Entering with Thanksgiving
“Entering the Gates and Courts with Thanksgiving”
The first order of business in going to the Tabernacle was dealing with the flesh of animals at the entrance. Because fire, blood, and death were needed by the priest in order to continue giving the one true God an acceptable thanksgiving offering, this Old Testament word picture symbolizes just how powerful our flesh is when attempting to enter into prayer and thanksgiving.
Paul said in the last days, men will be unthankful. We see an increase in discontented people who covet the things of others. Ultimately, the flesh of a man is never satisfied. So God accepts a thanksgiving offering of praise, worship, and prayer that first starts with the Apostolic believer submitting the will of the flesh unto God. This often requires a strong passion in our spirit to bring our carnal desires under the control of the Holy Ghost.
For example, intentionally blocking out all distractions and voices to silence the soul in real, intimate worship.
Bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ.
Training my spirit to listen for the voice of God more than my list of petitions I want to share with God.
Now I am bringing the death of my will, the fire that goes with brokenness and repentance. The blood of Jesus is activated by my dying out in faith to his written Word. So, my thanksgiving has anointing to it. God receives the sacrifice of praise when it comes from the brazen altar of our hearts.
To find quiet time during the holidays to present God your own private thanksgiving meal of acceptable worship from a brazen altar.
To go out of your way to express thanksgiving to people you don’t acknowledge all the time. Do this in a deliberate and thoughtful way.
To pray against the spirit of coveting in the local church and your family.
To ask God to increase the fear of God in the local church and your family.
Pray for godliness and holiness amongst the saints during these holiday times of commercialization.
Pastor Don Rogers
The Pentecostals of Wisconsin
WNOP North Central Area Prayer Coordinator
(Information from: Prayer Connect Newsletter – World Network of Prayer – floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)
