The oldest manifestation of demonic activity was murmuring; complaining about what was missing instead of focusing on what was given. The devil it was who introduced ingratitude. With it came discontentment. No wonder the Bible says be content with such things as you have. Hebrew 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Adam and Eve became ungrateful because they focused on what was missing, instead of what was given. Realize that God has not abandoned you in your present condition.
The Bible is not saying we should not dream or desire better things, it’s saying be grateful for what you have while trusting God for what you want. The Bible makes it clear that your desire for more is legitimate. The desire for more, for better, exists as an instrument of progress. Without this desire there will be no progress. God promised us more. But the desire for more should not take away our gratitude.
The channel for receiving more is praise and thanksgiving.
Jesus taught contentment. In Luke 3:14 He told the soldiers, “…be content with your wages.” Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction. Jesus was saying, your income should not determine your happiness or make you break laws to have more. Be satisfied with your income, and let the joy of the Lord, not the joy of possession be your strength. Be satisfied with your relationship with God. Be happy because of your relationship with God. Be happy because of the promises of God. Celebrate God for what you are currently earning. Don’t despise it.
Words: Real tools for transformation
Be thankful for it if you want to attract more. God created gratitude as an instrument for pulling more blessings into your life. It is the supernatural force that turns your little into plenty. Joy is your ATM card for making withdrawals from your divine inheritance. Without it you have nothing to draw with from the wells of salvation! Isaiah 12:3, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Notice it’s not just a well but wells!
The real sin of Adam and Eve was ingratitude. An ungrateful person becomes bitter against God and is ready to break God’s rules in order to have more. That was what happened to Adam and that’s what is still happening to most people today. As a result, they lost everything. Satan uses ingratitude as an effective strategy for dispossessing God’s people of their blessing and drying them up. Ungrateful people dry up steadily. It is a major cause of defeat and stagnation.
Micah criticized David for removing his Royal attire and dancing vigorously before God in the presence of his subjects. David replied and told her that He was celebrating God who took the throne from her father and gave it to him. She dried up because of murmuring and ingratitude. She was barren for the rest of her life for attacking the thankful. Ingratitude diminishes a person. Murmuring destroys. “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” 1Corinthians 10:10 KJV.
It’s Good To Give Thanks Unto God
On the other hand, God increases and multiplies the thankful. The thankful is anointed, protected, and promoted steadily. God prolongs the life of the thankful. The thankful flourishes steadily even in old age. God honours and immortalises the thankful.
Always A Positive Attitude
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” Philippians 2:14 KJV
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. [19] The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV. Even in the midst of failure and lack, don’t cease to be grateful to God, don’t cease to praise and worship Him. Even in the valley, be thankful because you are hopeful. Hopeful because of the promises of God.
It Is The Will Of God
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
The secret is to be grateful for what you have been given while waiting for what you have been promised.
What do you celebrate?
Psalm 103:1-5
- For His unspeakable gift. Jesus is the greates gift of all. 2Cor 9:15 says, “Thanks be unto God for his “unspeakable” gift” (KJV) The word unspeakable is rendered as priceless, indescribable, too wonderful for words
- Your salvation and redemption. I wish Israel continued to celebrate their liberation from slavery in Egypt while marching towards the Promised Land! Celebrate your deliverance from hell while marching towards heaven. If you cannot thank God for your salvation, you will not enjoy the things that accompany salvation.
- Celebrate your victory over the devil, his demons and all your enemies. 2Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…” I cannot explain how I’ve survived all the attacks on me, the accidents, the losses, and all my mistakes, but I’m grateful I survived!
- Be thankful for the gift of life.
- Celebrate God for everything He has provided for you while trusting Him for the next.
- Be thankful to Him for your health, healing and strength
- Be thankful for your family and for all your destiny helpers.
- Be thankful for His promises. Be thankful for your hope for your dreams, your desires, a better future. Your Promised Land.
Be thankful for what you have been given while you are waiting for what you have been promised. Jesus gave thanks for seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes, God multiplied it and fed four thousand men, not counting women and children. He gave thanks for what He had and God gave Him what He needed. Matthew 15:36-38
Be thankful to God deliberately and mindfully, do it as a habit and at all times, you will witness a turn around that is not easy to explain!
Be thankful with a real sacrifice. Psalm 116:17 says, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” Leviticus 22:29, “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.” It didn’t say if you offer, it says when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is expected to be accompanied with a sacrificial seed. As a matter of fact, it is a command. If it is not sacrificial, it is not a seed of thanksgiving!
God will preserve your life. You will live and not die. Next year will be one of great excitement for you. Your enemies will be powerless over you. God will undertake for you. God will fill your cup to overflowing. God will fill your bank account to overflowing. Your dreams will be fulfilled. Your waiting is over. Your crying is over
Your shame is over. Honour will trail you; Success will trail you, in Jesus Name!
Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
