Choosing Gratefulness

November 15, 2020 Speaker: Tina Songe Series: Generous Kind Grateful

Topic: Gratefulness Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Choosing Gratefulness

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning.

What is gratefulness?

It’s the feeling of appreciation and esteem toward another for a gift given, a service rendered, or a sacrifice made on one’s behalf.

What are the characteristics of a grateful person?

Quick to say thank You

Positive

 Joyful

They enjoy life more

  • reasons to be grateful
  1. Because of God’s great love for us
  • Sought after
  • Chosen
  • Wanted
  • Understanding His love helps us to stay humble
  1. Gratefulness brings a right perspective
  • Understanding His love causes us to recognize that we don’t deserve any of His blessings.
  • James 1:17 “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our father.
  • Gratefulness helps us resist being proud.
  • You could have been born in India or Africa where 1 in 4 persons lack adequate food, clothing shelter, safe drinking water or sanitation.
  • Some adults think that they have what they have because of their own intelligence, hard work, talent and power.
  • They feel they deserve what they have instead of recognizing that it comes as a result of the blessing of God.
  1. Gratefulness brings joy and attracts the presence of God.
  • Lack of joy may have to do with an ungrateful heart.
  • It’s a choice especially in the hardest of times.
  • Remember and cling to His promises. L
  • Count your blessings
  • Know that God is an ever present help in times of trouble even when you make dumb mistakes (glasses example)
  1. It’s a command from God
  • We complain more than we’d like to admit
  • Just as gratefulness attracts the presence of God, complaining attracts the presence of the enemy.
  • 2 Timothy 3:1-2 You should know this Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to parents, ungrateful

Why Do people complain?

  1. They feel they deserve more than what they have.
  2. They have a victim mentality.
  3. Envy and covetousness
    1. Traps of the enemy
    2. When you have a real need and your resources don’t cover it, pray and let God provide without you depending on other people.
    3. God will use hardships to test your heart. Remember the Israelites in the desert.
    4. Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the scriptures long ago to teach us. And the scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
    5. 1 Corinthians 10:10-11 And don’t grumble (complain) as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us.  They were written down to warn us who live a the end of the age. 

God is calling us to choose to be grateful, not just on Thanksgiving Day but every day.

Remind yourself

Align your will to His will

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

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