An Attitude of Gratitude

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us

continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His
name.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Be anxious for
nothing, but
in everything
by prayer and
supplication
with
thanksgiving
let your
requests be
made known
to God.
Phil. 4:6
Examine Your Attitudes
Attitude - - phroneo
Thayer Definition:
1) to have understanding, be wise
2) to feel, to think
a) to have an opinion of ones self, think of ones
self, to be modest, not let ones opinion (though
just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty
b) to think or judge what ones opinion is
c) to be of the same mind, i.e. agreed together,
cherish the same views, be harmonious
 attitude, noun [Webster]
manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard
to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially
of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes.
disposition - noun
1.the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's
spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood;
characteristic attitude: a girl with a pleasant disposition.
2.state of mind regarding something; inclination: a
disposition to gamble.
An attitude of Gratitude
A spiritual disposition to be thankful in all
circumstances.
1 Thes. 5:16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without
ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Children must be taught to express gratitude
early in their lives.
It is much more difficult to instill an attitude of true
thankfulness
Indeed, this disposition must be developed
between the individual and Gods Holy Spirit within
The Sin of Ingratitude
So says Billy Graham:
Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or
stealing or immorality or any other sin
condemned by the Bible.
So says Paul:
Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God,
they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,
but they became futile in their speculations, and
their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to
be wise, they became fools
The Root Cause of Ingratitude
2 Tim. 3:1 But understand this, that in the last
days difficult times will come.
2
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,
boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to
parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3
unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without
self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,
The Development of Ingratitude
2
For men will be:
(I trouble)
lovers of self,
lovers of money, (power)
boastful, arrogant, (pride)
revilers, (To revile is to criticize in an
abusive or hostile way, or to
spread negative information about
a person)
disobedient to parents, (Not rightly related to authority)
ungrateful, (I deserve more!)
unholy (Not rightly related to God)
 4
treacherous, (betrayal of trust)
reckless, (utterly unconcerned about the
consequences of ones actions)
conceited, (self-absorbed)
loving pleasure rather than loving God.
5
They will maintain the outward appearance
of religion but will have repudiated its power.
So avoid people like these.
Growing a Grateful Heart
Do you need to repent of an ungrateful
attitude?
Confess this to Him & ask His forgiveness
1 John 1:9
Ask God to develop within you a grateful
heart:
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am
helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my
song I shall thank Him.
Open my eyes, Lord
Ask God to make you aware of His blessings in every
aspect of your life
Col. 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it
with an attitude of thanksgiving
1 Thes. 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak from want, for I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Ask Him to reveal to you those who have blessed you
in the past
God Himself, Parents, Siblings, Teachers, Friends,
Employers, etc.
 Make contact with these individuals, if possible,
and express your personal gratitude for the
specific way(s) in which they benefitted you
Written communication is appropriate in this case!
Every day ask God to make you increasingly
aware of the little blessings He pours out to
you
Begin each day by expressing gratitude to God
and to those nearest you.
Work your way outward!
Be alert to sources of irritation!
Why dont we start now?
Are you grateful?
To whom?
For what?
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
Psalm 107:2
 15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to
which indeed you were called in one body; and be
thankful.
16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one
another with psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with thankfulness in your
hearts to God.
17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through
Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3