Psalm 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
A heart of thanksgiving is one of the most powerful kingdom attitudes to receive a revelation from the Holy Spirit. The Message translation says that “Thank you” is the kingdom password giving you access into the courts of God!
There are so many things to be grateful for starting with the Lord Himself and what He has done in your life. For all the people, opportunities, and blessings He brings into and bestows upon our lives.
When you talk to people who have had life-threatening experiences, one thing you will always hear them say is how thankful they are for every day. That is the heart attitude we need to carry into and declare every day.
Gratitude is never invisible nor silent. Just imagine if a husband never bought his wife anything for their anniversary and forgot to say thank you to her for marrying him. He would be sleeping outside! Likewise, when it comes to God, thankfulness should not be invisible nor silent. We should be bringing the Lord a gift of thankfulness and declaring our praise and thanksgiving toward Him.
Proverbs 3:9 says, Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of your increase.
When people declare with their mouths their love for God but refuse to support it with offerings, their worship is missing something – there is an emptiness to it.
Gratitude teaches you not to take things for granted – like your health, your children and your church.
I recall when I sustained a serious sporting injury that would normally put a person out of action for three months. But I was on crutches for 18 long months and could not walk for more than 20 meters without experiencing excruciating pain. I couldn’t do any of the things I’d taken for granted. I couldn’t go for a walk with my wife or kick the ball with my son.
But I remember, after having another operation with a sports specialist in Sydney and months of declaring my health in Christ, the day when I walking with no pain. It was like the greatest day of my life! I hadn’t won the lottery, I didn't receive a promotion, I didn’t buy a new home – I was just able to walk again, pain-free.
It is amazing how your outlook on life changes when something you took for granted, was nearly lost.
Carry a heart of gratitude, always. Be grateful for God, for your family and your church family – they are great blessings in life.