Thank You. Jesus.
Grateful for Restored Relationship
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”
—Psalm 100:4 (NLT)
Jesus made it possible to enter God’s presence again. Gratitude is expressed in both behavior (we follow Him) and attitude (we stay thankful). Discipleship is our “thank you” to Jesus.
1. Jesus Is the Door. Gratitude Begins with Access.
“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”
—John 10:9 (NLT)
“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart…”
—Matthew 27:50–51 (NLT)
Jesus literally tore the barrier between us and the Father. We walk through that open door with humble hearts and grateful steps.
2. Following Jesus Is How We Say ‘Thank You’
“Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’”
—Luke 9:23 (NLT)
“Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.’”
—Luke 17:17–19 (NLT)
Gratitude is more than receiving—it’s returning. Jesus notices when we follow with thankful hearts.
3. Behavior Precedes Attitude—Discipleship Builds Joy
> “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
—Romans 12:1–2 (NLT)
We follow before we understand it all. Our obedience produces joy and transformation.
4. Grateful People Overflow with Joy and Thankfulness
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
—Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
—Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
—Luke 15:20–24 (NLT)
This Week’s Challenge
- Live out your gratitude:
- Start your day with thanksgiving
- Read John 10 or Luke 15
- Serve someone intentionally
- Say “thank you” out loud to Jesus
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