Thanksgiving and praise are the only ways to come into God’s presence. You don’t come with begging, crying, whining or pleading.  The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for those that come to Him must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

If you really believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and you are coming to God in faith, you will come with thanksgiving and praise every time. If you really believed you would receive what you were requesting, thanksgiving would just come naturally. Have you ever had anyone that you knew, trusted and loved, tell you they were going to give you something? You probably started thanking them before you ever received what they had promised to give. How much more should we trust in God’s promises!!

Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Being thankful is the key to entering into God’s presence. That’s why Philippians states giving our requests to God “with thanksgiving.”

Being anxious is worrying, and worry is not really trusting that you will receive what was promised. All God’s promises are yes and amen!

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Let this New Year be a year of Thanksgiving and Praise.

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