"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!  Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.  Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gate with thanksgiving."  Psalm 100:1-3
 
 
It's easy to serve the LORD with gladness and come before Him singing when all is going well.  But I noticed, as I'm sure you did, that the Psalm doesn't say to do this only when things are  going well.  No, not at all, we are exhorted, "Serve the LORD ... come before His presence ..."  And we are to know that the LORD, He is God, He made us and we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11)  Hanging on to this simple truth is what helps me follow the exhortation of this Psalm.  And this because I have the promise of Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  I know He will never leave me nor forsake me because He promises that He'll always be with me (Matt. 28:20) no matter what.
 
May you be encouraged by this simple exhortation that you and I may "Enter into His gate with thanksgiving."  After all, we truly do have alot to be thankful for, don't we?
 
Have a joyous day in our Lord!
April
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