In Psalm 100, it’s clear that we should be thankful.  A thankful heart is one that recognizes the gifts of God for what they are – gifts from the heavenly Father who loves us.  The thankful heart will be drawn to the giver of those gifts, and can more fully enjoy a relationship with Him.

On this Thanksgiving Day, take time to thank God.  Take time to pray.  Take time to BE with the one you are thankful to.  In doing so, you’ll find even more to be thankful for.

Psalm 100
 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Psalm 100

A PSALM OF PRAISE

1. Joyful noise – a shout
2. Serve the Lord with gladness
3. We must depend on God
4. We need a heart of thankfulness
5. We must have true gratitude

Truly trusting God when the times are tough is not an easy thing to do.  We are easily distracted by the things we see, rather than standing strong in faith.

As Christians, we have the wonderful option of trusting God.  When we truly lay everything in His powerful hands, we will realize that our worries are really in vain.  Even through the toughest of times, He will never forsake us, and His purpose is always that we become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Relax by trusting God.  Today.

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

This is probably one of the most self-explanatory verses in the entire Bible, yet it’s hard to live by. Christians – true believers in Christ – have been forgiven of every sin. Read the Old Testament thoroughly, and you’ll see a God who despises sin. He simply cannot tolerate it. It is a great offense to Him. Yet He sent His Son to take on humanity and die as a penalty for the sins of the whole world – because He loves us. When we believe upon Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are forgiven. Period.

How could we ever refuse to forgive our brother? How can we justify holding a grudge? We have been FORGIVEN! REJOICE!

Psalm 5:3

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Such a clear call to daily time with God. Many call it “quiet time”, some call it “devotions”, and some just do it and don’t worry what it’s called. It’s so critical to our lives to give God our attention early in the day. It’s worthwhile to spend time in His word; it’s worthwhile to talk to Him, and it’s important to listen to Him.

What is God saying to you today? Don’t miss it!

I Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

As Christians, we have a unique relationship to God. We are being made like Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. Our nature, which was contrary to God from birth, is becoming more and more like Christ as we grow in our Christian life. Let God work in your life today!

Mark 1:45

But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Christians have the greatest story in the world to tell. This man was a leper; but Jesus healed him. As Christians who were once doomed to eternal death, we have been given the gift of life. Let’s go out and “publish it much”! The grace of God is available for anyone who will turn to Jesus Christ. None is turned away. We don’t have to be ashamed – we have the Good News to tell. Let’s share it gladly.

Psalm 59:17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the god of my mercy.

Christians need not live in fear. The most powerful force we could imagine is but a bug against the cyclone of our eternal God. We can sing, we can rejoice, even in the darkest hour and in the most troublesome times. By no means will we always be happy, and our hearts will often be broken. But our inner strength comes from God. We are surrounded by the power of almighty God – He who never fails. Trust Him.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Jesus brought a message of life and hope to a world that was far from God. Today, the church is given the responsibility of spreading that message to a world that is far from God. This message is so simple and so wonderful that it often baffles the intelligence of those who demand a more complicated way. The miracle of salvation through Jesus Christ is unleashed by simple belief. Do you believe?