Praise

April 29th – Psalm 136

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Psalm 136

What I love most about this Psalm is that twenty six times in twenty six verses, we are told God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. Lovingkindness is showing someone mercy, goodness, and love. Everlasting is something which endures forever, with no beginning and no end. Can there be a more perfect way of describing God and His feelings for us? He is faithful and good. And even though we fail Him daily, the Lord will never fail us. Just as He cared, provided for, and protected Israel until they reached the promised land, so God will do for us. So give thanks to the God in heaven, Lord of lords, King of kings, and Creator of all! Exalt Him, the Miracle Maker, for His indescribable and unmerited love. Because to God alone goes the glory! And only He is worthy of all praise!

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April 2nd – 1 Peter 1:3

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1 Peter 1:3

Did you know Peter is often called the apostle of hope? Even as he watched his beloved Master, Friend, and Teacher, hang upon a Cross, he didn’t despair. Because through the blood of Jesus, Peter knew that now everyone who received Christ as their Savior can experience hope. And not just a wishful hope. But a living, confident, expectation through the resurrection of Jesus. Because of His great mercy, God doesn’t want us to remain dead in our sins. And so He offers us a grace we don’t deserve, and can never earn. A grace through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And because of Christ’s great sacrifice, we now can be born again. Our heavenly Father chooses, sanctifies, and gives us great purpose. And our lips should offer continue praise and blessings to Him for all He is, and does!

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March 10th – Acts 16:25-26

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Acts 16:25-26

In today’s verses we find Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns of praise while they were in prison. But most amazing, is what the previous verses describe. “When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:23-24)

Can you imagine how terribly hurt they were? Yet in spite of this, they, “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” (16:25). They had the strength to praise God! They had joy in their hearts and they wanted everyone else to know!! There was a Godly purpose for their suffering and all the circumstances they faced.

Let me ask you this. When you have been in a painful situation, “imprisoned” in distress and difficulties, did you immediately praise God? Did you feel there was a Godly purpose in all this? Although it’s difficult in our own strength, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it can be done. Joy is an attribute of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it is available to each one of us. But we must ask in prayer for this to be a continual reality in us!

I pray that each one of us can experience the same joy that Paul and Silas treasured in their hearts: the joy of His Salvation!  And may we be able to sing in joy for everyone to witness what He has done in our lives!

Blessings, Mari

 

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December 27th – Luke 2:25-35

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Luke 2:25-35

How was your Christmas? Did you get that special gift you so desired? More than just a holiday of celebrating for us, Christmas is also the birthday of our Lord and Savior. So how about His gift? What do you think Jesus wants for His special day? We can find out through an encounter at God’s temple between Simeon, Mary, Joseph, and the small “Lord’s Christ”. First, Jesus wants our lives. Simeon waited a long time to see God’s promise fulfilled. But in the meantime, he lived in obedience and righteousness. Second He wants our praise and worship. When Jesus was placed in Simeon’s arms, the first thing he did was to joyfully thank and pay homage to God.  And finally, the Lord wants our purpose. Simeon’s purpose was to proclaim the Good News of Christ. And our purpose is the same, to lead others to the saving grace of Jesus. Christ gave to us the greatest gift of all, so shouldn’t be eager to give Him the gifts He wants as well?

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December 25th – Luke 1:68-69

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Luke 1:-68-69

I once heard a preacher say, “If our greatest need was entertaining, God would have sent us an actor. If our greatest need was technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need was more things, God would have sent us a genie. But since our greatest need is forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.” Because our God is perfect, true, and the source of all love, from the beginning it was His plan to redeem His people. And so He promised to send a Messiah. A sacrificial Lamb who would come to give His life for all of mankind. A promise fulfilled in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God in the flesh, Jesus came to be our Friend, Teacher, and Redeemer. He is the greatest Christmas present of all! May we give thanks and rejoice for Christ’s birth, death, and the salvation He freely offers to each and every one. Merry Christmas to you all, and may the light of Christ’s love shine upon you this and every day of the year!

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November 15th – Exodus 15:1

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Exodus 15:1

Many Christians frown upon celebrating holidays due to their pagan roots. But that’s not true with Thanksgiving. With the original day of December 13, 1621, the colonists started the tradition of giving thanks. A day set aside for feasting, prayer, and gratitude to God for all of His provisions. The Biblical definition of thanksgiving is “the act of acknowledging what is right about God in prayer and thanks.” And having gratitude to God comes up around 125 times throughout the Bible. That makes it pretty clear how important hearts of thanksgiving are to the Lord. The first thing the Israelites did when safely crossing the Red Sea was to sing a song of praise to God. For they knew that all good things in life only come from the Lord, especially their deliverance. And no matter the circumstance we face, there is always something to be thankful for. So this holiday and all days in between, from hearts overflowing with thanks, let our lips constantly be singing God’s praises!

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November 2nd – Isaiah 12:4

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Isaiah 12:4

Did you know the word “praise” appears approximately 248 times in the Bible? The Hebrew word for “praise” is used to acknowledge the greatness of God and the goodness of His character. And in this life, it is only the Lord who is truly worthy of such esteem and adoration. Because of His amazing love and grace, we joyfully drink of the living water from the well of salvation. A salvation we can never earn, and one that is given freely to all. And out of hearts of gratitude, that living water should be flowing from us to a thirsty world desperately in need of God. We should be shouting from the rooftops of God’s love, mercy, and blessings. Our lips should constantly be singing the praises of the Lord and exalting His great name. And out of deep gratitude for all He gives to us, those who are worthy of nothing, we should put Him first in every thought, word, and action.

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November 1st – Ephesians 5:20

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Ephesians 5:20

Dr. Charles Stanley once said, “Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally. Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.” The apostle Paul repeatedly instructs believers to live our lives through the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Because if we do, the pull of a worldly, sinful, life is one we can claim victory over. But this only happens when we have hearts of gratitude in all things. For a Spirit led believer is one who thanks God for everything He does in our lives, good and bad. And because we trust that God uses it all for our benefit, (Romans 8:28) we thank Him always in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and is the ultimate authority over what we need to become fruitful, mature Christians. So through the highs and lows of life, we can praise Him and sing songs of thanks from hearts filled with melodies of gratitude!

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November 30th – Psalm 31:19

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Psalm 31:19

Being called children of God comes with some pretty amazing perks. Not only does it offer the promise of an eternal life spent in His presence, God also promises wonderful things for those who receive Jesus as their Savior. In His goodness, God takes great joy in pouring out his storehouse of love and blessings on those He calls His own. And out of His unmerited grace, the Lord offers each of us protection from this world under His mighty wing. To God alone goes the praise and thankfulness for His love and mercy.

 

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November 25th – Ezra 3:11

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Ezra 3:11

After exiled in Babylon for more than 70 years, the people of Israel were finally going home. Beginning the work of rebuilding the temple, they sang songs of praise and thanksgiving for the fulfilled promises of God. And just like Israel, we too can rejoice knowing that the Lord always keeps His promises. Although the wait may be difficult, when we can trust in God’s perfect timing. For when we do He will reward that faith, promising the end results will be greater than we could ever have dreamed!

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