Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. – Hebrews 13:15 amp
I received the nicest email from someone who stumbled across my devotionals. Dianne complimented me on the site, and encouraged me to keep working for the Lord. I appreciate the fact that Dianne took the time to cheer on a fellow Christian she has never met.
Her email caused me to wonder. Have I applauded someone who’s done a good job lately? Have I inspired someone to work harder in his or her ministry? And most importantly – have I been faithful to praise God?
Everyone can use a boost now and then. I have to admit that sometimes I notice the negative before the positive. I jump in to fix what I perceive as wrong before I stop to appreciate what is right. These days I make an intentional effort to focus on the positive.
Does God really need for us to compliment Him? In Psalm 22:3, David said, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” What does it mean to inhabit? To be present in; be inside of. God is present when we praise Him. God dwells inside those who praise Him.
Stop for a moment. Is there someone in your life you could call today to encourage? In our church, Lori Barker does a lot of the ‘behind the scenes’ kind of work. As the ‘pastor’s wife’, I’m so grateful for people like Lori who don’t hesitate to do the things for which there is no outward praise. We have several more like Lori, too. We are blessed.
Not everyone writes or sings or preaches, but tell me – who in your church buys the bread for Communion? Who cleans the church or types up the bulletins? Do you know? Why not tell them today how much you appreciate their ministry?
Take some time, too, to praise the Lord. Perhaps you might like to memorize this verse: While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. - Psalm 146:2
Prayer: Lord, I praise You and give You glory for You are so worthy to be praised. Make me aware of those around me in need of a word of praise or thanks. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
4 comments:
Love this writing, On a Call to Praise. You made some heartfelt comments on the need we all have to be praised/noticed. This human need, when fulfilled, is joyful and keeps the Christian going, wanting to do even better.
Going writing....
Toni Star
How very needed is the message, "On a Call to Praise". We can so wound someone by a negative comment--or even by NOT making a positive one, especially at a time when a word of encouragement is badly needed. You can't tell by outward appearances who is needy of an uplifting word. Thank you for the reminder...I'll make a point to be an encourager today.
How very needed is the message, "On a Call to Praise". We can so wound someone by a negative comment--or even by NOT making a positive one, especially at a time when a word of encouragement is badly needed. You can't tell by outward appearances who is needy of an uplifting word. Thank you for the reminder...I'll make a point to be an encourager today.
Hi Donna! Love your blog, especially this post because of its timeliness in my life. There have been so many times when my heart felt suddenly boosted by a simple spoken or written word. God uses our words to spur one another on! God bless you for being there, Donna!
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