Bible Class: Thanksgiving -- A grateful Heart

Thanksgiving: It starts with a grateful heart What is something that brings a smile to your face? _______________________________________________ Mark 6:52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. A hard heart will be deceived and therefore bound. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Your heart will reflect your passion. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. A transformed heart results in a transformed life. The counterintuitive nature of a grateful Heart Acts 5:40-42  …. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  (41)  The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  (42)  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Flogged yet rejoicing Acts 16:23-25  After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  (24)  When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  (25)  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Flogged, shackled, and imprisoned yet singing. James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  (3)  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  (4)  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Great advice but… You can’t get there from here. Three reasons we are often thankful 1. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Thanksgiving because of experiences alone results in frustration and complaining. Keys to a developing a grateful Heart 1. He not Me 2. We not ME 3. His not Mine 4. Faith not Doubt 5. Hope not Despair 6. Truth not feelings 7. Action not complaint Philippians 4:8-9  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  (9)  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.