Part 1: Do not look back
[Psa 116:17 KJV] 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
The “sacrifice of thanksgiving” is the crucifixion of all complaining, criticizing, angry, hateful, judgmental, ungrateful, annoyed, need to be right, frustrated, selfish, exalted, envious, doubtful, anxious, fearful, worried, lacking, needy, negative, depressed, disgruntle, discontent, and discouraging thoughts in the mind or words out of the mouth.
[1Th 5:16-18 KJV] 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The “will of God” is for “you” to be happy, be in a constant state of prayer, and be thankful for everything, and that means EVERYTHING!
[Heb 10:35-36, 38-39 KJV] 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. ... 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Do NOT draw back to old ways of thinking. Have patience and confidence in God. Don’t give up on doing the will of God. Don’t give up on providing “the sacrifice of thanksgiving”. Push forward with confidence and continual faith which will release the promise with patience.
Part 2: The Role of the Mind 3/6/26
[Rom 12:2 KJV] 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The renewing of the mind transforms the thoughts which can ultimately prove the good, acceptable and perfect “will of God”. Renewing the mind means continually being content and thankful in everything without anxiety (see previous post – Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Part 1).
[2Co 10:3-6 KJV] 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
It is about the perspective of the mind, the carnal mind vs the spiritual mind.
[Mat 6:10 KJV] 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
[Luk 17:21 KJV] 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
The real war is in the mind where our kingdom resides. It may appear that the struggle is in the physical world (carnal world), however, everything physical (earth) stems from the mind (heaven) first and foremost (i.e. on earth as in heaven). The carnal physical world reflects what is in the mind. So, turn the war inward and the outward will follow.
Therefore, every thought must be brought into captivity, which is where every thought is in obedience to God to enforce the rule of God (the Kingdom of God), which then can prove the perfect will of God, since he is in control through the mind.
This captivity to the obedience of Christ is continually controlling all thoughts (renew the mind always), which is the sacrifice of all thoughts that are not good (see previous post – Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Part 1). Every exalted thought must be brought down low to be controlled.
Part 3: What does lust have to do with the promise?
[2Pe 1:4 KJV] 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The corruption in the world is due to lust.
[Jas 1:12, 14-15, 19-26 KJV] 12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ... 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ... 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
Forgetting the man in the mirror causes one to fall back into the old ways of thinking and talking. Do not forget the law of liberty, which when followed displays the sacrifice of thanksgiving in word and deed. Hear it and then remember to do it, because the temptation of lust is presented daily. But what is lust?
Lust is nothing more than want.
[Phl 4:11-12 KJV] 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
And when we allow what we want to have control, wrath rears its ugly head. It is like a child having a temper tantrum, and want (i.e. lust) is what causes it. The temper tantrum is the conundrum of sin which is defined as missing the high calling of God which is gratitude, contentment, and peace. And this “sin” is what causes “death”. The temper tantrum can be subtle when it reveals itself as a sense of lack that leads to complaining and/or despair (lack of joy).
Part 4: But what is the meaning of death?
And what is the “death” spoken of in James 1?
[Rom 8:6 KJV] 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.
The carnal mind considers death the end of the mortal flesh body, however, the “death” spoken of in James 1 is not the death of the carnal body. But rather the carnal mind itself equates to “death”.
[2Co 1:9-10 KJV] 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];
The “sentence of death” is inside the mind. And when we trust in ourselves (our own thoughts, our own ways, our own knowledge, our own carnal mind), it is “death”. This is the same death that is caused by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But when we trust in God (our provision), it is life, the opposite of death. Trusting in God entails being faithful and grateful for everything (i.e. life) instead of anxious and needy from our own judgmental carnal mind (i.e. death).
[Mar 8:34-36 KJV] 34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
The “sentence of death in ourselves” (the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the sacrifice of our own critical judgment) reverses the initial sentence of death caused by the tree of knowledge and the curse it induces. The curse produces critical judgment with pain instead of the realization of joy (see Isaiah 55 – death vs life).
[Gen 3:22-24 KJV] 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil produces “death” because it removes man from Eden (i.e. garden of pleasure) and lifts him above the ground, so he seeks what his carnal mind “wants” via his own knowledge rather than being a part of the ground and allowing it to give him everything he needs via contentment (Eden). And this “death” is defined as the death of contentment, the death of humility, the death of bewilderment, the death of wonder, the death of pleasure, the death of joy, the death of the soil in garden of Eden, which puts a curse on the abundant ground because man is lifted up above it (puffed up). Whereas life is “the way of the tree of life” that reveals everlasting happiness and reverses the curse and returns man to the ground so it may produce goodness. There is no knowledge or acknowledgment of evil on the way of the tree of life. The way is guarded by unknowable power and full dependance on the ever-turning word of God to guide the way.
Part 5: What role does pride and ego play?
