The Power of Gratitude (Go with Grateful Series)

Image Credit:  Samuel Scrimshaw - Public Domain Image - via Freely Photos

The Power of Gratitude

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

View my pastor's entire sermon here.

Go With Grateful - The Power Of Gratitude - December 2, 2018 (Message Only) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18-23

Gratitude is about perspective.  If we will stop and think about all the things we have to be thankful for, we will see how blessed we are.   When our perspective is right, gratitude will flow from our lives.

It is God's will for us to be grateful.

1.  Gratitude blesses our lives. 

A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22

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A broken spirit saps a person's strength.

9 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude:

1.  opens doors to relationships.
2.  improves physical health.
3.  improves psychological health.
4.  enhances empathy
5.  reduces aggression.
6.  improves self-esteem.
7.  reduces social comparisons.
8.  plays a major role in overcoming trauma.
9.  contributes to resilience.

Choose gratitude!

2.  Gratitude turns us to God.

I won't be prideful.

Every time we don't turn a blessing into praise to God, it will turn into pride.

I won't feel hopeless.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

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The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:35


The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry. - Psalm 34:15


And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans 8:28-29

Gratitude attracts the presence of God and His power in our lives.  

When we are grateful, a gloomy situation will become glorious.

Read Acts, chapter 16 here.

When we choose grateful, handcuffs come off.

3.  Gratitude brings contentment.

Ingratitude robs us of all the blessings we've already received.  Gratitude turns whatever we have into enough.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

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4.  Gratitude is a spiritual weapon.  

If God is attracted to gratitude, then Satan is repelled by it.

Read Guard Yourself with Gratitude by John Piper here.

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:7-8

What brings us closer to God?  Gratitude

Gratitude is spiritual muscle.

5.  Gratitude strengthens our prayers.

We need to remind ourselves to go to God with a spirit of gratitude instead of a list of complaints.  

Never stop praying!

Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name. - Psalm 100:4

When we pray, let's enter into His courts with Thanksgiving.

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here.