doers of the word

Thursday Sept. 14th-Doers of the Word

1:00 PM

 Thursday Sept. 14th


Doers of the Word
     Read-James 1 

I love the book of James.  I often go here when I am struggling and need to get back on track with the Lord.
  
Are we hearers and doers of His Word?  One who is not a doer is compared to looking at themselves in a mirror and then walking away forgetting what they look like.
  
There are two ways of looking at ourselves in a mirror.
1-looks and immediately forgets what he looks like, what kind of person he is-it does not penetrate the heart.
2- looks and hears with a genuine faith- alert and eager to learn from God's message and obeys.
  
When we spend time in His word with Him I believe that we are having a conversation together with Him.  Sometimes I am listening more than asking and sometimes I have lots of questions and need His insight in what this means for my life.  I take what I have read and throughout the day I meditate on that and what I need to do about it. I would like to say that I am always successful but I am not.  Last week I talked about Jesus being our cornerstone in whom we should measure everything that we do.  When we get into His word we should be looking to being in alignment with Him.
James chapter 1 is full of what we should and should not be doing.

⦁ Do we consider it all joy when we are going through trials and temptations?  We should because it tests our faith and leads us to endurance making us complete and perfect lacking nothing.  One who perseveres has been approved and will receive the crown of life, a promise from the Lord.

⦁ Do we run to Him for wisdom?  He gives it to us generously.  But are we asking doubting that He hears and answers.  Did we forget the last trial or temptation and what He did for us and how it grew our faith in Him?

⦁ Do we have a tendency to always be questioning ourselves if it is the right thing to do and cannot make a decision?  A double-minded person is unstable in all his way.

⦁ Don't think your temptation came from the Lord, because He cannot be tempted and He tempts no one.  We are tempted by our own lusts and desires and if we let it get the best of us it leads to death.

⦁ Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.  Anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.
⦁ Put aside filthiness and wickedness

⦁ In humility receive the word implanted which saves your soul.  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

⦁ Prove yourself doers of the word not merely hearers deceiving yourselves.  “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46  Read-Matt 7:24-27
 
⦁ Bridle (restrain) your tongue-I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue;  I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.” Psalms 39:1

⦁ Keep oneself unstained by the world.  God's word changes the heart and it manifests a change of behavior. 
 
What is your time like?  How do you spend your days?  Are you spending time in His word each day and meditating on His word that you read for that day?  Or do we forget what we read and just go about our day in our own strength?
  
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:2
  
But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28

Father,  help us to be doers of Your word.  I ask You for an open heart that is listening and eager to obey You.  May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight O Lord our Rock and our Redeemer.  Help us to take all of our thoughts to the obedience of Jesus Christ.  Amen
How can we pray for you?

Lyn




 




ABC salvation.

Thursday Sept. 7th-Jesus our Cornerstone!

2:00 PM

 


Thursday Sept. 7th


 

                                                               Read Ephesians 2                                                                       Jesus our cornerstone!

Since ancient times, builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects. A cornerstone was the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of an edifice, to guide the workers in their course. The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the edifice. The Bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone that His church would be built upon. He is foundational. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment. [qot questions]

Did you know that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them? vs.10

Every one born into this world comes not knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  It does not matter what your nationality is or what family you are born into.  He created you!  He knit you together in your mother's womb.  You will have the opportunity in your life time to hear about Jesus and make a choice to receive Him as your Lord and Savior.   

It is because of God's rich mercy-tenderness of heart that He overlooks injuries, and treats an offender better than he deserves and His great love for us that we are made alive in Christ Jesus.  

