MEMORISE:

1 Thessalonians  5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

READ: Romans  8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

MESSAGE

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

Psalm 100:4 

The above passage says that when you are coming to God, you are to come with thanksgiving - not with grumbling and complaining, but with thanksgiving. This means that if you don't come with thanksgiving, then He can decide not to open His gates for you. Many people's prayers do not get answered because all they do is complain and murmur to God. You are complaining that you have no car when someone else has a car but cannot rise from his sick bed. You are complaining that you have no shoes when someone else has no legs. Just give thanks. No matter what you are going through, there are millions of people around the world going through worse situations. Make a habit of always thanking God for what you have.

There are some little things we often take for granted. One day, my wife called to check on a sick person we had been praying for. After the phone call, she told me the fellow said “Help me thank God that l was able to wear my clothes by myself today”. Even I the General Overseer had never thought of thanking God for the ability to dress up by myself. Don’t put your attention on the things that you don’t have, rather, put it on all the great things that God is already doing for you. 

God enjoys being with people who are full of thanks and praises of His name, but He detests murmurers. ln 1 Corinthians 10:10, the Bible says that when the Israelites murmured, they were destroyed: 

"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."

Joseph for instance, never murmured against God, even while in slavery and in prison. Thus, he fulfilled his destiny and prospered because the Bible says God was with him (Genesis 39:2-3).

You want God to help you through all your challenges in life and lead you to a glorious future? Thank Him at all times.

ACTION POINT:

Spend at least thirty minutes thanking God today. Don't ask for anything, just thank Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Genesis 4-6

HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

1. Now thank we all our God

    With heart and hands and voices,

    Who wondrous things hath done,

    In whom His world rejoices,

    Who from our mother's arms

    Hath bless'd us on our way

    With countless gifts of love

    And still is ours today.

2. Oh may this bounteous God

    Through all our life be near us,

    With ever joyful hearts

    And blessed peace to cheer us,

    And keep us in His grace,

    And guide us when perplex'd

    And free us from all ills

    In this world and the next

3. All praise and thanks to God

    The Father now be given,

    The Son, and Spirit blest,

    Who reign in highest heaven,

    The One eternal God,

    Whom earth and heav'n adore,

    For thus it was, is now,

    And shall be evermore.