Thanks And Praise

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4

I was recently listening to a message on my way in to work and I was convicted by the message. Too often I go to God in prayer for my needs and even just to spend time with Him but, I don’t take enough time to give Him thanks and praise for all that He has done for me. The verse referenced was the following:

“When you eat and are full, you will praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.” Deuteronomy 8:10

I will confess and I’m sure that I will strike a chord with many of you that it’s difficult during certain seasons of our lives to give thanks. That said, it’s terribly important that we keep a flow of thanksgiving in our hearts for the God that created us and has redeemed us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. He gives us every breath, and every heartbeat is a gift from Him.

“in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

No matter how big or how small let us spend time with Him in thanksgiving and praise with humble hearts and a spirit of worship bow at His feet.

“Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and announce His works with shouts of joy.” Psalm 107:21:22

The message of this next verse tells us to be thankful to God but, it’s also a great blessing over us. I pray it over everyone who reads this post and I ask that you would do the same over people in your life today. Give thanks to God for all that He has done and all that He has promised to do for us. Praise Him and worship Him and then watch as He takes that beautiful offering and turns it into something incredibly beautiful.

“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” Colossians 3:15

 

Beautiful and Most High Sovereign God, I come before you with a heart filled with thanksgiving. This season of my life has been difficult and at times excruciatingly painful but even still You have given me your peace if I just remember to focus on You and for that I am thankful. As Your word says Your mercies are truly new every morning. I just bow my heart before You now in humility and awestruck by Your incredible grace, mercy, and love. I give You thanks and praise as You and You alone are worthy to be given all glory, honor, thanksgiving, and praise. I pray Father God that You would let the great peace of Christ Jesus rest on each and every one of my brother’s and sister’s who read this post. Make Your glorious face to shine on them and give them grace and peace beyond measure. Unstop the wellsprings of living water inside each of us that we may be filled with Your abundant joy and show us how to share this amazing grace with others around us. Thank You most of all Father for Jesus Your Son and for His sacrificial redemption of our sin. I humbly ask these things of you in His name. AMEN!!!