Raise A Praise

Raise A Praise

Jude 1: ²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, from all ages past, and now, and forever and ever! Amen.

 

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Being asked to be the best man in a wedding was an honor that came with expectations. One of which was to develop a toast to the bride and groom. It was a monumental day, so the toast had to have meaning, but mostly it needed to come from the heart.

 

• I said something about overcoming obstacles in the past.
• I also said something about the work it takes in the present.
• I wished them a wonderful future.

 

Jude finishes his letter upbeat. His note came with a lot of warnings about people who were deceivers pretending to be followers of CHRIST. These heave words may have needed some words of hope. Jude concluded his letter with a praise to GOD.

 

My Observations:

• When things look bleak, raise a praise to GOD.
• When difficulties arise, raise a praise to GOD.
• When you cannot see how this situation or that situation will end on a positive note, raise a praise to GOD.

 

Praising GOD is a weapon versus a feeling. I mean, the Enemy wants to take away my praise to GOD by placing temptation, evil plans against me and pain in my path, so I will close my lips from praising GOD. Little does he know that when I praise GOD in the middle of the storm, HE does remarkable things that causes the Devil to flee.

 

GOD sometimes takes the storm away or provides what I need during the storm so I can survive. HE hear my cry but loves when I sing a praise to HIM even before HE performs HIS miracle. I praise YOU LORD for all you have done, doing and will do in my life!

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the writer is thorough in this praise?
• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Will you use the weapon of praising GOD today without expectations so HIS wonderful plan will be made known to you in HIS time?

Amazing Praise

Amazing Praise

Acts 16: ²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. ²³ After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

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Worried about the situation, I missed many hours of sleep. What would the future bring? Would the problem come up again? Would the people who caused the problem get away with their hatred? All of these questions popped in my mind and I could not answer one of them.

• There were times when I got worried.
• There were times when people caused problems for me.
• There were times when the situation seemed like there was no way out.

Paul and Silas received a horrible beating for speaking about JESUS. After being jailed, they began to sing praises to GOD. This comforted the prisoners around them. Paul and Silas had no idea what would come next. GOD shook the jail with an earthquake and opened all the doors and their chains. Their praise enabled them to desire no harm to come to the jailer.

• GOD loves when I use praise instead of worry.
• GOD loves when I use praise as a weapon against fear, doubt and worry.
• GOD loves when I use praise in situations that seem hopeless to me.

Praise has some amazing effects that I do not understand. I mean it seems like “I” should have all the solutions or should rely on other humans to provide answers. GOD loves when I simply praise HIM without expectations. This shows HIM that I know HE has the situation under control.

When I am scared, worried, angry, frustrated, blamed or persecuted, the HOLY SPIRIT enables me to praise GOD. I am grateful GOD provides relief through praise.

• Are you going through something?
• Is someone harming you because of your relationship with JESUS?
• Will you sing praises to GOD without expectations, knowing HE went though persecution just like you?

Great Report

Great Report

Acts 4: ²³ And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

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Excited that I got a good grade in a class, I ran back to tell everyone! I ran up the steps to my floor and ran down the hall. Not watching my footing, I slipped and fell hard with my arm extended as if I were going to catch a ball. Nothing was broken, I had to wear a sling for a few weeks. When people asked me what happened, I told them about my good grade!

• When something good happens I want to tell everyone.
• When something good happens I want to shout about it.
• When something good happens I want to raise my voice no matter who is around.

Great things were happening to the growing group who followed JESUS. Peter and John came back from being threatened by the church leaders and told the crowd what happened. When everyone heard, they screamed and shouted with praise!

• GOD wants me to mention the great things HE has done in my life.
• GOD wants me to be excited about what HE is doing right now in my life.
• GOD wants me to focus on what HE is doing so I can give a great report to someone who needs to hear it.

GOD spoke through David saying “Why did the rulers of the earth stand against our LORD?” I mean even death could not hold HIM. This is great news to share with those who can hear it. GOD wants me to mention salvation in the face of death and destruction.

Mentioning a great report uplifts those who are down. Unfortunately many conversations are not about JESUS or HIS salvation. Each negative word mentioned is a step further away from HIM. Soon the speaker cannot hear or even mention HIS true name. BUT GOD is the remedy. HE provides a way back to HIM by HIS grace. I am grateful HE accepts me back. HE is great!

