An Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude is more than saying “thank You.” It is a daily attitude of faith that chooses to thank God in every season, trusting that His grace, goodness, and purpose are still working in our lives.
Today is our last Sunday of the month worship, and our focus is worship and magnification. Lahat ng ating gagawin today, let it be worship to our God. Anything that we do, let it be worship to the Lord.
Worshiping God takes both spirit and truth. We worship in spirit, but we also have to hear the truth.
The Ten Lepers
“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:11-19
God is looking for someone to give Him thanks.
That is the will of God.
Now that we are living in the last few hours of the last days, the church must be awakened. It is time for us to focus, not only on the negative occurrences around us, kundi maging sa mga positibong bagay na ginagawa ng Panginoon sa ating panahon.
Ang Panginoon ay dapat makita sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay. He must be lifted up every day. Jesus must be glorified. Jesus must be magnified.
Are we glorifying the name of the Lord enough that men can see Him through us?
We must be like a mirror. All we want for others to see is a reflection of Him inside us.
That is why we must have this kind of attitude: an attitude of gratitude.
Seeing The Beautiful Day
There is a story of a blind person who had a sign. At first, the sign simply said that he was blind and needed help. But someone changed the message. The sign then said:
“Today is a beautiful day, but I can’t see it.”
Parang parehas lang ang message, but the second sign spoke truth in a deeper way. It reminded people how grateful they should be because they could see the beautiful day, unlike this person who could not see because he was blind.
Walang nagbago sa kalagayan niya, but the way the truth was presented awakened appreciation in the hearts of people.
Appreciate that you have sight. Appreciate that you are alive. Appreciate that you are normal. Appreciate the simple truths in your life, and thank the Lord for them.
Minsan kasi ang buhay natin parang punong-puno ng kaguluhan and troubles. Parang napakahirap panatilihin ang attitude ng pagpapasalamat. It is hard to maintain an attitude of gratitude when life seems difficult.
Lahat tayo nararanasan iyon. Minsan ang nakikita natin puro problema, puro kahirapan, puro bigat, parang wala nang liwanag.
But this attitude of gratitude is a must for us.
Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough
An anonymous writer said:
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
There are times na ang dami na nating meron, pero parang kulang pa rin. Ang dami nang blessing, pero parang may hinahanap pa rin tayo. Pero ang gratitude, binabago nito ang pagtingin mo sa kung ano ang meron ka.
Sapat na iyan. Purihin mo ang Panginoon. Magpasalamat ka.
All you have is enough for you to be blessed with gratitude.
Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. Minsan kaya hindi tayo masaya, kasi hindi tayo marunong magpasalamat. Hindi natin natututunang i-appreciate ang mga bagay na dumarating sa atin, gaano man kaliit o kalaki.
The Bible tells us to give thanks in everything.
Gratitude is the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.
Gratitude Gives Peace For Today
Melody Beattie said:
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Ang gratitude, ang pagpapasalamat, gives sense to our past. Tapos na iyon. Wala ka nang magagawa doon. Pasalamatan mo na lang ang Panginoon sa mga bagay na Kanyang pinahintulutan.
It brings peace for today. Ano man ang nararanasan natin ngayon, magkakaroon tayo ng kapayapaan kapag natuto tayong magpasalamat sa Diyos.
It creates a vision for tomorrow. Ano man ang mangyari bukas, we can still say, “Salamat sa Diyos. Mabuti ang Panginoon.”
The Bible tells us:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” Romans 8:28
When you have a grateful heart, you can face the future with faith. Hindi mo man nauunawaan lahat ngayon, alam mong may ginagawa ang Panginoon sa buhay mo.
Thankfulness Becomes Gratitude
Henry Frederic Amiel said:
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”
Madaling sabihin, “Thank You, Jesus.” And we should say it. Dapat nating pasalamatan ang Panginoon with our words.
But gratitude is more than words. Gratitude is shown in our actions.
You can say that an attitude is a habit. It is a way of looking at the world and at the things that happen in life with appreciation, regardless of whether your current situation is to your liking or not.
