“You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful name!” (Psalm 100:3 MSG)
Thanksgiving might have been more difficult to celebrate for most of us this fall here in Canada. I know it was for me. Had it not been for spending time in worship & the Word, it would have felt like just another Sunday family dinner.
The Bible reminds us in many places the importance of living a thankful life. The verse above is one which God often brings back to mind on days when I need the wisdom and insight it holds anew in my life.
The gates to enter into His presence are open, friend. Jesus made the way for us to draw close to God, and for that, He deserves to be praised. Expressing our thanks ushers us right next to Him, for which of us wouldn’t welcome and usher in someone who comes to our home with good news?
Note the next line though. A thanks offering. Because we follow a Holy God, He deserves a gift when we draw near to Him. Because of who He is, what He has done, and all the blessings He has sent our way since our creation. And the gift which blesses Him? Our thanks.
It is always good to take a moment to list all the reasons we have to give Him thanks, whether big or small. @annvoskamp encouraged me years ago to write down three things a day to be thankful for as gifts from His hands, and I still continue the practice of being on the look out for three new things to thank Him for each and every day.
What are you most thankful for this fall? Is it your loved ones? Your health? Your home? Your work? Your neighbours & friends? A kind word on a hard day? Whatever it is, remember to thank God for it the next time you knock on His door for a chat. I know it’ll bring a smile of joy to His face and bless His heart when you do!
#sharingHope #givethanks
KARLA LEES 