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Christ Apostolic Church Sheraton Hotel Assembly, Ikeja 2022 (21) days Fasting and Prayers. Theme: Divine Multiplication.
Topic: An attitude of Gratitude
We appreciate God for all His wonders and miraculous deeds in these 21 days Fasting and Prayers, each day has been awesome with God showing up in different ways in the lives of His people.
My prayer is that God will perfect all what He has started in our lives in Jesus name. He will establish His words and counsel in our lives in Jesus name.
As we coast home to this annual Fasting and Prayer program, we indeed need to have an attitude of Gratitude.
Today is Day 20 of our Fasting and prayers and it has been dedicated as a day of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord, endeavor to open your heart an think deeply.
Please note:
What is Gratitude? Gratitude is a word used to express thankfulness and praise. A general attitude of thanksgiving in both during the trials and blessings of life and this is what distinguishes a Christian.
Apostle Paul exhorts us to always give thanks for all things, and in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), even in suffering (Romans 5:3-5 ; James 1:1-4),and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Colossians 3:17).
On the other hand, thanklessness marks godless and wicked men who suppress the truth about God (Romans 1:18-21).
As a believer, we can have peace and joy through prayer and gratitude. When we pray and give thanks to God, even when it is hard to, we are promised to be given grace and faith.
In our text today, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to give glory to God by thanking Jesus Christ. The root reason that makes the one man returned to thank God, whereas the other nine did not, is that his heart had been changed by Jesus Christ. A changed heart always breeds a changed attitude
He had not merely been healed of physical leprosy, but the Savior more importantly healed the leprosy that covered his heart—SIN. Verse 19 says that this one’s faith made him well.
The word “Well” is from sozo, meaning “saved.” What distinguished this one man from the other nine is not that his mother had been more successful in teaching him to say “Thank you,” but rather that he had been made a new creature in Christ.
The truth in this conversion then led us to the third chapter of Colossians where we see very clearly that the apostle’s exhortations concerning thankfulness grow out of his new-creature-in-Christ theology.
One of the signs of the end according Apostle Paul in II Timothy 3:1-2 is the spirit of ingrate.
Reasons why some of us are ungrateful. Psalm 106:1, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Feeling of a right or ENTITLEMENT to a thing.
We must understand that we have don’t have a right to anything rather a privilege. We take so much for granted but here, the scripture encourages us to give thanks in everything. ENTITLEMENT. Some people don’t say “Thank you” because they are simply ungrateful. They believe life owes them something. Why say “Thank you” when I already deserve it?
IGNORANCE.
Some don’t say “Thank you” because they were never taught to be grateful. Fewer parents teach their children manners anymore. They are ignorant of appreciation while growing up, and now as a believer, it is part of their character
PROCRASTINATION
Some people don’t say “Thank you” because they procrastinate. They say they will do it later, but they never do. Procrastination is the enemy of time. Get to it while you still have the time. Send that SMS today, utter those words today.
LACK OF CONSIDERATION
Some people don’t say “Thank you” because they never realize the efforts you put in getting those things done on their behalf. Few people consider the efforts that go behind the work you put in. Few people value the contributions of others. They undermine all that happen behind the scene. Like this 21 days Fasting and Prayers
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX
Some people don’t say “Thank you” because you are too low on their perceived social ladder. They expect you to serve them. They would gladly say “Thank you” to people they consider important.
PAIN/SUFFERING
Some people find it hard to say “Thank you” because they are in pain. The struggles they are facing scream louder than any silver linings they could see in the midst of their suffering. They cannot pay attention to the possibility of anything being good, when their circumstances are dictating pain and suffering. What’s there to be thankful for when life hurts?
DISSATISFACTION
Some people cannot say “Thank you” because they are displeased and dissatisfied with the results or situation. They want more, and better. They cannot say “Thank you” for the small, paltry results. How could they? They deserve more and better.
Here are four practical application points to get you started.
Recognize gratitude as an attitude of the new self. The third chapter of Colossians is all about putting off the old man and putting on the new self, who is being renewed day by day according to the image of Christ Colossians 3:10
Therefore, we conclude that ingratitude is a characteristic of the flesh, the old self. We really must get beyond the simplistic belief that being thankful is simply what polite people do.
The issue is much deeper than having good or bad manners. The absence of a grateful spirit is contrary to our new calling in Christ, which is why the apostle teaches elsewhere that complaining produces an ugly, dim witness for Christ (Philippians 2:14-15).
Let the peace of God rule your heart through prayer (Colossians3:15; Philippians 4:6-7). An attitude of gratitude is directly connected to whether or not the peace of God is a ruling motive of our heart.
The Peace of God is different from peace with God. Peace with God is positional—we are no longer enemies of God, but submissive kingdom-citizens, children, and friends (Colossians 1:21-22; 1 John 3:2; John 15:15).
The peace of God is experiential — a calm assurance that guards our inner person through the Spirit, Word-based trust, and prayer (Rom 14:17; Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7).
Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, which leads to singing Christ-exalting songs (Colossians 3:16). As we take time to meditate on the Word of God it sinks deeply into our very being—challenging and changing our mind’s thoughts and heart’s motives—producing joy.
This joy then produces a desire to sing Christ-exalting praises throughout the days of this year and beyond
A few questions: When last do you sing praise to God? Is the corporate gathering of God’s people for worship the only time you sing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs? If so why?
What changes do you need to make concerning your intake of the Word of God or the response of your will to biblical truth? It seems clear from this text, and its parallel in Ephesians 5:18-20, that a thankful spirit flows from a heart touched by grace, controlled by the Spirit, and fed by the Word. What’s going on in your heart?
Carry out all of your work diligently, for the glory of Christ, with thanksgiving (Colosians 3:17).
Every task that is assigned to us as believers is sacred. It is an opportunity to show forth the glory of the One who has saved us from the penalty and power of our sin. Doing all things “in the name of Christ” means to do all our work with diligence while “giving thanks” through Christ to the Father.
As you delve into this life-transforming text of Scripture may the Lord richly bless your life with an ever-growing attitude of gratitude.
Gratitude is difficult. Isn’t that ironic? It seems so easy and innate. God gives, we accept and are thankful—end of story.
But it’s rarely so simple or clean. What if we’re not in a healthy place to receive God’s blessings? What if God takes something or someone away from us?
Some things we should do when we grateful:
Singing. When we are grateful, we should cultivate the act of signing a good songs. Singing has nothing to do with our voice, moreover, you can employ technology and have a full band of either Dunsin Oyekan or Nathaniel Bassey in your living room while praising God.
Dancing. Encourage yourself to always dance whenever you are grateful, being docile or moody when you are grateful is a physical sign of entitlement.
Giving. This is a great act that we must cultivate always when we are grateful, give back to God. Giving to God does not make you to bribe God rather we are appreciating His goodness. If you consider what you could have spent in the hospital and the deliverance you received, you will give to God.
Let Us Pray.