AN ENCOURAGING WORD
Prepared by Pastor Mark Stewart
The other Sunday as I was getting ready for church, I was convicted about my attitude. I had just read Psalm 100 in my devotion that morning which said:
"Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Enter his gates with Thanksgiving..." (Psalm 100:2,4 NLT)
Even though I wanted to go to church, I realized that I was not bringing with me a joyful heart or a spirit of thankfulness. Instead, I found that my thoughts had drifted to the things I wished were different in my life. It wasn't long before I was feeling neither joyful nor thankful.
Fortunately, the Lord pointed this out to me. I quickly confessed to Him that I was wrong to not be thankful and to have allowed my circumstances to steal my joy. I sang joyfully during the worship time and the Lord met me in a wonderful way that morning.
What is your attitude as you go to church? Does your attitude keep you away from church?Are you glad to be in God's presence? Are you distracted with all your upcoming responsibilities? Do you have a grumpy spirit? Have the problems of your life taken away your joy?
I have noticed that my attitude is always a reflection of how much I am trusting in God. If I am not thankful or enjoy the prescence of God in my life, then I have let the problems and pressures of life become greater than God.
How's your thankfulness and joy today? Could you use an "attitude change?" Why not let the Lord cleanse and renew your heart today?
Here's for a week with a new attitude!
Pastor Mark Stewart