[Pro 16:18-19 KJV] 18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
[1Ti 3:6 KJV] 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
[Jas 4:5-6 KJV] 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Want (lust) and pride (i.e. ego) have something in common; they are both about me, myself, and I. What do I need, what can I get, what do I know, and what can I accomplish?
And so, it says people want others to be envious of them and what they have accomplished. People want what is highly regarded, highly desired, highly esteemed. They want to be admired…But why? Because of the lust (desire) of the ego is to be respected (highly regarded) by other people; to be accepted by the world.
[Luk 16:15 KJV] 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
[1Jo 2:16 KJV] 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The “pride of life” wants what is highly esteemed among men. But this is an illusion of the world and the ever-changing knowledge in it.
[Gen 4:7 KJV] 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Remember “when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” When you get what your ego wants, the world accepts you and that lust is fulfilled, however, when desires of ego are not obtained, sin is the result (discontent). This is the way of the world.
However, the power of desire must be redirected into wanting to do the will of God (being in a state of gratitude, joy, and humility) rather than being in a constant state of need for more. But the elevated mind is what creates lust (want/desire) through the critical judgment of circumstance that stems from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[Gen 3:6-7 KJV] 6 And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
The tree of knowledge opens the desire of both eyes to understand and know (which is different than the wisdom spoken of in Proverbs 3:13). And the beginning of knowledge and judgment creates the world of vanity. This makes one see their own “nakedness” (vulnerability), and because of the ego, which is established by the tree, they judge their vulnerability as weakness, and so they hide it with dignity behind works of righteousness which entails selling the soul for what appears to be gain, but is rather an illusion.
[1Co 8:1-2 KJV] 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Knowledge leads to pride (puffed up, elevated mind), pride leads to judgment, judgment leads to want because of the perception of lack, and want is lust. These are all connected and originate from knowledge (the tree of knowledge of good and evil ~ the critical judgment of circumstance which leads to the death of everlasting contentment (i.e. Eden). And this tree gives man a sense of self-reliance (I know). And with this knowledge man is “lifted up” with ego and therefore forgets that he really knows nothing as he should because he is living through the illusion of the carnal mind.
So, if knowledge leads to pride and judgment, how does charity edify? And what is charity?
Part 6: Charity, the antidote to the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[1Co 13:4-8 KJV] 4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[Col 3:12-15 KJV] 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
[1Jo 4:8 KJV] 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
The noun “love” used in 1John 4 is the same word “charity” used in 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3. And the verb “loveth” used in 1 John 4 is the action form of the noun “charity” or “love”. From Strongs Concordance, the definitions of the verb loveth is “1. of persons: to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. 2. of things: to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing”
To love is to welcome someone or to be content with something. To love is to be content with people and our lives. God is love, and God is contentment. And if God is contentment, The knowledge of evil is discontent. Charity is the same word as love used in the Bible. The tree of knowledge of good and evil counteracts charity and contentment (i.e. Eden ~ pleasure) because it induces critical judgment of circumstance which breads displeasure through the carnal mind.
But the resurrection of charity stifles judgment which leads to the crucifixion of our own critical judgment of the world around us which reopens the door to gratitude and contentment. Charity eliminates the need for instant self-gratification and allows for the provision of God with patience and time.
Part 7: But how does one find charity, and where does it come from?
[Eph 4:2 KJV] 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[Jas 4:10 KJV] 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. [1Pe 5:6 KJV] 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
[Pro 8:13 KJV] 13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.[Pro 22:4 KJV] 4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.
The fear of the LORD is humility. Humility is submission to charity. It is the death of ones hate, discontented (evil) ways, pride, arrogancy, and the loudmouth. Humility is the action someone takes in response to charity.
Therefore, it says to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and under the mighty hand of God. So, with the vision and judgment of God (love) humble yourself. This IS our work, this is the action we take in response to love, then the power of love is released to do the rest.
[1Co 4:19-21 KJV] 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?
A spirit of meekness and humility is like the man who looks in the mirror and doesn’t forget what he saw when he goes about his day recognizing the potential power of being meek, lowly, and gentle.
[Psa 37:11 KJV] 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Conclusion:
[Isa 55:7-12 KJV] 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.
Isaiah 55 says to forsake your ways and your thoughts and return to the unknowable ways of God, which represents a state of contentment knowing God is in control and will bring what he intends to pass. Move forward with joy in a constant state of peace while being faithful God will lead the way each day.
[Mat 5:13 KJV] 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
[Mar 9:49-50 KJV] 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
[Luk 14:33-35 KJV] 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Bible has said this three times. Do you have ears to hear it? The sacrifice of thanksgiving (“forsaking all that he hath”) must contain salt. Man is meant to “eat” (i.e. enjoy life). However, if the salt of the earth loses its savor which means there is no joy and happiness, then there isn’t much use for it (i.e. him) in God’s eyes.
God wants us to be happy and enjoy life.
