With gratitude to the Almighty God, I welcome you to the month of October. Our theme for the month is ‘Gratitude’. Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful, or readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness. I am aware of the ups and downs that we have been through, or are still going through this year. I am not oblivious to the pains, agonies and disappointments that abide all around. However, if you look closely also, you will find the silver lining behind the cloud. 

October is our season of Glory! But gratitude must be in place for the glory to come. Ingratitude is a major reason for stagnation. A man who does not give thanks does not move forward no matter how much he prays. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘in all things, give thanks…’

People get depressed for not being where they expect themselves to be; they however forget to thank God for where they are coming from and where they’re currently at. Learn to thank God for how far He has brought you, He will joyfully take you to where He has planned to take you. Every time the devil reminds you of what God has not done, show him what God has already done. Psalms 92:1 says - ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto His name’. Thanksgiving attracts good things.

Thanksgiving has two aspects - Thanking God for His blessings, and thanking men whom God has used to bring the blessings to you. When you think you thank - a “thoughtful” man is a “thankful” man. Thanksgiving should come from the Heart. Mention to God and people the things they have done. Isaiah 63:7 says ‘I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses’. Psalms 105:1 also says ‘O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people’.

Remain ever grateful, life is a privilege not a right. Gratitude, gratitude and gratitude…then altitude, altitude and altitude. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude has many merits. Every genuine thanksgiving results in praise which brings down God’s presence – Ps. 22:3. Thanksgiving is also vital to anyone that desires to experience a supernatural breakthrough- Ps. 24:7. Gratitude stirs joy; if you are not grateful, you can’t be joyful.

In the series, we shall explore gratitude - a must, rejoicing in tribulation, what are you grateful for, grateful hearts in the bible and the power of gratitude. Come along