Praise-

I am re-posting this from 2016. In searching for readings to share at a local nursing home I found this in my saved material.

            This is the month we observe the holiday known as Thanksgiving. The pilgrims decided to give thanks to God for bringing them to the New World. But the Bible has numerous passages that speak of His people giving thanks to God as well.

            As I searched through the Psalms for a comforting scripture, my eyes scanned Psalm 34.

            I will extol the LORD at all times, his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; Let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3

            David wrote these words. He had kept Abimelech from killing him. The shepherd-king acted as if he were insane. (I Samuel 21:31) God spared his life.

            In this three-verse passage, I identify five words and one phrase used for the word praise.

I will extol the LORD at all times. . .”

           

            He tells us he will highly praise God, even in the tough times. Could this mean we are to follow his example and praise God highly, whatever the conditions?

“. . . his praise will always be on my lips.”

In these few words, David confirms that he intends to praise God ALWAYS. When a person states an action and restates it right away, that person means what he or she says. Have we forsaken the value of praising God?

“My soul will boast in the LORD.”

           

            David doesn’t say, I will brag on the LORD when He does something good for him. He praises God even in the bad times. One of my favorite Gospel songs tells me to remember “God of the mountain is still God in the valley, in good times and the bad.”(1)

            God performs many acts that, as humans, we tend to take for granted. A roof over our heads, Central heating, Keeping us safe when we travel, Healthy family members, Positive Life experiences, all these are gifts from God.    

“Let the afflicted hear and rejoice,”

In our society, we see people who once were active cannot do as they once did. David asks God to let those dealing with diseases, illnesses, and disorders give praise to the LORD.

“Glorify the LORD with me. . . ”

Our purpose on this earth is to bring glory to the LORD. We do this in various ways. Seeking His guidance, praying for another person, coming together for worship, Sharing scripture, Inviting Him into our days.

“. . . let us exalt his name together”

I find this phrase interesting. David invites those who will read this down through the ages to corporately lift the name of Jesus up. Do we ask others to help pray for a special need? Do we ask friends to pray for us when we face trying circumstances?

As we this season of Thanksgiving, let us all take the time each day to find something for which to thank God.

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(1.)”God of the Mountain” written by Lynda Randle

The God of the Mountain

October in My Life

Fall Foilage across the street.

Early in the month, our Friends group met. We were fourteen strong with a couple of ones who had not met with us before. Some who were there in September were unable to make it. We decided to gather in November at a new location because the group has outgrown where we met.

                                    

Husband wanted to go to the outlet mall, located an hour and a half away. Due to different reasons, my schedule, a lack of good sleep, and his not feeling especially well, we finally got to go yesterday. Our original purpose was to get him some jeans and shirts as part of his birthday. (It was last month.) As time went on, I realized I needed to get some things for myself. Mission accomplished. The day was beautiful. However, we did have intermittent sprinkles on the way down.

One day, we went to Walmart. Hubby knew I needed new shoes and boots for winter. Some time ago, we did something with my hairdryer. It has not turned up and the days were getting cooler. He decided I needed to purchase a new one. The trip through that store wore me out. I shared this thought with one of my closest friends. She is of the same mind I am. That store is just too big.  I am not one to shop unless I know exactly what I need and where to find it in the store.

My hair-stylist had to cancel my appointment less than an hour beforehand. She was on her way to the E. R. She gave me the option of having another stylist in her shop cut my hair. I did that. My friend was in the hospital for eight days. She was released yesterday but won’t go back to the shop until next week.

A dear friend’s husband faced quadruple bypass surgery. He was in one of the heart hospitals in Indy for a week before he had surgery. He had triple bypass surgery and a stent. Three days after he underwent surgery, he returned home to further the recovery process.

I have taken Gods’ word to the nursing home two times this month for a total of three times since I began this part of my ministry. This nursing home has a night of “Trick or Treat” where the residents give candy to the children that come. I donated a couple of bags of candy. The activity director seems thrilled to receive it.

As I plan for 2019, I have chosen my word for the year. I will announce it in early January. I have chosen the monthly topics, some of which are standard. I also hope to have some other announcements to make at that time.

I am trying to decide if I want to get back into embroidery and needlepoint crafts. I used to enjoy crewel embroidery with the wool yarns. I purchased the kits. One year, I made all the Christmas presents for the women in our close family. I can only watch some many classic television shows. Hubby probably thinks I have them all memorized.

November is the month of Thanksgiving. My topic will be about giving thanks to God. December’s topic will be Advent-related. Nothing changes about these months.

Pray Continually (Believing.)

Quiet Spirit 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Apostle Paul wrote these words of guidance to the believers at Thessalonica and to us. What does He mean?

He encourages us to be in an attitude of prayer. To listen to those who share their concerns and offer to pray with them at that time.

I recently read a novel, River to Redemption, ⁽¹⁾ in which one of the main characters expressed this verse as “Pray believing.” This character loved the LORD and used it as his life’s verse, guiding him through many trials of his life, accepting each thing as God’s Will and always told those around him to “pray believing.” How can we pray believing? We believe that

         ● God hears our prayers,

     ● God will answer those prayers, according to His Will,

   ● God will be with us as we go through difficult times.

         ● God will bring about His Will, however it affects us.

Since I read this novel and thought about the way I have prayed in the past, I have begun praying in a slightly different, a more energized, way.

Have you ever received an idea that changed the way you pray?

(1.) River of Redemption- Redemption, by Ann H. Gabhart, Revell, Grand Rapids, © 2018