Gratitude: The Heart That Builds Relationship with God

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude Recognizes the Source of Our Blessings

Gratitude is not just a polite response but a spiritual discipline that keeps our hearts aligned with God, protecting us from pride and forgetfulness. When we recognize that every good thing—our jobs, families, health, and even the very breath in our lungs—is a gift from God, it shifts our perspective from entitlement to humility. The enemy doesn’t mind if we are blessed, but he wants us to forget the One who blesses us. True gratitude begins with recognizing that it is God’s grace, not luck or coincidence, that sustains and blesses us each day. [09:05]

Psalm 136:1 (ESV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Reflection: What is one specific blessing in your life that you have taken for granted? Take a moment today to recognize it as a gift from God and thank Him for it by name.

Day 2: Obedience Unlocks God’s Blessings

The story of the ten lepers shows that God’s blessings often come as we walk in obedience, not just when we ask for them. Jesus told the lepers to go show themselves to the priests, and it was as they went—in the act of obeying—that they were healed. Sometimes we pray and wait, but God is calling us to move, to act in faith, and to do what He has told us. Obedience is the pathway to experiencing God’s miraculous provision and healing in our lives. [05:52]

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Reflection: Is there something God has asked you to do that you’ve been waiting on? What step of obedience can you take today, trusting that God will meet you as you go?

Day 3: Expressed Gratitude Deepens Relationship with God

Gratitude that is felt but not expressed is incomplete; it is the act of returning to Jesus, lifting our voices, and giving thanks that deepens our relationship with Him. The one leper who returned was not only healed but made whole, receiving more than just a physical blessing—he received intimacy with the Lord. Many receive God’s blessings but miss the deeper relationship that comes from heartfelt, expressed gratitude. Don’t just receive from God—return to Him with praise and thanksgiving, and let your relationship with Him grow deeper. [21:34]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: Think of a time when God answered a prayer or blessed you, but you never truly went back to thank Him. How can you intentionally express your gratitude to God today—out loud, in prayer, or through worship?

Day 4: Gratitude Heals the Effects of the Past

God’s blessings are wonderful, but gratitude does more than acknowledge the gift—it brings healing to the wounds and scars of our past. The one leper who returned was not only healed but made whole; his trauma, fear, and anxiety about the future were also healed. Gratitude is the key to moving from simply being blessed to being made whole, as it allows God to heal the lingering effects of past hurts, addictions, and disappointments. [29:17]

Jonah 2:9 (ESV)
But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!

Reflection: Is there a past hurt or trauma that still affects you today? Ask God to give you a grateful heart and trust Him to bring healing and wholeness as you thank Him—even for the scars.

Day 5: A Lifestyle of Gratitude Transforms Worship and Perspective

When gratitude becomes a lifestyle, it rises above every situation, deepens our trust in God, and makes worship a natural response. No matter what we face, giving thanks in all things shifts our focus from our problems to God’s goodness, and we begin to see life through the lens of His faithfulness. Worship flows more freely, and even the scars of our past become reminders of God’s sustaining grace rather than sources of pain. [41:52]

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to worship or give thanks? How can you intentionally practice gratitude in that area today, letting it transform your perspective and deepen your trust in God?

Sermon Summary

Gratitude is not just a seasonal practice, but a foundational command woven throughout Scripture. Psalm 136 reminds us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” This call to thanksgiving is not for God’s benefit, but for ours—it keeps our hearts aligned, protects us from pride, and guards us against spiritual forgetfulness. When we recognize every breath, every breakthrough, and every blessing as a gift from God, gratitude becomes the posture of our hearts.

In Luke 17, we see ten lepers healed by Jesus, but only one returns to express gratitude. All ten received a blessing, but only one built a relationship. Outward blessings are wonderful, but it is gratitude that transforms us inwardly. Blessings fill our hands, but thanksgiving fills our hearts. Recognizing God’s hand in our lives—whether in our jobs, families, or even our survival—shifts us from taking His goodness for granted to living in awe of His grace.

The enemy doesn’t mind us being blessed; he just doesn’t want us to recognize the One who blesses us. When we do, gratitude rises above every circumstance, deepens our trust, and makes worship a natural response. A thankful heart sees what others overlook and expresses praise, not just in feeling but in action. Silent gratitude is incomplete; it must be expressed, just as the one leper returned with a loud voice to glorify God.

