"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)

This powerful exhortation from the Psalmist David reminded the Jews of old to come to the temple of the Lord and be thankful to God for all their blessings, both natural and spiritual.

Today, we celebrate a holiday that is both uniquely Christian and American. It is a day that is often just passed over as a few days off from work between Halloween and Christmas. But, as American Christians, this should be a VERY special day dedicated to the Lord!

We have been blessed to live in a land of freedom and liberty for over 200 years. Let us not forget that amidst the turkey, football, and Black Friday sales.

We have been blessed to worship freely as we choose any day and any location. But how many will use this occasion to actually miss worship service? At a time when additional thanks and praise should be going up to God, is there actually less?

David's words have an added blessing in this exhortation. We New Testament saints cannot go into the temple. No, but we have a much greater place to worship God. We can now, by the purchased right of Jesus, enter into the very thrown room of God and worship Him without a veil or imagery in between. We can enter His PRESENCE!

Where is this wondrous place you may ask? It is you local church!

Remember to thank the Lord on THANKSgiving Day, and then go to your home church if you are in town. If friends and family are visiting, bring them along! If you are out of town, find a local church and enter into His gates with songs of praise and thanksgiving!