Hindi lahat ng pinapahintulutan ng Diyos sa buhay natin ay gusto natin. May mga bagay na ayaw natin. May mga bagay na hindi natin naiintindihan.
But an attitude of gratitude says, “Lord, I will still praise You. I will still thank You. I will still believe that You allowed this for a reason.”
When you know how to thank the Lord for everything that comes your way, you can have peace within yourself.
Gratitude Is A Christian Value
Gratitude is a Christian value that all of us should practice as we walk with God.
Ito ay isang ugaling Kristiyano na dapat nating isabuhay bilang mga anak ng Diyos. The Bible teaches us that gratitude is critical to our faith.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
In everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.
Samahan natin ng pagpapasalamat ang ating panalangin. Whatever we ask, we must believe that God hears us. And when thanksgiving is present, the peace of God comes with it.
Pasalamatan natin ang Panginoon sa lahat ng bagay.
In Everything Give Thanks
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Concerning you.
Ano man ang nangyayari sa iyo, thank the Lord. In everything, give thanks. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Kalooban ng Diyos na matuto kang magpasalamat. Hindi mo man maintindihan lahat, still thank the Lord for what He has allowed to come to pass in your life.
An attitude of gratitude is the will of God.
Walk In Him With Thanksgiving
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Tinanggap na natin ang Panginoon, kaya lumakad tayo kasama Niya.
Rooted and built up in Him. Established in the faith. Abounding with thanksgiving.
Dapat laging nakakabit ang thanksgiving sa ating buhay. Sa lahat ng bagay, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, matuto tayong magpasalamat.
Blessing man iyan, thank the Lord. Karamdaman man iyan, thank the Lord. Kahirapan man iyan, thank the Lord. Mataas na sweldo man iyan, thank the Lord. In everything, give thanks.
Why?
Because this is the will of God.
Be Thankful In The Body Of Christ
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Be thankful.
Magpasalamat tayo na tayo ay nasa isang katawan, the body of Christ, the church.
The Lord placed you here. Siya ang naglagay sa iyo sa church. Dito ka Niya huhubugin. Dito ka Niya pagpapalain. Dito ka Niya gagamitin.
Kaya matuto tayong magpasalamat sa Panginoon kung saan Niya tayo inilagay.
Continue In Prayer With Thanksgiving
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer. Watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Magpatuloy tayo sa panalangin, at magpatuloy tayo sa pagpapasalamat. Napakabuti ng Panginoon sa ating buhay. Dapat lang tayong matutong magpasalamat.
Receive With Thanksgiving
“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Everything God gives is good. Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.
Minsan kaya hindi maganda ang tingin natin sa isang bagay, kasi hindi tayo marunong magpasalamat. But when something is received with thanksgiving, it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.
Count It All Joy
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
Count it all joy when you fall into different temptations and trials.
Maging masaya pa rin kapag tayo ay dumadaan sa pagsubok, because the trying of our faith works patience.
Kilala mo ang sarili mo. Alam mo kung saan ka magaling. Alam mo kung saan ka mahina. Alam mo kung saan ka pwedeng bumagsak, at marahil bumagsak ka na noon, pero tumayo ka rin.
Thank the Lord for that.
Hindi tayo pinabayaan ng Panginoon. Even the trials we experience can work blessings in us.
The Example Of Job
Kung hindi naranasan ni Job ang first part ng kanyang buhay, hindi natin makikita ang ganda ng kanyang story.
Job was a perfect man according to the Bible. But when everything was taken from him, he still said:
“The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
Ang Diyos ang nagbigay. Ang Diyos ang kumuha. Puri ang pangalan ng Panginoon.
Hindi naman talaga atin ang lahat ng ibinigay ng Diyos. Pinagkatiwala lang Niya sa atin. Kaya instead na puro reklamo, thank the Lord.
Job remained grateful to God. At sa dulo ng kanyang story, ibinalik ng Panginoon ang pagpapala, and the Lord blessed him even more.
Consider The Depth Of Our Greatest Blessing
How can we live a life that is truly thankful?
First, we must consider the depth of our greatest blessing.
