(2 Ti 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Good morning, reader! What do you think of today’s picture? It was shared by a dear missionary to Croatia, Mrs. Tori Leslie. I chose it because the tree had bent branches and, to me, it depicted a person who is not upright in his life – ungrateful of God’s blessings. Do you remember “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens? I’m certain it was intentional that the author depicted Ebenezer Scrooge as an decrepit old man. He was miserable and his one true love was money. He was not thankful for anything because he felt that everything he had, he worked hard to get for himself. It’s not wrong to work hard for the necessities in life but to take the credit for it all instead of thanking God for His blessings, is wrong. Scrooge was not a grateful or thankful person at all.
What a good segue to today’s sin, amen? 😀 The verse below tells us to give thanks in everything! Wow! Giving thanks to God for the goodness in your life is one thing. But what about thanking Him for the difficult things or the seemingly impossible things?
1 Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
These are only two verses but there are countless others. I’ve seen the results of unthankful people and it never ceases to amaze me how someone can be so ungrateful! You give them a gift or you do something nice for them and there’s not even a thank you. It’s not that I need to hear a thank you, don’t get me wrong. It’s the fact that they are ungrateful and more or less “expect” that they desire your kind gesture or gift.
But as we approach the times and the coming of the Tribulation, we can see it more and more. People are not thankful for the job they have; or the spouse they have; or even, the home God has blessed them with. Why do you think that is? The following scriptures outline it well:
(Rom 1:18-21) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
As the whole earth lunges toward a one-world church and government, the hearts of mankind have become vain and their foolish hearts were darkened by the devil himself. Satan’s lies have made man doubt God and His word since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. In turn, man has become “self-sufficient” without the need for God in their lives. Being ungrateful removes our eyes and heart away from the One Who provides everything! A darkened heart no longer recognizes God’s blessings in his life and, therefore, is no longer thankful. Oh how we see this today! People are not satisfied with what they have. They want more and more trying to fill that empty hole in their heart – that very same heart that God desires to love Him. We were created to commune and fellowship with Him. The unsaved search their entire lives to fill that hole which was originally created to be “at one” with God. Instead they try to fill that hole with “things” thinking that this will bring them joy. But it doesn’t.
Christians should lead the way in having a thankful and grateful heart. Scripture is very clear on this topic. Offering praise depicts a thankful heart:
(Psa 50:23) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
(Psa 140:13) Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
The world lacks thankfulness because their hearts are cold and deceived. Is it any wonder that it is one of the end times sins?
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!