Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Thank you Therapy

Thanksgiving is a GREAT time to give thanks, and it is the time we tend to really get into the mood and it almost seems natural. BUT, thanksgiving is to be done all the time ... not just because the government has assigned a date...

We are to be Thankful:

All the time: I Thess. 5:16-18, Eph. 5:4, 18-20, Phil 4:6, Col. 2:6-7, 3:15,

In the Morning and Evening: Psalms 92:1-2

There are two types of thanks...

Natural Gratitude: It is giving thanks for blessings received...
Life, health, home, family, freedom, a warm bed, cool drinks on hot days - it is the mindset of appreciation for all good gifts of any size or shape.

What things have you been given that you can be thankful for?

Problem is... this type of thanksgiving does not come naturally when things are tough...

Gracious Gratitude: It is giving thanks for WHO God is. It is giving thanks for His Character - His goodness, love, power, and His excellencies. It is evidence of the Holy Spirit in one's life. It can grow in the midst of pain, trouble and distress.

Gratitude Motivators:
The Lord is Sovereign
God loves unconditionally
God forgives
The Lord abides
We have been sealed with the Holy spirit
God hears and answers prayers
God has a purpose for our lives

Gracious Gratitude for who God is stems from our heart and who we are in CHRIST. It is relational rather than conditional. We need nothing in life but to have gracious gratitude.

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15)

Gratitude is a response of the believer to the work of the Spirit in their lives (Eph. 5:18-21 ESV).

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