Balikan natin ang Luke 17. Sampung ketongin ang lumapit kay Jesus. They cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Hindi agad sinabi ng Panginoon, “Be healed.” Instead, He commanded them:
“Go shew yourselves unto the priests.”
Bakit mahirap iyon? Because lepers were considered unclean. Bawal silang basta humarap sa priest unless they were already clean.
But as they obeyed, something good started happening.
Habang patuloy silang sumusunod sa utos ng Panginoon, unti-unti silang gumagaling. Habang sila ay naglalakad papunta sa priest, may nangyayari sa buhay nila.
Ganyan din sa atin.
Habang patuloy kang sumusunod sa Panginoon, may nangyayari sa buhay mo. Napapansin mo man o hindi, may pagbabagong nagaganap.
One Came Back
When one of the lepers saw that he was healed, he stopped and returned to Jesus.
That is a person with an attitude of gratitude.
Bumalik siya sa Panginoon. He glorified God with a loud voice. He fell down at the feet of Jesus and gave Him thanks.
Hindi pa niya narating ang priest. Pero nang makita niya ang healing, bumalik siya sa mismong nagpagaling sa kanya.
Then Jesus said:
“Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”
Hinahanap pala ng Panginoon ang marunong magpasalamat.
Sampu silang gumaling, pero isa lang ang bumalik. The Lord noticed the one who returned, and He also noticed the nine who did not.
God is looking for grateful people.
Make Thanksgiving A Priority
Second, we need to make thanksgiving a priority.
The healed leper prioritized thanksgiving. Papunta pa lang siya sa priest, pero alam niya kung kanino siya dapat bumalik. Alam niya na si Jesus ang nagpagaling sa kanya.
Thanksgiving should be offered from the outpouring of our hearts. May intensity sa kanyang worship. May lalim ang kanyang pagpapasalamat.
How much more should we thank God for the healing He has done inside us?
Hindi man physical healing ang nangyari sa iyo, meron kang dating ugali, dating pagkatao, dating buhay, na kung hindi ang Diyos ang kumilos, hindi magbabago.
Alam natin ang sarili natin. Changes upon changes have come to pass in our lives, and we must acknowledge the fact that only God has done it.
Ang Diyos lamang ang gumawa.
Be Consistent In Thanksgiving
Finally, we must be consistent in our thanksgiving.
Let this be an attitude in our lives: an attitude of gratitude.
Be intentional about it. Give thanks to God in everything.
That is why we are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to be thankful in all things. Walang kayang magpalaki ng puso natin sa pananampalataya gaya ng pagpapasalamat sa ginagawa ng Panginoon sa ating buhay.
Let us be diligent in thanking Him for His grace and goodness.
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Thank God Even In Pain
I know there are things you have faced in life. Even today, may mga sitwasyon tayong pinagdadaanan.
There are physical pains. There are pressures. There is stress. Minsan sa dami ng nangyayari sa mundo, at sa dami ng nangyayari sa atin, nagbibigay ito ng sakit sa katawan at bigat sa puso.
But still, we can say, praise the Lord.
God knows all things. And we know that all things will work together for our good.
What Can You Thank God For?
Meron bang bagay na dapat kang ipagpasalamat sa Panginoon?
Maybe there is something you asked from Him, pero hindi pa Niya ibinibigay. Hindi pa sinasagot ng Panginoon. Pasalamatan mo pa rin Siya.
Pasalamatan mo Siya sa kaligtasan. Pasalamatan mo Siya sa iyong mahal sa buhay. Pasalamatan mo Siya sa kagalingan. Pasalamatan mo Siya sa pagpapala. Pasalamatan mo Siya sa Holy Ghost. Pasalamatan mo Siya sa anumang blessing na hinihiling mo sa Kanya.
Matuto tayong magpasalamat sa Panginoon sa oras na ito.
A Life Of Gratitude
Christian life is not just singing and dancing. It is our everyday life. Our speech, our attitude, our response, and our actions reveal who we really are.
Hindi lang tayo Kristiyano kapag Linggo. We are Christians every day.
So let us live with an attitude of gratitude.
Being grateful to our great God, all the time.
In everything, give thanks.
This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.