• What words are you prominently speaking?
• Do you speak great news or negative news in difficult times?
• Will you turn to GOD and allow HIM to fill you with great news that is overflowing from your heart so you cannot help but to tell everyone today?

Something to shout about

Luke 24: ⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵² Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

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Not knowing what to expect, I sat and listened to the preacher speak. He invited people to accept CHRIST as their savior. When I looked up after we had finished praying, a large number of people were standing up front professing JESUS as their GOD and Savior. I was amazed!

• JESUS is something to shout about.
• JESUS is the ONE who saves.
• JESUS is the only salvation.

Before JESUS ascended to heaven, HE blessed those who were around HIM. HE gave them power to overcome the world and to speak about HIM as the only salvation. They worshipped HIM with great joy!

• GOD fills me up on a daily basis.
• GOD gives me incredible joy in the middle of the storm.
• GOD is the one with incredible power in the middle of my weakness.

I have seen many miracles on a daily basis that people would classify as mundane. GOD’s power baffles the world and confuses those who fail to believe. HIS power does not include doubt or fear. I am glad HE understands when I have both. HIS power is made perfect in my weakness. I praise GOD for the miracles HE has performed!

• Do you really believe that GOD can heal you?
• Do you think GOD needs help?
• Will you tell GOD about your weaknesses and allow HIM to grow you to where HE wants you to be grown today?

Reasonable Purpose

Luke 8: ³⁸ Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

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“Please oh please let me get through this” I cried out to the LORD. It seemed like the storm had been prolonged, and I was very tired. On that same day all of the current situations cleared up. I told no one.

• There have been times when things went right and I did not praise GOD.
• There have been times when I got everything I asked for and told no one about GOD.
• There have been times when all my prayers were answered and I kept my praise to myself.

The man healed from being tormented by demons desired to follow JESUS, BUT GOD had a different plan. JESUS told him to “Return to your own house, and tell what great things GOD has done for you.” The man did so and now his life had purpose.

• When GOD brings me through trials HE wants me to tell everyone about HIS grace.
• When GOD rescues me HE wants me to tell everyone about HIS mercy.
• When GOD delivers me from small to large situations HE wants me to proclaim HIS love to everyone.

GOD wants me to be very vocal about HIS goodness. HE has delivered me time and time again. In fact, HE is busy delivering me through current trials! HE does not want me to grow weary and fills me up with HIS blessings. GOD is my refuge.

• Are you growing tired?
• Are you going through another trial?
• Can you remember the times GOD has delivered you over and over again so your faith can grow and get you through this trial?
• Will you tell people about the goodness of GOD today?

Cheer Practice

Matthew 21: ⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

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Noise in the lunchroom was different this particular day. There was a rhythmic beat along with a chant against a rival school.  I did not want to act like a freshman, although I was, so I joined in on the celebration. It took a little practice, but soon I was able to chant like the other sports hounds!

• Cheering with a crowd takes practice.
• Cheering with a purpose can sometimes be fun.
• Cheering with a group can raise the level of excitement in the air!

Hope is what the city wanted and JESUS was the provider of that hope. HE rode into Jerusalem as the KING of kings and LORD of lords. After all those years of prophecy, the ONE who would save the world was here!

• GOD wants me to practice cheering about HIM on earth.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to shout towards HIM, about HIM and because of HIM!

Praise takes practice but sometimes complaints gets in the way of my praise. I shout at the crazy driver and murmur about the coworker who is acting political. BUT GOD wants my praise. HE can handle my prayer about problems but HE definitely wants and deserves praise for dying in my place. JESUS is my savior; in HIM I place my trust!

• Are you complaining a lot?
• Do you cheer at concerts or sporting events but do not cheer for GOD?
• Can you practice cheering for GOD starting today?

Greatest Conversation

Matthew 17: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

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Somehow, Peter knew who Moses and Elijah were without ever seeing them or meeting them. He was out of his mind as he blurted out his desire to help. I wonder what they were doing there. What were they discussing?

• On a daily basis I can have a conversation with GOD.
• Each and every day I can discuss JESUS for whom the FATHER is well pleased.
• Daily I can seek to talk about JESUS with others.

