Thankfulness and the Will of God

She never says it, but it's visible in her disposition. She never verbally acknowledges it, but it is heard in the tone of her voice, and the responses to the reporter's questions. 

The woman is obviously thankful. God answered her prayers for protection for both her,

and the dog.   

The attitude of gratitude—as we often call it—changes the frequency of life.

A Thankful person manifests his or her gratitude in disposition, emotional outlook, and attitude. Gratitude regulates attitude. How many thankful negative people have you met? I have yet to find many thankful negative people.  

We should make it our aim to become more grateful. This positive frequency will change the frequency of your marriage, your family, your workplace, your school, and your

church. 

Reading through Colossians, I stumbled on the word "thankful," or "thankfulness" several times. Deeper study reveals the Greek word 'Eucharistia' is used in every occurrence, except one. The word "Karis" is the exception. It's in the form of both imperative and indicative verbs, as well as nouns and adjectives. The frequent use exposes a main theme for the book, which is gratitude.  


 

Paul wrote the letter to combat false teaching within the church. The greatest weapons for combating heresies are truth and spiritual growth. Growing in truth enables God's people to deal properly with both doctrinal and practical problems arising in the church.  

There's a link between spiritual growth and gratitude. Thankfulness characterizes healthy, growing, maturing Christians. Therefore, an attitude of gratitude is essential to changing the frequency of life. The prayer in verses nine through twelve of chapter one gives understanding to the relationship between thankfulness and the will of God. You begin changing the frequency of life by gaining a fuller understanding of the will of God.  


 

Gain a Fuller Understanding of the Will of God  

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9). Paul is praying for the church to have a deeper understanding of God's will. The reason he prays is simple: God is the source for understanding his will.  


 

It's important to understand the "knowledge of his will" in the context of Colossians. The false teachings Paul is combating are detrimental to the doctrine of the person of Christ. As a result, Paul gives one of the best, if not the best, Christological passages in the New Testament in verses one through twenty-three of chapter one. With this in mind, the knowledge of his will is Christ-centered. Paul prays for the church to have a greater understanding of Jesus Christ, and a deeper experience with Jesus Christ. However, this doesn't passively happen to the Christian. A fuller understanding begins with the inward work of the Spirit of God.  


 

Inward Work of the Spirit of God

The means by which the Christian is filled with the knowledge of the will of God is "in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." The "spiritual" aspect speaks of the inward work of God's Spirit. Christians receive spiritual wisdom and understanding through the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, we must have the indwelling the presence of God's Spirit. The Spirit of God indwells those who have been born-again. A fuller understanding also depends upon the outward exposure to the word of God.  


 

Outward Exposure to the Word of God

Only God's inspired word can give us spiritual wisdom and understanding. Christians must be exposed to God's word daily. The last element to gaining knowledge of the will of God is the upward practice of prayer with God.  


 

Upward practice of prayer with God

Paul prays for fuller understanding of God's will, and so should we. Prayer is crucial in understanding God's will. Our prayer life must be consistent. It must be concerned for, not only our own spiritual condition, but also the condition of others. It must confidently approach Jesus. James understood the importance of prayer, "If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).  

 
 

Christians gain a deeper experience and understanding of God's word by the inward word of the Holy Spirit, the outward exposure to God's word, and the upward practice of prayer with God. When we gain a fuller, greater understanding of God's will, the transformation of the frequency of life takes place.   The motivation to experience the transformation of the frequency of life is the desire to please the Lord.  

 
 

The Desire to Please the Lord 

 
"So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" (Colossians 1:10a). Gaining a deeper knowledge of the will of God leads to a life worthy of the Lord. In fact, the purpose for gaining greater knowledge of God's will is to please the Lord.  

 
 

When you change the frequency of your life, you are allowing the Lord to conform your conduct to his character. The Christian becomes am an imitator of God when the frequency of life is in tune with God. This is the result of gaining a fuller understanding of the knowledge of God's will. In the same manner, the basis for pursuing a deeper knowledge is the desire to please the Lord.  

 
 

Arrive at our home and you will be greeted with a warm welcome and gift. It doesn't matter your identity; you will be greeted with a gift. The gift can be anything, a shoe, dirty laundry, cell phone, etc . It's whatever is available on the floor at the time of arrival. The gift bearer is a golden retriever named Shiloh. My Attempts to stop his generosity has been in vain. Why? It's in Shiloh's DNA to please people, especially his family. Likewise, Christians must make priority to live for God's good pleasure.  

