Heart of Thanksgiving // Nearsighted

Matthew 6:19-23 NIV 

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. 

Acts 16:22-24 NIV 

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 

1) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS POSSIBLE POSITIONING 

2) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HOW GOD MIGHT USE THE SITUATION FOR OTHERS 

Acts 16:25-33 NIV 

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 

1) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS POSSIBLE POSITIONING 

2) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HOW GOD MIGHT USE THE SITUATION FOR OTHERS 

3) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL SO THAT IT BECOMES YOUR AUTOMATIC RESPONSE IN THE FUTURE 

Psalms 119:61-62 NIV 

61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 

Acts 16:16-18 NIV 

16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 

1) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS POSSIBLE POSITIONING 

2) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HOW GOD MIGHT USE THE SITUATION FOR OTHERS 

3) MAKE A CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL SO THAT IT BECOMES YOUR AUTOMATIC RESPONSE IN THE FUTURE 

Questions: 

1. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you hadn’t planned for? Describe it. What was your perspective like in dealing with your circumstances? 

2. Have you ever experienced a bad situation in your life that actually affected someone else positively? How did that impact similar experiences in the future? 

3. As a true follower of Jesus, we all want gratitude to come naturally. What are strategies you can use, starting today, that will get you closer to that goal.