How are we saved? We are saved by faith not because of anything that we can do or work for.  It is a GIFT from God.  If we could do it on our own we would not need Jesus to save us.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER STONE,

AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 1 Peter 2:4-6

I ask you, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

If so is He your cornerstone upon which you are living your life?  What is your foundation and how are you building upon it?  Do you run to Him only when you are in trouble?  Are you spending time with Him daily in His word?  Think about this:  living with someone on a day to day basis we get to know them very well.  Sometimes we can even know what they will do or say before they do.  Do you have that relationship with Jesus?  Do you spend everyday with Him in His Word?  Is He your cornerstone upon which you are building?  Or do you only think that you know Him?  

If you do not know Him, would you accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life today, right now at this moment?  

 


Jesus is the cornerstone for all who believe in Him.  We are not alone, we are fellow citizens of God's household.  Christ Jesus, Himself is our corner stone in whom we are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.  

Father, thank You for Jesus, whom You sent to save us from our sins and that we have eternal life in Him.  Thank you also for when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit now lives in us, to help, teach, and intercedes for us.  Father help us to remember that Jesus is our cornerstone and that we learn from Him how to walk this journey heavenward.  I thank You for my precious sisters, may they hunger and thirst after Your righteousness and spend time each day with You.  In Jesus name, amen!

How can we pray for you?

 

Lyn


act

WitW 2023 Fall Study

4:09 AM

Are you hungry for more of God's truth and wisdom in your life? Then join us this fall starting Sept. 4th for our online Bible study called A.C.T. (Absorb, Contemplate, and Transform) Together we’ll dig into God’s Word and fill our souls with the transforming messages of the Lord that only the Bible can provide. So if you’re looking for a convenient and engaging platform for you to deepen your faith, share insights, and build lifelong friendships with like-minded women, look no further! Grab your Bibles, tell your friends, and get ready for God to move mightily in your life! And don’t forget to head over to Facebook to our WitW group and join in on the discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2

2023

Women in the Word 2023 Fall Study

2:00 AM

Attention, women seeking spiritual nourishment and transformation! We here at Women in the Word personally invite you to join us this fall for an exciting new study called ACT. (Absorb, Contemplate, and Transform) A 16 week life changing adventure designed to deepen your faith, provide spiritual encouragement, and ignite a passion for Christ within you. On Monday through Thursday we’ll be studying the Bible together. Friday will be left open for prayer, and Saturday the reading schedule for the upcoming week will be published. Each day our writers will post their thoughts on the daily scripture. And we encourage you to join in on the discussion, and complete the worksheet which will be made available. So grab your Bibles, tell your friends, and together let us absorb, contemplate, and transform as we embark on this beautiful journey of spiritual growth and discovery. And be sure to head over to Facebook and join the WitW group to study along. Just click on the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2


Cream Cheese

Lemonade Pie

3:22 AM



Lemonade Pie


1 pkg. (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Yellow food coloring, optional

1 tsp. lemon zest (optional)

2 tsp. lemon juice (optional)

1 9-inch graham cracker crust


In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth.  Beat in lemonade concentrate.  Fold in whipped topping and, if desired, food coloring, lemon zest,many lemon juice.  Pour into crust.  Cover and refrigerate until set.  (I always stick mine in the freezer to quicken the setting time)

Bars

Pecan Pie Squares

3:58 AM


Pecan Pie Squares


Crust:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off

1/4 cup corn starch

1/2 cup Confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces


Filling

12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Generous pinch salt

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

3 cups coarsely chopped pecans


Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Push foil neatly into corners and up sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure it overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from pan). Spray foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the flour, corn starch, confectioners sugar and salt in a bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. Also can be made with a pastry cutter or two forks. Dump mixture into prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the refrigerator, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the crust until crust is set but not browned, about 17 minutes. Set on rack to cool. Leave oven on. In a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and boil gently for 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans. Pour pecan mixture over crust (it's fine if crust is still warm). Bake until filling is bubbling and caramel in color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on rack. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift baked square out of pan and onto cutting board. Loosen the foil from the edges, then cut with a sharp knife into 2-inch squares. Store finished pecan squares in air-tight container and serve at room temperature.

