Learning to SHOW Gratitude

    Over the past several weeks we have been looking at “The Three Thank You's” and how they will help us develop proper gratitude.  First, we should FEEL thankful, second, we should SAY thank you, and third, we should SHOW how thankful we are. 

    We have already studied the first two, so this week let’s consider how to SHOW gratitude toward our heavenly Father.

    When you have planned for the perfect gift, you have made sacrifices in order for the recipient to have it, you have put so much thought into it and worked tirelessly in putting it together and wrapping it. It seems like you’ve been you’ve been looking forward to giving it since forever and when you finally do, the recipient is happy and excited by the gift – it makes your heart overflow! But a few months later you visit them and see your gift still sitting in the box on the floor, gathering dust… now how do you feel?

    We can often do the same to God. We may in the moment of receiving a gift/blessing FEEL thankful and we may even say ‘Thank You’, but do we always SHOW God how grateful we are by using that blessing for His glory?

    Grab a Bible and turn to Ephesians 5; I would like you to think on three points from this chapter that will help us do better in SHOWING gratitude to God.

WALK IN LOVE   (Ephesians 5:1-7)

    God has given us the gift of love. He loved us SO much that He gave us His Son. He continues to show us love through His mercy, grace, help, comfort, and forgiveness. We SHOW appreciation and gratitude for this gift by walking in love, just as Christ did, showing love toward God the Father and all people. We deny self (along with our selfish lusts and desires) and instead imitate
God. SHOW God that you appreciate His love by learning from it how best to love others!

WALK IN LIGHT (Ephesians 5:8-10)

    God has given us the gift of light. We were once in darkness (sin) but now we are “light in the Lord” (v.8, see also 1 Peter 2:9). In His light we see, we can know His way, we can find out what is acceptable to the Lord. How do we show that we appreciate the light He has brought us into? By walking as children of light! We learn, we obey, we grow, and we guide others toward God’s light by reflecting His light in our day-to-day tasks and interactions!

WALK IN WISDOM (Ephesians 5:15-17)

    God gives us the gift of today. How do we show appreciation and gratitude for today? By using it wisely; walking in wisdom. We do that by first understanding what the will of the Lord is (v17) and then asking Him for wisdom, which He gives generously (James 1:5). Walking in wisdom involves being careful of our words and actions (Ephesians 4:29) and looking for opportunities to do good works (see Titus 3:8,14), which keeps us walking in love and as children of light!

    Are you ready to SHOW God how much you appreciate His gifts and blessings? USE THEM!! See their amazing value by using them as God desires! Show gratitude today by imitating Him in love, basking in and reflecting His light, and being wise and careful in all that you do so as not to hinder His light and love!

From wherever you are right now – BEGIN! 

You can do it! So can I!!