Exodus 15:1-21. There are three key elements that are essential and common to both a great expression of appreciation and a great and sincere apology.

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1 Exodus 15:1-21 There are two major aspects to our daily lives that play a huge part in our daily health and well being. The sad thing is, as a society we are gradually forgetting the art and science of these two very critical and fundamental things. The worse thing is, the believer in Christ should be defined by and known for our gratitude. The very fabric and quality of our society and lives is beginning to fray and suffer. What are they? Gratitude and Apologies. There are three key elements that are essential and common to both a great expression of appreciation and a great and sincere apology. 1. The humility, presence of mind and self-realization that one or the other needs to be made. In the rush of life, we losing the sensitivity and awareness that GOD created us with the unmeasurable capacity to do both, and needing to be reminded of the great need (ours and others) of continual gratitude, and sometimes a sincere apology. 2. The knowledge of exactly what it is you are thankful for, or exactly what you need to apologize for. This is the key to the best gratitude expressions and apologies. While you can thank someone for just about anything or nothing at all, gratitude is so much more personal, meaningful, sincere and gratifying if you can say exactly what you are thankful for and why. An apology works the same way. The worst apologies we experience are the ones in which someone says I don t know what I did 1

2 but I m sorry ok! Being able to set aside your defensive reasons for what you did, and make the other person the sole focus, not yourself, your feelings or your reasons for what you did makes for the best apology. A most effective apology knows exactly what we are apologizing for and why. It shows you care enough to get and make things right. 3. Gratitude and an apology, well-timed and well thought out is like a balm to heal down to the bone and permeates our souls. Both can have such a healing effect on a person, as we well know. Gratitude delayed, or an apology too soon can have opposite and even negative effects. My wife and I have developed this little thing we do where we thank each other a lot. Then one or the other asks.why? It may not be necessary but it sure is pleasing and nice to hear. There is tons of research on the dynamics of gratitude. What is gratitude? It is our GOD-wired, natural response when we receive something we consider wanted, needed or valuable. This is kind of acknowledgement occurs in various areas of life: Mental. We acknowledge that we have received a valuable object by expressing appreciation and regarding the giver. And we have been wired by our Creator to instinctively strive to recognize the giver of the object. In contrast, an ungrateful person does not acknowledge the value nor the giver. Our lives, experiences and even society sometimes grinds away and dulls that instinct in us. Many times understandably. Emotional. Gratitude is a response from the deepest part of our being, and exudes a feeling of happiness and warmth when we receive something of value. It brings elation and relief in some ways. But the emotion does not occur only within us; we also seek to induce that happiness with the giver through perhaps a smile, a gesture, and even a vocal expression. Physical. Gratitude bonds human beings to each other, uniting people, hearts and minds in the in the purest, most gratifying way possible. Spiritual. Recognizing people in gratitude strengthens our spirit, but thanking GOD for all HE has done lifts it to greater heights and is the highest form of gratitude there is, because it bonds us to our Creator in a way that goes infinitely beyond our five human senses, and elevates our lives in ways that cannot be expressed with mere words. The benefits from gratitude? Gratitude DUI (Driving While Intoxicated) 2

3 Gratitude gets us high. Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Gratitude generates a pleasant sensation within us. While GOD gives us the ability to scientifically categorize these effects, it doesn t take anything away from the fact that only HE could put us together so well. When we are grateful, we experience happiness, fulfillment, peace of mind, and an abundance of love. But it also wards off things that can eventually damage or even kill us. Gratitude helps to melt away negativity. This is a very natural way to counteract damaging psychological states, such as these states: Stress Depression Despair Hopelessness Doubt Anger Suicidal thoughts Greed and envy. Gratitude helps us to achieve emotional satisfaction in the ownership of our current possessions; gratitude is a type of "savoring." If we do not achieve emotional satisfaction with our current possessions, we futilely try to achieve that satisfaction with the mere ownership of more possessions; thus, we experience greed and envy. But we will never feel contentment with regard to our goods until we savor them, through emotional actions such as gratitude. Worry and fear. Gratitude helps us to be more aware of the many gifts which we receive; therefore, we do not worry as much about the flow of gifts which will occur in the future. When we are grateful, we dwell on the present moment, and the goodness of the past, instead of the uncertainty of the future. Grief. As we recognize the many gifts which we receive, we enhance our ability to be at peace with things that have disappeared from our life, and to turn our attention to the current realities we face In life, and deal with them with GOD s process, purpose and HIS Word. Vanity. Gratitude reminds us that we do not live alone; we survive only 3

