Friday, July 29, 2011

Perfect Praise

Perfect Praise




“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”

Psalm 119:164



We are not confined to praising our God just in the mornings or evenings. The scripture verse tells us we can praise Him when we are led to. The words say, “Seven times a day.” Let’s remember that seven is a perfect number.

When we take the time to praise our Lord, we are giving Him glory and honor due Him. Our praises place our hearts and souls at His feet and we give honor to Him for who He is as well as what He has done for us.

Not all times for praising the Lord are joyous; sometimes we have to look for the smallest glimmer of light to praise Him for. I have a friend whose sister has been a resident of a nursing home for close to a year. We know God is at work in this circumstance and we give praise for His deeds in the sister’s life.

Some of our praises are that God will bring us through a trial or a trouble. The news is bad but we can enter God’s presence and give it to Him. We give thanks for Him being there with us as we go through the steps to come out from under the burden we carry.

Across our side yard sits an empty house. At one time, this house had a very cute interior. The last family that lived there let it go back. It has sat empty for three years. Last summer, the yard was neglected and weeds took over. This year, there is a for sale sign in the yard. From time to time, I find myself praying for God to find the right family to live there. I need to praise Him in advance for working this out.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Praise Often

“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:164 (NIV)



We are not confined to praising our God just in the mornings or evenings. The scripture verse tells us we can praise Him when we are led to. The words say, “Seven times a day.” Let’s remember that seven is a perfect number.

When we take the time to praise our Lord, we are giving Him glory and honor due Him. Our praises place our hearts and souls at His feet and we give honor to Him for who He is as well as what He has done for us.

Not all times for praising the Lord are joyous; sometimes we have to look for the smallest glimmer of light to praise Him for. A family I know is awaiting the result of a tragic situation that occurred last winter. I praise the Lord for their standing by one their family members during the months since that tragic day.

Some of our praises are that God will bring us through a trial or a trouble. The news is bad but we can enter God’s presence and give it to Him. We give thanks for Him being there with us as we go through the steps to come out from under the burden we carry.

There are times in our lives we have to praise God for things that are personal, these acts He does that no one else knows about. But, the important stance we should take is to praise the Lord when we feel the Holy Spirit’s urge.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Praise Throughout the Day




“May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.”

Psalm 72:15 (NIV)



“Whisper a prayer in the morning.

Whisper a prayer at noon.

Whisper a prayer in the evening.

‘Twill keep your heart in tune.”



As I found the scripture for this entry, this campfire song from my youth returned to my mind. Its message is more than a nice little rhyme. We can stay in tune with God when we take time to pray as we see our days unfold.

Most of the times I am out since my prayer walk through our city’s business district and the near west side; I feel the need to pray for our businesses and the neighborhoods where we live. I give praise for the presence of the majority of the businesses. I ask God to find new tenants for the vacant commercial buildings. I noticed a beauty shop down the street has a sign ad for Vacation Bible School at a church on the west side town. I thank Him for the person who placed the sign. I thank Him for His leading the residents who keep their yard mowed and for those who are improving their homes. I ask Him to find the right people to live in the vacant houses.

Our street is a main route to the hospital. When I hear sirens coming toward us, I ask God to be with the people involved in the event that caused the ambulance run.

I believe if people who call themselves Christians will send up prayers of praise, intercession, and thanksgiving throughout the day that our world will be a better place.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...