Thanksgiving Meditation - Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Today’s message is entitled: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Psalms 100: 1-6 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours! Our broken world is filled with anger, distrust, and war, I choose to pray for peace and work to extend the love of Jesus to others. This year, the Otis T. McMillan Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. team is giving thanks for many things this season and wanted to pause to tell you how thankful we are for you. We are thankful for how you serve and share the love of Jesus in diverse communities in the United States and throughout the world.

We are thankful to have gathered with you another year online as we have made significant shifts to serve our community with a common cause of sharing the love of Jesus with others.

We are thankful to pursue with you the greatest cause on earth establishing the kingdom of God by making disciples for Jesus Christ, who make disciples who build up and plant churches in every nook and cranny of our culture. The Psalmist, King David of Israel said it this way in Psalms 100 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 100 is a discourse of thankfulness to God for his goodness, gracious benefits, and abundant blessings. The psalm amplifies our privilege of access to God, our duty of thankfulness to God and the many wonderful reasons we must be joyful! Think about the privilege of access you have, the duty of thankfulness and the reasons for enjoying both. “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” God is good in spite of our disappointment, delays and discouragements, in spite of our missteps, bad decision and wrong turns. We should all be thankful that His mercies endure forever. Because of God’s great mercy we are not destroyed. Finally, what a joy that his truth endures forever. With deception and lies around every corner, scams all around, injustice and abuse, many using their power and position as a criminal enterprise, it is good to know that His truth endures forever. In the light of His truth, lies of this age will crumble. That’s a reason to be thankful! This year, we have provided ministry for 110 events in several states, various denominations, hospitals, and schools.

I thank God for every soul that was saved, life that was changed and hope that was restored. A special Thanks to my wife of 55 years who travel and assist with every presentation. The Dimensions of Praise, who helps me with the vocals and music. Team members Mrs. Tonia R. Dewar; Minister Joyce Elaine McIntyre, Minister Oscar T. McMillan, Brother Laconical Esthers, and Pastor Larry Carter of the Household of Faith World Outreach Center all assist with this ministry.

A special thanks to our consistent financial partners in Evangelism: Bishop George N. Matthew and the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Leo and Gloria Barnwell of Faith Community Church, Lumberton, NC; Timothy and Michelle McMillan of St. Albans, Maine, Rev. Tonya Sims of Mount Hebron AME Zion Church, Mobile, Alabama, and a host of others who faithfully pray for us on this journey!

Mt 10:41-42 “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

All of you have demonstrated your support in a wonderful way. During this season, it is a joy to share ministry with you. May God continue to bless you and cause your ministry and endeavors to always be fruitful and give you all a full reward.