THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

Rate yourself on having a thankful heart, 10 being incessantly grateful, never missing a moment to show gratitude. Where can you improve?

Ten lepers cried out for healing from Jesus when he was passing through their region. He would never pass this way again. Those who said, “Another time,” missed out. It never came.  Ten were healed. One returned to say “thank you.” Notice the three questions of Jesus. They reveal much about gratitude–and its lack: “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” From these questions we learn that…

1. Ingratitude is noticed in heaven. Omission can be as serious as commission. One little word separates sheep from goats for eternity—“not.” Nine lepers did it not.
2. Ingratitude separated the nine from Jesus. They kept walking. One returned and bowed down to Jesus. He made a connection that most likely stuck with him through life. He must have told his story a thousand times.
3. Ingratitude closes the heart to receiving more. They got their healing. What else could they have received? But they kept walking. The elder brother closed his heart to his father through ingratitude:  “…you never gave me a kid so I might make merry with my friends.” He didn’t even want to be with his father. Nine men didn’t want to be close to Jesus. Strange. The greatest miracle in their lives—and they kept walking.
4. Ingratitude can spiral people down into perversion. Paul writes about the ungodly, who “although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21,22).
5. Ingratitude puts us in the company of the wicked. Jesus said that his Father “is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). I wouldn’t put those two words in the same sentence. Jesus did.
6. Ingratitude causes heaven to remember the greatest ingratitude—Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-21).

And by contrast,

1. Gratitude allows us to receive grace, because we know we are not entitled to it. The prodigal received all the things he wanted in the world as soon as he got home—fancy clothes, shoes, a celebration. Gratitude keeps the blessings flowing and they don’t stop with one miracle like they did for the nine who kept walking.
2. Gratitude connects us with the people for whom we show gratitude. When my wife recently expressed gratitude for my care to her parents, it drew our hearts even closer together. Ingratitude separated the nine from Jesus, as they walked on. How foolish! The grateful one got close.
3. Gratitude and generosity are siblings. Where you see one, expect to see the other (2 Cor. 9:11). Stay close to Jesus–and get good at gratitude!

THANK YOU, MOM!

I have five sisters, one in heaven and four joining me to thank God for a great mother, who with her husband raised six children to love God. She died April 27, 1993. Blessed by her memory!

YOU SACRIFICED FOR US.

Cancer took away your singing voice, yet you sang and encouraged us to do the same. You even went back to nursing to help pay the bills, when few people would do that with the kind of disabilities you lived with. What courage! You paid for piano lessons with hard-earned money. You would go into your bedroom and take a fifteen-minute nap, then return for the next round. Though you had physical issues beyond most, you demonstrated energy. You were one of the most selfless people I have ever met. We all watched your beautiful life throughout our childhood, and it impacted us far more than words. You laid down your life for us, and you were a hero in the churches where Dad served. Everyone loved Ann!

YOU LAUGHED WITH US.

You had a great laugh. It was easy to get you to laugh. You lived for the kingdom to come, and you were not a victim like many people who suffer with physical issues like the cancer that you survived. When they foolishly pulled out all your teeth, you didn’t complain. I don’t get it.

YOU CRIED WITH US.

When one of your daughters was struggling in college, I gave her advice. You didn’t counsel her; you cried with her. She didn’t follow my suggestions, but your tears meant everything to her. You knew how to “weep with those who weep.”

YOU WERE DEVOTED TO YOUR HUSBAND.

I often sat next to you in church. Once in a while you would grab my hand, squeeze it, and say, “Oh, Andy!” You felt he was making his point with too much gusto, and you were concerned about the kickback from people. You never criticized Dad. You were his best supporter. And we knew that we could not come between you, because you would support him regardless. I remember Dad coming home from church feeling like he didn’t preach well. Sunday afternoons could be hard for him, including migraines. You urged us to affirm Dad and tell him he preached well. At the time I thought it was strange. Now I see how you were loving and supporting him.

YOU WEATHERED MASSIVE CHANGES AT THE CHURCH.

1970 brought changes in how people did church with the onset of the Jesus People Movement, and the epicenter a few miles away. Pastors like Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel and your husband opened the door to barefoot, long-haired, , guitar-toting, pot-smoking hippies. We saw a revival take place with a growing youth group under Ray Rempt, a wild man. I can only imagine how a long-time Lutherans would react to the desecration of the chancel area of our Lutheran church by people who were not raised to appreciate liturgy, communion, and the sacredness of space. I marvel that you did not speak out, “Enough is enough.” You suffered silently, and God kept bringing them. No one knows how you suffered in a redemptive way.

