Revival Times 2017 November 2017 | Page 28

update COME BEFORE THE LORD WITH THANKSGIVING It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night Psalm 92:1-2 O ur annual KTLCC Thanksgiving Service, this year on Wednesday 22 November, is a time to pause for a special time of thanksgiving to the Lord! When you give thanks to God you show your deep appreciation for what he has done for you. Notice also that you are called to give thanks – that is why it is often called an offering. Giving God thanks shows your gratitude, and you complete the blessing. Thanksgiving is part of God’s spiritual provision for us and has a three-fold purpose: • Thanksgiving opens the way into the presence of God. As you come before him with thanksgiving he brings his presence to you. • Thanksgiving is your appropriate response to God. When you give thanks to him you respond to something that he has done for you. This response is right and proper, and gives God the glory that he is due. • Thanksgiving is an act of faith. That is why God tells you to mix your praying with thanksgiving. It reminds you of what God has done for you in the past. And it encourages you to trust him for the future. Some people wonder how it is possible to give God thanks in all circumstances. Surely God doesn’t expect thanks when things are going wrong? But yes, he does! Things look very different from God’s perspective. He sees the bigger picture, so what may look very bad to us, in the end will work out to God’s glory. Remember also that God’s goodness and loving kindness remain constant, no matter what your circumstances. Every day, as you get up thank God for his loving kindness in the morning. And every night give him thanks for his faithfulness you experienced that day! Lord, I come before you with thanksgiving. I give you thanks for your goodness, your mercy and your truth. I bless your name for your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness every night. I thank you for your presence with me at all times. I thank you that you never leave me nor forsake me. I thank you that you provide for me and take care of me in all my circumstances. I celebrate with joy your triumphant victory at the cross. I thank you that you are the living, resurrected Lord. I wonder at your love to me and your patient dealings with me. I thank you that you remember my sins and iniquities no more. And I thank you that one day you are coming again that I may be with you forever in the Father’s kingdom. 28 Revival Times November 2017