Being Thankful - An Old Fashion Approach?



Giving thanks is NOT an old fashion approach to God! Scripture clearly tells us to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving." What a powerful directional move toward to the throne of God. And no, this is not another "method to holiness" type of teaching, or five steps to "God's presence" lesson. I like to keep things really simple. It is just an old tried and true good word.



Ask me how I know? Ok, I will tell you my story. Recently I came home from a long but fruitful mission trip to Germany. Yes, I was jet lagged and tired and even a little sick. But most of all I was empty and feeling really far from God. I couldn't get my spiritual bearings with the Lord. My quiet time "schedule" had been so changed and even non existent on many days.



I tired to read my Bible. I tried to journal and soak in His presence. But, for me there was none of the sense of His Presence to be felt. At least not in the way I have grown accustomed to know the Holy Spirit. Dry. Flat. Nothing. Where am I God? Or better yet, "where are YOU God?" (Please don't jump on me, I KNOW the Lord is ALWAYS present and it is "not about feelings".) I just happen to like His touch, ok?



Now at nearly sixty, I have been around the mountain a few times. But, this trip was taking a long time. I needed fresh manna and fresh fire to cook it on. Then I listened to an old tape recording, yes a cassette tape. Graham Cooke was teaching about thanksgiving. "Enter His into gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4



We all like to stay firmly planted in the inner courts with the Lord, living from glory to glory because the throne room has become a reality. BUT, it just doesn't always happen! Yes? So, like a child (oh how Jesus loves child like faith) I began my morning quiet time the next day this way: "Thank you Lord for my life, for my health, for my hubby, my family, my friends, Your grace, Your goodness, Your love and lots of Etceteras. In no time I knew the gates were in sight! I would love to say the angels all lined up to greet me that morning. But, no, or at least I did not see them. What did happen is this little lost lamb began to find her way back home by a simple but tried and true homing pigeon approach:

In and for everything GIVE THANKS!


So, if you can't pray just now, or sense His Presence; if you feel empty and dry, take a baby step towards the gates of His Glory by giving thanks. Express thanks for one thing at a time. Start with simple things like "thank you Lord that I have eyes to see this page, skin on my bones, clothes on my skin." You know, keep it basic and grow and go from there. Your day and your life will never be the same!


I am thanking the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for you today! Hey, that prayer made me feel good too! There's nothing old fashioned about saying "Thank You!"