None of this is close to exaggeration. If anything, it should be stronger. You were a remarkable mother and woman of God. Your children rise up and bless you on Mother’s Day! See you soon!

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

But first–

THE PROBLEM WITH INGRATITUDE

It closes the heart to receiving. The elder brother said, “You never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29), and he didn’t expect it from a stingy dad. Ingratitude brings two dangerous outlooks–victimization and entitlement. They will paralyze you! Guaranteed.

Ingratitude puts you in bad company. Jesus said that His Father “is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). I wouldn’t put those two words in the same sentence—but Jesus did! Ingratitude brings you into a stinking crowd. Paul said that “there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4). He concluded with a warning: “Have nothing to do with them.”

Ingratitude places you in the enemy’s camp. No one has ever shown greater ingratitude than Lucifer, the most beautiful creature God ever made. And yet he envied God and staged a coup on the throne. How stupid can you get?!  Ingratitude turned him into the ugliest creature in the universe. And he’s never had a grateful thought since. So would you agree with me that ingratitude is serious, not a little sin? On the other hand–

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

It makes you shine. Thankful people are fun to be around and exude a radiant countenance. I don’t have to tell you that ungrateful and grouchy people are at the opposite end. Would your friends call you a grateful person?

Gratitude allows you to receive grace from heaven, because you don’t feel like you are entitled to it. When you have a grateful heart, you always feel like you are being blessed. You can’t help it—God simply pours it on. Think prodigal. If you don’t enjoy healthy, holy, happy relationships, ingratitude may be a root cause.

Gratitude connects you to important people–like parents. If you want to draw closer, express thanks for what they have done, not what they haven’t. (And if they are still drawing breath, it’s not too late). My friend Jacob did it as a college freshman. I asked why he was not looking forward to thanksgiving. He answered, “They don’t talk about spiritual things, and they still treat me like a teenager” (which he was). I told him to write a letter of gratitude, make it long, and write it out freehand, because Mom will treat it as a trophy. He did. I’ve seen the parents four times since. Every time they bring up the letter. It changed their home–for years. Way to go, Jacob! Gratitude is powerful!!

Gratitude and generosity are siblings. Generous people cause thanksgiving to rise to heaven: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous to every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). If you have learned generosity, you probably picked up gratitude along the way.

When? “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever” (Psalm 30:12).

Why? “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 118.1).

How? “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4).

Who? “Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name” (Psalm 140:13).

DEVELOPING GRATITUDE

What if…

…you thanked God when tested—and He turned it into a testimony?

…you thanked parents for what they gave and forgave them for what they didn’t?

…couples tossed expectations and chose gratitude?

…you changed your environment with gratitude and started an epidemic?

…you shed your whining, developed gratitude—and found it fun?

A STORY ABOUT GRATITUDE

“Now on his way to Jerusalem…” (Luke 17:11).  Jesus had set His face for the showdown. What could slow Him down? Ten lepers. His last miracle in this region. Those who said, “Next time,” lost their chance. Outcasts in every way, they didn’t dare get close. They knew the rules and cried out: “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.”

One command changed their lives: “Go show yourselves to the priests.” “And as they went, they were cleansed.” Priests were the Department of Health. The lepers needed to act in faith for God to act. It often works that way. They went—it happened. One returned, while nine kept going: “That’s what He said to do.” “I know, but don’t you want to say, ‘Thank you?’”

That guy was a Samaritan, the least likely to return to a Jew. Jesus asked three questions: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Jesus expected people touched by love to show gratitude.  Saying, “But He told me to go to the priest” doesn’t settle the issue. Is Jesus waiting for you to thank anyone—parents, a teacher, a coach, relative, policeman, Holy Spirit?

INGRATITUDE IS SERIOUS. It doesn’t go unnoticed in heaven. It disconnects us from Jesus. While gratitude sets us up for a miracle, ingratitude closes us off. It suggests entitlement. The elder brother said, “You never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29).  The last days will highlight ingratitude (2 Tim. 3:2). Don’t you! Ingratitude sets you on a path toward perversion: “Although they knew God they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

On the other hand…

GRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS. Thankful people are fun. They exude a radiant countenance. Gratitude allows you to receive grace from heaven, because you don’t feel like you deserve it. Think prodigal. Gratitude connects you to the people for whom you express appreciation. If you want to grow relationships, develop gratitude. Works every time. Far better to join the Samaritan who returned than the presumptuous group who just kept walking.