 
 

When you desire to please God and pursue a greater knowledge of God's will, the transformation of the frequency of life will be evident. In fact, the frequency of life that is worthy of the Lord exhibits distinct characteristics.   

The Distinct Characteristics

Located in the subsequent verses are four participles modifying the verb "walk" in verse ten: “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father” (Colossians 1:10-12). These phrases describe the different characteristics of a life frequency in tune with the Lord. There’re three distinct characteristics of a life frequency worthy of the Lord.  

 
 

Fruitful

A pleasing life is fruitful: "bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10b). Jesus himself said, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples" (John 15:8). Fruitfulness involves activities and service for the Lord such as evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship. It also involves conduct and attitudes exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, which glorify God.  

 
 

There's an interesting connection between "bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." When God's people increase in the knowledge of God on account of bearing fruit, the knowledge is more than intellectual. It's experiential knowledge. When you obey—bear fruit—you grow in your experience with the Lord. In short, you must abide in Jesus to be fruitful, and as you abide in Jesus, you increase in your experiential knowledge of him. It pleases God when his children flourish and are fruitful.  

 
 

Powerful

A worthy life is powerful: "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience" (Colossians 1:11). When your frequency of life is in tune with the Lord, it's characterized by a strength and power for living the new existence you have in Christ. The power that God gives strengthens us to remain steadfast under trials. It enables us to be content in bad and good situations. It's the power that Paul spoke of when he declared: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).  

The endurance and patience Christians need are grace gifts from God. For it is "according to his glorious might" that God's children can stand the test and receive the crown of life that God has promised to all who love him.  

Thankful 

The frequency of life pleasing to Jesus is grateful: "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:12-14). Christians should be the most grateful people in the world, no matter what the circumstances.  

 
 

Regardless of what you are going through, if you have been born-again, and are a child of God, you can be thankful because you have been qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints. You can be grateful because you are a part of God's kingdom where Jesus Christ rules. You can be full of thanks because you have been forgiven of all your sins. What a reason to be thankful! God's people have a hope and a future.  

Do you know Patsy Wilson? She's a dear sister in Christ, who lives on a frequency in tune with the Lord. She has experienced tremendous heartache over the years. Even so, she's always able to find something, even in the hardships, to be grateful for. Her gratitude has taught me a great deal about thankfulness, and how it changes the frequency of life, if you allow it.  

 
 

The frequency of life in tune with the will of God is fruitful, powerful, and thankful.   

FSBC Testimonies: Life-Change

In the last few days, I have received several testimonies that God is changing lives at 
FSBC. God's work is easily missed, if our focus is wrong (Elijah is a perfect example). 
Therefore, I think it is important to share these testimonies, so we don't become 
discouraged and depressed.   

I am a result of your work in Gods name.! It's the little things in everyday life that come back to you and show the result of God's work in your life. You are working and it is seen every day. Nothing spectacular to men, but spectacular and magnificent to me and Lord God. God answered a prayer and made sure I came to FSBC 10.27.2013 to hear your spectacular message re Elijah and depression, and unbelief and faith, hope, love. One thing remains .. God, your love never fails; It never runs out on me! You and family are cherished, loved, held in high esteem and your work, your ministry is working spectacular things in Gods name and peoples lives. Please never forget this and dont be weary. Thank you for all your time, support, advice, listening and prayers. I will never forget you ever! Patrick Mead is loved. Prayer for you and FSBC. Al McCullough.

Share Testimony : I wish there was a talk button on this thing. It sure would make it so much easier but since there isn't here it goes.... I wanted to say how very thankful I am to be here at First Southern with all of you. I also wanted to be sure to say thank you to all the leaders of our church and the many others who are behind the scenes doing so much. I'm in awe when I think of how God led my family to this church. I think about it often because its so encouraging to me. I know that we are right where God wants us to be. I also think how blessed we are at our church to have a pastor who preaches the word of God exactly like it is. Wow!! I'm in awe of how great God is to us! Listening to the pastor's messages each week has sparked a desire for me to read my bible more. There's nothing more important in this world to me then that. John 1:1 I also wanted to say how thankful I am for the new sanctuary. I think it's beautiful!! I know it's a change to get used to for some who have been here for a while. There's a great parable Luke 5:36-39 (Our church programs and ministries should not be so structured that they have no room for a fresh touch of the Spirit, a new method, or a new idea. We too, must be careful that our hearts do not become so rigid that they prevent us from accepting the new way of thinking that Christ brings. We need to keep our hearts pliable so we can accept Jesus' life- changing message.

