Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
Psalm 100:4
The month of November ushers in the season of thanksgiving. The hymn writer calls us to count our many blessings, and when we do that, we indeed are often surprised at what God has done for us, and is doing in the midst of our lives.
The psalmist invites us to enter into God’s gates, into our worship sanctuary, with thanksgiving. Many of us come to this place of worship weighted down with the struggles, the trials, and the tribulations that face us on our life’s journey. We are challenged to focus our minds and thoughts on the things of God because of the burdens we carry. God invites us to take our burdens to the cross and leave them there.
God does not promise to keep us from experiencing difficulties but he does promise to be with us as we go through life’s struggles. And God puts people in our lives who can encourage us and lend a helping hand from time to time. Sometimes we will be on the receiving end of this help and at other times we will be the one reaching out to help our friend or neighbor.
As we pause to count our blessings, let us also ask God to show us ways in which we can bring blessings to others. It is by being a blessing that we bless God.
Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad . . .
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine . . . That is my prayer in this season of Thanksgiving. Will you make it yours?
Joyously,
Pastor Joyce
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
Psalm 100:4
The month of November ushers in the season of thanksgiving. The hymn writer calls us to count our many blessings, and when we do that, we indeed are often surprised at what God has done for us, and is doing in the midst of our lives.
The psalmist invites us to enter into God’s gates, into our worship sanctuary, with thanksgiving. Many of us come to this place of worship weighted down with the struggles, the trials, and the tribulations that face us on our life’s journey. We are challenged to focus our minds and thoughts on the things of God because of the burdens we carry. God invites us to take our burdens to the cross and leave them there.
God does not promise to keep us from experiencing difficulties but he does promise to be with us as we go through life’s struggles. And God puts people in our lives who can encourage us and lend a helping hand from time to time. Sometimes we will be on the receiving end of this help and at other times we will be the one reaching out to help our friend or neighbor.
As we pause to count our blessings, let us also ask God to show us ways in which we can bring blessings to others. It is by being a blessing that we bless God.
Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad . . .
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine . . . That is my prayer in this season of Thanksgiving. Will you make it yours?
Joyously,
Pastor Joyce