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1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100 NRSV).
A most joyous of Mondays to you! Some schools are already on Thanksgiving break, and plans are being made now for trips from here to there, and from there to here. I pray the blessings and traveling mercies of the Lord be with you all. May these days with loved ones, family, and friends be a blessing to God and to you all.
I give thanks for you who read this devotional faithfully. This is the only pulpit I have access to, and I love to share these devotional thoughts with you in hopes they bless you and strengthen your walk with Jesus. Nellie and I love you and thank God for you. I hope you will make a list of all for which you are thankful and on that day (really, all days!) give God thanks for those people and things. Read both versions of this special Thanksgiving Psalm and see how the psalmist thought it was important to give thanks.
Here is the Psalm for this coming Thursday in the modern paraphrase of The Message Bible.
1 On your feet now - applaud God! 2 Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
The modern version lists this as the way: Applaud God as one way of giving thanks. Bringing a gift of laughter, and the gift of a song. Sing in such a way that the music and the message take you from the usual realm into the presence of God. And he reminds us: God is God, and God, God. God made you and me - never forget that! We are God's people; we are well-tended sheep of God's flock. To enter God's presence we now know the password, which is "Thank You!" We should feel at home in God's presence; the topic of conversation should be how to praise God. And again, thank Him. Then, worship Him. For our God is "sheer beauty, all-generous in love. God is loving always and forever.
PRAYER: Thank You, Heavenly Father. We have much for which we should thank You. May the list we have received from Your word bless and prepare us for Giving Thanks. In Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of gratitude today!
Blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
