Introduction
========= ~ Deuteronomy 28:47-48 ~ "Bcoz thou servedst not the LORD thy God w/Joyfulness, and w/Gladness of heart, 4 the Abundance of all things, There4 shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, .. in Hunger, and ... in Thirst, and ...in Nakedness, and ... in Want of things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He has destroyed thee."
REASON #25 - MILLIONS ARE UNTHANKFUL AND DO NOT APPRECIATE WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN 2 THEM.
Thankfulness is a Force.
It is more than an attitude. It is a Lifestyle, a way of life. It is a way of looking at things. It is impossible 2b too thankful thru-out life.
Thankfulness is a learned attitude. It is not necessarily something born inside u. I have watched unthankful people make turnarounds after a crisis. Suddenly, their words of appreciation are effusive and many bcoz they have memories of lack, pain and losses. He who God has forgiven much is thankful 4 much, was the implication of Jesus regarding Mary Magdalene (See Luke 7:36-50).
Thankfulness is magnetic. When u work around someone who is thankful, they are happy.
Thankful people are always Joyous people. It do does not mean that their life is free from stress, heartache, or difficulties. But rather they have chosen 2 focus on the wonder and the miracle of blessing.
Thankfulness is created by FOCUS (Deuteronomy 8:10-14).
Thankfulness is required 4 entering the sweet smelling Presence of God. "Enter His gates w/thanksgiving, and into His courts w/praise: be thankful unto Him, and Bless His Name" (Psalms 100:4).
Thankfulness should occur bcoz of the goodness of God, not bcoz perfect circumstances. "Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His Truth endureth 2 all generations" (Psalms 100:4-5).
You are commanded 2b thankful. "In everything gives thanks: 4 this is the will of God IN Christ Jesus concerning u" (I Thessalonians 5:18).
Thankfulness occurs when u begin 2 remember the good things God has done 4 u. "We give thanks 2 God always 4 u all-- remembering w/o ceasing your work of Faith, and labor of Love, and Patience and Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." (I Thessalonians 1:2-3).
You must replay the memories of God's Blessings in your life. He is a GOOD God. He is a powerful God. He is a Loving God.
He has brought u thru the fire.
He had brought u thru the flood.
He has preserved u thru false accusations.
He has walked in when others walked out.
You are serving a Miracle, Loving, Powerful God. If nothing else good ever occurred in your life, His Presence is enough 2 inspire Gratitude, Appreciation, and Thankfulness.
Sing your gratitude and thankfulness 2 God. Compose songs. They do not have 2b fancy, articulate and profound words. He just wants 2 hear u sing Praise and Worship 2 Him.
Write notes of thankfulness and gratitude 2 God and those u Love. Five minutes w/a handwritten note will unlock a river within u. Suddenly, u will remember all the wonderful things God has done 4 u.
Unthankful people are not replaying the right memories. "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a NEW THING; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the Wilderness, and Rivers in the Desert" (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Gratitude is a Gift 2 those u Love. "Withhold not good from them 2 whom it is due, when it is IN the power of thine hand 2 do it" (Proverbs 3:27).
What u are most thankful about will begin 2 multiply in your life. When u are thankful 4 friends, u will multiply your friendships. When u are thankful 4 the opportunity your boss gives u, money will begin 2 increase in your life.
The proof of thankfulness is Joy and the willingness 2 protect. U will protect and fight 4 the things 4 which u are most thankful. have u ever seen a mother race across the yard when a dog approached her child? That protectiveness came bcoz of her thankfulness and appreciation 4 her child. her baby is her life. You will always fight 2 keep what u truly love. When an employee is thankful, they will fight 2 keep their job. U will not find them coming 2 work, taking extra time away during the lunch hour. Why? They are grateful. Thankful.
Unthankfulness is as dangerous cancer that can enter so quickly. It comes when a contentious loved one and friend fuels a misunderstanding. They feed your anger. Something upsets u. Your FOCUS is broken. Husbands and wives can feed each other's agitation. The wife is angry bcoz the boss requested overtime. The husband ponders and meditates and receives the offense as well. Within weeks, they cannot look the boss in the eye. When a fellow employee shares their complaint, they add theirs w/it.
