“Offer unto God Thanksgiving; and pay your vows unto the most high.” (v.14)
There are many things one could offer to God, and from many different motivations. But the one "offering" that is always acceptable to God, is praise and thanksgiving out of a pure heart. Scripture tells us to; "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). This is so easy to do, and is an incrediable witness when done spontaneously with a sincere heart, as it glorifies God in our daily lives.
Paying our vows on the other hand should not be done spontaneously, but with prayerful consideration and a willing heart. Thankfulness can sometimes bring emotional responses followed by statements of promise which are but a momentary outburst. A wise man will temper his vows to God with prayer to align himself with scripture; “Let your ‘yes' be ‘yes', and your ‘no' be ‘no’" (Matthew 5:37), when considering your service to Him, and do all things as unto the LORD.
Today as we are all focused on the many blessings we have received, and are grateful for God's hand of provision in our lives, may we give Him thanks from a pure heart, remembering to do it continually in our daily lives, and consider prayerfully how we might best serve Him in return that we might hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
God Bless you all and "Happy Thanksgiving!"
There are many things one could offer to God, and from many different motivations. But the one "offering" that is always acceptable to God, is praise and thanksgiving out of a pure heart. Scripture tells us to; "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). This is so easy to do, and is an incrediable witness when done spontaneously with a sincere heart, as it glorifies God in our daily lives.
Paying our vows on the other hand should not be done spontaneously, but with prayerful consideration and a willing heart. Thankfulness can sometimes bring emotional responses followed by statements of promise which are but a momentary outburst. A wise man will temper his vows to God with prayer to align himself with scripture; “Let your ‘yes' be ‘yes', and your ‘no' be ‘no’" (Matthew 5:37), when considering your service to Him, and do all things as unto the LORD.
Today as we are all focused on the many blessings we have received, and are grateful for God's hand of provision in our lives, may we give Him thanks from a pure heart, remembering to do it continually in our daily lives, and consider prayerfully how we might best serve Him in return that we might hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
God Bless you all and "Happy Thanksgiving!"
