Day 310- Monday Meditation: Enter His courts with praise

Yesterday, I woke up to read my IPhone devotional by Joyce Meyer on YouVersion.  The one I'm doing right now is focused on Hearing from God Each Morning.  The idea yesterday was that you enter into God's presence and are better able to hear his voice when you approach him with thanksgiving and praise.  The verse was Psalm 100:4 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."  I've never really made the connection with praise and presence.  The connection is clear though... though there are many postures we can approach God with, praise is ALWAYS appropriate.  Another verse came to mind when reading this morning, "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God (his presence), which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:4-7

Later, at church, we sang the song, Better is One Day in Your Courts by Matt Redman.  Yes, the presence of God is better than any lifestyle, possession, relationship, or esteem that we could possess.  So I asked God (forgetting my devo's this morning)... "How do I come into your courts?"  "How can I be near you?"  He answered with Psalm 100:4 and in the next song that we sang, 10,000 Reasons also by Matt Redman.  As if it wasn't clear enough yet, the sermon was about Thankfulness to God for for his love and redemption to bring us near to him (based on Col 1:12-14).  Okay God, I think I have message!  Please help me learn to have a thankful heart.  I want to be near you!

I think this is the perfect season to begin fostering a heart of praise and thanksgiving for my God.  I am truly blessed beyond my comprehension!

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name