Journey

Scripture Saturday ~ "Becoming A Woman After God's Own Heart - A Journey Through The Psalms"

11:00 PM

 


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150:6)


Knowing that God is my Creator, the giver of my breath shows me that He is worthy of my praise every moment, every day for ever more! 


Well ladies, this is the last of our Scripture Saturday in our study of the Psalms. And what a way to end! This verse is an amazing ending to this psalm and to the entire book of Psalms. Everything that breathes should give its praise to the One who gave it breath. Every breath is the gift of God and praise is the worthy response we should make for this gift.


And not just while we walk on this earth…


And I heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying…”To Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)


Praise the LORD! Hallelujah! Yahweh is to be praised and honored, and will be among His people and all creation.


As the summer season draws closer, keep this verse in mind as you look at the renewal of creation around you. As you wake each morning praise God for the day you have been given - the breath that He has gifted you with. Only He is worthy of such praise!


Here is the link to our study on Facebook...WitW Facebook Page


Don't forget to share with us the attribute of God that most spoke to you this week!


Have a blessed summer break!


Sandra

Is. 55:12

Friday May 5th-psalm 150-Praise! Praise! Praise!

1:00 PM

Friday May 5th, Psalm 150, Isaiah 40:25-29, Eph. 4:4-8 

Wow! What an amazing journey we have been on through the psalms. Psalms is where I go to when I want comfort, direction, spiritual warfare and praises! I love this verse let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  I imagine the day when Christ will return and we will be praising Him forever.

Matthew Henry- "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Such is the very suitable end of a book inspired by the Spirit of God, written for the work of praise; a book which has supplied the songs of the church for more than three thousand years; a book which is quoted more frequently than any other by Christ and his apostles; a book which presents the loftiest ideas of God and his government, which is fitted to every state of human life, which sets forth every state of religious experience, and which bears simple and clear marks of its Divine origin." 

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. Psalms 145:21

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12  This verse is the motto of the camp I work at.  I have to tell you that when the groups come and they are all varied groups...it is such a joy to hear them praising the Lord! I have heard them praising Him in many different languages and it is such beautiful music to my ears.  I have even heard them call the people with a shofar [which can also be called trumpet]. When I first heard the shofar I stopped and remembered that when Jesus returns He will be calling us with the shofar/trumpet.

I encourage you to go to the psalms often and find rest for your souls.  

Are you in His Word daily?                                                                                                                      Do you praise the Lord in everything?                                                                                                      Do you sing and dance before the Lord?

Father, we come humbly before You and want to give you praise and thanksgiving in everything.  For it is You who works out all things for our good because we love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Speak to us through Your Word.  Bring joy, peace and comfort as we praise You!  We long for and look and listen for Your return.  Thank you for these precious sisters that we have journeyed with through the psalms.  Keep them in Your care and bless them abundantly beyond what they ask for.  Put a song in our hearts of praise to You!   Help us to keep our focus on You, Jesus and look forward to His return for us.  Amen!

Lyn



 


(2 Corinthians 5:17

Praising Our God with a New Song! -Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 5:21

6:00 PM

 



 

Today’s reading: Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am so grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to study the Psalms together! I have to agree with my sisters: it’s been a great journey and we’ve learned so much and our faith has grown too! So let us join David praising our God for blessing us through His word!

And in today’s psalm David invites us to:

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and praise Him in the congregation of His godly ones (believers).” (V.1)

Yes, there is so much we should praise our God for, but in this first verse we are encouraged to sing to Him a new song! This takes me back to Psalm 40.

