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ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT: A HEART OF THANKSGIVING

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. -Psalm 100:4

The Psalmist says we enter his gates with thanksgiving. In other words, we can't even enter into God's presence, and enjoy a personal relationship with Him without a grateful heart. There are just two kinds of people in the world: the grateful and the grumblers. The grateful understand that everything they have is by God's grace. We have a right to nothing but Hell, for the wages of sin are death. (Romans 6:23) The only thing our good deeds have earned for us is an eternity where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. So, every morning I awake to discover I'm not in Hell I have something to be thankful for. Everything else is a bonus! The grumbler is the one who thinks he deserves something more than Hell. He even thinks he has a right to be -dare I say it- happy! The grumbler cannot enter into God's presence because he is separated by a heart condition that keeps him separated from God and from other people. Who wants to hang around with grumblers, except other grumblers?

A thankful heart is fundamental to any relationship, whether with God, your spouse or anyone else. We must first think, and know in our hearts when we try to relate with each other, "I thank God for His grace in my life, and you are part of it." Only when that foundation is laid can we begin to enjoy relationship with God, and with one another. What's the alternative? Living a life of grumbling here to be followed by an eternity in Hell? I'd rather be grateful. No matter what my circumstances, they are better than what I deserve, and I will be forever entering into His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart. Let's do it!

Question For The Both of Us: Do I sound like I am grateful for God's provision and blessing in my life, or do I sound more like a grumbler who thinks I deserve more? Could you give me some examples?

Prayer For The Both of Us: Lord, help us to know in our hearts that the only thing we deserve is an eternity in Hell. Everything else is a gift of your grace. Help us to enter into your gates, and into the gates of one another's hearts with thanksgiving and praise.