We are officially in the last month of 2024. How have the previous eleven months been for you? Now, before you launch into sharing all you've endured, permit me to ask you to do one thing first: tell God 'thank you'. Yes, do that one, simple thing.
Did you do it? Are you sure? Then tell him 'thank you' once more.
We've all been through some interesting things over the course of the year. There have been moments that should have broken you and somehow, you are still standing. That 'somehow' was not your intelligence and it didn't depend on how good you've been. That somehow was and is the sheer grace of the Lord working for you.
So, tell Him 'thank you' once more. And say it with true intent this time.
There are many who began the year but are no longer here. There are those who are alive but so oppressed by their challenges that they can't lift their eyes to heaven and can't find cause in their hearts to acknowledge God with gratitude. Then there are those who are sick and dying. If they had known they would be in their current position, I assure you, they would have made it a point to give the Lord more appreciation when they could.
Speak to your spirit man. Tell yourself that it is time to worship the Lord God Almighty. You are privileged to do so and you should take advantage of that. David spoke to his very soul in Psalm 43:5 - Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
I encourage you to do the same this very day. Speak to your soul and command it to praise the Lord. Command your inner man to shake off the despair, the disillusionment, the disappointments, and everything else caging you from breaking into rejoicing.
Praise Him. Thank Him. Glorify Him. Exalt the King of kings.
TLDR: We are doing things a little differently today. It's Praise Day 2024!!! We're going to honor the Lord with our offerings of thanks during fellowship. Yes, Thanksgiving Day is over but let's keep it going. So prepare to love up on the Lord. Share your worship music. Tell the rest of us why you are grateful to God. Come armed with scriptures to glorify Him. Give lots of praise. We'll do this to commemorate December 2024 and to prepare us as we praise our way into 2025.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for this precious opportunity to honor You with our praises, thanks offerings, and worship. Thank You for the chance to gather in gratitude for what You have done in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.
You are great and greatly to be praised.
Lord, take all the glory and the honor.
Revelation 5:13 - Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
God, we rejoice in You. The King of kings. The Lord of lords. The God who is above every other god.
Words will never be enough to express the appreciation, awe, and reverence You truly deserve. I pray that these offerings will rise as a sweet-smelling scent to You, Lord.
Please remember those who poured out praises. May a scroll be written with their names on it. Remember them in their times of trouble. Remember them for entering Your gates with thanksgiving and Your royal courts with praises. Hallelujah!
IJN, I pray and say, Amen.