Intro:

 

A. Sing “God Bless ” now

 

1. More often

 

2. With more conviction, emotion

 

 

B. May be that what we need is a Song that makes another

 

Appeal: “, Bless God! (Prov. 14:34)

 

1. Before we receive the blessings we seek, must conform

 

to His Will

 

2. Our Nation has every opportunity to “bless God”

 

 

C. A spirit of Gratitude is Required

 

1. Some things are essential precedents

 

2. Gratitude comes from word meaning “full of Grace”,

 

Giving credit for blessings

 

 

D. What are the qualities, emotions necessary?

 

 

I. ACKNOWLEDGMENT (Deut. 8:11-18)

 

 

A. That Life (and all else) from God (Jas. 1:17)

 

 

B. That we are Dependent on God’s mercies for

 

1. Life

 

2. Opportunities

 

3. Health

 

4. Prosperity

 

5. Salvation Thru Grace

 

 

C. That His Grace enables us to become what He wants us to

 

Be (Jhn. 3:27)

 

 

II. APPRECIATION FOR ALL WE HAVE (Psa. 8:4, I Pet. 4:10-11,

 

Gal. 6:10, Jas. 2:14-17)

 

 

 

 

 

III. ACCEPTANCE (Rom. 9:14-26)

 

 

A. Our limitations, and those of others

 

 

B. Our own unique STRUGGLES (Jas. 1:2-3)

 

 

C. The ADVERSITY that disciplines us (Heb. 12:1-11)

 

 

D. That Righteousness is sought, Honored (Prov. 14:34)

 

(Mtt. 5:13-16)

 

 

IV. AGREEMENT

 

 

A. That God’s Way is Good, Right, Best (Rom. 8:28, 31-39)

 

 

B. That His Understanding, plan are beyond us (Psa. 139:1-6,

 

37:4, I Cor. 1:18-25, Isa. 55:8-9, Jer. 10:23