I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. [Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV] We can forget that our praises are sacrificial offerings — the sacrifice of praise. In praise, we are giving everything of ourselves; we are lifted into a different sphere, because I am focussed on He that is greater than I. It is part of what is described as death to self; a message that seems unpalatable, and yet it is so uplifting and easy when we throw ourselves fully into praise, because we are transported to a greater reality; the reality of Jesus Christ. But we must be careful in this. Praise can become an end in itself; almost a drug; for we enjoy the lifting up, the exhilaration of the moment. This can be a trap, when we are merely enjoying ourselves — our eyes diverted away from who we should be worshipping. Not that there should not be enjoyment; perhaps joy would be a better description? Praise is not there to serve us, but to glorify The Lord. Psalm 9:1-2 shows us the sure heart of our praise. Sing praise to your name, O Most High! Sing Praises Unto God, Sing Praises It is the most natural thing to be like the person you live with most, therefore live most with Jesus Christ; be absorbingly taken up with Him. |
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Archives
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GEORGE and GILL STEWART |