ATTITUDES FOR GODLY DEVELOPMENT: “THANKFULNESS”

• Spiritual maturity is a daily choice rooted in a to obey God and can cultivate humility, love, unity, service, and joy, leading to a life of thankfulness.
• Thankfulness flows with ease when life is .
• Thankfulness gets challenged when life gets .
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1. Be thankful – our .
2. In all circumstances – our .
3. For this is God’s Will for you – our .
4. Who belong to Christ Jesus – our .

• Romans 8:28-29 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
• God’s design is to use to mold, shape, and conform us into becoming more like Christ. Less of us; more of Him.
• Thankfulness should be practiced even when life is turned upside down, and we don’t understand why.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 …even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Who boasts in weakness? The person who desires Christ’s power to work.
• Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

1. Start rather than later.

2. Notice small but meaningful to be thankful.

• Luke 17:17-18 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

3. Reflect on thankfulness.

• As time and distance pass, it’s common to gain a clearer on the trial and then sincerely thank God for what He has done.
• Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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