Unthankfulness is contagious. I walked off the plane recently w/great Joy. My life was going wonderful. The ministry was touched by God. The finances were up. I simply felt good. Two minister friends of mine were waiting. They suggested a meal, and I agreed. Within moments, they began share some of the trials they were going thru. My heart filled w/compassion. I listened. They continued and suddenly almost w/o warning, I was in a completely different arena. I heard myself discussing things I should never have discussed. I shared my trials, my complaints, and those who had failed me. Within 2 hours from my arrival, my heart was in such turmoil and frustration I could not explain it.
What had happened? I had permitted my FOCUS 2b broken. Unthankful people had entered my presence. I permitted it, allowed it, and even fed it. My Joy left. My enthusiasm waned.
Yet nothing had really changed in my entire life except my 'attitude.'
You C, somebody is speaking into your life continuously. An unthankful person can wreck the flow of miracles into your life incredibly.
Here are a few helpful KEYS in staying thankful and teachable during SEASONS of Financial Crisis:
1. Recognize unthankfulness as a sin and grievous 2 the Holy Spirit. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed until the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
2. Stop discussing anything that does not build up another. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
3. Focus on the wonderful blessings so evident and obvious in your life. "Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us w/Benefits, even the God of our salvation" (Psalms 68:19).
(4) Cry out 2 God when u sense an unthankful spirit growing. "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles" (Psalms 34:17).
5. Confess your sins of ingratitude w/a broken and contrite heart. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psalms 34:18).
6. Believe your trial will cease and God will give u full deliverance. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them ALL. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken:" (Psalms 34:19-20).
7. Keep a picture of the miracle u are pursuing in front of u at all times. "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are b4, I press toward the mark 4 the Prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
8. Withdraw from unthankful and contentious people. "Evil communications corrupt good manners" (I Corinthians 15:33). "As coals are 2 burning coals, and wood 2 fire; so is a contentious man/woman 2 kindle strife" (Proverbs 26:21).
Unthankfulness blinds u 2 every Gift of God. U become critical, cynical and fault finding. U refuse 2b thankful 4 your car bcoz u C your neibhor drive up in a new one.
Ingratitude can be cured. I have found 2 major methods God deals w/unthankfulness.
His first choice is 4 u 2 enter the Secret Place, beholding His goodness and becoming thankful IN His Presence. It is impossible 2 habitually enter your private place of prayer, praising and worshipping Him, and remain unthankful when u leave.
The second (2) method 4 dealing w/unthankfulness is devastating. LOSS IS THE BEST CURE 4 UNTHANKFULNESS. God simply takes away something u are not thankful 4. "Bcoz thou servest not the LORD thy God w/Joyfulness, and w/Gladness of heart, 4 the abundance of all things; There4 shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He have destroyed thee" (Deuteronomy 28:47-48).
Unthankful people are often militant influencing others w/their ingratitude. They are not satisfied 2 sit at home alone. They do not want 2 eat alone in restaurants. They cannot thrive alone. Their unthankfulness requires fuel. They pursue others 2 sow their SEEDS of contention, discord and strife. If u do not remove them from your life, u will enter into a covenant w/them, thus destroying every Blessing God is trying 2 place 'Near' u.
Unthankful people create an atmosphere of discouragement. Motivation is drained in their presence. U lose energy. The projects that excited u suddenly look 2 impossible 2 achieve. U start looking at hurdles instead of Potential Blessings. They are burdens not burden-bearers.
Unthankful people demotivate u. They demoralize u and DESTROY every Dream of God within u.
You cannot afford the tragedy of an unthankful person in your life.
Ingratitude and lack of appreciation 4 what God has ALREADY done, is one of the most important REASONS people will never taste the 100-fold return.
Please pray w/me:
"Jesus, 4give my Unthankfulness. I C how deadly ingratitude can be. I purpose 2 remember with Your help, Your goodness, Your grace and Your miracles.