“I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear [with great reverence]
And will trust confidently in the Lord.” (40:1-3)

I remember in my first days as a Christian, we would sing these first verses at Church. There was a sister who was gifted in music, ant the Lord would literally give her the music to different psalms, and she would share them with the congregation and we would cheerfully praise our Abba along with her! These first verses of Psalm 40 made a great impact in my heart, for it clearly reflected who I was and where I was before surrendering my life to Jesus, and the amazing transformation His Holy Spirit made in me… I became a new person that wanted more of Him, and less of me through the power of His Loving and Saving Grace! This is so humbling, for I did not deserve anything!! I believe this is what the next verses in psalm 149 declare:

“Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let Zion’s children rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” (149:2-4)



Only a new person, a transformed person can with His Spirit, now sing a new song. A song that comes from a transformed and grateful heart! From someone who wants the whole world to know that he/she was saved! (2 Corinthians 5:17) And this is pleasing to our God: he beautifies us with His Saving Grace! (1 Peter 5:5)

 

In the next and final verses, David declares the importance of praising our God day and night, for this will keep us focused and empowered in Him!

 

“5 Let the godly ones exult in glory; Let them sing for joy on their beds.6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats, and a two-edged sword in their hands," (149:5-6)

 

With His Word hidden in our hearts, we will be able to stand firm in Him:

 

“It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]. 12 The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. 13 Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires.” (Romans 13:11-14 Emphasis mine)

 

His precious and powerful Word is like a two-edged sword:

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [b]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [c]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ (Heb. 4:12)

Jesus is the Word: “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself.” (John 1:1-3,14), And so only He can be able:

“To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples, 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 To execute on them the judgment written. This is the honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)”

Yes, now we through Jesus’ Saving Grace are honored to be seated in the heavenly places

“4 But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Thank you Heavenly Father for the honor you have given us as Your children, to be able to praise You with a grateful and joyful heart. It is such a great honor not a duty, not an imposition… It is such a blessing from You Lord, that we can come together as Your people to sing of Your wonders and the riches of Your Grace toward us!  May we lift our hands and sing a new song to You! May we praise You with our lives, with our lips, with our hearts, and all our being, because You our Lord "love Your people", and  are Worthy of all the Honor and the Glory! Hallelujah!!

Mari

 


Becky Austin

Praise His Name

3:00 PM




Our Reading: Psalm 148 & Ephesians 4:4-8


This final week of studying the Psalms is all about praise and this Psalm declares universal praise for the name of the Lord. It has a beautiful connection to the creation account of Genesis. God first created the heavenly places to include the heavenly lights. In v 1-6, we see a call for praise from these heavenly dwellings to include the angels, the Sun, moon, and stars. The heavenly realm and it’s angelic hosts are present because God created them. With precision and cosmic fine tuning, he keeps all the galaxies, including our solar system in perfect harmonious order. “Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭


Next God created the features of the landscape of earth and its mighty oceans and filled it with living creatures. He established the weather patterns and ecosystems that could sustain life. Verses 7-10 bid praise from the elements, the creatures of land, sea, and air.


And finally, he created mankind and bid all people to praise Him from every walk of life, race, sex and generation. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭13‬ ‭


Not only did He create every physical element necessary for life but He created and sustains all of the vast components and systems necessary to preserve life. Not only did He create it but He rules over it, having a vast passion to connect to mankind, whom He so lovingly placed here to be in relationship with. 

“Therefore ought the Lord to be praised because he is Preserver as well as Creator, Ruler as well as Maker.” (Spurgeon)


The peaceful, harmonious, and intimate relationship man first enjoyed in the Garden of Eden was destroyed when man decided to embrace sin and to put self on the throne of his heart. But, God, in His abundant mercy and passionate concern for man’s spiritual well-being, provided a promise of coming salvation for his people to hope in.

“He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭14‬ ‭




The raised horn refers to a bull raising its horns after a victory and biblically is connected to victory, especially from oppression. Jesus was the promised raised horn. God, graciously stepped down from His exalted position to clothe himself in the humble cloak of human flesh. He willingly endured first hand the experience of being like us so that He could ultimately connect to us and save us. There is no greater act of mercy, compassion, or love! When we meditate on this, the awe of God and His love for each of us should bid our praise. 