You are most likely a grateful person. As you read, you may think of areas where you can walk in greater gratitude. Suggestion: try “thank-you” in difficult times and wait for miracles—when you’re being tested, when temptation presses in, when irritation is rising, when pressures at work escalate, when tension at home mounts, when conflict in relationships bring extra tension. Thanksgiving shows that your God overturns evil with good. Hardship either discourages us or forces us to upgrade our confidence in the sovereignty of God and give thanks.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART IF…

…your prayers sometime don’t get beyond thanksgiving.

…you often reflect on those who have impacted your life.

…you manage to give thanks in the midst of pain.

…you can only stand in awe of a God who has been so kind and faithful to you.

 

DEVELOPING GRATITUDE

DEVELOPING GRATITUDE

What if…
…you thanked God when tested—and He turned it into a testimony?
…you thanked parents for what they gave and forgave them for what they didn’t?
…couples tossed expectations and chose gratitude?
…you changed your environment with gratitude and started an epidemic?
…you shed your whining, developed gratitude—and found it fun?

A STORY ABOUT GRATITUDE
“Now on his way to Jerusalem…” (Luke 17:11). Jesus had set His face for the showdown. What could slow Him down? Ten lepers. His last miracle in this region. Those who said, “Next time,” lost their chance.

Outcasts in every way, they didn’t dare get close. They knew the rules and cried out: “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.”

One command changed their lives: “Go show yourselves to the priests.” “And as they went, they were cleansed.” Priests were the Department of Health. They needed to act in faith for God to act. It often works that way. They went—it happened. One returned, while nine kept going: “That’s what He said to do.”
“I know, but don’t you want to say, ‘Thank you?’”

That guy was a Samaritan, the least likely to return to a Jew. Jesus asked three questions: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Jesus expected people touched by love to show gratitude. Saying, “But He told me to go to the priest” doesn’t settle the issue. Who is Jesus waiting for you to thank—parents, a teacher, coach, neighbor, relative, policeman, Holy Spirit?

INGRATITUDE IS SERIOUS
It doesn’t go unnoticed in heaven. It disconnects us from Jesus. While gratitude sets us up for a miracle, ingratitude closes us off. It suggests entitlement. The elder brother said, “You never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29). The last days will highlight ingratitude (2 Tim. 3:2). Don’t you!

Ingratitude sets you on a path toward perversion: “Although they knew God they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

On the other hand…

GRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS
Thankful people are fun. They exude a radiant countenance. Gratitude allows you to receive grace from heaven, because you don’t feel like you deserve it. Think prodigal. Gratitude connects you to the people for whom you express appreciation. If you want to grow relationships, develop gratitude. Works every time.

Far better to join the Samaritan who returned than the presumptuous group who just kept walking.

You are most likely a grateful person. As you read, you may think of areas where you can walk in greater gratitude. Suggestion: try “thank-you” in difficult times and wait for miracles—when you’re being tested, when temptation presses in, when irritation is rising, when pressures at work escalate, when tension at home mounts, when conflict in relationships bring extra tension. Thanksgiving shows that your God overturns evil with good. Hardship either discourages us or forces us to upgrade our confidence in the sovereignty of God.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART IF…
…your prayers sometime don’t get beyond thanksgiving.
…you often reflect on those who have impacted your life.
…you manage to give thanks in the midst of pain.
…you can only stand in awe of a God who has been so kind and faithful to you.

GRATITUDE INVENTORY

Suggestion: print & use for your Thanksgiving time together. Happy Thanksgiving!

