11.24.2020 | THANKFULNESS

THANKFULNESS

Thankfulness positions us to receive the blessings of God but thanklessness brings the judgment of God.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits…that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks. – George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Romans 1:20-21 – For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

2 Timothy 3:2 – For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.

We can’t expect our nation to turn back to the Lord with thankfulness if we as God’s people aren’t first walking in thankfulness.

1. Remember where the Lord brought you from and what He has done in your life.

Numbers 14:2 – And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!’

Numbers 14:24 – But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

Your attitude determines your altitude.

2. Repent for having an ungrateful attitude.

Numbers 21:5 – And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’

Numbers 21:7 – Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people.

John 3:14 – And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

3. Decide to give an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord! 

Two times to give thanks to the Lord: When you feel like it and when you don’t.

Psalms 116:17 – I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.