Listening to JESUS is the most important conversation I could ever have. THE FATHER makes it very clear that I should do so. HE showed JESUS in a transfigured manner letting me know there is more to JESUS than what is written.

• Are you listening to yourself or JESUS?
• Are you quieting down to hear HIS voice?
• Can you stop talking about humans and talk about JESUS today?

A Prayer for These Days

Habakkuk 3: ² Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.

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¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

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“What about our time?” I asked. I mean I have read history that recorded immediate deliverance from some ghastly situations. People were rescued from lions and furnaces and removed from jail. Can these things happen today?

• GOD tells me to say “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
• GOD tells me to say “The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.”
• GOD says to me “Be still, and know that I AM GOD; I WILL be exalted among the nations, I WILL be exalted in the earth.”

Even when trouble occurs and it seems to be no way out, I will rejoice in the LORD. HE has shown HIMSELF to me time and time again through HIS daily deliverance. GOD is my strength, through HIM comes my joy! amen

• Will you take your bitterness and turn it into praise today?
• Will you reduce the amount of complaining you do and trade it in for exaltation today?
• Will you stop looking at you and start looking at GOD today!

Collecting Trophies

Ezekiel 28: The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘In the pride of your heart
    you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
    in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god,
    though you think you are as wise as a god.
³ Are you wiser than Daniel?
    Is no secret hidden from you?
⁴ By your wisdom and understanding
    you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
    in your treasuries.
⁵ By your great skill in trading
    you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
    your heart has grown proud.

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Twelve out of a possible three hundred was my first bowling score, but at the end of the season I was “most improved” and received a trophy. Soon I got accustomed to winning trophies in bowling and wanted trophies in other areas of my life. I received awards in school and moved onto work where I received numerous awards and accolades. “I am all that” I thought to myself. I better go in and demand a raise and promotion. I mean the company would stop without “me.”

• There were times I have bought into the accolades.
• There were times I have believed in “my” abilities.
• There were times I have thought more of myself than I should.

Whenever I believe in the team of “me” I seem to get in trouble. I mean after a while others can’t do things as good as I can. Soon I start thinking they can’t do things right at all. Pride rises before the fall. BUT GOD can head the fall off.

• GOD says to me “I AM willing to forgive you if you turn away from your pride.”
• GOD says to me “I AM your creator.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the ONE who saves, the ONE who has life, the ONE who owns everything.”

“My” abilities are not mine at all, they are simply borrowed like clothes from a neighbor. Any accomplishment I achieve needs to have GOD mentioned. In fact, anything I do needs GOD’s permission; otherwise I will not be successful. GOD can stop my pride as long as I point to HIM.

• Do you have trouble letting others do for you?
• Do you think “that” person cannot do anything right in your eyes?
• Will you stop letting your pride blind you and allow GOD to open your eyes?
• Can you lower your expectations of others and raise your need for GOD higher?
• Will you sop your pride today and humble yourself before GOD?

A Praise Moment

Isaiah 25: Lord, you are my God;
    I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
    you have done wonderful things,
    things planned long ago.

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⁸     he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

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Standing in front of my clothes, my mind flipped between what to wear and the events of the day. It seemed like it took me an eternity to get dressed as I replayed my preparation. I jumped in the car and listened to voicemail all the way to work.

• Sometimes I get very busy.
• Sometimes my mind is full.
• Sometimes I get so distracted that I cannot see what GOD is doing.

I don’t know if I took a moment to even notice GOD. AS I got closer and closer to work, I could feel the pressure build. How could I have peace?

• GOD wants me to stop and take a moment to praise HIM, this way I acknowledge HE has the power to overcome my day.
• GOD wants me to stop and take a moment to praise HIM, this way I can move away from my distractions and have peace.
• GOD wants me to stop and take a moment to praise HIM because HE deserves to be praised!

GOD is not needy, HE is GOD.HE doesn’t beat me up when I do not praise HIM, but HE strengthens my relationship with HIM when I do. Praise is not because of the things I do, but because of who HE is. GOD rescued me time and time again. I have nothing but praise for HIM!

