Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Still Thankful 11/27/2012
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary." Ps 107:1-2
For the Christian, giving thanks to God neither begins, culminates or ends on a man inspired day to do so. Giving thanks is a way of life. It is a daily, even hourly habit that supersedes that of even brushing of teeth and washing of face.
There are a plethora of reasons to stop and give thanks throughout the day. None who give the smallest effort should have difficulty identifying reason after reason for doing so. The psalmist provides many reasons (which come from his close, warm, personal relationship with God). In particular, he lists the redemption, even salvation, from those who are arrayed against us. This could be anyone from a bad boss to Satan himself. Where as we were under the burden of slavery to our situation, habits, circumstances or enemies, God laid out a clear path inviting us to peace and prosperity. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest" Matt 11:28. We did and he has.
Beloved, we as Christians should be the first in line to proclaim thanks to God and to tell His story to others. There are many who continued to be lost. There are many that continue to struggle daily with their various adversaries. And their yet remains One who can deliver them even as He has delivered us. Let us continue to give thanks day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute. One day we will all be able to stand united around the throne of grace and proclaim as the psalmist has:
"I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones" Ps 52:9.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Carpe Diem-4/3/2012
"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps 118:24
Read by itself, one can hardly get the sense of the exuberance that fills Ps 118:24. Even a casual reading of the context reveals that the writer is celebrating the goodness of God. He revels in the loving kindness of the Lord. He gives thanks for the rescue the Lord has performed during times of distress. He trumpets God's protective nature and endorses Him over all others in whom we might otherwise place our trust. He even thanks God for his discipline because he knows (and anticipates) that salvation is found in Him.
Beloved, what is our outlook on the days of our lives? Are we consumed with its problems or are we thankful for its opportunities? Do we lament our lot in life, or do we praise God for that which we have? Do we focus on the earthly or cast our eyes heavenward?
We of all people, the privilege children of the Almighty have every reason to wake up each morning with a shout of triumph, not that we have accomplished anything, but that He has accomplished everything. Each day we are given a new opportunity to praise Him and enjoy his many bountiful blessings. Each day we anticipate the promised inheritance. Each day we are closer to seeing the Savior's face. Yes, this is THE day the Lord has made. Let us always remember to praise Him and to rejoice!
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Read by itself, one can hardly get the sense of the exuberance that fills Ps 118:24. Even a casual reading of the context reveals that the writer is celebrating the goodness of God. He revels in the loving kindness of the Lord. He gives thanks for the rescue the Lord has performed during times of distress. He trumpets God's protective nature and endorses Him over all others in whom we might otherwise place our trust. He even thanks God for his discipline because he knows (and anticipates) that salvation is found in Him.
Beloved, what is our outlook on the days of our lives? Are we consumed with its problems or are we thankful for its opportunities? Do we lament our lot in life, or do we praise God for that which we have? Do we focus on the earthly or cast our eyes heavenward?
We of all people, the privilege children of the Almighty have every reason to wake up each morning with a shout of triumph, not that we have accomplished anything, but that He has accomplished everything. Each day we are given a new opportunity to praise Him and enjoy his many bountiful blessings. Each day we anticipate the promised inheritance. Each day we are closer to seeing the Savior's face. Yes, this is THE day the Lord has made. Let us always remember to praise Him and to rejoice!
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, October 3, 2011
God is Greater-10/3/2011 (rp)
"For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods."
Ps 97:9
How seldom we do meditate on the greatness of God. He is the one that formed all that there is simply by speaking it into existence. From the greatest galaxy full of the most stars to the smallest component of the atom, our Father is the creative force and the power behind it all. And there, at the pinnacle of His creation, stand we, former mounds of dirt, without whose living breath, would still be just dirt.
He is a God that has provided everything pertaining to life. There is nothing that we need that he does not supply. He provides us with love, assurance, protection sustenance, a savior, a body to which to belong and an inheritance. He guides our footsteps and answers our prayers. He cares for us more than any of us know.
Why then do we focus so much more on the things provided than the Provider? All too often, we fit the description of those, "whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." Phil 3:19. It is the material and temporal that become our lower case gods; gods that cannot save nor provide. It is by these gods that we become acquainted with the idolatry we so often read about in the word.
Beloved God is greater than any created thing. God is greater than we can know or imagine. Let us not live below our privilege but live up to it by praising, worshipping and serving Him with whom we have to do. Let us reflect on His greatness.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Ps 97:9
How seldom we do meditate on the greatness of God. He is the one that formed all that there is simply by speaking it into existence. From the greatest galaxy full of the most stars to the smallest component of the atom, our Father is the creative force and the power behind it all. And there, at the pinnacle of His creation, stand we, former mounds of dirt, without whose living breath, would still be just dirt.
He is a God that has provided everything pertaining to life. There is nothing that we need that he does not supply. He provides us with love, assurance, protection sustenance, a savior, a body to which to belong and an inheritance. He guides our footsteps and answers our prayers. He cares for us more than any of us know.
