Come With Thanksgiving

Come With Thanksgiving

Psalm 95

Good Morning

There are many forces at work within the universe. Gravity is a potent force in the universe, much more powerful than we stop to realize at times.

In 1971, after a year and a half of training, James Irwin walked on the moon during the U.S. Apollo 15 space mission.

While on the moon, James Irwin had a heart attack but because of the difference in gravity between the moon and the earth, there was a lot less stress on his heart.

And because of the difference in gravity, the heart attack didn’t have the adverse effects it could have had if Irwin been on Earth

James Irwin said he felt God’s love and presence in a powerful way while on the moon, and he also sensed a nearness and presence of God that he never anticipated.

James Irwin said he came to know the LORD personally, as he developed an attitude of thankfulness for all that the LORD had done for him.

There are forces stronger than gravity at work all around us, some push us away from Jesus, while others pull us closer towards Him.

Thankfulness is an attitude we should express every day.

Please open your Bibles to Psalm 95

Today, we will talk about being thankful to the LORD, not only in moments of worship, but also by training our minds and attitudes to always give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

Some people say they do not know who wrote Psalm 95, but the best commentary on scripture is other scripture. Hebrews 4:7 tells us that King David was the author of Psalm 95.

I. Worship displayed with thanksgiving.

Read Psalm 95:1-2

Psalm 95 begins with David calling God’s people to give thanks and come to the LORD in worship, through singing.

Some people don’t like to sing to the LORD; however, singing is an important way to honor and worship the LORD.

The first truth about coming to the LORD is it requires someone to believe in Him to have the desire to come to Him.

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. NKJV

Having faith in the LORD requires two things:

1. Faith means we believe the LORD (revealed in scripture), exists, not just the fact there is a god somewhere out there.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! NKJV

So, faith involves believing in Elohim, the triune God revealed to us through God the Son, Jesus Christ.

John 14:8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."

John 14:9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. NKJV

2. Faith requires a person to believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

We must believe that the LORD is real and that He will reveal Himself to the seeking heart. Diligently means to investigate, scrutinize, or to seek out for one's self, to beg, or to crave.

Shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Jesus is the Rock!

Christ-followers should honor and worship the LORD with a happy, enthusiastic heart.

Of course, there is a time for somber and reflective worship, but as the children of the Most High God, we have a lot to be happy and thankful for.

We are to give the LORD worship, praise, and glory for who He is and all that He has done.

Once filled by the Holy Spirit, believers automatically have a desire to worship God and to encourage others to worship Him.

We are told to “Come before His presence with thanksgiving”.

Thankfulness is a discipline. Like any spiritual discipline, it takes a work of the Holy Spirit, but it also takes practice and hard work on our part, as we die to ourselves.

We should also meditate on the blessings we already have…

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. NKJV

Chuck Swindoll gave a list of God’s gifts in his book, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity:

• Eyesight

• Dexterity in your fingers

• Skills that allow you to work

• Leadership abilities

• Education

• Family

• Clothes, A place to sleep, and Food to eat.

I would add, the Love of a good God towards us, the Word of God, Eternal Salvation, and so much more.