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THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE*
By Don Gossett
1. In blazing letters here is God's Will accurately defined: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" I Th. 5:18. Above all else, I desire to do the will of God. Hence, I am a “Thanksgiver: one who gives thanks ...in everything.
2. Another strong New Testament command: "Be ye thankful" Col. 3:15. "Thankful" means to be full of thanks! This is the attitude of gratitude. Often I lift my voice in giving thanks to God for His bountiful blessings. It's the best habit I can ever form! Also, I practice verbal thanks to others.
3. Once each day, as long as I live, and have a voice, I shall lift up my voice and sing, "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul!" I shall give thanks for benefits received, by acknowledging His kindness in words of sincere gratitude.
4. God has a warning of the consequence of losing the attitude of gratitude: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" Rom. 1:21. Ingratitude extinguishes the light of God in the heart; it is the mark of a foolish heart.
5. I am aware that a prominent sign of the last days is this spirit of Ingratitude: "In the last days, saith God, perilous times shall come. Men shall be . . . unthankful" 2 Tim. 3:1‑2. Those who are unthankful are simply fulfilling Bible prophecy! When Jesus healed the ten lepers, nine of ten were unthankful. The percentage has hardly changed today: Only one of ten who has been recipient of the Lord's blessings is truly thankful! I shall be a part of the "mighty minority" who gives thanks to God! A “thanksgiver” is a non‑conformist.
6. Col. 2:6‑7 declares that when I am truly rooted and built up in Christ, and established in the faith, I will be "abounding therein with thanksgiving," which means "overflowing with thanksgiving." If my life in Christ is solid and my faith effective, I shall indeed "overflow with thanksgiving!"
7. I now possess the attitude of gratitude. I shall ever "be thankful unto Him and bless His name" Ps. 100:4. I will manifest the attitude of gratitude in my own home, with my own loved ones; also, unto others I shall express thanks. The Attitude of Gratitude is so God ‑pleasing and works wonders in all my relations!
BOLD LIVING CARD No. 40
(You may reprint up to 10 copies by permission. If you desire more than ten copies, please contact Don Gossett Ministries for pricing information.) *Copyrighted material.