Cultivating a Grateful Heart

Telos-

Thanksgiving is a good thing: thanksliving is better.

Matthew Henry

Lack of gratitude is the first step to idolatry (Rom 1:21). Thanksgiving is an explicit acknowledgment of creatureliness and dependence, a recognition that everything comes as gift, the verbalization before God of his goodness and generosity.

Gordon Fee

Comparison is the thief of joy. CS Lewis

1. Praise with Joyful Songs

Psalm 100:1–2 (NKJV)

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Your praise is the manifestation of your faith!

Romans 4:20 AMP

No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,

Hebrews 13:15–16 NKJV

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

2. Proclaim Our Identity

Psalm 100:3 (NKJV)

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Your worship is the manifestation of your identity.

“You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship.” ― N.T. Wright

Psalm 115:7–8 (NKJV)

They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

Three kinds of friends in your life. 1. Those you want to be like.

2. Those you are like.

3. Those you are not like.

3. Practice Thanksgiving Actively

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. -Albert Einstein

Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

4. Ponder Eternal Goodness

Psalm 100:5 (NKJV)

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Living in gratitude is the doorway to mercy and grace.

Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.