Sunday Scripture
I have a bag for everything. Maybe you do as well? If I grab the right bag as I walk out the door, I’m in business. This morning, with “the church bag” in hand, I’m pondering this question:
What do you bring with you when you come to God?
Psalm 95 suggests thanksgiving as cargo:
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” (Psalm 95:1, 2)
I’m thinking about what I will bring with me today as I prepare for worship on this Sunday morning: a sweater, the music for worship team, my Bible and journal.
Will I also be bringing my gratitude and joyful praise?
Worship is not a Sunday-specific activity. Gratitude is not limited to the month of November. We are invited to enter the presence of God on the average Tuesday, any time of day. (This Sunday-school-level data should actually be staggering…)
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Today, let’s allow the call to worship of Psalm 95 to motivate us to take inventory of what we’re bringing with us into the presence of God.
Coming with thanksgiving,

On Thursday of this week, my newsletter landed in subscribers’ inboxes, carrying the gift of my compiled Thanksgiving devotionals. Make Gratitude the Music of Your Life is printable, or you can read it from your device, just in time to center your heart in gratitude during the week leading up to Thanksgiving Day. Click here to subscribe if you haven’t already, and be sure to spread the word.

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I want to come before Him each day with a whole lot of gratitude and praise – for He is worthy of both!
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I’m singing the praises of your newsletter and the wonderful Thanksgiving booklet over at my place, friend …
I am grateful for your ministry in my life in this season.
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Grateful for you as well, friend.
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Yes, every day!
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It IS a mind-boggling privilege we’ve been given–to enter the presence of God Almighty! And gratitude (as well as praise) are two gifts we can bring to him that surely bless his heart. Yes, indeed, I want to make gratitude the music of my life! Thank you, Michele!
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I see gratitude in your words, so I think you are on your way!
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I love the idea of making gratitude the music of your life. How wonderful it would be to have your gratefulness your theme song. To have it be the thing that people think of when they think of you.
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I love that image!
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What a good reminder to come before Him every month of the year with Thanksgiving in our hearts. I do have to admit – only ONE bag. My all-purpose bag for every occasion!
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Maybe I will have fewer bags now that the kids are grown?
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I think that gratitude is one of the most overlooked characteristics of a spiritually healthy life. I want it to be the music of my life.
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Yes! We run headlong and unthankful right into Romans 1!
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Thank you and I like you sharing on what you are reading.
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Oh, that’s so good to hear!
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We were talking on our way to church this morning just how much we have to be thankful for, even amid all the difficulties and disappointments of this year. So although I carried nothing but my coffee cup as we walked to our (outdoor) service, I brought so much thanksgiving along! Great thoughts!
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That’s so awesome, Kym! I love those conversations that happen on the way someplace!
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Michele,
Just as Mary’s “Advent Narrative” doesn’t limit our preparation for Christ’s coming to one season, Thanksgiving should not be limited to a month, or worship to a day of the week. May we always be picking up our bag of gratitude, worship, praise, and expectation.
Blessings,
Bev xx
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Maybe Mary will write a sequel! 😄
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I’m so grateful that the Lord’s presence is an everyday occurrence! With or without our consent, he sticks it out with us, every single day. If we can’t be thankful for that, we’re missing out! Thanks, Michele.
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“With or without our consent ”
Great point, and sadly, so often without my acknowledgement. 😑
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Lovely encouragement (as always!) I think I need to prep my bags so I’m ready 🙂
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My bags are life savers! This morning, I am schlepping my school bag out the door!
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I love the idea of carrying a bag of Thanksgiving around with us all year long :).
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Paying attention to all the good is definitely a self-care hack!
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Hi, I come to visit your blog via Esme’s Senior Salon.
You are so right about Thanksgiving not being limited to November. I’m very thankful everyday and take each day one day at a time.
Like your blog.
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That’s a great practice!
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I 100% agree with this and find that being more mindful of my gratitude year round helps me keep a more positive outlook.
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Yes, let’s carry Thanksgiving into 2021!
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I heard someone say that worship isn’t so much what we get as what we give. These are good bring-alongs!
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YES! I believe there is a lot of truth to that stance!
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Michele, thanks for the reminder that gratitude is for every day of the year, not just a specific month. On a day when I’ve already had altercations with both boys, I need to choose gratitude so I don’t give into the frustration. Sorry, there’s a bit of honesty for you. 🙂 I’m choosing gratitude right now. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Oh, how well I remember those days, Jeanne. Praying for you right now that God will surround you with his love and grace. He’s faithful even in this–maybe ESPECIALLY in this!
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Yes the powerful overflow of a thankful and grateful heart – always a good prompt to come with joy and thanksgiving, thank you for the reminder!
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Reminding readers as I remind myself!
We’re blessed to have this season of quiet reflection taking us through the end of a very crazy year.
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Happy Thanksgiving, Michele! So grateful we can always come to Him with thanks- and always have ample reason to!
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Yes, he abounds with blessing and goodness!
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Thank you for the reminder to keep the worship and gratitude going. It’s so important to keep this at the forefront this year! I love the encouragement and am visiting from #PoCoLo
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We’ve got to keep it going! Not by operation bootstrap, but by grace!
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Thanks Michele – your post will be featured in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
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That’s such great news, Kathleen!
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