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
Do we wake up with a groan about it being morning, or do we wake rejoicing that it is a new day to serve the Lord? Even as I ask the question, I cringe inside with the knowledge that there are days I awaken with a groan, wishing it was still dark outside so I could be justified in going back to sleep. Some days I just want to pull the covers up over my head until the day has passed me by. Some days my feet just don't want to hit the floor. But today, I awoke with a smile on my face and the praise of God on my lips. I'm not bragging; I'm just acknowledging that it happened.
And what a wonderful day it turned out to be.
I've often said that people ought to throw the covers back and leap out of bed with a shout of praise, dancing around the end of the bed speaking in tongues until the glory falls and we are ready to start our day. Then jump straight up in the air; that's Rapture practice. I've also said that if you're feeling down and out, broke down, busted and disgusted, just start shouting "Hallelujah" at the top of your lungs. It never ceased to amaze me how much good those things do me, when I follow my own advice.
Every day we should rise with the thought that it is a new day to serve the Lord, and thank Him for it. It's a new day filled with opportunity and blessing; don't let either pass you by. Yesterday's gone, you can't get it back, but thank God, when you've asked for forgiveness, you're sins are gone too. They can't come back on you. What we didn't finish yesterday, we can work on again today. What went wrong yesterday can be set right today. What we lost yesterday can be regained, or we can press on to something else, something new, something better. Memories may mingle with regrets, but living for today gives us purpose, and looking forward to tomorrow should be an exercise in hope.
So with each new day, let us start it out by giving thanks, and see what the Lord will do.
Today, I'm thankful for the strength that comes from having a personal day of rest, relaxation, restoration, and renewal. This was my day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm thankful for the money that came in the mail, and for the folks that sent it. God always knows when I'm going to be in need, and He is more than able to provide.
I'm thankful for the blessings of fellowship that I enjoyed today with so many wonderful friends, ending my day with the best one of all. And I'm thankful that I have a friend who sticks closer than a brother--Jesus Christ.
So what are you thankful for today?
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