How would you feel if your family,
friends, or children only thanked you once a year for all you’ve done?
Most
likely, you’d feel hurt and mistreated. Just as we appreciate receiving thanks
from those on the receiving end, so the Lord delights in our regular
thankfulness towards Him.
Return
the Favor
the Favor
God enjoys blessing us richly, but
He also delights when we recognize His great love and blessings. The Bible
tells the story of ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19 whom Jesus healed, as they
walked by faith. However, only one leper returned to give thanksgiving and
praise to God.
He also delights when we recognize His great love and blessings. The Bible
tells the story of ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19 whom Jesus healed, as they
walked by faith. However, only one leper returned to give thanksgiving and
praise to God.
And one of them, when he saw that he
was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down
on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down
on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and
said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were
there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And
He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke
17:12-19).
said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were
there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And
He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke
17:12-19).
Our thanksgiving to God not only
shows that we appreciate Him, but that we recognize Him for who He is!
shows that we appreciate Him, but that we recognize Him for who He is!
Maintaining an attitude of gratitude
takes practice and patience. In order to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving,
we can:
1) Recall the love of God: When we recall something, we go back and think about it
again. As believers in Christ, we have the awesome privilege of remembering
what the Lord has done for us. Have you thought about the price that Christ
paid for you on the cross? Where would you be without Jesus? How has your life
changed since your salvation experience? We can be thankful because Jesus
showed us His great love for us, by sacrificing for us. (Romans 5:8-11).
again. As believers in Christ, we have the awesome privilege of remembering
what the Lord has done for us. Have you thought about the price that Christ
paid for you on the cross? Where would you be without Jesus? How has your life
changed since your salvation experience? We can be thankful because Jesus
showed us His great love for us, by sacrificing for us. (Romans 5:8-11).
2) Reflect on our successes: What have you accomplished this year? How has the Lord
opened doors and opportunities for you? What goals have you reached through
God’s favor?
opened doors and opportunities for you? What goals have you reached through
God’s favor?
When we realize that all we’ve
accomplished is because of His grace and mercy, we ought to be thankful.
accomplished is because of His grace and mercy, we ought to be thankful.
He is the One that continues to
guide and direct us along a good path. (Jeremiah 29:11)
guide and direct us along a good path. (Jeremiah 29:11)
3) Revise our attitude: When we revise something, we look it over, and change or add
to it, in order to make it better. Does your attitude need to be revised? There
are several questions we can ask to determine if revisions are needed. Do you
have a thankful heart? Is it based on God, or your circumstances working out
the way you want? How do others recognize your thankful spirit? What can you
add to your attitude to make it better? By spending time with the Lord in
prayer, the Holy Spirit will guide you concerning the things He wants to change
in you. (Philippians 4:4)
to it, in order to make it better. Does your attitude need to be revised? There
are several questions we can ask to determine if revisions are needed. Do you
have a thankful heart? Is it based on God, or your circumstances working out
the way you want? How do others recognize your thankful spirit? What can you
add to your attitude to make it better? By spending time with the Lord in
prayer, the Holy Spirit will guide you concerning the things He wants to change
in you. (Philippians 4:4)
4) Reach out to others: One of the ways that we can cultivate a heart of
thanksgiving is by giving to others. Our giving shows that we belong to God.
The more we give, the more the love of God has the ability to flow from our
hearts to others. Who can you serve? How can you be a blessing to people around
you (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers)? As we’re meeting the needs of
others from a pure heart, the Lord promises to also meet our needs. (Isaiah 58:6-10)
thanksgiving is by giving to others. Our giving shows that we belong to God.
The more we give, the more the love of God has the ability to flow from our
hearts to others. Who can you serve? How can you be a blessing to people around
you (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers)? As we’re meeting the needs of
others from a pure heart, the Lord promises to also meet our needs. (Isaiah 58:6-10)
5) Retain a thankful spirit: Being thankful can be more than just an attitude of the
holidays. We can be thankful all year round. As you remember and reflect on
God’s blessings and His sacrifice, don’t lose your joy! Make the choice to be
thankful, regardless of the situation or circumstance. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
holidays. We can be thankful all year round. As you remember and reflect on
God’s blessings and His sacrifice, don’t lose your joy! Make the choice to be
thankful, regardless of the situation or circumstance. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
How will you cultivate a heart of
thanksgiving today?
thanksgiving today?
Share your comments!!
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