Luke 2:15-18 ESV
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

You and I were created with this desire to be worshippers.

• Number #1 issue of life is, WHAT WILL YOU WORSHIP?
  

• We Will reflect what you worship.
  

• When we have a clear understanding of God and His goodness, worshipping Him becomes natural.
  

Luke 17:11-19 ESV
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”[b]

1-Gratitude Does Not Come Easy For Humans.

There is something in the human constitution that draws us toward its envy and entitlement.

Matthew 5:45
Gods Goodness falls on the Just and the Unjust.

Ecclestics 9:11-12 ESV-
Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

Nothing you can do can earn things from God, so just Give Him Thanks in all Seasons!

*2 - The Journey is the Point. *

Don’t Hold Back because of your season.

• The 10 lepers weren’t healed until they acted in faith and turned to head to the priest.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

1 Thess 5:18 ESV
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

*3- Gods Mercy will heal you, But gratitude is the condition that causes us to live well. *

• Miracles are based on Gods faithfulness, but your wellness is based on your gratefulness.
  

Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness and optimism, and that the practice of gratitude as a discipline protects a person from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed and bitterness.

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Gratitude is a core discipleship issue for the believer and it’s God’s will that we learn to be grateful in every situation.

Discussion Questions:

1- What does worship mean to you? How do you incorporate worship into your daily life?

2- How does a right perspective on god effect the way we worship Him? What was your perspective on God before you knew Him? How has your perspective of Him changed?

3- Read Hebrews 11:6. What does this say about Gods heart towards faith? What is the reward Hebrews is talking about?

4- What is one area that God is asking you to act in faith on? What is one step you can take in faith, believing that the answer will come?

5- Where in your life is gratitude lacking?

6- Describe a time that you didn’t get the answer you were looking for. Were you disappointed? Did you still give God thanks? Describe the connection between gratitude and living well?