced of things that aren't true.   The thing about the Light of Jesus Christ is it always bears the truth. He IS the Truth. 

Our lives easily get filled with other people's ideas on how we should live. You don't have to look for long on LinkedIn to see thousands of people telling you that you must become a good leader.  You get on Facebook and their "Community Standards" dictate what you are to be like on there.  You are in a Public School you are told how to shape everything from your gender to your career.  That's the world in which we live.  All the world believes it knows the truth.  Truth is the only one with the truth is Jesus. 

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Mankind has an eternal future. It's based entirely on the acceptance of the Truth.  You either believe and ask for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone and spend eternity with Him or you reject that truth and spend eternity paying for your sins in torment.  There's nothing in the middle.  That's God's own truth. 

That's not an opinion. That's the truth of the Gospel.  Jesus said that no man or woman can come to the Father but through Him.  No man or woman will ever see Heaven without the seal of the Holy Spirit by way of salvation in Christ Jesus.

Our Earthly choice concerning the light of truth determines our eternity. 

Jesus reveals the truth in this dark world. 

There's nothing you have done nor ever will do that He won't know exactly what was on your mind while doing it.  He is Truth. He knows. He knows the hearts of mankind.  He sifts the hearts of mankind.  He knows.  That's what the truth is.

You can fool yourself but you will never fool Jesus, the Spirit or the Father. 

We read from Jesus Himself what Hell is like.  We read in various places in the Bible what Heaven is like. We read of the bitterness and anger people in Hell have at God.  In Hell everything that mankind has done to hide from the truth has been stripped away and the truth of the souls of people are what remains.  Weeping and gnashing of teeth is the constant in Hell. Rejoicing and peace that passes all understanding is in Heaven.  Torment exists in Hell. Torment will never be seen in Heaven.  That's the truth as stated by Jesus. 

This world isn't going to get better until after the 7 year Great Tribulation that the Bible says is coming.  Then for a thousand years Jesus will physically rule this world Himself.  The world will know what real governance is about.  The world will not rebel against Jesus during this time.  Satan's influence will be severely curtailed because he will basically be in prison for this time period.  

The truth of God is there's a way and it's called Jesus. You're not going to lose out on living life by coming to Christ. You're going to find out what really living life is. You're not going to be alone because Jesus will be with you always. You're not going to be defenseless because He will be your defense.  You're not going to see the world the same way again because the light of Jesus Christ will show you what you couldn't see before.  The truth. 

My Dear Reader time isn't on our side. 

The Bible says that the Father has set a day on His own authority as to when Jesus will return.  It's pretty much known that most every prophecy that has needed to happen before that time has happened. So imminent as the Bible says is certainly imminent.  Please consider the truth of God. Please consider what your eternity is going to look like.  

Jesus loved you enough to come and die in your place if only you would ask.  You must ask Him to be the forgiver of your sins. You must ask Him to save you.  

The light cannot be anything but what light is.  The Light of Christ cannot be extinguished, put out, or overcome by falsehood. 

Jesus is patiently waiting for you. 

What is it?

What is it?

by David Brenneman 

Romans 12:2 NASB "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

"so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NASB 

"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 NASB 

How often do you "go with the flow" vs standing on God's Word? Quite often, I will admit, it's often less painful in the moment to go with the flow.  

But what does it say?  "Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:12-17 NASB 

It's not going to be an easy ride walking against what the world offers that it calls living.

We aren't to be like the world.  We're supposed to be different. 

Was reading another post that was in my Facebook memories.  Light has but one indiscriminate job. To reveal, to illuminate, to make visible what has been hidden. 

We read in many places in the Gospels where Jesus says that we are indeed workers in this world for the Father.  We have responsibilities.  We aren't to run from them nor are we to try to hide that light given to us from the world. 

To hide that light is to give into conformity. 

To hide that light is to give in to a selfish faith. 

To be blunt, just because you came to Christ for salvation, doesn't at all mean that you can take it easy and sit on the sidelines. 

You aren't to put anything or anyone above your relationship with Jesus.  

Yet in big ways and small we conform because it hurts.  Because it hurts less when we do. We conform in small things and bigger things as time goes by.  A hardened heart doesn't happen overnight. 

We can be selfish in that we indeed congratulate ourselves on being in our Bible yet not allow it to convict us of sins or sinful practices. 

We can be selfish in that we might attend a Church but refuse to be a servant of God. 

We can be selfish in that we honor God on a Sunday morning, singing along with others, yet sing unspiritually healthy songs during the week.  Songs that honestly celebrate immorality, etc. 

