The Key to Happiness

Pastor Ben Diaz
 

In this week’s message, Pastor Ben urged us always to choose thankfulness, reminding us that it’s not just a suggestion but a command. Why? Because “Thanksgiving is the doorway into God’s presence!”

Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

Pastor also pointed out the opposite truth: “The way to stay out of His presence is entitlement.”

Pastor used the Israelites as an example of entitlement vs. gratitude. Despite being miraculously freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites struggled with entitlement. They grumbled, complained, and even wished at times to go back to Egypt, all because they lacked vision and gratitude. They failed to see the blessings of freedom and have a vision for the bright future that awaited them in the Promised Land. Instead, they remained stuck in a mentality of slavery, unable to fully embrace the grace God was extending to them.

Supernatural miracles start happening when we have a heart of gratitude and give thanks. Paul and Silas were locked in the inner prison, but at midnight, as they praised God, the shock of praise shook loose their chains and set them free!

The word “thanksgiving” in Greek is eucharistia, which combines thanksgiving and grace. By giving thanks, you show that you are giving credit to God for His grace showing up in your life.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Pastor stated, “Thankfulness draws us into our promised land. Thankfulness is how you put action to your faith.”  Our faith connects to His grace! As it says in Phil. 4:6, ask God for what you need. Then be thankful that God heard your petition and is answering “Yes!” When you thank God before you see the answer, your faith activates grace in your life, which positions you for even greater supernatural intervention!

To dive deeper into this powerful message and to hear the story of how God’s grace showed up for “Coach Ben” in a volleyball tournament, click the link and listen to the full sermon.