[Gen 8:21 KJV] 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour…
God has a sense of smell and taste and has created man to enjoy life in the same way.
[Psa 149:4 KJV] 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
God has a sense of smell and taste via his people. He experiences pleasure THROUGH his people. When God lives in you, he experiences life through you. Allow God to enjoy life through you by forsaking your thoughts and ways and surrendering to his will.
[Luk 12:32 KJV] 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
[Phl 2:13 KJV] 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
[Jas 4:7-8 KJV] 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
God wants to have enjoyment and he experiences enjoyment through us when we purify our hearts of the double standard, which is to resist the temptation to judge all as evil but rather judge all as good with contentment and gratitude. God will draw nigh when he smells the sweetness of the sacrifice of thanksgiving (death of the evil conscience).
[Tit 1:15 KJV] 15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
[Heb 10:38 KJV] 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But remember we cannot not drawback to old habits of thought, but must continually forsake all old negative thoughts and push forward with continual thoughts of joy and contentment, for this is the will of God and how he will take pleasure through us.
[2Co 10:5 KJV] 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Let the old, exalted man die and his critical judgement of circumstance.
[Mat 6:25, 33 KJV] 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ... 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[Ecc 5:10-11 KJV] 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?
“Take no thought” means be not anxious, nor be troubled with cares. And seeking after silver is a vain endless cycle. Seek after selflessness where God rules the kingdom rather than the ego, and allow God to provide his provision in due season through patience and faith.
[Luk 17:20-21, 28, 30-37 KJV] 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. ... 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; ... 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two [men] in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two [women] shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two [men] shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body [is], thither will the eagles be gathered together.
The kingdom of God is a place within you. Even thus shall the day be when the Son is revealed within. Do not return back to what you once knew, find the new meaning and the new path. When there are two in a bed, two grinding, or two in the field, leave the evil negative complaining thoughts behind and move forward with the just the good inspiration thoughts that bring truth.
[Mat 6:22-24 KJV] 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The double mind represents the evil eye that is not a single light of truth because it sees both good and evil. The mind cannot serve both God and mammon (because good and evil are in direct conflict with each other). The ego mind serves the kingdom of pride and the critical judgment of circumstance which originates from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the tree of knowledge breeds darkness and accusation because evil has come into view, whereas a single eye of light only sees good.
[Phl 3:13 KJV] 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Because remember Lot’s wife, the pillar of salt (potential good) that is not tasted, not used and enjoyed. But she hangs on to bad habits, old ways of thinking, the pride of the life she has built, which keeps her from reaching forth unto those things that are ahead.
Forget the old ways of thinking and doing things. Forsake all troubled ways and reach forth with hope knowing full well God will provide his good pleasure with HIS provision, which is not our own pillar of provision that is yet dead.
[Job 6:6 KJV] 6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?
Eat the salt, don’t just pile it up. Man was made to enjoy the life God has created.
[Ecc 5:18-20 KJV] 18 Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart.
But also;
[Ecc 6:1-2 KJV] 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it [is] common among men: 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease.
[Pro 15:15-16 KJV] 15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast. 16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
The good and evil of life: The days of the afflicted (distressed, troubled, bothered, worried, upset, discontent, etc.) are infected with an evil dis-ease (Ecc 6:1-2). But he that is of a merry heart (worry-free and content) has the power to eat and rejoice in his labor. It is a continual feast. It is the ever-increasing everlasting gift of God (Ecc 5:18-19).
There are those that enjoy life with the little that they have, and then there are those who have everything their soul desires yet are afflicted and cannot enjoy life.
And also remember James chapter 1.
[Jas 1:4-6, 16-17 KJV] 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ... 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
The soul can desire much, however, God gives gifts to his children that are perfect for their soul. And you know it is from God when there is no wavering, no turning, and no variableness. There is no doubt it is meant to be.
[Psa 23:1-3 KJV] 1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
The right path leads one to be content where there is no sense of lack and all is good.
Cast all your cares on God and he will take care of you like a good shepherd does.
[Pro 3:5-6 KJV] 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [Rom 12:2 KJV] 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The sacrifice of thanksgiving eliminates the need to follow our own afflicted ways because of lust (want). It is the death of the critical judgment of circumstance and submission to the unknowable way of God with full trust and assurance in him.
Therefore, choose to rest in God each day with a joyful heart knowing full well each day is a gift from God and a new chance to dissolve the illusion of lack.
Seek for direction from God with meekness and he will answer the joy of your heart in due season.
He will make the path clear when you ask for directions.
[Jhn 10:27 KJV] 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[Heb 4:7, 10-11 KJV] 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. ... 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Forsake your own way: your own works of righteousness and your own accusations. Rest from your own judgement and allow God to give you his judgement where all things are pure through belief in the truth.
[Rom 12:1 KJV] 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
The sacrifice of thanksgiving is a living sacrifice full of joy and hope.