2Worship the LORD with gladness; 

         come before him with joyful songs. 

      3 Know that the LORD is God. 

         It is he who made us, and we are his; 

         we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

      4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

         and his courts with praise; 

         give thanks to him and praise his name. 

      5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

         his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:1–5 (NIV)

Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person says, “I deserve what comes to me! Other people ought to make me happy.” But the mature Christian realizes that life is a gift from God, and that the blessings of life come only from His bountiful hand. (Source: Warren W. Wiersbe in “A Time To Be Renewed” Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 17.)

Have you ever received a large gift and the first thing you thought was, “Darn, I thought it would be more.” Our hearts are never satisfied. We want bigger homes, newer cars, and more money. One of the things I practiced before having children was taking a week and backpacking through the great outdoors. One of the reasons besides connecting with nature is that when I returned I felt like a King with a shower, a hot meal, and sleeping in a bed. Nevermind you that I was working as a youth pastor at the time and receiving very little compensation. Yet, I felt like the wealthiest man on earth at that moment because I was reminded of all I did have after not having much of anything camping in the outdoors. 

We are not inclined to be grateful people. We have to teach ourselves gratitude and we do this best by practicing it. Start a gratitude journal. Spend time singing and saying prayers of thanksgiving to God and to others. Everyday consider one thing that you are grateful to have in your life. The more you practice gratitude, the more it will begin to change your heart. 

Pastor Aaron