Gratitude Lesson 22

Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.

Step 11: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)

Did you know that an unwounded oyster does not produce pearls?

Pearls are a healed wound.

Pearls are a product of pain, the result of a foreign or unwanted substance entering the oyster, such as a parasite or a grain of sand.

The inside of an oyster shell is a shiny substance called nacar. When a grain of sand enters, the nacar cells go to work and cover the grain of sand with layers and more layers to protect the defenseless body from the oyster. As a result, a beautiful pearl is formed.

An oyster that has not been wounded in any way does not produce pearls, because a pearl is a healed wound.

Prayer

2 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Oswald Chambers we are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.

John 8:1–11 NKJV

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Actually translated “Leave your life of sin”

illustration of gratitude

First, for what are you thankful to God? Offer prayers of gratitude to your Creator.

In Philippians 4:6, we’re told, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Psalm 107:15 encourages us to “give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and wonderful deeds for mankind.” What wonderful deeds they are! What are at least two areas of your life in which you can see God’s work and that you are thankful for this holiday season?

You can reflect on the last eleven months or on what God has done for you this week or even today. Then take a moment to list just a few of the special things for which you are thankful to your Higher Power.

The next area is to list the individuals whom God has placed in your life to walk alongside you on your road of recovery. We need to be thankful for others.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ —the Message —have the run of the house” (Colossians 3:15 – 16, MSG).

Who are you thankful for? Why? Take a moment to list them.

The third area we can be thankful for is our recovery.

“As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1, GNT).

What are two recent growth areas of your recovery for which you are thankful? Again, list them now.

The fourth and final area to be thankful for is your church.

“Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4, GNT). What are two things for which you are thankful to your church?

Take your “gratitude list” home with you tonight and put it in a place where you will see it often. It will remind you that you have made progress in your recovery and that you are not alone, that Jesus Christ is always with you.

Using your gratitude list, going to your recovery meetings and making them a priority, and getting involved in service in your church are the best ways I know to prevent relapse during the holidays.

first 5 chapters of John

John 6:66 NKJV

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

BONDSERVANT

Romans 1:1 NKJV

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

Philippians 1:1 NKJV

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Titus 1:1 NKJV

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

Philemon 1 NKJV

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,

James 1:1 NKJV

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

2 Peter 1:1 NKJV

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Jude 1 NKJV

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Illustration of all God has done for me

FULLY SURRENDER is the only way!

Anything else is counterfeit.

invitation