IT'S NOT WORTH IT: DON'T BE AN INGRATE

Dearly beloved, I welcome you yet again into a glorious month of October. This month is going to be a month of God’s supernatural help for you and all that has to do with you in Jesus name. This month I will be sharing with you on what I titled ‘Don’t be an ingrate.’

The Bible says in 1st Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Gratitude to God is essential, but not only for the sake of the good things that he bestows. The Christian is called to be grateful and content not just for what God gives but for who he is. God expects us to be grateful not in some things, but in everything. He takes pleasure when we come back to thank Him, even in the midst of our situations. According to the Merriam’s Webster dictionary an ingrate is defined as an ungrateful person. No ingrate can ever see more. The wholeness of God are not for ingrates but for those who are grateful, those that are thankful.

The Bible says in the book of Luke 17:11-19, “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 show 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.” The attitude of ungratefulness irritates God. Love is reciprocal. The question is how many people reciprocate the love being showered on them by fellow humans, not to talk of their attitude to God’s benevolent acts. David saw the danger in the act of ingratitude and preached seriously to his soul when he wrote in Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” God expects us to appreciate Him sufficiently for His goodness. Our Lord Jesus Christ queried in Luke 17:17, “...Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” He went further to bless and perfect the healing on the grateful Samaritan.

It is unfortunate that many children of God are already so used to miraculous act of God that they are no longer moved by theses acts. New comers into the church who still remember clearly what they have suffered by the hands of the devil and his cohorts give thanks to God for every miracle. Where as some people don’t gibe testimonies of how God healed them of headache because they don’t see it as a big deal. Such people have forgotten that the headache they consider as ordinary has claimed the lives of thousands.

Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Some people don’t know the value and power of a grateful heart; therefore, they complain over everything. If they are not complaining about the economic situation, they are complaining about the pains in their bodies or about some other problems. They are hardly ever happy, because they’re blind to all the good things happening in, and around them for which they ought to be grateful. There are many who don’t appreciate or even recognize the progress they’ve made or the blessings of God in their lives. Life itself is gift from God to enjoy every day, that you ever think that you deserve better is blessing. So, look into your life ands see that there’s a lot to be grateful for. True happiness in life transcends having a lot of money. There have been many who have a lot of money and all that money could buy, yet they were depressed, unhappy and ended up destroying themselves. In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “... Take heed and beware of covetousness': for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

You’re never going to be satisfied because you have so much, therefore, learn to be content and grateful for all that the Lord is to you, has made you, and made available to you. Serve Him joyfully, putting Him first in your life. Be thankful, and excited about your life in Christ: His glory and righteousness that you are, and His power, wisdom and grace that is at work in you. Learn to be grateful and God will cause you to see more of His blessings. God bless you. See you next month.