In Everything - #3 How?

*Boudreaux Joke

In Everything

Thanksgiving season

Talking about

Series title comes from these verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

· “In everything” – quite a task

· “Rejoice always” – might be even harder

· Go together

· If I can learn to give thanks – I can rejoice

· Vice versa

· Which raises the question: HOW?

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We’ve dealt with WHY in the first message

Dealt with WHAT this past week – what gratitude can bring

Today: HOW?

How can I give thanks in everything

Yes, I can say it

I can yell it

I can repeat it over and over throughout the day

I can fall at his feet and tell him thanks

STILL BLANK FOR INTRODUCTION

But I wonder if there is a better way

A way that is more meaningful to him

You see, words are just that: words

If I want Him to see - to KNOW - that I am full of gratitude and thanks for what He has done, maybe, just maybe, my actions would speak louder than my words

So what actions am I talking about?

HOW I LIVE MY LIFE!!

The best way to demonstrate my gratitude for what He has done is to:

Live the life he purchased for me to the fullest.

Broad statement

Dangerous even

Man’s idea . . .

encircle thought with a true relationship = clear guidelines

John 10:10 GNB

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

2 clear paths - devil’s and Jesus’, death, full life

I choose life in all its fullness

More and more as I come into deeper relationship with Him and learn to live as He wants me to live, my joy, my peace, my fulfillment grows

And:

As I embrace the life He gave me, I live out my gratitude.

If I don’t want it - I’m not thankful

So WHAT does this life look like?

Obviously its a bit different for everyone

Some are definitely called to live in a monastery

Romans 12:9–18 TPT

Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times. Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home. Speak blessing, not cursing, over those who reject and persecute you. Celebrate with those who celebrate, and weep with those who grieve. Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all. Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody’s friend.

To embrace HIS life there are some things you need to BE

And if you’re not them now, you should strive to BECOME them

BE love

Not loving, but BE love

BE good

In the sense that you truly despise evil and bad things

BE enthusiastic

Serve

Holy Spirit

Look forward

Anticipation

Excited about your time with HS

Not what you CAN’T do, but what you can

BE hopeful

Look for the good, its promised after all (Rom 8:28)

BE generous

To God AND to others

BE hospitable

Given to hospitality in other translations

BE compassionate

Hurt when they hurt,

BE humble

So that you fit in

BE forgiving

As Jesus was to you

BE friendly

Can’t share Jesus if you can’t be friendly

BE real - not religious