Cleanse me. I will sing a new song of Thankfulness and those who come close 2 me will hear about Your greatness and Your goodness. I shall prosper and experience your Harvest. In Jesus Name. Amen."
========= ~ Deuteronomy 28:47-48 ~ "Bcoz thou servedst not the LORD thy God w/Joyfulness, and w/Gladness of heart, 4 the Abundance of all things, There4 shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, .. in Hunger, and ... in Thirst, and ...in Nakedness, and ... in Want of things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He has destroyed thee."
Thankfulness is a Force.
It is more than an attitude. It is a Lifestyle, a way of life. It is a way of looking at things. It is impossible 2b too thankful thru-out life.
Thankfulness is a learned attitude. It is not necessarily something born inside u. I have watched unthankful people make turnarounds after a crisis. Suddenly, their words of appreciation are effusive and many bcoz they have memories of lack, pain and losses. He who God has forgiven much is thankful 4 much, was the implication of Jesus regarding Mary Magdalene (See Luke 7:36-50).
Thankfulness is magnetic. When u work around someone who is thankful, they are happy.
Thankful people are always Joyous people. It do does not mean that their life is free from stress, heartache, or difficulties. But rather they have chosen 2 focus on the wonder and the miracle of blessing.
Thankfulness is created by FOCUS (Deuteronomy 8:10-14).
Thankfulness is required 4 entering the sweet smelling Presence of God. "Enter His gates w/thanksgiving, and into His courts w/praise: be thankful unto Him, and Bless His Name" (Psalms 100:4).
Thankfulness should occur bcoz of the goodness of God, not bcoz perfect circumstances. "Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His Truth endureth 2 all generations" (Psalms 100:4-5).
You are commanded 2b thankful. "In everything gives thanks: 4 this is the will of God IN Christ Jesus concerning u" (I Thessalonians 5:18).
Thankfulness occurs when u begin 2 remember the good things God has done 4 u. "We give thanks 2 God always 4 u all-- remembering w/o ceasing your work of Faith, and labor of Love, and Patience and Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." (I Thessalonians 1:2-3).
You must replay the memories of God's Blessings in your life. He is a GOOD God. He is a powerful God. He is a Loving God.
He has brought u thru the fire.
He had brought u thru the flood.
He has preserved u thru false accusations.
He has walked in when others walked out.
You are serving a Miracle, Loving, Powerful God. If nothing else good ever occurred in your life, His Presence is enough 2 inspire Gratitude, Appreciation, and Thankfulness.
Sing your gratitude and thankfulness 2 God. Compose songs. They do not have 2b fancy, articulate and profound words. He just wants 2 hear u sing Praise and Worship 2 Him.
Write notes of thankfulness and gratitude 2 God and those u Love. Five minutes w/a handwritten note will unlock a river within u. Suddenly, u will remember all the wonderful things God has done 4 u.
Unthankful people are not replaying the right memories. "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a NEW THING; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the Wilderness, and Rivers in the Desert" (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Gratitude is a Gift 2 those u Love. "Withhold not good from them 2 whom it is due, when it is IN the power of thine hand 2 do it" (Proverbs 3:27).
What u are most thankful about will begin 2 multiply in your life. When u are thankful 4 friends, u will multiply your friendships. When u are thankful 4 the opportunity your boss gives u, money will begin 2 increase in your life.
The proof of thankfulness is Joy and the willingness 2 protect. U will protect and fight 4 the things 4 which u are most thankful. have u ever seen a mother race across the yard when a dog approached her child? That protectiveness came bcoz of her thankfulness and appreciation 4 her child. her baby is her life. You will always fight 2 keep what u truly love. When an employee is thankful, they will fight 2 keep their job. U will not find them coming 2 work, taking extra time away during the lunch hour. Why? They are grateful. Thankful.
Unthankfulness is as dangerous cancer that can enter so quickly. It comes when a contentious loved one and friend fuels a misunderstanding. They feed your anger. Something upsets u. Your FOCUS is broken. Husbands and wives can feed each other's agitation. The wife is angry bcoz the boss requested overtime. The husband ponders and meditates and receives the offense as well. Within weeks, they cannot look the boss in the eye. When a fellow employee shares their complaint, they add theirs w/it.