We can be so self focused that we neglect those people that God's put in our path for us to be a light to.

We cannot live to serve Christ and put conditions on it ourselves.  

Look at your life this day.  Would you see yourself as all in for Jesus or only when it suits your needs and purposes?

Are you too busy for God in your life?

My friend, read again what conform means.  Read again what we are not to do.

In Christ we are to be about the Father’s business, just as Jesus was Himself. We are able to fully know what that is in the Great Commission.  We aren't getting a "get out of Hell free" card to go and do what we want. We aren't being given a license to live for self and hide that light of Jesus in us. 

Really consider what you've allowed into your life that, should you be honest, you know that Jesus would not approve of. 

He Chose You

He Chose You

by David Brenneman 

Ever read something and not see something?  1 Thessalonians begins with an introduction from Paul.  But right there in the midst is: knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you. 

Jesus chose you.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords...chose you.

The Creator of everything...chose you.

The One whom loves us...chose you.

The Righteous One...chose you.

The...list can go on.  

Go down through this list of descriptions of Jesus...He chose you.

It's a very profound thought.   It's beyond a wonder to me.  I know my sins.  I know the guilt that I should indeed carry, that He's taken away from me.  I know the weight of that sentence of death that He took upon Himself in my place...He chose to do that.  He chose.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

Now read the rest of that conversation with Nicodemus:

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed.  But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” John 3:17-21 NASB. 

In Christ we are not judged guilty.  If you reject Christ then indeed your guilt remains.  Dear Reader, He chose you, but you need to choose Him.  You need to have a real relationship with Jesus.  

Jesus chose you.  He chose to leave perfection, to be born of a woman. To grow up as a human being. To endure everything that you would.  Yet was found to be without sin.  He came to do that, then to die in your place. To receive your death sentence upon Himself, for you. 

He decided that you are worth dying for. 

You.

Once you do come to Christ for salvation, then we get to live like those who truly are alive.  We get to live showing our appreciation to Him for saving us, for choosing us.  

Brings to mind a song:

I once was lost in sin

but Jesus took me in

And then a little light

from heaven filled my soul

It bathed my heart

in love and wrote my name above

And just a little talk

with Jesus made me whole

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus

Let us tell Him all about our troubles

He will hear our faintest cry

He will answer by and by

Now when you feel

a little prayer wheel turning

And you know a little fire is burning

You will find a little talk

with Jesus makes it right.

And another:

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my savior's love for me!

The joy at being set free from a death sentence!  

He chose you.  He chose me...and people like me to share that wonderful news with you!   

This world IS a limited time place of existence.  It was, around 7 thousand years ago, designed to go on forever.  Sin came through Adam and Eve, and the end of sin had to be established. The Bible says that God cannot allow sin to continue.  It had to be dealt with.  While on the cross, His Father set a date and time for the end of all physical things.  

He established a great many things that would happen and wrote them in the Bible.   As miraculous as it sounds, not one has failed to happen according to His time-line.  Not many remain.  Please let that sink in: not many remain. 

Jesus says a day has been set by the Father’s own authority.  

Jesus chose you.  He chose to take your place if only you would come to Him to ask Him to save you.  There's no tricks or gimmicks.  No slight of hand.  The gift and offer are free.  

It's out of gratitude that we live for the One whom would take our death sentence upon Himself.  To that One who would forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.  

Oh how marvelous! How wonderful! is my Savior's love for me! 

My prayer for all who reads or has ever read these posts is that they would come to personally know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  That they would know, personally, the love of God for themselves. 

It still blows my mind that the One who created everything would point to me and say "Him. I will take his place.  Give to me what he deserves. Sentence me in his place."

My Friend, He says the same to you. 

He chooses you.

Never Clocked Out

Never Clocked Out

by David Brenneman 

Most often in life we strongly want a separation between work and home. 

We want smaller separation between us and others at times.  Time to ourselves.

Where Spiritual matters are, life isn't like that.  Our work and our rest in the Lord isn't the same as how the world does things.

We read here that Paul's concern for them and by extension the church at Laodicea was the same.  Be ready for the opportunities presented by the Spirit. Be on the alert. Be willing. Be mindful of how outsiders might view us. 

This, to me, is an extension of my reasons for abstaining from things like following sports.  To be blunt, it certainly doesn't bring out a Christ-like attitude or disposition in me.  Hate is prevalent. Anger is evident. Hurtful words and the undercutting of the value of people happens.  

