“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)

Thank You, Father, for all that You have done. Though I may not understand this world as well as I sometimes think I do, You are here providing for all. Lift me onto the upward path of walking humbly in Your sight and giving You praise at all times, knowing that You have wonderfully knit all things together for Your purpose. Your goodness is everlasting and Your faithfulness forever.

Take me away from those moments of confusion when I do not see Your hand. You are always present; I sometimes simply do not see this. Your provision is for all people at all times, even though many do not thank You for what You have provided. Lead me into the truth of Your presence that I would now and always walk as one who has faith, and trusts You in all circumstances.

Your goodness to all who trust You, O Lord, is above our ability to understand. You have provided for all. Grant this day that I would be thankful and appreciate all that is around me. Help me to see the small things and be grateful. Lead me to find joy in each moment and know that You are with me and all those around me. May my life be one of thanksgiving now and always. Amen.

“O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”  (Psalm 95:1-2)

The joy of the Lord is in knowing your purpose and place in creation.  The Lord offers to those who come to Him understanding.  Come into His presence and walk in the joy of the Lord.  Know the goodness He has brought through salvation.  Be thankful for life, salvation and the promise of eternal life.  He is the rock upon which Your life is built.  Every other place is constantly shifting, but the Lord is forever.  Come to Him and know His peace and goodness.

Lord, this world is constantly shifting, and no matter where I go or what I try apart from You, it is only for a season.  Guide me to enjoy what You give to enjoy, but to know that only in You is there hope and a tomorrow.  Lead me in the way You have established that I may walk according to Your Word and live in the joy that You give.  Fill me heart with praise and thanksgiving.

Lord Jesus, thank You for making the Way possible for all who believe.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go this day.  Fill my heart with Your peace and the joy You give that I may simply witness Your joy in this world.  In all I do, may it be a thank you to You for all that You have done.  You are the One through whom all things have their being and apart from You is nothing.  Amen.

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13)

It’s as though the United States Congress just put its entire military at your command, and you respond by saying, “Could they mow my lawn maybe?”  There our Lord Jesus sat, preaching the kingdom of God in all its cruciform power, and this young man wants him to settle a property dispute.  Our Lord’s response was surely just: “Who made me arbitrator over you?”  He’s no arbitrator; he’s the Son of Man and Prince of Peace!

As you come to our nation’s Day of Thanksgiving, remember this great power of the One whom you thank, and His greater, joyful intention for you.  The moisture of the clouds and the grains of the earth are but a foretaste of the “kingdom come,” already pressing its way into earth through the water of Baptism and the Bread of Heaven.  He would give you more than your father’s cash; He’d give you the Father’s kingdom.

How much reason, then, to give thanks!  As you come before Him over the next several days, give thanks not only for the food on the table, but for the Food that ever lasts, His Son, Jesus Christ, and ask Him to share that Holy Feast abundantly, through you and all His Church.

LET US PRAY: O living Bread, my Lord Jesus Christ: thank You!  For what greater reason do I have to give thanks but You?  Unite my gratitude, as poor as it may be, with Your own ceaseless petitions at the Father’s right hand, and make known to all the world the glory of Your cross.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.  “Now consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.   “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.””  (Psalm 50:21-23)

For a time, people seem to get away with mocking the Lord.  But they will never get away with mocking the One who made all things.  For a time, so it seems, but time runs out and then all will face their Maker.  Do not be as the fools of the earth who make such mockery, but learn from the Lord, for He is kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The Lord offers full life to those who come to Him.

Lord, help me learn to be thankful in all circumstances.  I too have been caught up in the ways of the world and do not react thankfully to situations.  Lord help me learn to sacrifice without expecting a reward.  Help me to be content without expecting more.  Let me walk in Your ways that I may see Your ways and know the truth of life, liberty and salvation.  Teach me to be like You.

Lord Jesus, You have come that all who turn to You would be taught the way of eternal life.  Guide me O Lord in the way I should go and then by Your grace, enable me to go there.  Help me now and always to listen to Your Word and then help me to put it into action in my life.  Through all things, keep my eyes upon You by the power of the Spirit that I would learn to be faithful.  Amen.

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”  But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth?”  (Psalm 50:14-16)

What is it you can give the Lord?  What is it He needs?  The Lord desires to be in a love relationship with you.  What you can give Him is yourself.  Make the sacrifice and give your life to Him.  See what He will do with what you give Him.  Is He not more than able to do all things through Christ who strengthens you?  Can He not do as He wills with what is His own?

Lord, this simple principle is hard to understand, yet this is the very thing that You ask.  You ask me to give myself to You that I would become like Christ.  Help me to do this very thing through Your Holy Spirit.  Lead me in the way I should go that I may go there and be one who walks in Your will.  It is truly no sacrifice to be whom You have created me to be.  Help me get out of the way.

Author and finisher of my faith, lead me in the steps You have me walk this day to accomplish the Father’s will on earth as it shall be done in heaven.  Lead me away from the never-changing circles of this world to seek first Your kingdom knowing that everything else that is needed shall be added after this.  Lead me today in the way I should go and help me to follow Your steps.  Amen.