You and I were made to live in a state of perpetual gratitude.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

- Psalm 18:1

Gratitude:

Gratitude: 1) Begins with Gut-Level Love For God.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

- vv. 2-3

The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me;

the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

- v. 4-5

Gratitude: 1) Begins with Gut-Level Love For God.2) Requires Knowing Where I Came From.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…

- Ephesians 2:1

…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

- Romans 5:8-9

“Man is free only if he owes his existence to himself.”- Karl Marx

“Man’s destiny is to be a self-made soul.” – Ayn Rand

Gratitude: 1) Begins with Gut-Level Love For God.2) Requires Knowing Where I Came From.3) Thrives on the Grace of Jesus.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

- Ephesians 2:4-5

He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters.

He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.

He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

vv. 16-19

Gratitude: 1) Begins with Gut-Level Love For God.2) Requires Knowing Where I Came From.3) Thrives on the Grace of Jesus.4) Sees All of Life as a Gift From God.

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—

the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.

He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.

- vv. 31-36

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 8:38-39