Living A Life Of Gratitude Series

Your daughter, Susie

P.S. None of the above is true. But I did get a "C" in Sociology and flunked Chemistry. I just wanted you to receive this news in its "Proper Perspective!"

To be thankful in all circumstances, we need a proper perspective of our circumstances and of our God. Only then we will be able to give thanks to the Lord always.

BECAUSE – we know that in every circumstance God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purpose…(Rm 8:28)

Avoiding Complaining At All Costs

“Do everything without complaining or arguing…” Phil 2:14

UNDERSTAND - a huge barrier to us being a thankful people is grumbling & complaining… We live in a very blessed and rich country, but these blessings have produced a society of complainers.

We complain when our remote control is lost or doesn’t work and we have to change channels manually.

We complain about having to clean our big house

We complain when there is more than 1 person in line ahead of us at Kroger, the bank or Wal Mart.

We complain when we can’t find that 1 pair of shoes among 20.

I heard someone say one time, that if Americans were at the feeding of the 5,000 they would have complained to Jesus and the disciples about not getting lemon for the fish or honey butter for the bread.

LISTEN - grumbling & complaining are a serious problem, and it is really a sign of ingratitude, it is as if we are saying that life has somehow short changed us, when it reality we have been abundantly blessed.

And grumbling is not just isolated to our society, but it is found within the Lord’s church. And whenever or wherever it occurs - it is not a positive thing.

UNDERSTAND – to have grumbling and complaining spirit is a serious sin; I know some may think that it isn’t that bad, not when we compared to things like; murder, adultery and drug abuse. BUT if we are not careful grumbling can become the leading characteristic of our lives.

Grumbling; erodes our joy - harms our influence and insults the goodness of God. Avoid it at all cost – because if left unchecked it will spread and it will incur God’s wrath…

CHECKOUT – this severe warning in 1 Cor 10;

“Do not grumble as some of them did – and were killed by the destroying angel” (10:10)

(Numbers 16 – 15,000 people killed by a plague)

Appreciating What We Have

LISTEN – there is so much that we have in this life that we take for granted… There is so much that comes our way that we don’t even notice…

QUESTION – if the stars only came once a year – would you go out on that night to look at them…?

UNDERSTAND – you have many people and relationships in your life that if they were gone…

THEN you would notice…

Don’t wait until they’re gone – be thankful for those people now…

AND LISTEN – there are all kinds of things in life that we should be thankful for…