Modern Day Revival

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can shift our perspective and help us find joy in even the smallest things. By cultivating a sense of gratitude, we can increase our overall happiness and well-being. 

Depression and anxiety are common topics of discussion these days. Social media posts have individuals publicly proclaiming they suffer from them and medications are abundantly prescribed. 

Also, with all of the political arguments and social unrest happening around the world today, one can understand people having depression and anxiety as we are emotional beings and instant news sources just fuel the response. 

But aside from external forces and medical conditions influencing how we feel, where does gratitude fit in? Is it just an emotion or is it also a state of being in harmony with God? 

Being grateful is a conscious effort to acknowledge something good and usually saying "Thank You". But gratitude encompasses a consistent awareness that you have so much more to be thankful for beyond some immediate occurrence. It's a consistent awareness and acknowledgment that no matter what is happening to you or around you, that God is with you. 

In Psalm 139, David is acknowledging that God is always with him and gives thanks. Having this biblical truth revealed to us, you can change your outlook just thru realizing the comfort of God's care and not solely on worldly influences. God is omnipresent, which means he's everywhere.

"O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Verse 8 should make anyone realize that we aren't facing situations alone: "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."  You make choices that have consequences, but when in the state of Godly gratitude, you aren't looking for the wisdom of humans to comfort you. 

You look to God. 

Especially, if you were in the depths of Hell! Then, God would be much more important to you than anything or anyone that this Earth could provide.

So why not look beyond any current situation you are currently experiencing and focus not on gratitude, but rather Godly gratitude!

When things are going great in your life, have Godly gratitude. When things are not so great and more challenging, have Godly gratitude. When you observe others no matter where they are at in life, have Godly gratitude. When everything around you is in turmoil or social upheaval, have Godly gratitude. 

This world is not the final destination and as beautiful as nature is, it is no comparison to the things which we cannot see or experience in Heaven while in the actual in the presence of God. Think about that!

 Being on earth and realizing that all of this is just temporary, that we all experience different degrees of success and pain, makes Godly gratitude easier to comprehend and adopt into your daily life. 

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." 

God's "right hand of righteousness" means the reality of all his divine power and authority to protect and guide you all of the time and everywhere. 

We are to seek Godly gratitude. 

Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 

You aren't alone and no matter what someone says, does, or the manner in which they treat you. GOD IS WITH YOU! 

You aren't alone, so no matter what your past or current situation is, don't dwell on what is wrong, but rather have Godly gratitude and focus on his divine power and saving grace!

We all have to temporarily reside on this earth. Remember that. This is all just temporary, so when the worldly system says you have to have certain things or be a certain way, have Godly gratitude!

Look at Daniel Chapter 4. I've only included the first three verses because it sums up the meaning of the entire chapter. But if you read it in its entirety, you will realize nobody on this earth and everything here as great as it all may be at times, is temporary and God is in charge over of all people and things. Not false God's that are contrary to the bible or the saving grace of the blood of Jesus Christ. 

The One True God is in charge! 

"Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation." 

It took King Nebuchadnezzar to be broken down and go thru much trial for 7 years before he realized the truth and had Godly gratitude. 

Not gratitude from some "magician, astrologer, Chaldean, or soothsayer", but gratitude in God! 

You can look to the popular people of today that seem to have all of the material things and compare yourself to them, or you can seek and experience Godly gratitude. Comparing yourself or situation to others whether good or worse is contrary to what we are instructed in the bible to do. The worldly system and even Satan himself, wants nothing more than to steer you away from the truth and or attack you. 

If you're miserable, then Satan is happy. If you're rich and have no faith in Jesus Christ, then Satan is happy. If you're poor and have no faith in Jesus Christ, then Satan is happy. Even if you have faith in Jesus Christ and are saved, and he throws a temptation or problem in your path to cause heartache and pain, then Satan is happy. 

So, what should that tell you?

It means that whether you're saved or unsaved and living in this life, we are all going to experience a wide range of occurrences both good and bad. We are all subject to the same judgement and love of the true God in the bible, and having Godly gratitude instead of worldly gratitude is where you will find eternal peace and comfort. 

Look at the world guru's and false Gods if you may, but it is the true God in the bible who you will face in the end. There is no human being, animal, false God, entity, idol, self-help program, medication, book, expert, special water, plant, program, any amount of wealth, or Satan himself that can out-perform or match the divine power of God. 

Godly gratitude takes work. Godly gratitude means reading and studying the bible to learn about biblical history, understand Gods instruction, learn about the future, and discover Jesus Christ. Not just WHO Jesus was (the Messiah), but rather WHAT Jesus did by shedding his blood, dying on the cross, being buried, and rising on the third day according to the scriptures.  

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 

The more you learn about Jesus and put your faith and trust in his blood sacrifice; you will be sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide you and the Godly gratitude you will experience when you look to him, is unmatched. 

Again, being saved doesn't mean you will never have any problems or even depression and anxiety. We live in this world, and we all experience different things. We can't explain it all and at times our struggles can make us turn to man-made remedies or solutions that are contrary to Gods word with addictive behaviors or substances.  

God gives people gifts and talents to discover inventions and medications to help people also. If you need medication or a procedure, then you do what is needed. This entire section wasn't to discount medical or professional help. It is about having a different mind-set, way of life, and attitude which points to God and not always to yourself or others. Having a gratitude for God. Godly Gratitude.

Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Titus 2:12 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" 

1 Timothy 6:10-12 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Philippians 4:8 " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Matthew 6:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

2 Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 

Matthew 16:26 " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"