In thinking about my first love for Jesus, the sacrifice of thanksgiving came into to better focus.

This truth, this obedience is described in Psalm 50:23, “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show Him the salvation of the Lord.” (NIV)

--This is the practice of thanking God for things we don’t like because we know He has a plan and will use the uncomfortable for good.

--It is the pure exercise of faith, trusting Him more than we trust ourselves.

--It is the demonstration of humility, which is the doorway through which grace flows into our lives. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

--It is joining God in what He’s doing.

--It is honoring God.

--It is loving God through obedience.

--It is opening the way for Him to bring help, resolution, salvation to our situations

--It is also hard to remember.

Last week I had three frustrating episodes trying to accomplish things on the internet with repeated failures. I got more and more impatient, angry and unhappy because I entirely forgot to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

But when the Holy Spirit reminded me and I prayed, “Lord, forgive me for not thinking your thoughts and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving for these experiences that you allowed. I repent of this and right now I thank you for each one; I embrace them knowing that you allowed them for a reason. I lay aside my impatience and anger and replace them with faith.” And the irritation and complaining in my heart faded away. That’s what God wants for us, to fill us with all joy and peace, but we must trust in Him for them to come! (Romans 15:13)

I highly recommend offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving!  If you’d like to know more at this wonderful truth/practice, watch this

video on Edifyingservicespublishing.com.