Jesus noticed the one who returned and lamented the absence of the other nine. The difference was not that the nine were bad, but that they were busy—content with the blessing but missing the blesser. Many want God’s hand, but few seek His heart. The one who returned received more than healing; he was made whole. Gratitude doesn’t just bring blessing; it brings wholeness, healing the scars and traumas of our past.

In every situation, even in the belly of the fish like Jonah, we are called to give thanks. This is not about denying pain or difficulty, but about building a relationship with the One who heals, restores, and makes us whole. When we cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, we move from simply being blessed to being transformed—no longer defined by our scars, but by the wholeness Christ brings.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude builds relationship, not just blessing Gratitude is more than acknowledging what God has done; it is the foundation for a deeper relationship with Him. While many receive blessings, only those who return in thanksgiving experience true intimacy with the Giver. This relationship transforms us from the inside out, moving us beyond the surface of blessing into the heart of God. [05:52]
2. Recognition of God’s grace defeats spiritual blindness When we recognize that every good thing—our jobs, families, protection, and healing—is a result of God’s grace, we guard ourselves against pride and forgetfulness. This recognition keeps us humble and aware, ensuring that we do not take God’s goodness for granted, but live in continual awe and dependence on Him. [09:05]
3. Expressed gratitude leads to wholeness Silent gratitude is incomplete; true thankfulness must be expressed. When we return to God with open praise, as the healed leper did, we receive more than just the initial blessing—we are made whole. This wholeness touches not just our bodies, but our minds, emotions, and spirits, healing the lingering effects of past wounds. [15:40]
4. Thanksgiving transforms scars into testimonies Even after healing, the scars of our past may remain, but through gratitude, they lose their power to define or limit us. Like Jesus showing His scars to Thomas, our wounds become reminders of God’s faithfulness, not sources of ongoing pain. Gratitude turns our scars into testimonies of victory and grace. [37:24]
5. In every circumstance, give thanks Thanksgiving is not reserved for moments of obvious blessing, but is a command for every situation—even the hardest ones. When we give thanks in all things, we build a relationship with God that brings peace, healing, and wholeness, no matter what we face. [31:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Call to Give Thanks
[02:44] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
[05:52] - Gratitude Builds Relationship
[09:05] - Recognizing God’s Grace
[12:24] - Worship Becomes Natural
[15:40] - Expressing Gratitude Out Loud
[18:53] - Life’s Busyness and Forgetting Thanks
[21:34] - Thankfulness Requires a Response
[24:21] - Wanting the Blesser, Not Just the Blessing
[26:42] - Wholeness Beyond Healing
[29:17] - Healing from Trauma and the Past
[31:27] - Giving Thanks in Every Situation
[33:22] - How to Fight for Wholeness
[35:14] - Living with a Grateful Heart
[37:24] - Scars as Testimonies
[41:52] - A Moment of Thanksgiving
[43:05] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) — > 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
> 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
> 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
> 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
> 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
> 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
> 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
> 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
> 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

- Psalm 136:1 (ESV)
> Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
> Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation Questions

In the story of the ten lepers, what did Jesus tell the men to do after they asked for mercy, and what happened as they obeyed? (Luke 17:14)
According to the sermon, what was the difference between the one leper who returned and the other nine? [05:52]
What does Psalm 136:1 say is the reason we should give thanks to the Lord?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what does Paul say about when we should give thanks?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, even though all were healed? What does this say about human nature and gratitude? [24:21]
The sermon says that gratitude is not just about receiving blessings, but about building a relationship with God. How does expressing thanks deepen our relationship with Him? [05:52]
The pastor mentioned that silent gratitude is incomplete. Why is it important to express our thankfulness out loud, both to God and to others? [15:40]
According to the sermon, how does recognizing God’s grace in our lives protect us from pride and spiritual forgetfulness? [09:05]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Many want God’s hand, but few seek His heart.” Are there areas in your life where you have been content with God’s blessings but have not pursued a deeper relationship with Him? What would it look like to seek His heart this week? [24:21]
Think about a time when you received something good but forgot to thank God for it. How can you “go back” and express gratitude, like the one leper did? Is there something specific you need to thank God for today? [15:40]
The pastor shared that gratitude can heal not just our bodies, but also our minds, emotions, and scars from the past. Is there a past hurt or trauma that you need God to make whole? How might practicing gratitude help you in that area? [29:17]
The sermon said, “Thanksgiving is not reserved for moments of obvious blessing, but is a command for every situation—even the hardest ones.” What is one difficult situation you are facing right now, and how can you give thanks in the middle of it? [31:27]
The pastor talked about how life’s busyness can make us forget to thank God. What are some practical ways you can build a habit of gratitude into your daily routine, even when life gets hectic? [18:53]
The message said that gratitude turns our scars into testimonies. Is there a “scar” in your life that God has turned (or could turn) into a testimony of His faithfulness? How can you share that with others? [37:24]
The sermon encouraged us to express gratitude out loud. What is one way you can express your thankfulness to God or to someone else this week—maybe through words, a note, or an act of kindness? [15:40]