“He is himself the crown of all things, the excellency of the creation. There is more glory in him personally than in all his works united. It is not possible for us to exceed and become extravagant in the Lord’s praise: his own natural glory is infinitely greater than any glory which we can render to him.” (Spurgeon)


As we have studied the Psalms together, I hope that you have been able to grow in your knowledge and personal connection with God. I hope that you have developed an ever expanding awe and admiration for the One who made you and the world that sustains life for you. I hope that from a heart surrendered to God, you find praise and worship freely flowing,extending out to touch those you encounter and rising to the heavenly realm in prayerful paise and jubilant exaltation. May your life be a continual act of bidding Him praise.!


The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.-John Piper


Prayer: Father, we thank You for the amazing world that You have created and how it reflects Your wisdom, Your sovereignty, and Your majestic power. We thank You for not only creating us and sustaining us, but for sending your beloved Son, Jesus, to be our raised horn of salvation from the oppression of sin. May praise become a genuine outpouring from the depths of our hearts. 


A Woman After God's Heart

The Power of Praise ~ Psalm 147

2:30 AM

Scripture for today: Psalm 147 & Isaiah 40:25-29


We did it, Girls!  We've read and studied every psalm, or will have on Friday! Have we become women after God's own heart? I believe so! I know my faith has grown tremendously through this study; far more than in any other study we've done over the past ten years! And how fitting to end our study focused on praising our amazing Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Before we begin, let me ask you, how easy do praises roll off your lips? 

Psalm 147 begins, "Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" (147:1)

I thought the choice of words the psalmist uses to encourage us was interesting - "pleasant and fitting to praise Him." for not everything that is fitting is pleasant. 

Forgiving an offender is fitting, but may not always be pleasant, particularly if the offense is often repeated, or the offender isn't sorry. Giving and receiving discipline is fitting, but it may not be pleasant at the moment (Hebrews 12:11).

BUT Psalm 147 tells us that praise is both pleasant, fitting and good! “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”

So, I've decided to go on a quest today to discover why! 

There are many good things to do in life, but praising God is man’s highest good. There is nothing more rewarding, more beautiful, and more beneficial than to praise the Lord of the universe and to appreciate His works.

Praise Invites the Presence of God

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3 KJV emphasis mine)

".. —indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:

“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,”

that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. " (1 Chronicles 5:13-14)

Praise Guarantees Victory

2 Chronicles 20:15-20 tells a story of King Jehoshaphat and his army, "rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated..."

Praise Delivers Us From Our Enemies 

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)

Praise Drives Out Depression 

  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)

Praise Satisfies our Souls


O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. (Psalm 63:1-5)

Praise Brings Joy!

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 116:7)

Praise Strengthens our Faith!

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God … (Romans 4:20)

He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble (Psalm 147:4-6a)

And Praise Draws Others to Him!

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. (John 12:32)

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)


In short, praise lifts our spirit. Praise restores our hope. Praise rids us of our  uncertainty and celebrates God’s victories. Praise glorifies our God and magnifies our Savior.  No wonder praise is pleasant, good and fitting!

Bottom line, there are many good things to do in life, but praising God is man’s highest good. There is nothing more rewarding, more beautiful, and more noble than to lift up our hearts and voices to praise the Creator of this universe and to appreciate all He has done for each of us.

So, let me ask you:

  • What thoughts fill your mind when you sing songs of praise at church? Where is your focus usually?
  • How often do you sing your thanks and love to God? Or verbalize your praise to God and others?
  • What can you do to enhance and motivate your heart to praise Him?
  • What in your life can you replace with singing or listening to worship music so that you remember to worship more often?
Let's Pray:

O God, You are my God! Let all that I am praise You, Lord. May I never forget the good things You have done for me. May I make the You my shelter, and may  I tell everyone about the beautiful things you do. Please, I pray, let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about Your glorious acts always.

Blessings & have a wonderful summer! 
Sue