As we come into this week of Thanksgiving I want to encourage each of you to truly reflect on the time you give to praising and worshiping our Lord! The holidays can get so busy that I think we can sometimes lose our fellowship with the Lord, but really praise and worship are a daily essential in our christian walk.

“I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4

When I think about how faithful God is to me, I can’t even comprehend not falling on my knees and lifting my hands in praise to Him, but I will confess that there are days that my praise and thankfulness are not what they should be. In times of busyness, like during the holidays, I find my focus can be filled with anything but genuine praise. It is times like this that I need a heart check because true worship comes from the heart. When I get distracted with the worldly side of the holidays I lose my fellowship with the Lord.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

How encouraging though, to be reminded that even though I may get distracted, God is still faithful. He is always willing and ready to give us mercy and grace. He forgives us when we get busy and too invested in things of this world. Thank God that we have the Holy Spirit to draw us back and remind us that God is worthy of our praise and thankfulness!

So I just want to encourage you this holiday season to stay in the word, pray without ceasing, and be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit! As soon as your eyes open every morning take a moment to praise and thank God for His blessings. Even during hard times we need to trust that He will care for us and sustain us and all of our needs.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4