OPENING SCRIPTURE:

REJOICE always, PRAY without ceasing, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJ)

• Rejoice Always – Find something to be joyful about.
• Pray without ceasing – Never stop talking to God.
• In everything give thanks – in all circumstances, be thankful.

Giving thanks to God is not an event but a lifestyle.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F Kennedy

• Gratitude is more than words. It is expressed in actions. It is a lifestyle. It builds relationships.
• When we withhold gratitude, we create a gap in that relationship.

7 BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE

#1 GRATITUDE HELPS YOU SEE GOD

Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, And into His courts with praise. BE THANKFUL to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5 NKJ)

• Gratitude opens the gates for you to have an audience with the King of Kings.
• Gratitude opens our spiritual eyes to sense the presence of God.

#2 GRATITUDE GLORIFIES GOD

All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be GREAT THANKSGIVING, and GOD WILL RECEIVE MORE AND MORE GLORY. (1 Corinthians 4:15 NLT)

• The people’s thanksgiving brings glory to God.

For EVERYTHING comes from him and exists by his power and is INTENDED FOR HIS GLORY. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

Gratitude glorifies God in the good times as well as the bad times.

And we know that God causes EVERYTHING (including the challenges) to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT)

#3 GRATITUDE BRINGS PEACE

Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJ)

• Anxiety is a place where you no longer see God. Anxiety is the absence of God!
• Thanksgiving is an invitation for God’s peace.

#4 GRATITUDE DEEPENS FAITH

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” Maya Angelou

• Gratitude builds your faith. It becomes a bridge between you and 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. (Luke 17:15-16 NKJ)

• He came back to the One who healed him. That was faith.

“Arise, go your way. YOUR FAITH has made you well.” (Luke 17:19 NKJ)

• That man’s faith was radically changed and deepened.

#5 GRATITUDE IS A WITNESS TOOL

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9 NLT)

• Your testimony should always be centered around your gratitude towards God.

#6 GRATITUDE BRINGS CONTENTMENT

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, LET US BE CONTENT. (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT)

• A grateful person is always content.

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJ)

• Gratitude helps us to be content with the present.

“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.” Maya Angelou

#7 GRATITUDE KEEPS YOU IN GOD’S WILL

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJ)

• God’s will for our lives starts with a lifestyle of Gratitude.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?