Cultivating a Thankful Heart - Psalm 118:1

Introduction
The concept of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the Holy Bible, where it represents a fundamental aspect of God’s people. In both the Old and New Testaments, Thanksgiving emphasizes gratitude and praise to God for His many blessings.

Nurturing a thankful heart is an important aspect in our relationship with God. Practicing prayerful thanksgiving, focusing on God’s attributes, and serving others in gratitude are practical ways to nurture a grateful attitude and grow closer to Him.

A thankful heart can be developed by:

• Valuing God’s blessings - James 1:17; John 1:16; Ephesians 3:20
• Obeying His commandments - John 14:15; 1 Peter 1:14; Acts 5:29; 1 John 5:3
• Remembering His faithfulness - Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 John 1:9
• Pursuing spiritual growth - Romans 5:13-14; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 5:48
• Acknowledging the impact of our roots on our identity.- John 15:1-8; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29

Conclusion
Gratitude enhances our relationship with God as it helps us acknowledge His active presence in our lives. It functions as a glue that connects us to Him, augmenting our faith and our capacity to experience joy and appreciate things we might otherwise overlook.

Scripture tell us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), so bear this in mind not only to THANK God on every first Sunday of the month alone, but everyday of your life.