Heart of Gratitude (2)

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (IThes.5:18)
The import of this verse is that thanksgiving must be a way of life for the believer; same admonition is given in Heb.13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
 Whatever virtue that must be a lifestyle requires learning and cultivation. Hence thanksgiving to God must not be a mere index of fair weather; otherwise, when things are not palatable u will most likely murmur against God. Its good to give thanks to God for the daily benefits but you can't build a lifestyle of gratitude on the physical things, because, though God is the ultimate source of such things, the fact we cannot shy away from is that, anything physical is fleeting inspite of its source and importance. And once it fades, as it must, u might end up not maintaining a grateful heart towards God and consequently murmur against God.
There is something the Lord has done for you which cannot fade away and through it we have received all things (Rom.8:32). It is Redemption! You must learn to appreciate God for redemption through Christ in all things and at all times; going through this learning process will help you build a lifestyle of gratitude that does not fluctuate with happenings and experiences.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, "I am redeemed; I am redeemed; Praise the Lord!"
Let the forgiven and the blessed of the Lord say so, "I am redeemed, I am redeemed, praise the Lord!" PRAISE THE LORD!