Entering rooms, offices, homes is possible when we have the keys, or if anyone who has got the keys lets us in. We can also enter when we have access cards. Physical objects like keys or access cards are required to gain access to restricted areas.
Similarly, we need access keys or cards to enter the spiritual realms. To enter His gates, we need a special key, a special access card, that is thanks giving. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! (ref. Psalm 100:4) This key or access card is not a tangible one. The suitability of the key or the access card is not verified by any gatekeeper. This key at the gate to the compound of the Kingdom of God is always with us, hidden in our heart. Although you always have it, many still do not remember to use it. Some remember they have this key, yet they are not able to use it.
We can give thanks to God when we know for certain He is good. When we know with every cell of our being that God’s loving kindness endures forever, we can give thanks to God. God’s goodness and mercy are always a truth, but to understand this, to know this, we need to believe He is good. God’s goodness is not defined or limited by situation and circumstances. It’s always the same.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (ref 1 Chronicles 16:34a.)
A loving father can wrap his arms around his child. A loving father can also discipline his child with a punishment. The father’s nature of being a loving father does not change depending on his behaviour.
When we don’t understand a particular situation, we can choose to still believe God is good even in that circumstance, although we are not able to understand it. Not letting our understanding restrict our acceptance of the goodness of God is important to becoming thankful to God.
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will] (ref 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
When we receive specific breakthroughs, healing, touch, blessing, victories and others, we have a unique opportunity to thank God for His unique touch. We can share the details of specific circumstances and how in the midst of all the trials God came through for us and brought us a point of great rejoicing. In sharing the testimony, not only do we become wholesome in the blessing we receive, others who hear the testimony can receive a breakthrough. We will share specific details about this in another blog post.
And on that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name and by means of His name [in solemn entreaty]; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! (ref Isaiah 12:4)
The verses mentioned above provide great reasons for being thankful to God. And as we express thankfulness to God from our heart, we can experience the gates opening wide to the Kingdom of God.
Remember the gates of the Kingdom of God are very next to wherever you are. You don’t need to travel far and wide. You don’t need to spend time. The key within your heart will give you access wherever and wherever you desire.
