GRATITUDE OPENS HEAVEN’S
WINDOWS
During these days leading up to the American celebration known as “Thanksgiving
Day,” I have been reflecting on the uplifting truths that The Word conveys concerning
our requisite attitude of gratitude. Please
prayerfully consider Psalm 100:
Psalm 100
(NKJV)
1 Make a joyful shout
to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter
into His gates with thanksgiving, and into
His courts with praise. Be thankful to
Him, and bless His
name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
Why
should we be SO grateful? Consider this. Every parent knows the powerful impact of a
grateful child. Whenever your child
offers a warm smile and a sincere word of thanks for whatever you have done, it
has a dramatic effect on both your present attitude and future action.
I learned long ago to say “thank
you,” courtesy of the guidance of two wise and wonderful parents, the late Bishop
Joseph Edison Bass, Sr. and Mrs. Mary Watts Bass. I discovered early on that being genuinely
grateful not only positions us positively for today, but sets us up for tomorrow’s
blessings. How so? It is rather difficult for a loving parent to
say “no” to a respectful and thankful child, especially when they have
available resources to respond to their reasonable wants and needs.
Similarly, in the spirit
realm, our Father is highly motivated
and mobilized by our praise. In fact,
the scriptures suggest that God actually establishes His earthly dwelling place
within the welcoming tabernacle of a believer’s praise and worship.
Nevertheless, there is a
noteworthy distinction regarding our relationships with our earthly and
heavenly parents. Whenever my natural
parents did something for me, I responded (after the fact) to their love and
kindness with an enthusiastic “thank you.”
However, I have learned to say “thank you” to the Father beforehand, in
joyful anticipation of His goodness and grace.
Such gratitude (before the manifestation of any promised blessing) is a
pure act of faith. Unquestionably, faith honors God and
stimulates a powerful and productive response.
Additionally, it is an essential affirmation of our covenant relationship, which is never predicated on what God does for us, but rather on WHO
GOD IS to us.
My friend, try to remember
to begin each day with a word of sincere thanksgiving. When you awaken every morning, make it a
habit to thank God for another
day and for a new opportunity to forge divine connections with your Creator and
your fellowman.
“Thank
you” simply makes room for more.
Sisters and brothers, be
continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!S
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