We can easily be selfish people even as Christians.  I think that's what hit me most on Sunday with the person's testimony at their being baptized.  Selfish in their faith. 

We cannot compartmentalize our faith. We are not to turn it on and off on a whim.

Our life in Christ is 24/7.  

I highly doubt that anyone in the presence of Jesus Christ are sad or disappointed in not doing life that they had before leaving Earth.  I highly doubt their desires are for the places they had been to or places they never got to see.  After all they are with Jesus!  Their desires are probably what He desires.  That all who would come to Christ for salvation do.

We put so much emphasis on living the dream.  On goals that are indeed selfish. On lives that aren't always about people. 

On what we can get out of life for ourselves.   

Jesus was never off the clock with His Father.  

He didn't teach the Disciples to run off and skip out on doing the Will of His Father.

He taught them to rest with the purpose of being ready for their next assignment.  

Some of the greatest revivals came because of one or more people denying themselves and being fully ready and willing for what God wanted next out of them. 

We aren't promising a peaceful existence. We are told it's probably going to be quite the opposite.  That we are likely going to attract the attention of the enemy of God by desiring to live in Christ Jesus. 

So what often happens by intent or by neglect is more and more selfish living creeps into our lives. 

We are pursuing things that aren't going to grow us in Christ.  We spend hours showcasing our sin nature by our behavior.  

It's no secret that I see that the leap of faith that we took nearly a year ago was a provision of God with a purpose.   Just like Jacob's prayer concerning his brother Esau, where it wasn't just Esau who was changed but Jacob as well, so has it been for us.  We are recognizing that our lives in Christ are certainly for a definite purpose. We have indeed a calling in Christ Jesus that's irrevocable as Paul wrote in Romans.  We aren't off the clock in our service to God.

It's possible that's in the heart of several parables that Jesus taught.  That we aren't off the clock in our service to God.  To be ready to serve, be available at a moments notice.  To realize that the Spirit could provide an opportunity at any time.  To watch our life and remove whatever is there that is going to entangle us.

For me, many things can easily entangle me.  Puzzles can.  Science fiction can.  Building things can.  Even striving to be organized can.  I can be wrapped up in thoughts.  I can just want to check out from people.  I can be that man in the parable that told the friend at his door to go away I'm already in bed. 

As it is in Heaven.  Life in Heaven is about people.  Gold, silver, these things are asphalt and building material.  Essentially worthless in Heaven.  What's of value is what we are doing to point people to Jesus.  What we are doing 24/7 to grow in Christ.  What we are doing for the Kingdom.  Possessions mean nothing in Heaven. 

Do you check out on God?

Do you leave yourself an out in order to not walk in a manner worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus?

Do you collect things that have no Spiritual value?  Are you being selfish with your faith?  You got saved and are just keeping to yourself until either Jesus calls you home to Heaven or the Rapture happens?

Are you spending your time wisely?  Are you developing a thankful heart?  

Can someone say of you that you're available in service to God?  

Are your words spoken with grace, seasoned as though with salt?  

We aren't ever on vacation from God.  

We aren't ever off the clock with His plan and purpose for our lives. 

We are never going to live out the full life in Christ by running off to do our own thing.  Taking up our own cross and following Jesus is to put the interests of the Kingdom first.  To value what Jesus values.  

Sure there are things in this life that I haven't seen. Places where I would like to see again.  Things that I could pursue that I haven't.  

But the reality of life is this:  Jesus is coming soon.  Will He find us doing what was His Father's plan or us doing our own thing?

While a peaceful life is desired by all, we aren't promised it.  We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  Doesn't say anything about doing so when we can fit them into our schedule. 

A selfishness check is always a good idea.  Spending time at the feet of Jesus is always a great idea.  Being thankful, rejoicing always...great idea.  Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  Loving not the world nor the things of this world...great idea.  Being ready to give an account for why you believe what you do...always good.  Where it is at all possible living at peace with all people...great idea.  Doing all that you do as unto the Lord...always. 

We aren't here to skate through life after coming to Christ.  We are workers in His fields.  We are those who are to reflect the light of Jesus Christ in this world.  24/7.

Running from our responsibilities in Christ isn't a good idea.  Didn't work out so well for Jonah.  It's plainly evident that Paul's only interest in anything in this life was people.  He was ready at all times to be of use to God.  He became all things to all people in order to show them Jesus.  

My hope at this moment in my life is to be found by Him doing that which I have been called to be doing.  To be ready, to be available.  To give as He desires for me to give.  To walk in a manner worthy of His calling to me in Christ Jesus.  To trust and obey.  What about you?

