26/08/2018
Excerpts from the message -
WHY GIVE GOD GRATITUDE? - by Pst. Tunde Orungbeja. 26/08/2018.
Christians today cry more to God for their needs than they celebrate Him. We have become followers in need than followers to feed!. We are more of followers who exude a sense of entitlement rather than an attitude of gratitude to our Heavenly Father!!!.
We have forgotten the essence of our creation that we were created for the pleasure of the Lord Almighty (Rev 4:11).
To please Him, we need to appreciate Him from the depth of our hearts always.
Here are 7 more reasons to give God gratitude.
1. HE called us out of darkness: The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ set us eternally free from the bo***ge of sin. This alone, is more than sufficient reason for us to ceaselessly show unconditional gratitude to God. 1Pe 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" 2Co 9:15 . Eph 5:20 . Re 5:11 "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing".
2. To fill our gathering with HIS presence: Whenever we show deep gratitude to God in any environment, we definitely show our strong desire for His presence in such a gathering. It is a direct invitation to the Most High to envelope us with His glory. His glory opens doors of favour. It adds to us in all critical areas of need. 2Ch 5:13 "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;". Ac 2:47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved".
3. For all HIS mighty works: Lu 19:37 "And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;". Ps 107:8 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Ps 147:1
4. For all we see and hear concerning HIM: There are so many evident works of God around us daily. We hear great testimonies, we see His works in the life of those around us. There are more than enough to consistently thank Him for. Lu:20 "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them". Heb 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name".
5. To overcome challenges: Whenever we sincerely move towards God in gratitude, He moves swiftly against our foes crushing them totally. His presence in our situation becomes overwhelming for the devices and machinations set against us. 2Ch 20:22 "And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2Sa 22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies". Re 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death".
6. It is a Heavenly attitude: A heart of gratitude to God always, depicts a deep understanding and readiness for our eternal assignment. It connotes our alignment with the attitude of the higher beings in Heaven who daily (without rest) give gratitude to God Almighty. Rev 5:8. Rev7:11 "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen". Rev 11:17. Rev 14:3 .Rev 19:5
7. It enables us show gratitude to our fellows: We learn from our attitude of gratitude to God, how well to appreciate our fellow beings. We need to show gratitude not just for what they assist us with, but as well for the effort they put in to assist even if it does not yield the result we expect. Php 2:3 . 1Th 5:13 "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves".
Husbands appreciate your wives and children. Wives appreciate your husbands and children.
Children too need appreciate their parents. We need to all drop the sense of entitlement for a heart of gratitude!.