Happy Thanksgiving! This is the time of year when we pause and count our blessings with a heart of gratitude, thanking God for all He has done for us. But for some, it is hard to find things to be thankful for. It’s not that they don’t have reason to be thankful, but they see what they wanted to happen, instead of seeing what God has done and giving Him thanks. Let us consider our perspective as we look at four practices of a grateful heart.
- Sing Joyfully to the Savior (Ps. 100:1-2)
The psalmist calls the reader to sing and shout joyfully to the Lord! The term ‘serve’ in vs. 2 can also be translated ‘acts of worship’. So, as we express gratitude through joyful singing, it is seen as service. Worship is an act of serving God. This is what Romans 12:1 describes as being a ‘living sacrifice’.
- Describe the characteristics of someone you know who does a great job of singing joyfully to the Lord.
- What are ways you can do a better job of singing joyfully to the Lord?
- Explain how worship is an act of serving God.
- Pastor Brian mentioned two barriers to gratitude to God, Inhibition, and distractedness.
- Describe how inhibitions can hinder expressing gratitude to God.
- What are examples of things that can distract us from being grateful. How can these items do the opposite and make us bitter?
- Serve the Savior (Ps. 100:2)
As discussed, worship is an act of service. There are also many other ways we can serve God. It’s not just about what we are doing, but why we are doing it. To serve with gladness and gratitude is to be motivated by what God has done for you and the realization He deserves your service. The problem is at times we may serve out of pride (self-recognition), or grudgingly (we’ll do it, but would rather be doing something else). This is when we need to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us, take our focus off ourselves and put it back on Him.
- What are examples of ways we can serve God?
- Why is our attitude so important when we serve Him?
- How does our attitude in service, or even if we serve, a reflection of our gratitude (or ingratitude)?
- What are ways you feel you are gifted (spiritual gifts/equipped by God)?
- How can you use your giftedness to serve God?
- Know the Savior Intimately (Ps. 100:3)
The psalmist tells us to “know that the Lord Himself is God”. ‘Know’ is more than knowledge, but to know through experience or to learn. The more we learn about God and experience Him personally, we find how much we have to be grateful for. We learn who He is and what He’s done (and is doing).
- The psalmist describe how it is God who made us and that He shepherds us.
- What is involved with God shepherding us?
- Elements of care, provision, guidance all are involved.
- Shepherding is an ongoing process. The Shepherd is never finished with His job as long as He has sheep. As a result, there is always something for us sheep to be grateful for.
- What are activities that help us know God better, more intimately?
- Thank the Savior Daily (Ps. 100:4)
In vs. 4, there is a reference to entering God’s gates and His courts. The psalmist is describing our attitude as we enter the presence of God. It is a time of thanksgiving. Just the idea of us being able to enter into the presence of God should give us a thankful heart, for not everyone can do so. Those who reject Him can’t know Him. For us to know Him, to be in His presence should be seen as a privilege, and a blessing, and should be taken advantage of as often as possible.
- How do we enter into the presence of God?
- Why do we need to do so with a thankful heart?
- How can being a Christian and being ungrateful reflect our relationship with God?
- List things God has done for you. Pause and thank Him.
- List characteristics of who God is. Pause and thank Him for who He is.