Misplaced...

Misplaced...

by David Brenneman 

Some words and definitions:

passion: strong and barely controllable emotion.

sexual immorality: derived from the word pornea, our modern word of pornography.  Sexual activities outside of what God intended. 

evil desire: sort of self explanatory. The desire for the un-Christ-like.

greed: intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.

"Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.  In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  Colossians 3 5-17 NASB 

When the word misplaced is often used it refers to something or someone that isn't where he, she or it was expected to be. 

Misplaced thoughts...these are more intense.  We were reading yesterday in the warning to protectwhat?  That which we take into our hearts and minds. 

We are often misplacing things.  It's a fact of life.  But rarely do we apply it to our thinking.  

It's no secret that some things upset people more than other things.  We say that is people being sensitive or overly sensitive to the situation or subject. 

In Christ we are to find our perfect peace. 

In Christ while it is possible to be angry and sin not, anger is forewarned to be a dangerous thing to pick up.  It's usually accompanied by other emotions that we too cannot contain. 

We often speak out words that we cannot take back.  We can rage on this or that when passion is mixed with anger.  

The worst side of ourselves can come out when we go down that road.

This may lead us into accepting something in our lives that has no place in our sanctification in Christ Jesus. 

James 1:20 NASB "for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God."

We can plug in the rest of those in verse 5 where the word anger is used.

"for a man's sexual immorality does not bring about the righteous life that God desires"

"for a man's impurity..."

"for a man's passion..."

"for a man's evil desire..."

"for a man's greed..."

...all of these do not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  They do nothing to grow us in Christ Jesus.  They are to have no place in the life of a Believer in Christ. 

We can often justify some of these.

We can often spout off on this or that and not realize it causes our walk with Jesus to suffer.  It's not showing a heart that's following Jesus.

We see in this part of Colossians that Paul writes that those things add up to idolatry. 

God intended, before the fall of mankind with sin, for those things to have a different context. 

The Biblical definition of idolatry: idolatry, in Judaism and Christianity, the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God. The first of the biblical Ten Commandments prohibits idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me.”

We are often misplacing what belongs to God with things of this world. 

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also."

It's most difficult to express these particular feelings and emotions while the list of anger etc are in play.  

Putting on. Sounds like what Paul was getting at in Ephesians 6 with the whole armor of God.  

Romans 13:14 NASB "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."

In these years of my life I am catching myself more and more when a wrong road is approaching.  When I am tempted to behave a way that God didn't intend for me to be. 

We often don't take into account when our words go places they shouldn't. When our control goes awry.  When we do such things and others see who aren't as strong in the Lord or aren't yet a believer in Christ, we mess up the work of God.  We certainly aren't helping. 

We deceive ourselves so much.  

We justify so much.

"Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

If indeed the peace of Christ is ruling, then we are not. It's a given that you can't be thankful and also be angry etc. that we see in that list.  If we let the word of Christ richly dwell within us...those things would not be coming out of us.  

It's a cause to make us question what is in our lives that shouldn't be there.  

We cannot afford to just live coasting through life doing what feels good.  Scripture says to die to self and live to Christ. 

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

We're going to be tempted in every way to justify our behavior, our lusts, our desires.  We are going to be in situations that we rage for no Godly reason.  Condemning people for this or that in anger that has nothing to do with us.  

For me, personally, this is why I do not follow sports of any kind.  I was making a mockery of my faith in my behavior.  I was being judgmental. I was being angry for this or that happening.  Justifying my actions by saying that I was a fan of this or that team.  I was, in all truthfulness, a hypocrite.  I was going along with others crying out for this person to be fired, that person was worthless.  I was not behaving in a way that brought about the righteous life that God desired in me.

This is but one area of my life.  I was doing the same in regards to immersing myself in fiction all the time.  Be it television or movies.   I was engaging in thinking and things that were not bringing about the righteous life that God desired in me.

I still have areas of my life where the Spirit is still working on me.  The Extreme Home Makeover of my life will only end when I am perfected in the resurrection if I don't leave this world sooner.

The consideration of today is to really look at what you set your mind on.  Look at what you are doing that others see.  Look at where your mind goes.  Are you, in everything, doing it in the name of the Lord Jesus?  Are you thankful? 

We often are not going to see our own bad behavior.  We need others to be honest with us.  Pray for that. 

Pray that your eyes be opened to what Jesus sees concerning your life and behavior.