Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and  bless his name.--Psalm 100:4, KJV

It's been said for a long time: You can get more flies with honey than vinegar. 

However--just like the LORD helped me understand years ago that, no matter who on earth takes credit--every truly good saying came from the Bible! 

Yes, Jesus (Elohim, the Creator and Sustainer of all created things) said it first! 

He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.--Proverbs 22:11, KJV

That's just one example! 

So, this is Thanksgiving, and here's my point, which you most likely already surmised: The more we gripe and criticize, the less the LORD is free to bless us.

The more thankful we are, the more the LORD is welcomed, and free to perform wonderful things in our lives! Hallelujah!

It's the same with people, usually: The more thankful (which is a form of humility) we are to someone, the more they usually want to bless us again in the future.

Our dear Father God (in the form of the Holy Spirit on earth; the Spirit of Jesus, Who lives in our hearts as our Savior and LORD when we repent of our sin and ask Him to come into our lives and help us follow Him) loves to be thanked.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:--John 15:26, KJV

Thanksgiving is not only a form of humility, but an expression of love. 

After all, don't we love to be thanked for what we do for others? (It is God Who inspires us to do the good!)

How much more does our dear God, Who has a soul (mind, will, emotions) like we do, delight in us thanking Him? 

He commands us to approach Him, the King of kings, with thanksgiving (for our own good, for He is holy, and we are not, and could never approach Him and live--except through the covering Blood of Christ Jesus, when we believe in Him. But the Blood of Christ is our righteousness; makes us holy--acceptable to God.  Hallelujah!).

If we just stop for a moment and think of even one good thing in our lives, we can acknowledge that it came from God, and thank Him, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! 

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. --Philippians 2:12-16, ESV

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!--Psalm 106:48, ESV

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.