The Gratitude Effect

1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 2:6-7 The Need for Gratitude . . .   Where godlessness abounds, gratefulness is absent.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5) ·         A heart that lacks gratitude is indicative of a heart that is full of self. ·         At the core of ungratefulness is the belief that we don’t need God.   Thankful IN All Things . . .   “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18   Give thanks in all things, not for all things. ·         Give thanks to God when things are good. ·         Give thanks to God when things are difficult.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19)   The Source of My Gratitude . . .   “Therefore, as you received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”  Colossians 2:6-7   The extent of my gratitude to God is a reflection of the depth of my grounding in Christ. ·         When we are grateful, it is a reflection of something much deeper than the words we speak or the actions we do.  It speaks of whom our life is rooted in. o   Gratitude comes from being rooted in Christ. o   Gratitude increases as I grow in Christ. o   Gratitude is expressed in all circumstances as my faith is established in Christ.   Truth Statement:  When I daily acknowledge God’s grace toward me, it will dramatically affect the level of my gratitude to Him.    Living a Life of Gratitude . . . ·         Make a list of what you have to be grateful for, and thank God every day this week for each.  ·         Ask God to help you express gratitude more than complaining this week. ·         Make time to show gratitude to someone to whom you need to express gratefulness.