• Can you stop and take a moment to praise GOD today?
• Will you seek preach today by praising HIM without wanting something?
• Can you open your mouth and audibly say “LORD I love you and I praise YOUR name and YOUR decisions today?”

Daily Health

Psalm 150: ¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord

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Praise is not only a feeling, it is an action. I sometimes feel so elated that I just want to shout with glee. But there are other times where I don’t feel like praising so much. In fact there are times when I feel like complaining. BUT GOD wants me to praise.

• Praising GOD is great to do on a daily basis to keep my mind on “what is” versus “what isn’t.”
• Praising GOD when I don’t feel like it takes effort but helps me minimize the problem to something small.
• Praising GOD helps me focus on HIM and HIS power and HIS love, which in turn helps me understand I am in that same family.

It is time for praise! Like going to the gym, I may not feel like doing it but feel great when I finish. Praise should not be an option rather a time of day. I should not ask myself, “should I praise GOD when I’m going through whatever problem” rather I should ask myself, “what time am I going to praise GOD today.”

• Do you think praising GOD is a choice?
• Do you praise GOD only when you feel like it?
• Can you stop what you are doing right now and praise GOD?

Way to Start the Day

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
¹⁴ And he has raised up for his people a horn,^[b]
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

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Instead of thinking of the problems of the day I decided to wake up and praise GOD for a change.  This took some doing because it seemed like many things were crashing around me. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM in order to take my mind off of problems.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM in order to focus on something good.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM in order to see things from a positive light.

Praising does clear my mind. It makes me focus on good things which in turn make me delight.  I like starting my day with praise. It clears my path for today’s blessings and leaves my sins in yesterday.

• Will you wake up with praise on your lips?
• Instead of walking through the day, will you count what GOD has done for you?
• Will you give GOD praise and forget about your problems for a short time?

Rescue is Only a Question Away

Psalm 144: ¹⁰ to the One who gives victory to kings,
    who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword ¹¹ deliver me;
    rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
    whose right hands are deceitful.

¹² Then our sons in their youth
    will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
    carved to adorn a palace.
¹³ Our barns will be filled
    with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
    by tens of thousands in our fields;
¹⁴     our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
    no going into captivity,
    no cry of distress in our streets.
¹⁵ Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
    blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.

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David was fleeing for his life and a few times this was true for me. From being chased by bullies, thugs and gang members, running became a solution of necessity. As an adult I remember running from other bullies in companies, creditors and collection agencies. Fear filled my bones, BUT GOD was always there.

• GOD tells me “Stand still and watch the salvation of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the only path to deliverance.”
• GOD whispers to me “I AM the gate; no one gets into the kingdom but by ME.”

The LORD is truly my shepherd, I shall not want. HE gives me peace and restores me even when I don’t deserve it. I am excited that I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!

• Can you place your full trust in GOD today?
• Will you stand still and watch the deliverance of the LORD?
• Can you be honest with GOD and let HIM know your needs without stating them in anger?
• Will you let GOD be your LORD today?

Today Not Tomorrow

Psalm 134: ¹ Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
    who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
    and praise the Lord.

³ May the Lord bless you from Zion,
    he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

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Dinner was all I could think about. I ran inside and there it was, on the table as usual. I watched TV and went to bed. When I got up the next day I went outside to ride my bike. I remembered leaving it by the back porch right next to the door. I mean we had a fence; my bike should not have just walked away! As reality sank in I realized my bike was gone forever. I moped and fretted the remainder of that summer. “Everyone” went bike riding and I was left at home.

• There are times when I do not feel like praising.
• There are times when I do not feel like singing.
• There are times when I do not feel like smiling.

I was down in the dumps but realized that I could not stay there forever. I mean it was a bike. I went in and grabbed some toy trucks that I had abandoned and rekindled my excitement. I invited a few bike riders into the “secure” fenced area and we built the most marvelous, um whatever we were building, thing in the world!

• Sorrow happens, but GOD doesn’t want me to stay in sorrow.
• Pain happens, but GOD doesn’t want me to stay in pain.
• Misery happens but GOD doesn’t want me to remain miserable.

GOD wants me to learn how to praise HIM in the middle of my pain. HE does not want me to remain as a child, moping and pouting over loss. HE wants me to grow up, stand up and praise HIM! HE doesn’t want me to wait until everything has been cleared up and put away with a nice bow. GOD wants me to recognize HIM and HIS marvelous power even before one step is made to fix the situation.

