An Attitude of Gratitude

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An Attitude of Gratitude

• Hebrews 1315 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 31-5

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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. Phil. 46
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Examine Your Attitudes
Attitude - F???e? - 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
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• 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
• the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's
  spirits natural mental and emotional outlook or
  mood characteristic attitude a girl with a
  pleasant disposition.
• state of mind regarding something inclination a
  disposition to gamble.

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An attitude of Gratitude

• A spiritual disposition to be thankful in all
  circumstances.
• 1 Thes. 516 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

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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 121 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

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The Root Cause of Ingratitude
2 Tim. 31 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,
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The Development of Ingratitude
2 For men will be
lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy (I trouble) (power) (pride) (To revile is to criticize in an abusive or hostile way, or to spread negative information about a person) (Not rightly related to authority) (I deserve more!) (Not rightly related to God)
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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.
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Growing a Grateful Heart

• Do you need to repent of an ungrateful attitude?
• Confess this to Him ask His forgiveness
• 1 John 19
• Ask God to develop within you a grateful heart
• Psalm 287 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.

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Open my eyes, Lord

• Ask God to make you aware of His blessings in
  every aspect of your life
• Col. 42 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping
  alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving
• 1 Thes. 518 in everything give thanks for
  this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 411 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.

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• 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!

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Why dont we start now?

• Are you grateful?
• To whom?
• For what?
• Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Psalm
  1072

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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
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