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  'A CHEERFUL HEART'
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A cheerful heart that tastes God's gifts with joy is the key to
true thanksgiving and understanding what pleases God.

Topics: "Thankfulness", "Joy in God"
Scripture References: Psalm 100:4, Philippians 4:4, Colossians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:17

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of a cheerful heart in the life of
a thankful Christian, drawing inspiration from Joseph Addison's
Thanksgiving hymn. He highlights that true delight in God's gifts is
expressed through gratitude and joy, which not only enriches our lives
but also pleases God. Tozer notes that a cheerful heart is essential for
safely enjoying the blessings God provides, and he reflects on the
eternal nature of God's gifts, extending beyond this life. The sermon
encourages believers to maintain a spirit of thanksgiving throughout
their lives and into eternity.

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CONTENT
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The thankful Christian will turn with true delight to the expression of
Joseph Addison in his Thanksgiving hymn, "When All Thy Mercies, 0 My
God," found in many of the better hymnals. Addison gives a mental image
that requires music for its expression: Ten thousand thousand precious
gifts My daily thanks employ; Nor is the least a cheerful heart That
tastes these gifts with joy! Here is the spirit of thanksgiving. Here is
the understanding of what pleases God in our acceptance and use of His
gifts. "A cheefful heart that tastes these gifts with joy" is the only
kind of heart that can taste them safely.

While Addison had in mind chiefly the gifts God showers upon us here
below, he was too much of a Christian to think that God's gifts would
cease at death.

So he sang: Through every period of my life Thy goodness I'll pursue;
And after death in distant worlds, The glorious theme renew!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/a-cheerful-heart/
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