Share Testimony : First of all I just want to say how very grateful I am that God led us to this area and to this church. This has truly been a blessing to our family. The people here are so genuine and caring. It's so exciting to be a part of it and also to see what God does next. It's so encouraging to see the leaders of the church walk by faith. It just encourages me so much more to do the same. To keep my eyes on Jesus and trust Him fully. Thank you so much from my entire family!!! : )

Share Testimony : I wanted to share another testimony about the wonderful things God is doing in my life. I met an elderly woman back in November on a walking trail in Benton. We struck up a conversation and from that time since a wonderful friendship emerged. Who knew but God that a 46 yr old and an 81yr old could have so much fun together. Since she's been in my life I find myself thanking God almost on a daily basis for bringing her into my life. I know in my heart this is all apart of his plan. I've told several people already about her because I'm just so thankful and excited about it. Her name is Ruth. We spend quite a bit of time together and she likes to call me Gertrude which I love. She's one of the funniest persons I have ever met. Anyway, I'm throwing that out there because I believe God has a wonderful sense of humor too. The other day we were walking out of a restaurant and she said come on Gertrude. As we were driving out and preceeded down the road I missed a turn and had to go down another road to turn around. As I came up to the stop sign I looked up and saw the street sign which read Gertrude. I pointed it out to Ruth and we both started to laugh. Just yesterday morning I was headed by myself to a another walking trail that I go to sometimes for exercise. As I was driving I was thinking about Ruth and thanking God for bringing her into my life. I was overwhelmed with joy and just so grateful. As i was driving I happened to look at the street sign where I was about to turn and it was Ruth Dr. I knew in my heart this was no coincidence that I saw that at that very moment. It was a gift from God and I also knew a confirmation to me that our friendship is from him. It's funny because I've traveled that same path at least 10 times never once paying any attention to the street signs. Anyway, my life has been so blessed by God thru all this in so many great ways and I'm so thankful!! My overall family has been truly blessed too.

Share Testimony : I just wanted to say how very thankful I am for our church!! God has been so good to me and my family and I love him so much!! He brought us to this wonderful church full of loving people!! Wow!! What a blessing it is!! I'm in "AWE" of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and how much he loves us! I heard a great song for the very first time today and wanted to share it. It's called "Your Grace Finds Me" by Matt Redman. It's beautiful!!!

Prayer's Anatomy

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceases to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will." (Colossians 1:9).  

 
 

This verse tells me a great deal about the prayer life of Paul. In fact, I see three qualities that should characterize every Christian’s prayer life: 

 
 

1.            Consistent: Paul did not cease praying for the Colossian believers. He practiced what he preached.

2.            Concerned: The concern of Paul's prayer was for other believers.

3.            Confident: The word "ask" has the idea of asking for something out of entitlement. Prayer is a privilege, but it is also an entitlement earned for us by the blood of Jesus. We can approach the throne of God with confidence because of Jesus. 

Is your prayer life consistent? Is it concerned for the spiritual condition of others? Do you approach Jesus in prayer with confidence?   

Gloom, Despair, Agony On Me

Gloom, despair, agony on me. That's the best way to describe Elijah's condition in 1 Kings chapter nineteen. It's the consequence of not avoiding discouragement's path. Unreal expectations, allowing circumstances to overwhelm, and focusing inwardly all play a part in leading Elijah down the path of depression. 

 
 

In 2009, a health survey revealed 40 million American adults had been diagnosed with depression; serving as further evidence that discouragement and depression are the most effective tool that the devil uses against people, especially God's people. If more evidence is needed, then let me say that out of the fifteen years I have been preaching, last week's sermon received more comments from people than any sermon I have preached. Everyone battles with discouragement and depression. 

 
 

The four main causes of depression are fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. Likewise, the four chief symptoms of depression are dissatisfaction, disgruntled, disengaged, and distressed. However, beneath the causes and symptoms is a deeper root cause. It's unbelief. When unbelief gets the upper hand in our hearts, it leads us down the path of discouragement and depression. 

 
 

In a recent conversation, someone questioned her salvation on account of struggling to trust God. I assured her the struggle to trust God is not a sign you are not saved, but a sign you are saved. The life of faith is a fight for faith. The child of God must fight unbelief faithfully because the failure to trust God for all he's promised in Jesus will lead us down the road of discouragement and depression. Therefore, the child of God should persistently pray, "Lord; I believe, help me with my unbelief." The solution to leaving the path of despair is winning the battle with unbelief. We win the battle with unbelief by trusting God. 