GOD’s plan is awesome and HE understands my pain. HE isn’t heartless, cruel or sadistic. GOD loves me dearly and is in more pain than I am during the problem. The least I can do is praise HIM!

• Are you waiting to praise GOD?
• Do you feel you have to wait on HIM to fix your situation to your specifications in order to praise HIM?
• Can you praise GOD today instead of waiting for tomorrow?

Short and to the Point

Psalm 117: ¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
² For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

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Shocked at the brevity of this chapter the words stand out that much more.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM on a daily basis for this reduces complaints.
• GOD wants me to extol HIM for this helps me recognize HIS great love towards me and to see HIS endless faithfulness towards supporting me.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM to remove the thing that makes me not want to praise HIM.

Something blocks me from praising GOD sometimes. Whether it is a circumstance that I’m pouting at or a sin that I have just committed, there are times I just don’t feel like praising GOD. BUT GOD understands. HE is not arrogant or needy. HE knows that when I can wake up and praise HIM, my stony heart will melt to see HIM as HE is, full of love for me. Praise GOD for HIS mercy!

• Are you feeling lost?
• Do you feel like you cannot praise GOD because of your circumstance?
• Do you know HE understands and does not have pressured expectations of you?
• Will you flow like a river today and allow GOD to do HIS thing?
• Will you open your mouth today and praise GOD with audible words?

Odd Path to Praise

Psalm 113: ¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, you his servants;
    praise the name of the Lord.
² Let the name of the Lord be praised,
    both now and forevermore.
³ From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

⁴ The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
    his glory above the heavens.
⁵ Who is like the Lord our God,
    the One who sits enthroned on high,
⁶ who stoops down to look
    on the heavens and the earth?

⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
⁸ he seats them with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

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As I watched the plane takeoff I felt like I was going to lose my job as the partner of the company sat with an empty seat next to him that was supposed to be mine. As I watched my finger being stitched I felt the pain racing through my body due to me touching the end of my hedge trimmers. As I picked up the pieces of my totaled car I wondered how I was going to get to work that day or any day for that matter.

• There are times where I am shocked by life.
• There are times where it seems like things go wrong in my life.
• There are times when I look out and see nothing but the immediate calamity.

Problems can sometimes seem very hard and harsh. My mind starts racing and I quickly try to figure out a solution but sometimes I can’t think of one. When the problem hits I have two choices, blame GOD or praise HIM.

• GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM where there is no blaming HIM for the way HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to understand that “blame” is one of the problems HE would like to fix within me so HE can replace it with grace.
• GOD wants me to know without a shadow of a doubt that HE always has my best interest in mind and HE does not need to be manipulated.

GOD knew every situation HE has taken me through and looking back I am very glad I went through each. My blinded eye on that I placed on the job with the partner would have left me at a place that no longer exists. My fingers are still wiggling even though they could have been cut off and the totaled car was a death trap and my roommate and I walked away without a scratch.

I have a lot to praise GOD for and I have learned over the years that the sooner I can praise HIM the better. GOD deserves my praise no matter what because HE is guiding me to a better place!

• Are you blaming GOD or praising HIM?
• Are you looking at your situation or looking at GOD?
• Are you ready to grow or has the last situation taken you down?
• Can you praise GOD today in the middle of your storm, knowing HE has an awesome plan for you?

Never Forgotten

Psalm 105: ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.
⁴³ He brought out his people with rejoicing,
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
⁴⁴ he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
⁴⁵ that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.

Praise the Lord.

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Crisp presentation, well thought out numbers and counter measures to thwart any attack made me feel confident that I could face the crowd. After the presentation I got feedback that I had “hit a homerun.” After doing this a while I thought to myself, “What would this company do without me?” I mean, it probably would fail. The company had its fortieth anniversary and I was in my late thirties believing they could never do without me.

• Sometimes I think I did something to get myself to where I got.
• Sometimes I think my abilities are what elevates me or tears me down.
• Sometimes I think I cannot be replaced and my expertise is necessary for success.

