Christian Family Services Ministry

7-30-2014 – This experience of the spirit flows like a mighty river washing away prejudice, pride, and pretense. When gratitude is exercised, it acts as a protective cover shielding one from the addictive forces of the world. Gratitude, like faith is dead without works. The works of thanksgiving are charitable, unmerited acts towards others. How does this effect the spirit of man? Perhaps a comparison helps.

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7-29-2014 – Thanksgiving should be a state of mind that we exist in which reflects the joy experienced by seeing the sacrifice the Father made in giving His only Son for our sins.

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7-26-2014 – Gratitude may be offered on an event-by-event basis but it loses much of its impact on the spirit of man when offered in this manner.

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7-25-2014 – Gratitude is not focused on “what is not” but on “what is.” It is not focused on losses, but on one’s gains through those losses. This quality does not focus on one’s afflictions, but rather on the results of those afflictions. The depth of gratitude is determined by humility. The greater the humility, the deeper the gratitude. Levels of gratitude are attained through sacrifice. Thus, the greater the sacrifice, the greater the level attained.

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7-23-2014 – It is not how many gifts God has given, rather how one feels, what one does, and how one expresses thanksgiving for those gifts received.

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7-18-2014 – Gratitude is achieved by choice, never by duty. As one examines the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual gifts that God has bestowed, expresses thanksgiving to God in each of these areas for these gifts, then our gratitude batteries recharge.

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7-16-2014 – Thanksgiving and gratitude are forms of worship expressed to God the Father through Jesus Christ. Gratitude’s initial expressions are towards God. Overflowing thanksgiving towards God results in a variety of attitudes towards His creatures.

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7-15-2014 – The Lord’s approach to treatment is different. The person changes from the inside out. The behavior is not the focus of attention, nor is it the central problem. As anyone who is an addict, or who has lived with one knows the addict pleases only him/herself. Even when doing for others the addict’s actions are motivated by “what can I get out of it.” Nine of the ten lepers that Jesus healed had this problem. Cleansed on the outside, they still bore the attitude of ingratitude, which resulted in little faith.

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7-10-2014 – This change is imperative if the addict is to find peace. Whereas, most treatments for addiction tend to modify the outward behavior or mental imagery, they have little effect on the spirit-soul of man. As attendance at any 12-step meeting will reveal, rarely does the addict change his personality. Rather the lifelong nature of the “illness” is emphasized.

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7-9-2014 – Gratitude is manifested in an outward expression called thankfulness. It originates in the heart. Giving is a result of the inward attitude of gratitude and an outward expression of thanksgiving.

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