• Have I expressed thanks to my mother and father?
• Have I thanked any teachers who made a positive contribution to my life?
• Have I thanked coaches, pastors, siblings, people who serve me, like mail carriers?
• Do I give thanks in the midst of difficult circumstances?
• Do I resist temptations to complain because my situation is not better?
• Have I chosen to give thanks rather than hold onto a wound?
• Do I give thanks instead of expect others to wait on me?
• Am I content with what I have or do I deserve more?
• Do I have a distorted picture of God that keeps me from thanking Him?
(The elder brother was angry and could not receive from his father).
• Have I chosen as an act of the will to be thankful rather than waiting for proof?
• Do I need to receive more before I will have a heart of gratitude?
• Would people close to me say that I have an attitude of gratitude?
• Has gratitude turned to skepticism because things turned out differently than expected?
• Am I generous with my money? Generous people are thankful (2 Cor.9:10); ungrateful people are stingy.
• Am I a happy? Grateful people are (Ps. 92:5).
• Do I live in the peace of God? Gratitude keeps me there (Phil. 4:6,7).
• Do I recognize that God’s in charge? If so, I’ll be thankful (Ps. 97:1).
• Is life for me a matter of giving? “Thanks—giving” means both thanks and giving?
• Will I fit with the atmosphere of heaven, full of thank-you’s? (Rev. 7:12).
• Do I struggle with lust? Thanksgiving guards against sin that takes from others.
• Do I live close to Jesus who has a thankful heart? (Matt. 15:26, Jn 11:41,Lk 10:21f).
• Do I express gratitude every day? (David appointed the Levites to give thanks twice daily: I Chr. 16:4, I Chr. 23:30).
• Do I thank God in hard times, knowing He will bring good out of bad?
• Am I able to thank God when my security is threatened? (Dan. 6:10).
• Am I thankful for people God has connected me to? Paul gave thanks for people he wrote to.
• Have I thanked God for healing & health? (“Where are the nine?” Luke 17:17).
• Have I grown self-indulgent? (They are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money.. ungrateful, unholy…” 2 Tim. 3:2).
• Am I thankful for God’s truth? (“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.” Ps. 119:62).
• Am I thankful for food ? (Acts 27:35; Ro. 14:6; I Tim. 4:3).
• Am I thankful that God is gracious? (I Cor. 1:4).
• Am I thankful for deliverance from death, even though I wasn’t aware that it was happening? (Angels attend to us and keep us from harm).
• Am I thankful for government leaders? (I Tim. 2:1,2).
• Am I aware that ingratitude can harden my heart? (Rom. 1:21).
• Am I humble? Thankful people are humble people.
• Am I modeling a thankful heart for my children and for others that I serve? (Col.3:15,17).
• Do my prayers often include thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; I Tim. 2:1).
• Do I enjoy singing? (Is. 51:3; Jer. 30:19).
• Is my thanksgiving contagious? (Paul’s gratitude caused “thanksgiving to overflow” 2 Co.4:15).

GRATITUDE, AN INVITATION TO GRACE

When it went went well one day last week, I expected tomorrow to go the same. It didn’t. By the afternoon, my stress level was high. It felt like a planned conspiracy. What could go wrong did. Anxiety replaced peace. I finally stopped in the midst of my dilemma and said, “Thank you.”

As soon as I did, it was as if the pressure built up was released like a popped balloon. I felt lighter. And I became truly thankful for the test. God Himself was behind this difficult day, engineering events to demonstrate to me that I do not after all live circumstantially. I should know that by now. As a child of God who settles in heavenly places, I dare to live above the circumstances rather than under them. Situations do not determine my day–God does. But it took me a while to remember that.

I could either fight it or thank God for it. “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thess 5:18). God’s will that day was not that things go smoothly, so I could enjoy an easy day and accomplish much. It was that I learn to express gratitude in the midst of potentially stressful days, so that the praise flows from earth to heaven regardless of what is happening on earth. Certainly a better way to live than to ride the roller coaster of up-and-down emotions depending upon whether or not I am happy with the situation at hand.

“Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day,
I’ve got a wonderful feeling, everything’s goin’ my way.”

Piece o’ cake. No challenge to live by faith. You don’t need God to be happy on such a day. How about this line? “I’ve got a wonderful feeling, everything’s goin’ south.” Now that takes a different kind of person. Does it describe you? It didn’t me–until the afternoon.

Gratitude closes the door to whining and self-pity. It invites the grace of God, which is to power to be what God wants us to be and to do what God wants us to power. Grace is power. It elevates us to live above the circumstances, and gratitude unlocks the door.

God tests us to see what we are made of. When we flunk tests, they will return. When we pass tests, we don’t care if they do return, because we have learned how to respond. A passed test becomes a testimony. By faith we can not only pass, but it can encourage others to live the same way. I shared last Sunday at Lydia House Church how I was tested and how I passed my test–finally! I hope that my testimony helps my brothers and sisters to pass their tests.

