Unlocking God's Presence Through Thanksgiving and Praise

Devotional

Day 1: Thanksgiving Unlocks God’s Presence and Blessings

Thanksgiving is the key that opens the gates to God’s presence, granting us access to His favor, blessings, and fellowship. When we approach God with a grateful heart, we are not only welcomed into His courts, but we also draw His attention and experience the overflow of His goodness in our lives. Complaining and murmuring, on the other hand, lock us out and diminish what God has given us. Instead, let us cultivate a spirit of gratitude, knowing that every time we thank God, we are applying the key that unlocks His gates and welcomes His presence into our lives. [25:38]

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been complaining or feeling locked out? How can you intentionally turn that complaint into thanksgiving today and use gratitude as your key to enter God’s presence?

Day 2: True Gratitude Flows from the Heart

Gratitude is more than just words—it is a posture of the heart that recognizes all we have is from God. When we are genuinely thankful, our appreciation comes from deep within, not just from habit or obligation. This heart-level gratitude acknowledges that even the breath in our lungs and the life we live are gifts from God, and it humbles us to depend on Him rather than ourselves. As we reflect on God’s goodness, let us be intentional in expressing heartfelt thanks, recognizing that everything we possess is a result of His grace and mercy. [30:21]

1 Corinthians 4:7b (NKJV)
"And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"

Reflection: Take a moment to list three things you often take for granted. How can you express genuine, heartfelt gratitude to God for these specific gifts today?

Day 3: Testify and Journal God’s Goodness

One powerful way to cultivate a lifestyle of thanksgiving is to keep a gratitude journal and testify to others about God’s goodness. By recording and sharing the blessings, deliverances, and answered prayers we experience, our faith is strengthened and our hearts are guarded against complaint. This practice not only honors God but also encourages others and reminds us of His faithfulness, even in difficult times. When we make it a habit to remember and speak of what God has done, thanksgiving will naturally overflow from our lives. [39:14]

Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever."

Reflection: Start a gratitude journal today. What is one testimony of God’s goodness you can write down or share with someone else this week?

Day 4: Bless and Honor God’s Name

Blessing God’s name means honoring, exalting, and reverencing Him for who He is—not just for what He gives. The names of God reveal His character: He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Rapha, our healer; Jehovah Shalom, our peace. When we bless His name, we acknowledge His faithfulness, power, and love, and we glorify Him with all that is within us. Let us not only thank God for His gifts, but also worship Him for His unchanging nature and the security we find in His name. [50:21]

Psalm 103:1 (NKJV)
"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

Reflection: Which name or attribute of God means the most to you right now? How can you intentionally honor and bless God for who He is in your prayers and actions today?

Day 5: Thanksgiving Sustains Faith and Guards the Heart

A lifestyle of thanksgiving sustains our faith, keeps our hearts from becoming darkened, and aligns our thoughts with God’s truth. When we fail to glorify God or give Him thanks, our thinking becomes futile and our hearts grow cold. But as we continually give thanks, we remain sensitive to God’s presence and avoid the pitfalls of ingratitude and spiritual stagnation. Let us make it our aim to glorify God and give thanks with all our hearts, so that our minds and spirits remain open to His leading and blessing. [01:01:11]

Romans 1:21 (NKJV)
"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Reflection: Is there an area where you have become spiritually numb or negative? How can you use thanksgiving today to renew your mind and keep your heart sensitive to God?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the vital importance of thanksgiving, praise, and gratitude as the keys that unlock the presence and blessings of God in our lives. As we enter the ninth month of the year, it is by God’s grace and mercy that we are here, and we must not take this for granted. Every burden, sickness, or yoke brought into this place can be lifted and destroyed in the name of Jesus, as we choose to dwell in God’s presence. The enemy has no control over our lives when we remain in a posture of gratitude and praise.

Continuing from last week, we focused on how not to get locked out of God’s presence. Without thanksgiving, we are locked out, and our prayers may not reach God. Complaining and murmuring, as seen with the Israelites in the wilderness, diminish our blessings and can keep us from entering into God’s promises. Instead, cherishing and thanking God for what we have—even the little—invites increase and overflow. Thanksgiving is the key that opens the gates to God’s presence, and praise fills the courts. Every area of need—be it healing, provision, or peace—has a gate, and thanksgiving is the key to access it.

