EXPRESSION OF THANKSGIVING 

The Bible instructs us to dance, play musical instruments, and do all kinds of outward things to express worship to the Lord (See 47:1); 150:3, 4. We need to do this, for it brings a release in our lives, it honors God, and it aids in defeating the enemy of God.

They’re not all denominations that teach people to express their PRAISE and worship outwardly. We need to be quiet and respectful before the Lord at the time, but we also need to express our emotions in prayer. I am convinced that God gave us feelings for more purposes than just being enthusiastic at a ball game, soccer, and any athletic sports or about a new house. Indeed, God wants us to employ our emotions to express our love and gratitude to Him.

I am not encouraging unbridled emotion. People who get “emotional” all the time in worship can be distracting. What we need is balance. If we had a proper emotional release during PRAISE and worship, we might not release emotions in other improper ways. Out emotions are just as much a part of us as our body, mind, will, or Spirit. God gave us emotions, which must be cared for just like the rest of us. We are not to be controlled by emotions because they are fickle or untrustworthy, but we cannot stifle or adversely affect them.

I think it is tragic not to allow people the freedom to express their hearts and their love for God in a balanced way. It is wrong to be so afraid of something getting out of balance that we cut it off altogether. It is also a bad idea to do things the same way because we have always done them. We all must be open to growth, which always involves change. JESUS said that He could not pour new wine into old wineskins, meaning some of the people’s old ways had to be (see Matthew 9:17). They had to ” let go” of old things and take hold of the new, fresh things. Knowledge and revelation are progressive; if things (such as your worship and praising the Lord) are not moving forward in your life, they are at the point of dying and decreasing.

I encourage you to be expressive in your PRAISE and worship. Do this at home, in your private moment, in praying time, in the car, or wherever you feel singing when you play a CD. Do this at home if you attend a church where it would be unacceptable in public services. I also encourage you to pray that everyone will be taught to worship God. He genuinely deserves to be cherished and praised.

We all have many things to be thankful for in this life. But, the problem is that in my case, I get into the bad habit of taking them for granted, and sadly, I often only see what I don’t have. As time went by, I learned how to be thankful, which will help me develop a habit of thankfulness. I fully realize how God has blessed me, and I will be highly grateful for God and His provision in my life. I genuinely want to share it with you all. 

Most people who live in other countries or Western nations are used to having plenty of clean water, amenities, facilities, healthy food, good clothes, lovely homes, excellent education, schools, hospitals, convenient transportation, safety and security, law and order, freedom of religion, freedom in general terms such as speech, press, and other releases in the society. We forget that millions of people worldwide do not enjoy these beautiful BLESSINGS. However, I should be more thankful for where I came from when I went to the country where I lived for three decades in Australia. I know the life where I was born compared to where I am now. There is no comparison to convenience in life being brought up where I lived. On the other hand, I have experienced many good things in different issues, such as knowing the traditions, culture, moral values, and family closeness.

I believe that maintaining an attitude of gratitude requires us to do it on purpose. I take time daily to think about my BLESSINGS and voice my appreciation to God for His continual goodness in my life in every circumstance. How about you? How much have you changed? How far have you come since you became a Christian? Is there any difference between accepting Jesus as Lord and being a born-again Spirit-filled Christian? How much happier are you? Do you have hope? Are you more blessed? Are you more peaceful than you were before? We may not be yet, but I thank God we may not be where we used to be, for there is always plenty to celebrate if we look for it. For those who read the Bible, you and me, as we thoroughly study the Bible, show us that the men and women God used in mighty ways always had the attitude of celebrating, praising, worshipping, and thanksgiving what God had done. They always openly showed appreciation and thankfulness for little and big things, for they did not take His goodness for granted. So, I would like to share it with you in this book. Have you noticed that we always compare our lives to others or things they have?

Excerpt from Roselyn Van Dyk’s books available at Amazon Kindle Store. These books are for edification, insight, encouragement, love, grace, and more for spiritual insight that want hope for good.