Tag Archives: thanksgiving

FaceTime With Thanksgiving

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We ought to face “Time of fulfillment” with thanksgiving because we are a day closer to the appointed time of our unanswered prayers.

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ (Ephesians 1:9,10).

The Jews waited and waited for the promised Messiah, but when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, the Messiah (Galatians 4:4).  There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3).

God has set time for us to be born, to die, to get married, to work, to retire, etc. He will not move the time of fulfillment the way we move away from a baby to get them to take more steps. That means as each day passes by we are a day closer to that time.  When we understand this truth, our sighing, “How long, Oh Lord,” will change to, “wow Lord, the time is getting closer.”  We can face Time thanking God knowing that we are a year, a month, a day and an hour closer to our answers.  

His children have the comfort of knowing that God though timeless and eternal is with us right now.  He is in time with us to give us what He promised before the beginning of time.  Let us daily face Time with shouts of joy and thanksgiving.

 

From Applause to Standing Ovation

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God appreciates and acknowledges our applause (thanksgiving) but He is moved by our standing ovation (praise and worship).

A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up after an extraordinary performance or an enthusiastic recognition of a person as he enters or exits.  A few months ago, in my personal time of worship, the Lord brought this picture to my mind.

Picture yourself in an arena or a stadium waiting to honor someone you adore.  There is laughter, conversations and the sound of noisemakers; it’s an atmosphere of celebration.  As the honoree walks onto the stage, everyone applauds to welcome the person.  He acknowledges and takes a seat.  While the speaker introduces the person and talks about his contributions to society, people applaud on and off.  Almost everyone in the crowd has a personal story to tell.  The speaker finishes his speech with a touching personal story of his own.  The audience applauds once again in appreciation.  Some go beyond applause and start to whistle and a few others start to shout what the person meant to them.  Before long the crowd is on their feet clapping, whistling and shouting with joy.  The honoree waves his hand in acknowledgment.  As the crowd goes wild, he stands up and waves his hand again to acknowledge them.  

Every child of God has a personal story to tell about what Jesus has done.  Our spontaneous outbursts of praise and worship will encourage others to worship God.  Psalms 68:1 says, may God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him (KJV).  Imagine God rising up from His throne as we worship.  We read in 2 Chronicles; when people worshiped, God moved and the enemies fled.

King Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness when they faced the enemies.  As they began to sing and praise, the Lord moved, he set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir (2 Chronicles 20).

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise (Psalms 100:4a). Our Lord is worthy to receive a standing ovation not just a clap offering.  Enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus and worship the King of Kings.  

Crippled Beggar’s Thanksgiving

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(Song: Acts 3:1-10)

Peter and John went to pray.
they met a lame man on the way
He asked for alms and held out his palms,
and this is what Peter did say
Silver and gold have I none,
but such as I have give I you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
The man went walking and leaping and praising God,
Walking and leaping and praising God,
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”.

A man crippled from birth was carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday out side the gate to beg from people going into the temple courts (Acts 3:2).  One day Peter and John were going up to the temple to pray and this man asked them for money.  But they gave him more than what he was expecting, he received complete healing.  Peter reached out, took him by the right hand, helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  Then, he went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Am I a crippled beggar?

When my prayer is only for my needs (bless me, give me, help me, protect me, guide me), I am a crippled beggar being brought into the “temple” to beg.  Jesus wants me to have more than daily sustenance.  He wants me to be with him inside the temple joyfully praising God.

Lord, thank you for lifting and strengthening me and I worship you because of your faithfulness.  Heal me of my crippled attitudes, actions, wants and ways so I will be in your presence daily enjoying your fellowship.  Lord, transform me from a beggar to a worshiper.

Dear child of God, what are the things in your life that are carrying you to the temple gate to beg instead of going to the Holy of Holies to worship?  Are your children, spouse, health, finances, fear of lack, greed for more, or trying to keep up with the “Kardashians,”  the only reasons you pray?  

Jesus is reaching out his hands to lift you up and strengthen your feet and ankles to walk with him into His Presence.  Reach out your hands, take hold of his and enter into the gates with thanksgiving and into the courts with praise (Psalms 100:4).