Embracing Appreciation

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 107:1

Appreciation is an important theme in the life of a worshipper. It is through the lens of appreciation that we can view God’s holiness, mercy, and grace.

How is appreciation defined?

Appreciation has three major definitions:

1. Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. It can be defined as gratitude, thankfulness, cherishing, or treasuring. 
2. A full understanding of a situation, which could be described as acknowledgment, recognition, realization, awareness or knowledge. 
3. Lastly, it is defined as an increase in value, such as monetary growth, increase, gain, or escalation.

But, how does appreciation, or thankfulness, help us in our walk with the Father. Let’s look at seven ways we can partake in appreciation.

A Way to Approach in Worship

The book of Psalms makes it clear that our approach to worship begins with appreciation.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

An appreciation for God prepares the mind to encounter a holy God. Thanksgiving ushers us before the King.

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

Psalm 95: 2

A Way to Sing

Our song is a song of thanks.

Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Appreciation always goes with praise.

With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

Ezra 3:11

Singing with appreciation is good for us.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,

Psalms 92:1-2

Equip yourself with a heart of appreciation. Then sing!

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Colossians 3:16

A Way to Pray

Condition the heart to appreciate before you pray.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2

Our prayers should embrace appreciation and not worry.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:6-7

A Way to Receive

God’s richest blessings are upon us, through His creation. Receive it with appreciation.

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

Appreciation opens us up for elevation and restoration.

When Jesus healed 10 lepers, they showed themselves to the priest and one returned with appreciation. Jesus responded to that one 19 Then he said to him,

“Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17

Appreciation also opens us up to receive more of what God gives.

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Matthew 25: 

A Way to Give

When we appreciate others, we give honor to them.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 NIV

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17 NIV

Generosity stems from appreciation.

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV

The cheerful giver is a thankful giver. God loves that kind of giver.

⁶ The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

A Way to Break Heaviness

When hard times come, we can take on an attitude of appreciation that will change our perspective.

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

A Way to Live

Finally, let us fill our days with thankfulness and praise.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

Find things to continually be thankful for.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV

Identify areas where grace has been given.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

Living in appreciation is the will of God for your life.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Summary:

1. A way to approach in worship
2. A way to sing
3. A way to pray
4. A way to receive
5. A way to give
6. A way to break heaviness
7. A way to live

I pray this study blesses you in Jesus name.