So it’s the day after Thanksgiving. Many resume their busy schedules which don’t leave them any time to thank God, to pray or to meditate on His word. Thanksgiving is only a holiday for them. It was the same way during Jesus’ earthly ministry. There were many religious people around Him. He knew their hearts. In Matthew 15:8, Jesus said: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me”. Wow, that is very revealing. My question to you today is: Are you praising God with a grateful heart every day? Are you mixing your daily praise with genuine thanksgiving? Our Lord Jesus knows our hearts, and gratitude and thanksgiving pleases HIm. It pleases Him when we thank Him on Thanksgiving day, but true thanksgiving is an everyday relational experience, and thankful people will see all of the hidden blessings all around them, while the unthankful will miss God’s greater blessings. Remember this: This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24), even the day after Thanksgiving is the day to praise Him and be thankful!
Don’t worry. He will help and strengthen you!
It’s takes a firm commitment and love to walk uprightly. While most people don’t care what they say, think or do, those who love God choose to please God in their daily lives. King David said this: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). He prayed to God for help to live righteously because he knew that without God’s help, he would mess up. He knew that God was not only His Redeemer, He was also his strength. You might be going through a challenge living for God in the midst of an unredeemed world, but be reminded today that God is your strength and redeemer. He will help you to live uprightly before Him. And even when you mess up, His love and forgiveness are always there for you. Be strengthened today. There are those who are observing you, and they are thinking “if he can live for God, then maybe I can to. Have a blessed weekend!
