Thanksgiving

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods."
-Psalm 95:1-3

It's very easy to complain about how hard life is. We sometimes find comfort in our misery simply because of our inability to see life for the blessing that it is. Every time that you open your eyes to see another day; you're blessed. Every time that you utilize your hands and your feet, someone else may not be able to do so, thus it's a blessing. Being in your right frame of mind and being able to do things as simple as saying hello, wave your hands, embrace those around you, call loved ones, visit family, it's all a blessing because there are plenty of people who would love to be able to do all of those things, but can't. Life may not be passing out free passes to what you might consider the care free life, but it's not as bad as it may seem. In the text above David calls out to the people encouraging them to come and sing before The Lord, in what some may consider a call to worship. Why? Simply because David knew that after all that he had been through the rock of his salvation is what sustained him every step of the way. No matter how difficult the situation may have been, David knew that his help from on high brought him out of his situation and into the land of victory. Then David goes on to encourage us to come before him (the rock of our salvation) with Thanksgiving, and further instructs us to make a joyful noise unto him. Come before him with Thanksgiving broken down, means that David reminds us to mind our manners and say thank you. Blessings, blessings, and more blessings. Life is so full of blessings and every single one of those blessings came from God. Blessings are not just financial breakthroughs, and opportunities, but life and breath, health and strength, grace and mercy, love and divine protection, and so much more. It's all reason to offer up a praise of thanksgiving. David then states in the third verse that The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. We may not always understand the work of his, and we may fail to make progress in our daily walk by studying his word, fasting, and praying, but no matter what God is faithful. Despite how much we place him on the back burner to our personal endeavors and agenda he still loves us unconditionally and that alone make him great. Not to mention the fact that he sacrificed his only son (Jesus) that we might have a right to eternal life in heaven with him, there's literally something about the name Jesus, and his blood that washes our sins away by casting them into the sea that God will not remember them when we come before the father for judgement. That's something to be grateful about!

This Thanksgiving Holiday season it is my prayer that you acknowledge God not just for what he's done in your life, but just for who he is to you in your life. It is also my prayer that you recognize that gratitude is not a seasonal thing, it never goes out of style. Just as we show gratitude to God follow through and show gratitude unto God for those in your life who have been there for you, prayed with you, stayed up with you late at night when you were sick, rocked you to sleep at night when there was a serious storm going on outside. Tell God thank you for the mountains moved out of your way, and the journey ahead that he has prepared you for through the trials and tribulations of past times. It is my prayer that God continues to bless and keep you this Thanksgiving Holiday and beyond.

Let us bow:

Lord,

I thank you for my family, friends, loved ones, community, school, and church. God I ask that you grant me the knowledge and wisdom necessary to live a life pleasing in your sight. Lord we owe you everything, and so we turn everything in our lives over to you that you might have your way in our lives. Help us to be a blessing everyday of our lives reflecting your love to all that we may come in contact with. We thank you Lord for the sacrifice made at Calvary's cross and we ask that you guide us as we live lives for your Glory and Honor. We thank you Lord for everything and we appreciate you for all that you've done for it is in the name of the Christ we pray, Amen!