Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
This week we continue our new series from the Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian believers, titled Great urgencies from the Apostle Paul.
Today we are talking about The Value of an Attitude of Gratitude.
Text
1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP
18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 5 AMP
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
A positive mental attitude is essential for living a victorious life.
Thus it is imperative that we develop the habit of being thankful at all times and in all circumstances.
If you thank God for the things that happen to you and praise Him for it, you turn your problems into blessings.
If we develop the habit of being thankful at all times, we will open the door so God can provide divine assistance during life’s disappointments and tragedies.
- The habit of being thankful must be learned.
- The natural reaction to disappointment is to complain and be depressed.
Instead of responding in this manner, we need to take stock of the things we can be thankful for.
B. We must acquire the habit of giving thanks at all times.
Luke’s record of Jesus healing ten lepers reveals that only one had developed the habit of being thankful.
Most of us are like the nine who neglected to give thanks even in a time when something awesome had happened to them.
C. As followers of Christ, we need to give attention to our habits.
Bad habits are destructive.
We need to work at developing good habits, especially the habit of being thankful at all times.
We first make our habits, then our habits make us.
2. The wisdom of developing the habit of being thankful.
The psalmist said in Psalm 92:1, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.”
Not only is it a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, but it is a good thing to give thanks to others.
Many benefits come to those who have developed the habit of counting their blessings and being thankful.
The habit of giving thanks will produce joy.
Our thankfulness brings joy to the heart of our Father God.
Our thankfulness brings joy to the hearts of those around us.
Our habit of giving thanks brings joy to ourselves as we recognise the things for which we can rejoice.
The habit of giving thanks will strengthen our faith in God’d goodness.
Pauls encouraged the Philippine Christians as they brought their petitions before God’s throne of grace to be sure to express their thanks for God’s past and present blessings.
One of the best ways to overcome despondency is to count our blessings and thank God for His goodness in the past.
The habit of giving thanks will increase our capacity to love.
We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves.
This is the great commandment for harmonious relationships.
If we have the habit of being thankful, our love for our family members will increase.
If we have the habit of being thankful, our love for our friends will increase.
If we have the habit of being thankful, our love for our Father God will increase as we recognise how much He has done for us.
The habit of giving thanks will help us have an optimistic attitude toward life.
Its easy to be pessimistic and spend our life moping around.
By being thankful for what we are and what we have, we can move in the direction of being an optimist.
The habit of giving thanks will add beauty and joy to the privilege of living.
Instead of moaning and groaning about the negative things along the road of life, we can and should become grateful.
3. Developing the Habit of being thankful.
How do we respond to this imperative for living the genuine Christian life?
Let us recognise that the ungrateful life is a self destructive way of life.
It brings hurt to us personally and to those around us.
Let us confess this sin of ungratefulness and ask God for forgiveness.
Let us earnestly desire to make a change in our outlook on life.
Let us look with fresh eyes on the various events that we encounter along the road of life.
Let us respond positively to the truth that God will work for good in all events of life.
To do this we must look to Him in faith and love and hope.
We can begin to express thanks to those around us for the little things they do for us.
Conclusion.
It is God’s will for us that we develop the habit of being thankful at all times.
God will help us.
Let us pray for open eyes to see His goodness.
Let us ask Him to help us be more thankful, particularly toward those who are helpful to us.
Developing the habit of being thankful is not an option if we want to live a victorious Christian life.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
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