Why then do we focus so much more on the things provided than the Provider? All too often, we fit the description of those, "whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." Phil 3:19. It is the material and temporal that become our lower case gods; gods that cannot save nor provide. It is by these gods that we become acquainted with the idolatry we so often read about in the word.
Beloved God is greater than any created thing. God is greater than we can know or imagine. Let us not live below our privilege but live up to it by praising, worshipping and serving Him with whom we have to do. Let us reflect on His greatness.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, September 26, 2011
Stone Praise-9/26/2011 (rp)
"I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."
Luke 19:38
When Jesus made his triumphant yet ill fated entrance into Jerusalem, the bible records that the people spread their clothes on the ground for his mount to walk upon and that "they began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." Naturally, not everyone felt that same jubilation. In fact there were those who did not understand what all the fuss was about and were clearly irritated. They asked Jesus to shut them up.
Beloved it is right for the people of God to praise Him. The scriptures are replete with encouragements to "praise ye the Lord!" There are also many scriptural examples of people who stood against the Lord and those that praise Him. Now as then, the sons and daughters of the Almighty should never allow anyone to legislate nor dictate our adoration for the Lord. He is indeed worthy of any and all glory and honor we can muster, for He is the great I AM! The redeemed of the Lord who have seen His mighty hand ought to say so!
If we do not praise our Father for all He has done, is doing and is about to do, the very stones of the earth will cry out. I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let a rock out praise me!
PRAISE THE LORD!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Luke 19:38
When Jesus made his triumphant yet ill fated entrance into Jerusalem, the bible records that the people spread their clothes on the ground for his mount to walk upon and that "they began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." Naturally, not everyone felt that same jubilation. In fact there were those who did not understand what all the fuss was about and were clearly irritated. They asked Jesus to shut them up.
Beloved it is right for the people of God to praise Him. The scriptures are replete with encouragements to "praise ye the Lord!" There are also many scriptural examples of people who stood against the Lord and those that praise Him. Now as then, the sons and daughters of the Almighty should never allow anyone to legislate nor dictate our adoration for the Lord. He is indeed worthy of any and all glory and honor we can muster, for He is the great I AM! The redeemed of the Lord who have seen His mighty hand ought to say so!
If we do not praise our Father for all He has done, is doing and is about to do, the very stones of the earth will cry out. I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let a rock out praise me!
PRAISE THE LORD!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Praise The Lord!-6/22/2011
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!" Psa 150:6
What comes to mind when we think of the word "praise?" Within the context of scripture it literally means to brag, commend and celebrate. Is that not what we do when one of our little ones succeed in little league sports, school or cleaning his or her room? For the older of us, do we not experience a sense of pride when we tell others about our children's exploits in business, education or relationships?
Beloved we are no strangers to praise. In fact, we often seek praise ourselves when we feel that we have accomplished something worthy of commendation. Much of what we do is sourced in the desire to receive positive feedback.
Since we are so well acquainted with the concept, why not give praise to whom it is primarily due? He who created us is worthy of our praise. He who came that we might have life and that more abundantly is worthy of our praise. He who supplies all of our needs is worthy of our praise. It is He from whom all blessings flow that is worthy of our praise.
As we go about our day to day activities in this life that He supplies, let us make an effort to praise Him in the highest for all that He has done, is doing and is about to do. Let us brag on His goodness, commend Him for His creation and celebrate His grace and mercy. As long as we have breath, let us praise the Lord!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
What comes to mind when we think of the word "praise?" Within the context of scripture it literally means to brag, commend and celebrate. Is that not what we do when one of our little ones succeed in little league sports, school or cleaning his or her room? For the older of us, do we not experience a sense of pride when we tell others about our children's exploits in business, education or relationships?
Beloved we are no strangers to praise. In fact, we often seek praise ourselves when we feel that we have accomplished something worthy of commendation. Much of what we do is sourced in the desire to receive positive feedback.
Since we are so well acquainted with the concept, why not give praise to whom it is primarily due? He who created us is worthy of our praise. He who came that we might have life and that more abundantly is worthy of our praise. He who supplies all of our needs is worthy of our praise. It is He from whom all blessings flow that is worthy of our praise.
As we go about our day to day activities in this life that He supplies, let us make an effort to praise Him in the highest for all that He has done, is doing and is about to do. Let us brag on His goodness, commend Him for His creation and celebrate His grace and mercy. As long as we have breath, let us praise the Lord!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Giving God the Glory 6/1/2011
"And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died." Acts 12:23
King Herod was a bad man. As the secular king of the Jews, he made sport of killing certain members of the church. In fact, he brought death to the apostle James. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he also took Peter into custody with the intent of doing the same thing, Acts 12:1-3. God delivered Peter from this fate through the agency of an angel.
Later, during an audience with a beholden people, Herod gave a great speech. Whether moved or motivated simply by the desire to find favor from the king on whom they depended for their very food, the people lavished praise upon him saying that his was "the voice of a god and not of a man." It was at this time that an angel of the Lord brought Herod's existence to a close.
