Thanksgiving as the basis of worship

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
 May the peace and grace from our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied in your life on this wonderful day! I pray for the Word of God to penetrate and strengthen your spirit, soul and body. We continue talking about the importance of thanksgiving in the life of a believer. Today I would like to discuss thanksgiving as the basis of worship. Grateful heart is the foundation of worship and godly living. Worship is life that is dedicated to God and it implies close interaction with God. It says in the Bible that God is looking for worshippers: 
 «But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth» (John, 4:23-24).
 God is seeking worshippers; it is not because He is selfish, but because He wants to bless people. Those who know God a little or know about Him know that God is love. He only wants good for people, so He seeks worshippers in order to bless them. There is fullness of life and happiness in the worship of God: 
 «You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore» (Psalm, 16:11).
 Worship contains not only fullness of life, but pleasures as well. Saint Augustine said: “ You created us for Yourself, and our hearts are full of confusion until we find our peace in You!» There is no peace for a human soul outside of God, because man was created to fellowship with God. God said through Prophet Isaiah: 
«This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise» (Isaiah, 43:21).
 We are created for God; we are created to find pleasure in Him, so outside of Him we won’t ever have real enjoyment. 
  • There is no enjoyment in work, no matter how good it is.
  • There is no enjoyment in education, even though it is important.
  • There is no enjoyment in art, even though it affects us.
  • There is no enjoyment in riches, even though wealth plays a significant role in human life.
We can only find true enjoyment and fulfilment in God! King David wrote about it in one of his psalms: 
«Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, like a leaning wall and a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his high position; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low degree are a vapour, men of high degree are a lie; if they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapour. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work» (Psalm 62).
 God seeks worshippers because through worship God wants to give them peace and fulfilment! So worship is the source of life fulfilment and thanksgiving is the foundation of worship. The lack of gratitude in a person’s heart robs him of the joy of the fellowshipping with God and the joy of ministering to Him. 
  • Thanksgiving to God is the reason of ministry!
 
  • Thanksgiving to God is the reason for sacrificial living!
 
  • Thanksgiving to God is the core of a holy life!
 May God help every one of us to fill our lives with thanksgiving through the truth of His Word! Till tomorrow!May God abundantly bless every one of you!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Similar Posts

  • How do we make sure that the Word of God abides in us?

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    Why are there so much fear, panic, disappointment, weariness and tiredness in the lives of many believers? It is because the Word of God does not abide in them. God wants us to be filled with the Word. When we read the word of God with the understanding that we need the word daily as our source of light and direction, then we are motivated to do read it even more. Since I want to be spiritually strong and able to overcome the wicked one, I want to have the understanding of God’s purpose for my life, I want His direction as to how to carry out my assignment and I want to walk in purity in my life – and for this very reason I read God’s Word and study it on a regular basis.

  • The generosity and hospitality that opens doors for God’s intervention

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There in the tent,” he said. Then the Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.”

  • The implanted Word of God changes an individual: his reactions, emotions, behaviour

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James, 1:21).For the Word of God to be implanted in you, you must ‘lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness’. If you are mad at everybody then you won’t be able to hear and comprehend the Word; you will read it, but it won’t work in your life. The process of engrafting requires a special treatment, protection in order to preserve the tree from infection. The same can be said about a human heart, – it must be protected from wickedness so that the Word of God could be planted and then bring forth fruit – the fruit of salvation.

  • The law of sowing and reaping

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes
    «Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life» (Galatians, 6:7-8).«For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live»(Romans, 8: 13)

  • Responsibility as a Key to Success! II

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 6 minutes
    You may have the throne, a title and a high position; but if you are irresponsible, you will lose authority and power. There is a reward for everything – for being responsible and for being irresponsible. Glory and authority belongs to the responsible people; the irresponsible one get disgrace and reproach.May God help you not shirk your responsibility to others! God will not give you more than you can bear. His grace is sufficient to help and to save you in every situation!