Sermon Clips

Blessing fills your hands but thanksgiving fills your heart you can walk around with all the blessings of god and thank you for that thank god you know we got i'm blessed you know how you doing blessed you know blessed because we are blessed there's nothing wrong with it and it and it's beyond it's left our hands but but it's gratitude it's a heart of gratitude it fills our heart it changes us on the inside. [00:07:03] (22 seconds) #ThanksgivingFillsTheHeart

Whenever you begin to give gratification whenever you gratify something trust on the inside of you begins you you your gratification you're you're gratified who you gratify to trust and who you gratify begins to deepen what you didn't have deep trust in you now have deep trust in because you realize that you can be grateful for that for that for what god has done in your life. [00:11:31] (23 seconds) #GratitudeDeepensTrust

Worship becomes natural boy you begin to realize not only what you're being blessed by but who you're being blessed with not only the gratitude rises that trust deepens but worship becomes natural let me tell you what natural means it didn't take you till 10 27 to start worshiping the lord this morning. [00:11:59] (21 seconds) #WorshipFlowsNaturally

The nine received the blessing but missed the blesser. They got what they wanted and moved on. The one who returned got more than a healing. He got a relationship. But the one who returned received something that the others did not. They got a relationship. He got a relationship and he got, he said, your faith has made you whole. [00:27:09] (24 seconds) #BlessedButNotBlesser

Here's the difference between God blessing you and then a relationship and being made whole. That stuff affects you. Go through some stuff. And God delivered you. But it still affects you. If it was a relationship before you go in another one, that affects you. If it was a sickness that God healed you from and now he's blessed you, he's healed you. Every time I know the pain comes back, especially in that area, it affects you. God healed you from life trauma, an addiction. And every time you start getting a little, you know, just a little anxiety over something, it deals with you. [00:28:09] (46 seconds) #RelationshipOverHealing

But because this guy came back and gave gratitude to the one who deserves to be gratitude, not only was he blessed like the other nine, the Lord made him whole. That meant he healed the trauma. He healed the attack. He healed what the enemy, and that's what the church... What does it say? In everything. In everything. In what? I'm sorry, I'm not listening good today. In what? Give me. Give what? [00:29:17] (77 seconds) #GratefulHeartHealsAll

If you want to be whole, if you want to be healed from past curses and effects of traumas, attacks, things you've gone through, be a person with a grateful heart to everything that God has done. And I'm here to prophesy over you. He will heal you of every effect of what happened in your past and make you completely whole. [00:32:45] (33 seconds) #VictoryThroughGratitude

When you fight a battle and win with Jesus, you will never have to fight that battle again. That was the deepest thing I've said in a long time. I've said it before. How do you fight that battle? Where do I fight it? I'll go. I'll sign up for it. I need to get rid of this stuff. Praise it to me when you don't feel like praising it. Giving thanks even for stuff you forgot. You just, just have a, have a heart, have a lifestyle of gratitude. And you'll go from not only being blessed, but being completely made whole. That's a victory. [00:33:37] (40 seconds) #ScarsDontDefineYou

He don't do away with the scar because he wants you to remember what should have took you under, but it didn't. He also wants you to remember every time you see it. Oh, it's there. That scar is there, but it don't affect you anymore. It don't affect you. So you looked at him like, Oh, I remember this. And that's why I can't do this. And that's why I can't do... You say, scar, you don't own me anymore. [00:37:48] (46 seconds) #GreaterThanWhatHappened

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