Thankful, Day Forty-Four (sort of)

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

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.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, NKJV

Be thankful is not difficult. I am truly thankful everyday. I just don't take the time to sit down and blog about it. My bad.

I'm on my way to church this morning. I'm dressed. My message is written. I've already been talking to the Lord this morning. I know that good things are about to happen, and it is exciting. It is also very humbling, to know that even when I don't think God is moving at all, or hearing me at all, He is always working on my behalf. I've preached it before and known it on an intellectual level, but to understand it at a heart level is a whole different story. I can look back now and see the handiwork of God in me and my life, and I'm so thankful that He was there! I try to look ahead to see what's coming, but uncertain, the future is. Always emotion. :) And there God is, working, working, working. And frankly telling me to keep my hands off it. He doesn't need my help, which believe it or not is something I have to remind myself of occasionally.

I'm thankful today for the presence of God wherever I am, so that I can worship and fellowship with Him at all times. The kingdom of heaven, Jesus said, is within. The Holy Spirit abides within. When I need to go to the courts of God, and enter through the gates of God, I have no further to go than within me, because He is with me, and in me, and all around me. Thank you God for being my constant companion.

I'm thankful today for the ability to worship and fellowship with God at all times. That there is nothing separating me from God except my transgressions, which are quickly dispatched when I call on the name of the Lord. I have no need of a preacher, a priest, or a patterned prayer to bring me to God. I don't need a saint or a mother to go to God on my behalf. I can go to God myself, because the only veil we have is that of Christ's flesh. We enter God's presence through Jesus Christ, and knowing the Lord gives me the boldness and the ability to go to Him whenever, wherever, whatever.

I'm thankful today, for the communion of the saints, the oneness that I have with the body of Jesus Christ, my local church. I may be the pastor, but that only makes me the mouth of the church, not the head. I am a member of the body of Christ, the family of God, the congregation of faith, hope and love. I am about to share the love of God among friends, among family, who are coming together from all over this city to do the same, and I rejoice in that. I love my brothers and sisters and Christ, and I am thankful for the fellowship we are about to have.

Thank you Lord, for your presence, your provision, and your people.