It’s amazing how little I recognize GOD’s hand in things. If something great happens, then it was my abilities and knowledge that got me there. If something bad happens then I question GOD and HIS poor decision making.  GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to remember HE keeps all of HIS promises which include my life.
• GOD wants me to look back at what HE has done in my life and others and rejoice.
• GOD wants me to keep HIS precepts and observe HIS laws because of these great memories.

GOD wants me to “remember.” Each time I have a meal I can remember what HIS SON did for me, and I get hungry a lot! I can go to church and take communion which is more ceremonial and formal, remembering what GOD has done for others and what HE is doing for me. GOD raises me to places where others have toiled and made me heir. I praise the LORD!

• Are you tired of where you are?
• Do you think GOD is foolish?
• Can you let go of the shore and flow down the river HE has for you?
• Will you remember what HE has done for you and others and give HIM even the tiniest praise today?

Hearing When the Noise is Loud

Psalm 104: ²⁷ All creatures look to you
    to give them their food at the proper time.
²⁸ When you give it to them,
    they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
    they are satisfied with good things.
²⁹ When you hide your face,
    they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
    they die and return to the dust.
³⁰ When you send your Spirit,
    they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

³¹ May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works—
³² he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

³³ I will sing to the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
³⁴ May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    as I rejoice in the Lord.

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“Hurry, we have to get to the airport on time” were the motivating words out of my mouth that I barked at my team. Barely getting there on time, my heart raced as I got into the routine of shoe removal and laptop stacking in the security line. I quickly sized up the other travelers and noticed a person fumbling to remove their belt.

I quickly dashed into another line and looked incessantly at my watch, hoping to speed up the security screeners. I plopped in my seat and immediately went to sleep not noticing anyone around me.

• Sometimes the noise of life makes me not notice my surroundings.
• Sometimes the noise of life drowns out quiet sounds.
• Sometimes the noise of life keeps me on edge to the point where nothing else fits.

It’s hard to see GOD at work when the attendant doesn’t have my reservation and I may be late for an important meeting. Birds, what birds? What do they have to do with me? I, late! BUT GOD wants me to hear HIM.

• GOD provides food for the birds and wants me to slow down to notice HE takes care of them and me.
• GOD made the mountains and waters the field and wants me to know HE cares for me in spite of what’s going on around me.
• GOD sustains and gives at the proper time and wants me to understand HIS time is wonderful.

Slow down instead of speeding up. Stop looking at the watch or calendar and look out at the bird hopping in the field is what HE says to me. HIS eye is on the sparrow and I know HE watches over me.

• Are you deafened by your circumstance?
• Have you gotten to the point where you cannot hear or see GOD working?
• Can you stop looking at your watch or calendar and see HIM today?
• Will you listen to HIS voice by slowing down for just a minute?

Trade Mad into Glad - Quickly!

Psalm 95: ⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
⁷ for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
⁸ “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
    as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
⁹ where your ancestors tested me;
    they tried me, though they had seen what I did.

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Uttering the words “I will not serve YOU” were probably the worse things I have said to GOD. I have no idea what I wanted at the time because it was so many years ago, or was it?

• When I get too tired of my situation that I cannot even pray, then I may be trying too hard.
• When I get too tired to go and assemble with others to worship, then I may be trying too hard.
• When I get too tired or problems that I cannot praise GOD any longer, then I may be trying too hard.

GOD recognizes my motives from their deepest beginnings. HE sees my inner most thoughts and knows exactly what I can handle and what I cannot. GOD wants me to see HIM very differently.

• GOD wants me to bow down and worship HIM every chance I can.
• GOD wants me to recognize that I am HIS first, this means HE has the right to do with my life as HE pleases.
• GOD wants me to hear HIS voice without a hard heart, this means through calamity or blessings I will praise HIM.

GOD is absolutely amazing! HE speaks to me daily and it is up to me to hear HIM and not stir up HIS anger. Forgiven is what I am, but I carefully tread around GOD in fear of HIM. GOD is not common and should not be treated as such. HE is GOD before HE is a pal. I praise GOD!

• Are you mad at GOD for placing you in the situation you are in?
• Can you assess where your heart is in relation to where HE wants your heart to be?
• Will you not harden your heart to GOD’s plan today and learn to truthfully praise HIM in the middle of calamity?