Unthankfulness is contagious. I walked off the plane recently w/great Joy. My life was going wonderful. The ministry was touched by God. The finances were up. I simply felt good. Two minister friends of mine were waiting. They suggested a meal, and I agreed. Within moments, they began share some of the trials they were going thru. My heart filled w/compassion. I listened. They continued and suddenly almost w/o warning, I was in a completely different arena. I heard myself discussing things I should never have discussed. I shared my trials, my complaints, and those who had failed me. Within 2 hours from my arrival, my heart was in such turmoil and frustration I could not explain it.
What had happened? I had permitted my FOCUS 2b broken. Unthankful people had entered my presence. I permitted it, allowed it, and even fed it. My Joy left. My enthusiasm waned.
Yet nothing had really changed in my entire life except my 'attitude.'
You C, somebody is speaking into your life continuously. An unthankful person can wreck the flow of miracles into your life incredibly.
Here are a few helpful KEYS in staying thankful and teachable during SEASONS of Financial Crisis:
1. Recognize unthankfulness as a sin and grievous 2 the Holy Spirit. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed until the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
2. Stop discussing anything that does not build up another. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
3. Focus on the wonderful blessings so evident and obvious in your life. "Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us w/Benefits, even the God of our salvation" (Psalms 68:19).
(4) Cry out 2 God when u sense an unthankful spirit growing. "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles" (Psalms 34:17).
5. Confess your sins of ingratitude w/a broken and contrite heart. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psalms 34:18).
6. Believe your trial will cease and God will give u full deliverance. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them ALL. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken:" (Psalms 34:19-20).
7. Keep a picture of the miracle u are pursuing in front of u at all times. "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are b4, I press toward the mark 4 the Prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
8. Withdraw from unthankful and contentious people. "Evil communications corrupt good manners" (I Corinthians 15:33). "As coals are 2 burning coals, and wood 2 fire; so is a contentious man/woman 2 kindle strife" (Proverbs 26:21).
Ingratitude can be cured. I have found 2 major methods God deals w/unthankfulness.
His first choice is 4 u 2 enter the Secret Place, beholding His goodness and becoming thankful IN His Presence. It is impossible 2 habitually enter your private place of prayer, praising and worshipping Him, and remain unthankful when u leave.
The second (2) method 4 dealing w/unthankfulness is devastating. LOSS IS THE BEST CURE 4 UNTHANKFULNESS. God simply takes away something u are not thankful 4. "Bcoz thou servest not the LORD thy God w/Joyfulness, and w/Gladness of heart, 4 the abundance of all things; There4 shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He have destroyed thee" (Deuteronomy 28:47-48).
Unthankful people are often militant influencing others w/their ingratitude. They are not satisfied 2 sit at home alone. They do not want 2 eat alone in restaurants. They cannot thrive alone. Their unthankfulness requires fuel. They pursue others 2 sow their SEEDS of contention, discord and strife. If u do not remove them from your life, u will enter into a covenant w/them, thus destroying every Blessing God is trying 2 place 'Near' u.
Unthankful people create an atmosphere of discouragement. Motivation is drained in their presence. U lose energy. The projects that excited u suddenly look 2 impossible 2 achieve. U start looking at hurdles instead of Potential Blessings. They are burdens not burden-bearers.
Unthankful people demotivate u. They demoralize u and DESTROY every Dream of God within u.
You cannot afford the tragedy of an unthankful person in your life.
Ingratitude and lack of appreciation 4 what God has ALREADY done, is one of the most important REASONS people will never taste the 100-fold return.
Please pray w/me:
"Jesus, 4give my Unthankfulness. I C how deadly ingratitude can be. I purpose 2 remember with Your help, Your goodness, Your grace and Your miracles.
Cleanse me. I will sing a new song of Thankfulness and those who come close 2 me will hear about Your greatness and Your goodness. I shall prosper and experience your Harvest. In Jesus Name. Amen."
