My dear friend, as you well know, not just anyone can waltz into the Oval Office of our president! There is a protocol that must be strictly followed to garner his attention. The Old Testament records how some Kings would kill anyone, even a queen who tried to go into their courts without being summoned or given the okay of the King's scepter. A protocol and special favor had to be granted to enter the King's palace and come to His throne.

Just as there is a protocol for entering the presence of a president or King, so there is a protocol for entering into the presence of the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords.

Psalms 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good, and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Ps 118:19-20 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. 

God is a good God and wants to give you more good than you are ready to receive! God wants us to believe him enough to thank Him even when it looks like our situation is impossible or things will not work out. You can be sure; thanking God even when we face difficult trials pleases him!

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)

It is important to note that God is not moved by need but by faith! There are many desperate needs across our hurting world that God cannot bring a solution to because access to Him is by faith alone. God needs those who are called by his name to rise up in faith! He needs his people who know what is theirs to, by faith, through prayer, unlock the storehouse of God's provision, blessing, and help.

We all know that there are big needs all across the world, but maybe today, you are facing some challenges, and you are the one who needs God's help. I love this verse in Psalm 50:23. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.  According to this Scripture, when a person chooses to offer God a sacrifice of praise (meaning they would rather complain but instead choose to be thankful), they access the salvation of God. The kind of faith that will ask God for the solution and thank him for the answer in the same breath is what God is looking for.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God loves it when you fully trust him, even when it looks impossible! Oh yes! This is the kind of faith that gets the attention of God and moves his mighty hand!

I am praying for you today. I believe God is causing you to be energized with His Spirit of faith and that by His Spirit, you will thank God even when it makes no sense! As you come before the King of Kings and the Lord of lords, please don't forget to give thanks because it is the protocol for…

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