SEVEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING- Day 1

1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his^a ;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100) 

Thoughts "Enter the Lord's gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise."  This is a phrase of someone excited and commanding others to be excited about worshiping God.  The gates were the gates of the Temple- or perhaps the golden gate of Jerusalem near the Temple.  The courts were the courts of the Lord where the people gathered to hear the Word of God, pray, and sing.  It is in these courts that we can sing to God's glory.  Why should we give thanks? 1) The Lord is God.  We can know that.  When we know God in our heart- then this is something for which we can give thanks.
2) He made us- that in itself is enough.  If we have life- give thanks for it while you can. 3) We are His- and He is ours.  There is this relationship of love between us and our Maker. We are not alone, but He watches over us.  4) vs. - His love endures forever- to every generation.  His love is new. Really, we have much to give thanks to the Lord.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your great love.  Thank you that you gave me life and gave me eternal life- knowing you.  You make me overflow with joy and thankfulness.