In a culture that has become more and more entitlement centered, gratitude is threatened. Yet in Biblical times we find ingratitude on display as well. The Gospel of Luke gives the account of some Desperate Lepers that cried out loudly as they saw Jesus. They had to see Jesus outside the village area as it was not lawful for those that had this dreadful, disfiguring disease to be amongst the normal society. It was a heartfelt intense desire for every Leper to be healed and these 10 pleaded for Jesus to heal them. In an instant Jesus restored them all to perfect health. It is mind boggling to read that only one of the ten came back to give Him thanks. We can read that passage in Luke 17 and be quick to judge. But have we been guilty in our lives of ingratitude at times?

Gratitude refers to the quality of showing appreciation and returning kindness. It is the humble acknowledgement of blessings received. An ungrateful heart is a heart that has forgotten how dependent we are on God for everything. The Bible is replete about giving thanks. In fact, thankfulness is the natural outflowing of a heart that is aligned to God. Thanksgiving which is the giving of Thanks to God for all His blessings should be one of the most distinctive marks of a follower of Christ. We must not let a spirit of ingratitude harden our heart and chill our relationship with God and with others. Nothing turns us into bitter, self-centered unsatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. Ingratitude is a dangerous position to be in. It opens the door for other evils to enter our heart and sets us up for deception.

Gratitude is also not contingent upon our circumstances but is a deliberate choice we make regardless of our situations. It is not just a response to those favorable outcomes but a knowing of the goodness in our lives regardless of conditions. God’s Word, our living, breathing Instruction manual tells us to “Give Thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God In Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:18). This power packed verse serves us well. Thanksgiving is to continue through good times and hard times. Thanksgiving is a heart attitude. In giving Thanks to God, we are expectant that God will use our circumstances for His Glory, our good, and the good for others. A lifestyle of sincere thankfulness because of who He is keeps us shrouded with His Peace in the midst of the no matter what's.

We the redeemed of The Lord that sincerely follow Him can praise Him and be grateful because we are His Sheep and He is The Good Shepherd. When we turn on the news and see all the evil escalating and the attacks against those that stand for Jesus, we can rest assured that The Victory has already been won by our Good Shepherd who has laid His Life down for His Sheep.
He tells us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1), acknowledging all He has done for us and serving Him by loving and abiding In Christ, walking in His Word, and serving others.

When we give gratitude to others that are a part of our journey, we actually become richer in our virtue of Thanksgiving. There are many people that The Lord is using and has used to bless our lives.

Therefore, Cultivate Gratitude Daily, Enjoy His Presence. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Take delight in dialogue with Him. Show others His Love. “Be devoted to prayer, be watchful, and Thankful”. (Colossians 4:2).

We become like Him when we live a life of Gratitude. There is no greater Thankfulness than a life that is wholeheartedly surrendered to Him, loving Him, and loving people.

“With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before You The Holy God. Yahweh, You are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me? You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done. You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease. You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life. You’ve crowned me with love and mercy. You satisfy my every desire with good things. (Psalm 103:1-5). The Passion Translation