4 because we are constantly giving and receiving from others in one way or the other. We experience humility as we recognize we cannot survive apart from GOD and HIS gifts, and each other! Gratitude helps us to perceive ourselves as a part of GOD s process in our wilderness journeys. We become more conscious and sensitive of the many things which we receive from GOD, other people, from nature, and from other sources. Hope. Gratitude reminds us that the future is filled with the endless possibilities of blessings, and being blessed by GOD and others daily. It helps us to see the positive value in circumstances. Gratitude increases the possibility that we will receive more goodness in our life. Think about this for a moment: If simply on the human level, Gratitude has this deep and life-altering effect on us, how much more when Gratitude is lived and practiced the way GOD wants us to do it? Gratitude becomes more than just a way to live and survive better in this life. is not something a Christian does: IT DEFINES WHO A CHRISTIAN IS. And we are called to live an intentional and aggressive life of gratitude. One that seeks out any and every opportunity to be grateful, and allows the Holy Spirit to supernaturally heal, energize and show us how to express gratitude in the way HE wants us to, in the way that your gratitude leads others to glorify our Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 In this world today, now more than ever, people NEED to see grand and extravagant expressions of faith, hope, love and gratitude to GOD. They see us bicker and complain, murmur and sulk, rant and rage, and using social media to post angry, vindictive, spiteful, bitter, mean, cruel, hurtful, nasty, and unkind things. I KNOW this, again, because of all the chief angry posters, I was the worst. (perhaps not what I actually posted, but what I wanted to post). If the world sees we are no better off than they are, just as weak, fearful, hopeless and mean, what can we possibly offer them? We are all called to evangelize the lost. How are you going to do it in a culture that more and more every day is considering just about every outward expression of faith, regardless of how benign and personal it may seem, as extreme and our faith in the Scriptures irrelevant? By expressing FOR our faith openly, publically and uncompromisingly, instead of mostly being seen expressing AGAINST everything else. While it may take the special gift of an evangelist to preach in an arena or a street corner, it doesn t take one to live counterculture and express their faith in how we live (and post on Facebook.) ; ) 4

5 How much does GOD have to do in our lives to finally get us to stop and give HIM the most fundamental of spiritual offerings? Praise and Gratitude? We finally get to the point in the experience of the Moses and the Israelites, when they actually stop everything and begin to sing a song of thanksgiving and praise to GOD! BTW not one word of thanks, praise and gratitude to GOD is mentioned in these since Chapter Three. It is time they figure out in their new and very adolescent walks with GOD, that praise and worship will be their bread and butter as they trek through this long wilderness of faith. One of the most surest and recognizable marks of a mature Christian and spiritual growth, it the amount and level of gratitude and praise in their lives. Who is the greatest example of this? JESUS. When did HE give thanks to GOD HIS Father? Continuously. When and how? Glad you asked. The first time Jesus praises GOD in the gospels is in the context of GOD s grace and the spread of the good news of the Gospel message. When HE observes that all the common folk are understanding and receiving the good news of the Gospel, while others are rejecting it on the basis of their worldly wisdom and intelligence and even after they had seen Matthew 11:20-30, Luke 10:17-24 The Gospel is 100% accessible by everyone. The next time we observe Jesus giving thanks in the context of social justice. Feeding the poor and hungry. Matthew 15:35-37, Mark 8:5-7, Luke 9:13-17, John 6:5-13 BTW what did the Apostle John remember most about this incident? John 6:23. (The place where the Lord gave thanks. Why add that tidbit? Hmmm.) We then observe Jesus giving thanks is in communion and spiritual fellowship with HIS disciples. Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20 (No communion narrative in John, just supper and washing disciples feet afterwards. John 13) We see Jesus giving thanks in the situation where HE is going to build up and strengthen faith and belief, by raising Lazarus from the dead. John 11:31-34 (Miracles in and by themselves, cannot make someone believe but not have faith. It only confirms the faith or unbelief already in our hearts.) The final time we see Jesus give thanks in the gospels is after HIS resurrection, in fellowship and spiritual communion with HIS disciples. Luke 24:13-30 Do you think GOD notices whether or not a person is grateful to HIM or not? Let s ask Jesus. Luke 17:11-21 As the new believer progresses in their spiritual walk and developing a true and authentic faith, there comes a point in 5