 
 

Elijah's story fuels our faith, so we can defeat unbelief, and leave gloom, despair, and agony behind. The first step to leaving discouragement's path reveals our need to trust God's faithfulness. 

 
 

Trust God's Proven Character to Provide 

"And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God" (1 Kings 19:5-8).  

 
 

Elijah received a messenger after he became dissatisfied with ministry and life, disgruntled with God and people, disengaged from all relationships, and distressed with the problems destabilizing his life. The messenger was no ordinary messenger. Verse seven reveals the messenger as "the angel of the Lord." When the anger of the Lord appears throughout the Old Testament it's called a "theophany." This is where the pre-incarnate Christ appears to God's people under the Old Covenant. Therefore, Jesus has manifested himself to Elijah and is now ministering to him. 

 
 

God's activity in Elijah's life has progressed very interestingly. The Lord uses ravens to provide Elijah's meals while camping at the brook Cherith. An impoverished widow furnishes sustenance in Zaraphath. However, when Elijah runs from the will of God, it is Jesus, who comes to provide for Elijah. Elijah flees, and God chases. 

 
 

The angel of the Lord's ministry was successful, and Elijah responds, "And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God"(1 Kings 19:8). This particular verse has great spiritual significance. The forty-day journey connects Elijah's situation with the past. Israel spent forty years roaming the wilderness because of unbelief. Elijah's wilderness experience was the result of unbelief. 

 
 

Elijah ended up in the wilderness of depression because he failed to trust God's proven character to provide for his people. For three-and a half-years Elijah experienced the faithfulness of God to provide, protect, and prevail. Nevertheless, he lost the fight with unbelief, and he ended up on the path of discouragement and depression. 

 
 

God has proven abundantly that he is faithful to his people. If you forget his proven character to provide, you will become discouraged and depressed. Thomas Chisholm, didn't want to forget, so he penned these words, "Great is Thy Faithfulness, great is Thy Faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." The first step to winning the battle of over unbelief and leaving the path of despair is trusting God's proven character of provide. Second step: trust God's powerful presence to guide. 

 
 

Trust God's Powerful Presence to Guide 

"There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:9-10).  

 
 

 
After arriving at Horeb, the mount of God, The Lord speaks to Elijah, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" This question isn't for God, but for Elijah. The Lord wants Elijah to do some self-examination. Elijah's response reveals his despair, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hose. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah is so depressed he can't remember all that God did in chapters seventeen and eighteen. Elijah feels alone, and abandoned by God. 

 
 

Therefore, God will teach Elijah of his powerful presence, "And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave” (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

 
 

The Lord was not in the strong wind; not in the earthquake, nor in the fire. However, it is in the sound of a low whisper that the Lord reveals his powerful presence. Why? Elijah's three-and a half-years was characterized by the supernatural and spectacular. Ravens providing food, and widow's son raised from the dead, fire falling from heaven, and rain removing the drought. The low whisper teaches Elijah that the Lord doesn't always operate in the spectacular. In fact, God's powerful presence is mostly seen in the everyday affairs of life. The great lesson is this: when it seems the Lord is not answering your prayers with the spectacular, and seems to be absent from your life, don't forget that God's presence to guide is always with his people. 

 
 

God promised Moses, "I will be with you." He promised Joshua, "I will be with you wherever you go." Jesus promised his church, "I will be with you to the end of age." You can trust God's powerful presence to guide because he will never leave nor forsake his people. In a fiery furnace? Problems consuming you? God is with you and will guide you through. Third and final step: trust God's sovereign plan to prevail. 

 
 

Trust God's Sovereign Plan to Prevail 

"And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:15-18).  

 
 

Elijah learns in these verses that God's victory doesn't always come through the spectacular. In fact, God's victory comes a majority of the time in the ordinary workings of everyday life. God was going to bring judgement upon Israel through the political process. When you can't see the spectacular, just remember that God's sovereign plan will prevail because God is in control. God reminds Elijah of this, "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18).  

 
 

Unbelief tells you God won't provide. Faith knows that God is faithful to provide for his people. Unbelief tells you God has abandoned you. Faith knows that God will never leave, nor forsake his people. Unbelief tells you God's not at work. Faith knows that God's sovereign plan will prevail because he is in control. Trust God's proven character; trust God's powerful presence; trust God's sovereign plan, and you will find yourself leaving gloom, despair, and agony behind.