Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Humble People Are Grateful People

“Now, why are we so ungrateful? Why are our times marked by such ingratitude as Paul mentions in Romans and in 2 Timothy and so many other places? At the risk of being simplistic in my analysis, I think a major reason is pride. Proud people don’t say thank you. They don’t think thank you. Pride is, of course, filled with self and when that is true, we hold back our thank you to others because we’re so self-important. I tell you who will say thank you and do so frequently—humble people, broken people. Crushed, contrite people are quick to say, ‘Thank you, thank you. Thank you for the little things. Thank you for the unexpected things.’”

Insight on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

“‘Rejoice always’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16). There’s the shortest verse. Shortest in all the Bible, but what a grand command. I want to be around people like that. I want to be around those that are finding joy in life in spite of their circumstances. And here’s another one: ‘pray without ceasing’ (5:17). It’s the idea of a hacking cough. Pray in that kind of consistency. Pray continually, constantly. Prayer on your heart. Prayer on your lips. Prayer for specific individuals. Specific needs. ‘In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (5:18). This has reference to every circumstance. Every circumstance. There’s not one that he doesn’t include. In your circumstances today be thankful, grateful.

Thankfulness for God’s Character

“Looking up, thank You, Lord, for Your sovereign control over our lives. All the details and every circumstance, thank You. Thank You that none of it is accidental, that all of it will work together for good. Thank You for Your holy character and for Your standard, in spite of our selfishness and sinfulness.”

Give Away Gratitude

“The holiday is correctly named Thanksgiving not Thankskeeping. We keep enough things for ourselves. Let’s get better at giving things. Just give it away. You don’t need it—give it to somebody.”

The Sacrifice of Praise “‘By him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually” (Hebrews 13:15). ‘Continually.’ That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Love that verse. ‘Sacrifice of praise.’ That means when it’s hard to praise and we praise Him.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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