6 our lives when we have to begin to train and nurture in ourselves the art and discipline of praise and gratitude. Both individually, and collectively. We have experienced GOD s power, HIS salvation and deliverance, HIS process in our lives and no comes a time for praise and thanksgiving in the life of the believer and our trek in our wilderness. Gratitude is the big difference between a mind faith, and a saving faith. It is simply amazing how we have obscured and over-complicated praise and worship to GOD in today s society and throughout the world. Countless treatments and books and sermons on the right, proper, appropriate ways to worship GOD. We also seem to try to make it easier for ourselves, and minimize worship by first: creating canned formulas and methods for individual and or corporate worship. (prescribed formulas and rituals filled with special prayers, readings, morning devotionals, an inspirational meditation, spiritual songs, etc. ) Nothing inherently wrong with any of these except if you believe once you have done your due diligence, did your duty, GOD has checked you off, giving you spiritual credit, you re done for the day, can check that box off your list for the day, and then you can move on to live your life. Not that any of these action in and of themselves are wrong and unspiritual, but you are limiting worship in a way that you actually stunt and stymie your spiritual progress. Unless these are only a small part of our entire life process of worshipping GOD in spirit and in truth. John 4:23 BTW what exactly does that really mean anyway? Anybody know? So simple it has become complicated. Worshipping GOD in spirit and in truth is JUST like GOD says in Exodus 13:8-10 On that day tell your son, I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt. This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. Why does GOD want them to practice these things? Gratitude a reaction or response for receiving something of value from GOD we either wanted, needed or of surpassing value. Worshipping in spirit and in truth is the exact same thought and concept as a sign on your hand and your forehead. Worship GOD with your faith (spirit, forehead, mind) and your actions (truth, right hand, hand of action). The second way we complicate the act of worship and praise is believing 6

7 Having been programmed and convinced that praise and worship is just and solely the 5 to 10 minute segment in the church service program before we get down to the sermon. And again, this severely stunts and limits the blessings, power, glory and grace of GOD! Worship is a lifestyle and if it ends with a few moments on Sunday morning, some scattered praise songs throughout the week, then like the Israelites, we will have to endure so much hardship, heartache, trials and tribulations before we can truly see and enjoy the power of GOD in our lives, grow and mature spiritually, and demonstrate to the entire world just how marvelous and magnificent our GOD is, and therefore effectively evangelize them without ever having to preach, or having the world accuse us of shoving Jesus down their throat. We reach the lost primarily by showing our love FOR Christ in our lives, not just by continuously and contemptuously speaking AGAINST the world. (even though they deserve it! ) The way the world is headed, this is the ONLY true and effective way we will be able to say like the Apostle Paul, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Let s not be like another individual who gave thanks to GOD but in the worst way imaginable. Luke 18:9-14 A life defined FOR GOD through supernatural gratitude, will by it s nature show itself to be AGAINST all the sin, evil, corruption and unbelief in the world. You don t need to go looking for it. Here is a spiritual truth or promise from Jesus in the bible that can be found in all four gospels and another verse for your bible promise books Everyone will hate you because of me. Mathew 10:22, Mark 13:13,Luke 21:17, John 15:18. At some point, past, present and future, Jesus says this John 16:1-3 But don t worry, all you have to do is sit yourself down at the edge of the sea of your wilderness, wait for the world to come get you and take you back. No faith required, none needed, none given. Okay then Gil, how the heck are we supposed to worship GOD then? Allow me to use a practical, real life illustration. 7