Our first response isn’t always to give thanks–but it can be. The apostle passed a major test when he was cruelly and unjustly beaten up and thrown into prison. So what did he do? He leaned over to Silas and asked, “Do you know any good choruses?” Gratitude in the presence of serious tests releases the power of grace. Then watch God really work!

GRATITUDE INVENTORY

(Suggestion: use for your Thanksgiving time together. Happy Thanksgiving!)

 

1. Have I expressed thanks to my mother and father and thanks to God for them?
2. Have I thanked teachers who made a positive contribution to my life?
3. Have I thanked coaches, pastors, siblings, people who serve me, like mail carriers?
4. Do I give thanks in the midst of difficult circumstances?
5. Do I resist the temptation to complain because my situation is not better?
6. Have I chosen to give thanks rather than hold onto a wound?
7. Do I show gratitude instead of expecting others to wait on me?
8. Am I content with what I have or do I think I deserve more?
9. Do I have a distorted picture of God that keeps me from thanking Him? (The elder brother was angry and could not receive from his kind father).
10. Have I chosen as an act of the will to be thankful rather than waiting for proof?
11. Do I need to receive more before I will develop a heart of gratitude?
12. Would people close to me say that I have an attitude of gratitude?
13. Has gratitude turned to skepticism because things turned out differently than expected?
14. Am I generous with money? Generous people are thankful (2 Cor.9:10); ungrateful people are stingy.
15. Am I happy? Grateful people usually are (Ps. 92:5).
16. Do I live in the peace of God? Gratitude keeps me there (Phil. 4:6,7).
17. Do I recognize that God is in charge? If so, I will be thankful (Ps. 97:1).
18. Is life for me a matter of giving? “Thanks—giving” means both thanks and giving.
19. Will I fit well with the atmosphere of heaven? It is full of thank-you’s (Rev. 7:12).
20. Do I struggle with lust? Thanksgiving is a guard against sin that takes from others.
21. Do I live close to Jesus who has a thankful heart (Matt. 15:26, Jn 11:41,Lk 10:21f)?
22. Do I express gratitude every day? (David appointed the Levites to give thanks twice daily: I Chr. 16:4, I Chr. 23:30).
23. Do I thank God in hard times, knowing that He will bring good out of bad?
24. Am I able to thank God even when my personal security is threatened? (Dan. 6:10).
25. Am I thankful for people God has connected me to? Paul gave thanks for people he wrote to.
26. Have I thanked God for healing and health? (“Where are the nine?” Luke 17:17).
27. Have I grown self-indulgent? (They are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money.. ungrateful, unholy…” 2 Tim. 3:2).
28. Am I thankful for God’s truth? (“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.” Ps. 119:62).
29. Am I thankful for food ? (Acts 27:35; Ro. 14:6; I Tim. 4:3).
30. Am I thankful that God is gracious? (I Cor. 1:4).
31. Am I thankful for deliverance from death, even though I wasn’t aware that it was happening? (Angels attend to us and keep us from harm).
32. Am I thankful for government leaders (I Tim. 2:1,2), or do I complain more often?
33. Am I aware that ingratitude can harden my heart? (Rom. 1:21).
34. Am I humble? Thankful people are humble people. Proud people are ungrateful.
35. Am I modeling a thankful heart for my children and for others that I serve? (Col.3:15,17).
36. Do my prayers often include thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; I Tim. 2:1).
37. Do I enjoy singing? (Is. 51:3; Jer. 30:19).
38. Is my thanksgiving contagious? (Paul’s gratitude caused “thanksgiving to overflow” 2 Co.4:15).

 

DEVELOPING GRATITUDE

What if…

…you thanked God when tested—and He turned it into a testimony?

…you thanked parents for what they gave and forgave them for what they didn’t?

…couples tossed expectations and chose gratitude?

…you changed your environment with gratitude and started an epidemic?

…you shed your whining, developed gratitude—and found it fun?

A STORY ABOUT GRATITUDE

“Now on his way to Jerusalem…” (Luke 17:11).  Jesus had set His face for the showdown. What could slow Him down? Ten lepers. His last miracle in this region. Those who said, “Next time,” lost their chance.

Outcasts in every way, they didn’t dare get close. They knew the rules and cried out: “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.”

