Opening Scripture:
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you – 1Thessalonians 5:15-18 (KJV)
Introduction
Gratitude is not just an act, it is a posture of the heart. Every new day is a gift, and our very breath is evidence of God’s sustaining power. Yet, many times, the first thing people do when they wake up is reach for their phones, instead of reaching out to God in thanksgiving. This message reminds us that the heart of gratitude is the true heart for God.
Gratitude in The Morning
If you slept last night unhurt and woke up normal, the first thing you should do in the morning is to thank God, not pick up your phone.
Ingratitude is waking up in the morning and giving attention to something else instead of thanking God. You can be doing one activity or the other and sleep off. But when you wake up and you are not active, it means that waking up is not by your strength.
The Heart of Gratitude is The Heart For God
The heart of gratitude is the heart for God. Even when things are working against you, be thankful because only God has the power to turn things around to work for you.
Ingratitude is the spirit of seeing what God has not done, not what He has done. You can never excel beyond the kind of heart you have.
Hear this: don’t desire the grace, pursue the heart. If you pursue the heart, the grace will come naturally.
Putting God First
The heart of gratitude is the heart that puts God first. If God becomes your second option, you are doomed. It is not hard to know those who put God first.
Those who value God cannot keep God’s house dirty. How do you treat God? The house of God must not be seen in tatters. Anywhere you see dirtiness you must find poverty, demons, and attack.
Gratitude in Giving
The heart of gratitude is the heart that gives to the kingdom. Tithing is the smallest instruction God gave to man. God is a principled God, He is not a gambler.
The question is this: in your boat, where do you put God? If God is your first priority, His work will become your priority. When God and the kingdom become your first priority, God will take you as His personal responsibility.
Where does God stand in your heart—first priority or second option?
The Power of Thanksgiving
Satan is upset when you thank God. God is provoked anytime we thank Him. In Matthew 15:36, Jesus gave thanks. Anything you thank God for will multiply. The reason why you are at the level you are is because you complain too much. Until you have the mindset of thanksgiving, God cannot take you as His responsibility. When thanksgiving becomes our attitude, our altitude becomes easy to reach. The life of Jesus was the life of thanksgiving.
Three Reasons to Thank God
- You are alive and you did not keep yourself alive.
- We give thanks to God for good health.
- For not letting your enemies prevail over your matter (Psalm 21:11).
When your thanksgiving has a reason, you have limited God. Anything you thank God for, you commit God into.
Conclusion
The heart of gratitude is the heart that secures God’s presence, His favour and His power. Complaints close doors, but thanksgiving opens them. As you make gratitude your daily lifestyle, may you experience multiplication, divine responsibility and unstoppable breakthroughs.
Call To Action
Take a moment right now, pause, reflect and thank God for life, health and victory. As you practice daily gratitude, watch God multiply every area of your life. God bless you.