True gratitude is more than words; it is a posture of the heart. Recognizing that everything we have is from God keeps us humble and dependent on Him. Even the breath in our lungs is a gift. What we often take for granted is someone else’s prayer request. When we are faithful to thank God for the little, He knows we can be trusted with more. Jesus Himself modeled this, giving thanks before miracles, such as feeding the five thousand and raising Lazarus. He thanked the Father before the answer was visible, demonstrating faith and relationship.

We are encouraged to develop a lifestyle of thanksgiving—keeping a gratitude journal, testifying to others about God’s goodness, and always including thanksgiving in our prayers. Blessing God’s name means honoring Him for who He is—Jehovah Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Rapha, our healer; Jehovah Shalom, our peace. Thanksgiving, praise, and blessing His name are the divine protocol for drawing near to God. Let us not take His glory or praise for granted, but give Him thanks with all our hearts, so that we may continually enjoy His presence and mercy.

Key Takeaways

1. Thanksgiving is the key that unlocks access to God’s presence and blessings. Without a heart of gratitude, we risk being locked out, unable to experience the fullness of God’s favor. Complaining and murmuring, on the other hand, diminish what we have and can keep us from God’s promises, as seen in the example of the Israelites in the wilderness. [23:46]
2. True gratitude is a posture of the heart, not just words spoken out of habit or obligation. When thanksgiving flows from genuine recognition of God’s goodness and provision, it transforms our relationship with Him and keeps us humble. Everything we have—including life itself—is a gift, and acknowledging this keeps us dependent on God rather than self-sufficient. [30:21]
3. Faithfulness in thanking God for the little things is a test of our readiness for greater blessings. God often gives us small opportunities to see if we will appreciate and steward them well. When we are grateful for the little, God knows He can trust us with much, and He multiplies our blessings until they overflow. [33:34]
4. Thanksgiving and praise are not just about what God does, but about who He is. Blessing His name means honoring His character—His faithfulness, mercy, and holiness. When we focus our worship on God’s nature, not just His gifts, our hearts are anchored in trust and reverence, and we experience deeper intimacy with Him. [49:19]
5. Jesus modeled a life of thanksgiving, giving thanks before the answer was visible, demonstrating faith and confidence in the Father’s goodness. When we pray, we should thank God as if the answer is already on the way, trusting that He hears us. This posture of faith and gratitude draws God’s attention and releases His power in our lives. [53:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:46] - The Danger of Complaining and Murmuring
[25:38] - Thanksgiving: The Key to God’s Presence
[26:43] - Entering God’s Gates and Courts
[29:07] - The Heart Posture of Gratitude
[31:42] - Recognizing All We Have Is From God
[33:34] - Faithfulness in Little, Blessings in Much
[34:36] - The Miracle of Thankfulness
[35:25] - Thankfulness Keeps Us Humble
[39:14] - Keeping a Gratitude Journal
[40:11] - Testifying to God’s Goodness
[42:32] - Praying with Thanksgiving
[45:28] - Blessing and Honoring God’s Name
[49:19] - Worshipping God for Who He Is
[52:24] - Jesus’ Example of Thanksgiving
[53:50] - Thanking God Before the Answer
[63:21] - Giving Thanks with All Our Heart
[64:20] - Practical Thanksgiving and Prayer
[71:07] - The Sound of Celebration
[73:33] - Thanksgiving in Giving and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) — > Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
> And into His courts with praise.
> Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