One command changed their lives: “Go show yourselves to the priests.” “And as they went, they were cleansed.” Priests were the Department of Health. They needed to act in faith for God to act. It often works that way. They went—it happened. One returned, while nine kept going: “That’s what He said to do.”

“I know, but don’t you want to say, ‘Thank you?’”

That guy was a Samaritan, the least likely to return to a Jew. Jesus asked three questions: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Jesus expected people touched by love to show gratitude.  Saying, “But He told me to go to the priest” doesn’t settle the issue. Who is Jesus waiting for you to thank—parents, a teacher, coach, neighbor, relative, policeman, Holy Spirit?

INGRATITUDE IS SERIOUS

It doesn’t go unnoticed in heaven. It disconnects us from Jesus. While gratitude sets us up for a miracle, ingratitude closes us off. It suggests entitlement. The elder brother said, “You never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29).  The last days will highlight ingratitude (2 Tim. 3:2). Don’t you!

Ingratitude sets you on a path toward perversion: “Although they knew God they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

On the other hand…

GRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS

Thankful people are fun. They exude a radiant countenance. Gratitude allows you to receive grace from heaven, because you don’t feel like you deserve it. Think prodigal. Gratitude connects you to the people for whom you express appreciation. If you want to grow relationships, develop gratitude. Works every time.

Far better to join the Samaritan who returned than the presumptuous group who just kept walking.

You are most likely a grateful person. As you read, you may think of areas where you can walk in greater gratitude. Suggestion: try “thank-you” in difficult times and wait for miracles—when you’re being tested, when temptation presses in, when irritation is rising, when pressures at work escalate, when tension at home mounts, when conflict in relationships bring extra tension. Thanksgiving shows that your God overturns evil with good. Hardship either discourages us or forces us to upgrade our confidence in the sovereignty of God.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART IF…

…your prayers sometime don’t get beyond thanksgiving.

…you often reflect on those who have impacted your life.

…you manage to give thanks in the midst of pain.

…you can only stand in awe of a God who has been so kind and faithful to you.

GRATITUDE

(Use this for your thanksgiving family. Ask people to finish the sentence of each major phrase below before reading what is written. Then read lessons and discuss. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

                        PEOPLE WHO ARE UNGRATEFUL…

Make excuses for why they aren’t in a better place and blame others.

Have unfinished business, which seals their hearts from gratitude.

Stopped being grateful when they chose to hold onto a wound.

Feel entitled and expect the world to wait upon them.

Have a distorted picture of God, like the angry elder brother.

PEOPLE WHO ARE GRATEFUL…

• Have chosen be thankful, regardless, rather than living circumstantially.
• Have their eyes open to the kindness of God, even with struggles.
• Know, like the prodigal, that they don’t deserve what God is giving them.
• Are saying that God is good.

WHEN YOU SAY “THANK YOU”…

You recognize that God is in charge.

It is so easy to complain about the weather, the coach, the teacher, the spouse, the parent, even God, but you choose not to.

WHEN YOU DON’T SAY “THANK YOU”…

You are more open to sexual temptation. Those who have fallen morally could have kept themselves pure with gratitude. (Eph.5:3-5).

You are missing a chance to see God working. Gratitude invites His activity.

YOU CAN DEVELOP THANKFULNESS BY…

Choosing to serve rather than to be served.  The higher up you see yourself, the less thankful you will be.

LESSONS ON THANKSGIVING

1. Ingratitude is a serious offense, and it makes us irrational. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).
2. Thankful people are poor in spirit, aware of how desperately they need God. Giving thanks is like humbling ourselves; it always works. It will help us get out of trouble and keep a divine mindset. If people want to know God’s will, here it is: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thess. 5:18).
3. Paul uses words like “continually” and “always” when talking about thanksgiving. He was full of thanksgiving. He rates thanksgiving high for the character of a leader.  He speaks often about the need for gratitude.  He writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).  Then two verses later he says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (v.17).
4. Thanksgiving, singing, and joy are cousins. They are often found together:  “Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing” (Isaiah 51:3, Jer. 30:19).  Thanksgiving is found in times of healing and restoration (Jer. 30:19). Thanksgiving and generosity belong together:  “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor. 9:11).
5. Thankfulness is sowing seeds for a rich harvest. What you give comes back. Sowing complaints reaps a bitter harvest. Grateful people overcome. They are not victims, they are victors.