The Power of Thanksgiving

Even though Thanksgiving Day is still a little over 2 weeks away it is not too early to begin to emphasis the importance of a thankful heart. Many times within the Psalms we are encouraged to be thankful. Psalm 100:4-5"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations." The basis of thanksgiving is not so much on what our present circumstance is but based upon God's goodness and love. When our thanksgiving is connected to our present situation then it can be sparodic at best because all of us has good days and bad days. There are times we do not have all we want or due to no fault of your own you are experiencing a time of financial crisis. When those things happen it does not change God and His character. His goodness and love is still present and will continue throughout my lifetime and my children's lifetime. I choose to be thankful because of who God is and not based upon my present situation. I am thankful for this morning that I was able to go on a good run. I am thankful for a godly wife. I am thankful for His provision, though this last year has seen some tough and tight times. I am thankful that I can be a servant of the Most High King, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His everlasting love though I do not deserve anything. I am thankful for God's faithfulness and His Word which bring consistency to my life. As I write this my mind is thinking of many other things that I can be thankful for and it is a choose. The power of thanksgiving comes in giving us a positive outlook on life. It opens the eyes to see the possibilities of God's activity in my life and it helps me to combat the temptation of the enemy who wants God's children to be negative and doubting of God ability to handle my life's difficulties. I encourage you to spend some time everyday and speak out to the Lord thanksgiving and praise. What would happen on Sunday morning if everyone who came was prepared to give the Lord thanks and praise? I personally think He would show up in a special way for God inhabits the praises of His people.
May His blessings rest upon us as we do life His way.

Pastor John