John 11:41-42 (NKJV) — > Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

Psalm 107:1 (NKJV) — > Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
> For His mercy endures forever.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 100:4, what are the “gates” and “courts” that we are invited to enter, and what are the keys to entering them?
In John 11:41-42, what did Jesus do before performing the miracle of raising Lazarus, and why did He do it?
The sermon mentions that the Israelites missed out on God’s promises because of a certain attitude. What was that attitude, and what was the result? [[23:46]]
What does Psalm 107:1 say is the reason we should give thanks to the Lord?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that thanksgiving is more than just words—it’s a posture of the heart. What does it mean for gratitude to be a “heart posture” rather than just a habit? [[30:21]]
Why do you think God wants us to thank Him even for the “little” things, and how does this relate to being trusted with more? [[33:34]]
Jesus thanked God before the answer was visible (before Lazarus was raised). What does this show about His relationship with the Father and His faith? [[53:50]]
The sermon says that blessing God’s name means honoring Him for who He is, not just for what He does. How does this change the way we approach worship and prayer? [[49:19]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to avoid complaining and murmuring, as these can “lock us out” of God’s presence. What is one area of your life where you tend to complain? How can you intentionally replace that with thanksgiving this week? [[23:46]]
The pastor suggested keeping a gratitude journal or list. Have you ever tried this before? What are three things you can write down today that you are thankful for? How might this practice change your attitude over time? [[39:14]]
Jesus gave thanks before seeing the answer to His prayer. Is there something you are waiting on God for right now? How can you start thanking Him in advance, trusting that He hears you? [[53:50]]
The sermon says that what we take for granted is often someone else’s prayer request. Can you think of something in your life that you’ve overlooked or taken for granted? How can you show gratitude for it this week? [[32:45]]
Blessing God’s name means honoring Him for who He is—Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Shalom. Which aspect of God’s character do you need to focus on and praise Him for in this season of your life? [[49:19]]
The pastor encouraged us to include thanksgiving in every prayer. What would it look like for you to start every prayer this week with thanksgiving, before bringing your requests? [[44:13]]
The sermon says that faithfulness in thanking God for the little is a test for greater blessings. Is there a “small” blessing in your life that you have not appreciated? How can you show God you are grateful for it? [[33:34]]

Sermon Clips

What you are taking for granted, somebody may be praying for it. That is somebody's prayer topic. Hallelujah. If you want to go from God, learn to, you know, be thankful to him. Hallelujah. If a child is always thankful to a parent, trust me, the parents will not have difficulty doing good things for the child all the time. But if a child is unappreciated and always despising the little that the parent has done, the parent will be reluctant to do more for the child. That is the same between us and God. [00:32:50] (43 seconds) #ThankfulnessKeepsUsHumble

Thankfulness keeps us humble and dependent on God. Amen. Thankfulness, that's what? It keeps us humble and dependent on God. If you are not thankful to God, you are basically saying that, God, I can do without you. I am self-sufficient. May God forbid that we have that mentality. Sometimes you will not say with your mouth, but your actions will begin to communicate that to God. [00:34:53] (32 seconds) #ThankGodForEndlessMercies

Complaining about things simply means you don't believe God can do it. But if you believe God can do it, then you will not complain. What you will do, what does the scripture say? Cast your cares upon Him. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication. Let your request be made known to Him with thanksgiving. [00:42:42] (28 seconds) #PrayWithThanksgivingAlways

Thanksgiving and praise must not only focus on his gifts, but on who he is. So, blessing his name is basically, you know, blessing who he is. Appreciating who he is. That is what it means by blessing his name. [00:49:36] (17 seconds) #ThankGodForHisCharacter

If you understand this principle, The Bible says that whenever you pray, Believe that you have received it. And if you believe that you have received it, Then it will, It will begin to manifest. So if I understand a scripture like that, After I have prayed, I believe that I have received. So therefore, What do I do? I thank God. So, I will pray the prayer that Jesus prayed. Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [00:54:07] (28 seconds) #GodAlwaysMakesTimeForYou

David lays down a divine order thanksgiving opens the gate praise fills the court gratitude sustains the heart and blessing blessing his name glorifies God hallelujah thanksgiving opens the gate praise fills the court because it enters his gate into his court with praise gratitude sustains the heart and blessing his name glorifies God if you want God to draw near to you follow this protocol amen always thank him praise him glorify him hallelujah [00:57:55] (44 seconds) #StartPrayerWithThanksgiving

Don't start with your needs start with thanksgiving and praise because sometimes the need may be so overwhelming and they look you know impossible to achieve to the extent that the moment you enter your prayer closet that's what you are tackling first but no matter how pressing the need is always make room for thanksgiving before you bring your request and supplication because it's all the way you catch his attention in the name of Jesus [00:58:40] (30 seconds) #UngratefulnessLeadsToFutility

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