[MARCH 29] Thanks, God!

Read: Psalm 105:1-5

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!"

--Psalm 105:1

At RBC Ministries, our human resources team has developed an effective and encouraging program that centers around gratefulness.

When an employee notices something good another employee does here at the office, he or she can take a special "Thank You" card provided by human resources and write a note of appreciation. It's a good feeling to walk into your office and find one of those cards on your desk.

Isn't it great to be thanked for a job well done? Doesn't a good hearty "thank you" brighten your day? And doesn't it make your relationships a little more special--just to know that your work is not being taken for granted?

Everybody loves to be thanked. Even God. Our heavenly Father finds pleasure in our expression of thanks to Him. It's His will that we tell Him "Thank You." Give thanks in all circumstances," Paul said, "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18 NIV). The writer of Hebrews took it a step further by saying, "Let us be thankful, and so worship God" (12:28 NIV).

Keep looking for ways to improve your relationship with God. Don't forget what may be the most basic way to worship and honor Him: Tell Him "Thanks." --Dave Branon

Then let us adore and give Him His right,

All glory and power, all wisdom and might,

All honor and blessing, with angels above,

And thanks never ceasing for infinite love. --Wesley

REFLECT ON THIS:

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful heart.

[JANUARY 8] The Final Opening Ceremony

Read: Revelation 15

"All nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested" 

--Revelation 15:4

Some words used to describe the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics were awesome, breathtaking, and extravagant. One commentator observed, “This shows what happens when you give an artist an unlimited budget.”

When I heard this, I thought, That’s what God did at creation! He held nothing back. The resulting universe is stunning in beauty, staggering in complexity, extravagant in all regards.

The Olympic ceremony was perfect in its precision; but if just one drummer or dancer had decided to alter the artist’s vision, the whole ceremony would have been flawed.

That’s what happened shortly after creation. Unlike the Olympic producer, God allowed free choice, and His work of art was marred by Adam and Eve’s idea of a better way. In Isaiah’s words, “We have turned, every one, to his own way” (53:6).

God’s solution to our waywardness was unimaginable: The Artist paid the price to recreate what we ruined. One day, there will be another opening ceremony, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10). And those from every nation who have accepted God’s plan in Christ will worship together in the flawless New Jerusalem (Rev. 15:4). --Julie Ackerman Link

Yes, God was so great in creation,

But greater much greater in grace!

For when man had sinned and had grieved Him,

He sent Christ in his place! --Bennard

REFLECT ON THIS:

We have all eternity to praise God—begin today.