The Power of Praise

Praise is more than just a warm fuzzy feeling. Praise is acknowledging the truth of who God is and always will be. Sometimes, in the midst of living our daily lives we can forget that we are not the center of the universe and there is more to life than just what we see and feel in the here and now. Thanksgiving is linked to praise and frees to remember the goodness and greatness of the Lord God Almighty our Maker, Savior, intercessor, friend and Father. 

So, remember all the good things he has done for you and praise him for being your Maker.

Who You Gonna Call?

To sacrifice a thank offering almost sounds contradictory to me. Sometimes, it can be hard to be thankful, especially when you don't see the hand of God or you didn't get the answer you were hoping for. 

What God does call us to do is to seek him, like we said we would when we gave our lives to him. In a way, I think that until Christ returns we live in "the day of trouble". Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

The amazing truth is that the Lord says to call upon him in the day of trouble and he will answer us! Maybe it's that so often we look to ourselves or others and expect help from them, when God wants us to look to him for help. When God answers our prayers and we know it's him, we will honor him. 

How Has God Been Your Refuge?

I am thankful that God has been my refuge in every trial and temptation that I face. Sometimes I forget that he is there, but when I remember, his strength comes to my aide. 

I am also thankful that I live in a country where I can worship God with my family and friends without fear. 

Father, thank you for being my refuge! Thank you for the freedom to worship you. Be honored by our thanks today. Protect our country and raise up leaders who will honor you.

I am thankful for...

What do you have to be thankful about? 

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
   he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
   he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
   because they take refuge in him.
Psalms 37:39-40 (NIV)

I am thankful for my salvation. The truth is that without the Spirit of God reminding me every day to read the Bible and pray, I would just go on about my day. I am thankful that my salvation is for today, not just yesterday. 

What are you thankful for?

It's Time

No matter where you are at, it's time to call on God. In thanksgiving and cries for help, God is on the throne and Christ is at the right of the thrown interceding on our behalf.

Hasten, O God, to save me;
   come quickly, Lord, to help me. 
May those who want to take my life
   be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin 
   be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
   turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you
   rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say, 
   "The Lord is great!” 
But as for me, I am poor and needy;
   come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
   Lord, do not delay.
Psalms 70:1-5  (NIV)

How To Be Mature in Christ

I am writing to you, dear children,
   because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
   because you have overcome the evil one. 
I write to you, dear children,
   because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
   because you are strong,
   and the word of God lives in you,
   and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:12-14 (NIV)

Where are you at in your relationship with God? John reminds us that knowing that our sins are forgiven is the basis of our relationship and the purpose is to know God, him who is from the beginning. There will be battles along the way and we will need the word of God to live in us and to be strong in the Lord and overcome the evil one. 

Where are you at in your relationship with God? Are you a little child just learning that your sins are forgiven? Are you a young man/ woman learning to be strong in the word of God and, by faith, overcoming the evil one? Are you a father/ mother who knows him who is from the beginning? 

What I get from this is that the basis of my relationship with God is the forgiveness of my sins by Christ's death on the cross. I progress in my relationship with Christ through the study of the word of God and the applications of its' truths applied by faith in the daily battles where I need to overcome the evil one. I mature and rest in my faith as I learn that knowing God and making him known is my true purpose in life. 

Father, help us to press on toward maturity. Reveal you forgiveness to us. Give us strength to overcome the evil one. And help us to know you, the Eternal Sovereign Lord. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. "

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)

I am thankful for many things (my wife and children, friends, my job and co-workers to name a few), but my salvation and relationship with God must come first. God gives meaning to everything else. His love, forgiveness and grace are the cornerstone of the abundant life we are called to live. 

Father, we humbly thank you for all the many blessings you have provided. Thank you for our daily bread and for a place to call home. Praise be to you in us today!

A Psalm and a Prayer for Mercy

"I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; 
     he heard my cry for mercy.
 Because he turned his ear to me,
     I will call on him as long as I live."
 Psalm 116:1-2


Thank you Lord, for hearing our voice, our cry for mercy. We cry out to you, "Have mercy on us!" We will call on you as long as we live. Praise be to you in us today!