The spirit of gratitude and joy

Nothing opens the gates of heaven like gratitude. In gratitude all things that belong to God are ours. Gratitude not only exalts God, but also affects us his creatures who daily seek God blessings.

Thankfulness and gratitude to God can only flow out of a joyful heart. Overwhelming joy is a fruit and evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that awakens our heart to rejoice in God. Like the Psalmist wrote, “You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine” (Psalms‬

Even when we don’t feel like praising God, the Spirit can give us joy to praise Him. David must have felt that way, which was why he prayed, “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name; the righteous shall surround me, for you shall deal bountifully with me” (Psalms‬

Why Rejoice?
Jesus came to bring joy and abundant life to the world that is full of misery, sufferings and pain. Therefore, we rejoice because Jesus came to give us joy. He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 9:3-5, which states: “You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For you have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian”

The word of the angel of God to Mary was Rejoice. This captures what Jesus has brought to humanity. “And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke‬ We rejoice because the scriptures command us to. Despite all the sufferings Paul went through in the course of the ministry, he still says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians‬

We rejoice because of what God has done for us. “But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalms‬ A joyful heart can then rejoice in a dance before God. As the Psalmist says,

“Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds” (Psalms‬ Don’t let the devil rob you of your joy in God or the opportunity to praise Him. When we fail to praise Him the stones will take our place. Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com