A Winning Gratitude

Read

Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

John 14:23 "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'"

Think

We can be pretty forgetful, can't we? It's so easy to lose sight of the many blessings we've received and start behaving as though we're the architects of our own success. Such pride is the forerunner of all sin. And when it rears its ugly head, our obedience to God starts to slip. This is an important link to recognize: a lack of gratitude leads to a lack of obedience. We must remember to remember! We need to make a habit of acknowledging and appreciating our generous God, whose love is unfailing and everlasting.

Jesus told us, "If you love me, keep my commands." Our obedience is a clear indicator of our love and reverence for God. We aim to please God because we've experienced his goodness and we trust his promises. As we journey from who we were to who God wants us to be, we discover an amazing truth: our obedience emerges not from a sense of obligation, but from the joy of a grateful heart.  

Ultimately, obedience is intrinsically connected to gratitude. We don't just give thanks; we live thanks! It’s a perpetual circle. Gratitude leads to obedience, and obedience, in turn, deepens our gratitude.

Apply

Spend time reading and meditating on Psalm 107, reflecting on God's enduring love and goodness. Also, make it a point to express your gratitude to God for those often-overlooked tangible and intangible blessings.

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank you for your unending care and attention to every detail of my life. Show me the importance of a grateful heart as I aim to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). May my life bring you joy as I live out my gratitude. In Jesus' name. Amen.