8 You brought forth children into the world. You applied your process for better or for worse to raise them. Eventually they begin to reject your process, and start to employ their own. Eventually, hopefully, they recognize we had their best intentions at heart, and did succeed in saving them (mostly from themselves) to survive and become who they are. What would you think is the best ways they could thank you for everything you did for them, at bare minimum? I would dare to guess the majority of us, me and my wife included, is that they go on to live better lives than we ever could, and provide for their children better than we could as well. What would be icing on that cake? If they went the extra mile with their gratitude by remembering us, expressing gratitude to us, sharing their lives with us, dinners, presents, care, concern, compassion and any sincere expression of love and gratitude we can get. We live for and feverishly desire these things from our kids and grand-kids, and rejoice when they do unexpected and unsolicited kindnesses to us just because they appreciate us as their parents. Who doesn t feel this way??? How does GOD want to be worshipped? He created us and brought us into the world. He applied HIS process to raise us. We eventually rejected HIS process and began to employ our own. Eventually, hopefully, we recognize GOD had our best intentions at heart, and did succeed in saving us (mostly from ourselves) to survive and become who we are. What would you think is the best way we could thank GOD for everything HE did and does for us at bare minimum? The Scriptures tell us GOD wants us to go on to live obedient, victorious, abundant and fruitful lives, better lives than we ever could on our own, and provide for our children as well. What would be icing on GOD s cake? If we went the extra mile, like the healed Samaritan leper (Luke 17) who came back loudly praising and thanking GOD. By remembering GOD and expressing our gratitude loudly, publically, sharing our lives with GOD through worship, faith, fellowship, prayers, praises, songs and study of HIS WORD, care, concern, compassion and any sincere expression of love and gratitude by serving HIS sheep, (both lost and found) GOD seems to live for and feverishly desire these things from HIS kids. (GOD has no grand-kids) and rejoice when we do unexpected and unsolicited kindnesses to HIM just because we appreciate HIM as our GOD. 8

9 BTW unlike humanity, GOD doesn t need for us to make HIM understand why we are praising HIM, and why He s being thanked. Like this song and so many others expressed in the Scriptures, to include Psalms, the point is not to make GOD understand why we are praising HIM He already knows and understands the unimaginable value and necessity of what HE gives us. There have even been so many essays and books written about the selfcentered, narcissistic and conceited nature of the GOD of the Old Testament, and how petty and silly it is for an all-powerful, all-knowing being to demand and require gratitude, praise and worship from HIS creation. Boy id they miss the point entirely. Too knowledgeable and intelligent I guess. The true purpose of expressing gratitude to GOD through praise and worship is: For US to truly grasp and understand the priceless gift we have been given. And to properly acknowledge and appreciate the Gift-Giver! If we truly committed ourselves to thanking GOD appropriately, we would never stop! The Scriptures tell us when we finally do get it and we fully understand HIS entire purpose and pan, we will praise HIM infinitely for eternity, and if my pea brain truly understands, apparently even THAT won t be enough time. King David did grasp this in 1 Chronicles 23:25-31 Gratitude expressed by any and every means possible, threaded throughout our entire life, second by second, by our lives and by our expressions of worship and praise, is the only way we will survive and make it to our promised lands! THIS IS WHAT THE ENTIRE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS TO SEE. Amen! 9