Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100)  KJV

We are currently experiencing an early spring and above-seasonal temperatures, and most of us were pleasantly surprised at the unexpected blessing we woke up to this morning. The birds were out early and I could hear their singing long before I got out of bed.  The calendar says spring will come later this week, but the birds take their cue from the One who calls the stars by name … I took my cue from the birds as I headed off to corporate worship.

The atmosphere outside lent itself to the beautiful atmosphere of worship. We sang our praises unto the Most High and danced with joy in His presence as we placed our worship at the feet of the Almighty. His gates were alive with thanksgiving to Him, and His courts were filled with the sounds of praise. Like the birds, we offered our heart-songs to the giver of life, as we left our circumstances behind and celebrated Him. It was, in a word, beautiful.

There are days when the praises will seem harder to release, when the pressures will seem closer, and when the birds would have flown to warmer places in the south. Even then, we can choose to praise, because He is worthy, and what we offer to Him is not conditional upon the way we feel.

His words say we should give thanks in everything and for everything. A good way to know how we are doing is to journal our thoughts on a daily basis. That way we can look back and see what we went through and how He brought us over.

What is your journal looking like these days? Would this week be a good week to practice thanksgiving and praise?

Inventory/Introspection: Am I singing with the birds, or am I allowing my praise to be dictated by what others say?

Personal application:  Times and seasons are in His hands, but my actions can interfere with His plans. What ‘out of season’ miracle will I allow Him to bring about in my life?

Father, we are grateful that You provide us with many examples of praise. We are thankful that nature praises You the way it does, and that even the birds sing their songs to the glory of Your name.

We are also thankful for an early spring. For many, the winter brought uncertainty and dark cold periods, but thankfully, spring has come!  For some, all that is visible are buds and new leaves which herald a promise of greater things, but there is joy in knowing that the season has ended, and beauty and rain will come again.

We are thankful for the Joy that greeted the world at springtime, many, many years ago. The Voice that the grave had tried to silence arose and brought peace and hope to those who waited for the promised miracle. I pray that those who yet wait will soon find peace, and that Spring will come in their lives today.

Amen

Blessings,
ann

Toni R
(c)

Except where indicated, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

© Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s Blog, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


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