Beloved, there are two points to be made here. First, the will of God will not be confounded. Jesus told James that he would drink from the cup and be baptized with the baptism that he himself would endure, indicating his suffering and death, Mark 10:39. He told Peter, however, that he would be given the keys to the kingdom, commonly understood to mean that he would be involved in opening the doors to the church, Acts 2. He was therefore preserved in the face of certain death.
Secondly, we must always be careful to give God the praise. Herod, again, secular king of God's own people, was happy to be spoken of in terms of Deity. Needless to say, the praise was not his to accept. Let us always remember that we are who we are, have what we have and do what we do by the grace of the Almighty. Should praise come our way for anything accomplished by His might and in His service, we must immediately give credit where credit is due.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
King Herod was a bad man. As the secular king of the Jews, he made sport of killing certain members of the church. In fact, he brought death to the apostle James. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he also took Peter into custody with the intent of doing the same thing, Acts 12:1-3. God delivered Peter from this fate through the agency of an angel.
Later, during an audience with a beholden people, Herod gave a great speech. Whether moved or motivated simply by the desire to find favor from the king on whom they depended for their very food, the people lavished praise upon him saying that his was "the voice of a god and not of a man." It was at this time that an angel of the Lord brought Herod's existence to a close.
Beloved, there are two points to be made here. First, the will of God will not be confounded. Jesus told James that he would drink from the cup and be baptized with the baptism that he himself would endure, indicating his suffering and death, Mark 10:39. He told Peter, however, that he would be given the keys to the kingdom, commonly understood to mean that he would be involved in opening the doors to the church, Acts 2. He was therefore preserved in the face of certain death.
Secondly, we must always be careful to give God the praise. Herod, again, secular king of God's own people, was happy to be spoken of in terms of Deity. Needless to say, the praise was not his to accept. Let us always remember that we are who we are, have what we have and do what we do by the grace of the Almighty. Should praise come our way for anything accomplished by His might and in His service, we must immediately give credit where credit is due.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Praise Where Praise is Due-DD 2/16/2011
"And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb,be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev 5:13
None of us are strangers to extending great amounts of praise to others. We are all familiar with experiencing jubilation over the acts of those outside ourselves. I am reminded of the recent Superbowl. It is said that over 100 million people watched this sporting event. Without a doubt, those who watched were moved to joy and were complimentary to those who made great plays at some point during the game. Local fans of the winners sold out a stadium and endured near zero temperatures to gather, render praise and celebrate their team.
I'm also reminded of this award show season, consisting primarily of the Grammys and the Oscars. We all root for our favorite artist, song, performance, movie, actor or director. We watch with baited breath and after all is said and done, we cannot wait to get to the water cooler the next day at which we seek agreement on how great "so and so" was/is and how happy we are they won.
Beloved, these are momentary thrills at best. Our loyalty is almost always based on "what have you done for me lately?" We are then on to the next new thing, praising the Justin Biebers of the world as we once did Brittani Spears and before that, Debbie Gibson (who? right!). I recommend we give praise where praise is due. It is God who is our creator, our benefactor and the supplier of all of our needs. When we are at our lowest, it is Him we call upon. When we are at our highest, it is due to His supply. He has done more great things in our lives than we can even remember. He is always our champion and has never lost.
The next time we scream and yell at a competition or ask a great player, artist or performer for an autograph as we gush over their accomplishments, let us contrast this behavior with our enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for our Creator. Let everthing that has breath praise the Lord!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
None of us are strangers to extending great amounts of praise to others. We are all familiar with experiencing jubilation over the acts of those outside ourselves. I am reminded of the recent Superbowl. It is said that over 100 million people watched this sporting event. Without a doubt, those who watched were moved to joy and were complimentary to those who made great plays at some point during the game. Local fans of the winners sold out a stadium and endured near zero temperatures to gather, render praise and celebrate their team.
I'm also reminded of this award show season, consisting primarily of the Grammys and the Oscars. We all root for our favorite artist, song, performance, movie, actor or director. We watch with baited breath and after all is said and done, we cannot wait to get to the water cooler the next day at which we seek agreement on how great "so and so" was/is and how happy we are they won.
Beloved, these are momentary thrills at best. Our loyalty is almost always based on "what have you done for me lately?" We are then on to the next new thing, praising the Justin Biebers of the world as we once did Brittani Spears and before that, Debbie Gibson (who? right!). I recommend we give praise where praise is due. It is God who is our creator, our benefactor and the supplier of all of our needs. When we are at our lowest, it is Him we call upon. When we are at our highest, it is due to His supply. He has done more great things in our lives than we can even remember. He is always our champion and has never lost.
The next time we scream and yell at a competition or ask a great player, artist or performer for an autograph as we gush over their accomplishments, let us contrast this behavior with our enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for our Creator. Let everthing that has breath praise the Lord!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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