Heart of Gratitude (4)

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25

Why should a man praise God when he is down and the whole world appears to be on his shoulder; why should I rejoice in God when there's virtually nothing around me to be happy about?
Paul and Silas sang praise to God at a time when they weren't feeling good cause of much beating and imprisonment; coupled with that, there was no physical reason whatsoever around them to incite the worship of God.
God knew things will not be smooth all the time and yet we are commanded to give Him thanks always. Praising God requires faith and not feelings.
Good or bad, the believer must always put His attention and concentration on the word of God and not on circumstances and feelings, because situations and cirmcumstaces change and so are feelings; the more reason a believr's motivation for praise should be drawn from the unchanging word of God (Isaiah 40:8)
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Mind you, What determines whether or not your praise will be acceptable before God is faith not feelings. " But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6).
Let the praise of God abound in your heart always inspite of feelings for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ. got that?

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!