Sunday Recap - 21st May 2006

APPRECIATION
By: Bro. Michael Lee

Today many lack of appreciation which causes families, relationships to fall apart. Even many find it difficult to come to church because of the lack of appreciation.

What is appreciation? (Oxford Dictionary)
To understand and enjoy fully in a right way.
To be thankful for.
To let become in value.

First we need to know how to appreciate God before we appreciate one another. When we appreciate God we:
1. Give thanks and praise (Ps. 100:4)
2. Honor Him (Pro. 3:9-10) – Gratitude is a God Honoring attitude.
3. Remember Him (Ps.103:2-5). Holy Communion for us to always remember all the benefits of God. Exo.32:1-14 – The people of Israel were spared because Moses remembers not only the Lord but also His words. But the people perished because they could not remember the Lord their God (Deut 8:19).

When we don’t appreciate God, we will fail to give Him thanks and fail to understand and enjoy Him fully in the right way which eventually causes us to be:
1. Running on empty – no vision lost and confused in life.
2. Burning bridges – become murderers, bitter, cause strife & quarrels.
3. Dissatisfied – become critical, negative & grumblers.
4. An abuser – We abuse one another and ourselves. (Rom.1:20-32)

In short, when we have lost the ability to appreciate, we open the doors to elements like: fear, pride, anger, greed, lust, unforgiveness and success. (Lk.8:37-40; I Sam 11 & Lk.17:11-19).

Let us be contented with what we have and what we are in Christ; and continue to appreciate God and one another always!