Category: Praise

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Oh Glorious Day!

Woke up with joy in my heart and wanting to praise the Lord. Maybe you woke up with a heavy heart – well then, it’s time to offer a sacrifice of praise! Praising not because you feel like it but because He ALWAYS deserves it.

“Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice. 12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness.” Psalm 5:11-12 CEV

I can hear some “sad sack” say but those verses are for those who live right and I’m not sure that includes me. Well, if you have Christ as your Savior, you’re living right! He made you a new creature in Christ – the old has passed away and all things have become new.

So with a joyful heart lift your song of joy to the Lord and it will definitely change the way you look at life today. This song, Glorious Day, was written in 1910 by a Methodist minister. It’s a good one.

1 One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!

Refrain
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely, forever;
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!

2 One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected,
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He! [Refrain]

Refrain
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely, forever;
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!

5 One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! [Refrain]

Remember yesterday’s teaching – overwhelming joy! We can’t help but praise when we are overwhelmed with joy!

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A Sweet Smelling Fragrance

Have you ever walked through a rose garden when it’s in bloom or sat on a bench surrounded by gardenias?

Some years back my mother was living in Dillon, MT where we lived. She had moved into a duplex and right outside the back door was a tall lilac bush. Each time she opened the door to walk out she would be greeted with the smell of lilac. She told me that she remembered being a small girl and smelling lilacs at her home.

That smell, that sweet smell, reminded her of home!

Our sense of smell is very strong – we can smell a favorite food cooking and our mouth will water, even if we have just eaten. Or the smell of vinegar and cleaning products can make us wince.

What type of smell do we emit?

No, I’m not asking if you’ve bathed recently or what type of cologne you wear but I’m asking about your life.

“You may prepare sacrifices to give thanks in any of these three ways. Bring your sacrifice to a priest, and he will take it to the bronze altar. 9 Then, to show that the whole offering belongs to me, the priest will lay part of it on the altar and send it up in smoke with a smell that pleases me. 10 The rest of this sacrifice is for the priests; it is very holy because it was offered to me.” Leviticus 2:8-10 CEV

Offerings of thanksgiving to God were to be a mixture of fine flour, olive oil and incense. And when they were burned by the priest, the offering had a sweet smell that was pleasing to the Lord.

Is our life one with the sweet smell of thanksgiving? Do we spend more time thanking God for His goodness and His love than we do complaining about how things could/should/would be better “if only”? As Christians – Christ like ones – our lives should be an offering that pleases the Father.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 CEV

We are to be like Christ and our lives should be like His, a sacrifice that pleases God. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God. Just as the priests presented the sacrifices to the Lord and it pleased Him, we should offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice.

And it’s not only the Father who notices that our lives are a sacrifice, those around us will notice too.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. 15 In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone.” II Corinthians 2:14-15 CEV

As we enter this week of Easter I desire that my life “smells sweet” with praise and thanksgiving to the Father and forgiveness and love to those I meet.

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What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday morning the sun was shining, the birds were singing and people were out enjoying a morning walk. I don’t know what they had planned for this morning but no one’s out, even the birds are holed up and the wind is blowing pretty hard.

Physically there is a difference in this day. Just as quickly as the wind comes in, emotionally and circumstantially our days can change. Things aren’t quite how we planned.

You ever have one of those mornings when you get up and wonder what the day will have in store? You’re wondering if it will be bright and sunny or you will have the strength to face it? Will you have the answer for the day’s questions or are you in need of help?

A very real part of our relationship with the Lord is knowing that His mercy is new every morning and that He has promised to never abandon us. When we get up each morning do we thank the Father for His mighty acts; for His strength, peace, joy and His abundant wisdom? Or do we complain about our circumstances?

It’s not all about me – it certainly is all about Him! So focus…

“Praise the Lord, because he is good! His faithful love will last forever! 2 Everyone the Lord has saved should repeat that word of thanks. Praise him, all who have been rescued from the enemy.” Psalm 107:1-2 ERV

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 ERV

“He gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from the grave. 21 Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 22 Offer sacrifices of thanks to him. Sing with joy about all that he has done.” Psalm 107:20-22 ERV

“Whoever is wise will remember these things and begin to understand the Lord’s faithful love.” Psalm 107:43 ERV

Starting the day with praise, makes an indelible difference. Throughout the day take “Praise Breaks”. Praise reminds us of the Lord’s faithful love and all He has done!

What a difference praise makes in our day!

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From the Heart

I’m not normally someone who has restless sleep but this week has been a booger!

Tossing and turning all night long.

However, with that as my back story, coffee in hand, quiet surrounding me, except for the birds I have been listening to my heart. And wouldn’t you know it…I heard a song.

“Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.” by Keith Green, 1980

1980, I was a young mother with two small children, ages 5 1/2 and 4. I had recently experienced a miscarriage and I was learning to lean on the Lord’s strength in ways that were beyond my years.

This song became the anthem of my heart. “Your face is all I seek. Your grace abounds to me”.

The abounding grace of Jesus – His grace that covered all my sin, His grace that brought me into right standing with the Father, His grace that saved me.

“ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.

7-8  Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,  9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.” Ephesians 1:5-9 CEV

“ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NJKV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV

We have God’s promise that when we seek His kingdom, His way of doing things, we will find it and not only will be find it but we will be rewarded for seeking Him.

“ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Good days or bad days. Rest filled days or restless days, it doesn’t matter. We come to Him and praise Him from the heart and He will do the rest.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3  and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

Yes Lord, You are beautiful and I will praise you with all my heart!

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Answer to Weariness

Didn’t sleep well last night? Too many dreams, noisy neighborhood, the dogs were barking or the coyotes howling?

You want to know how to turn the tide on fatigue and grumpiness this morning?

“Everyone, clap your hands. Shout with joy to God! 2 The Lord Most High is awesome.” Psalm 47:1-2 ERV

Don’t let the things that go bump in the night affect your day. Listen to the song of the birds – see the beauty in the sunrise and praise the Lord for the opportunity of the day ahead.

“I praise you, Lord God, with all my heart. You are glorious and majestic, dressed in royal robes 2 and surrounded by light. You spread out the sky like a tent, 3 and you built your home over the mighty ocean. The clouds are your chariot with the wind as its wings… 10 You provide streams of water in the hills and valleys, 11 so that the donkeys and other wild animals can satisfy their thirst.12 Birds build their nests nearby and sing in the trees…33 As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the Lord God. 34 I hope my thoughts will please you, because you are the one who makes me glad.” Psalm 104: 1-3, 10-12, 33-34 CEV

I’m writing to myself this morning. It’s been a long week and my energy level is low. But I’ll be singing with the birds – as soon as they get up!

I know I have told you before but the birds are my morning reminder to praise. There was a time when Dave and I had very little money. My grocery budget was $20 a week for a family of 4. I know, it was definitely a struggle but that’s when I learned first-hand of the Lord’s faithfulness. He ministered these words to my heart and I’ve never forgotten the lesson.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Each morning the birds start their day with a song. In my imagination, I hear it as a song of praise. “Thank you Father for the bugs and the seeds. Thank you my nest in the trees. Thank you for the air that I fly in. Thank you for taking care of me”.

Find a reason to sing this morning and sing loudly! God loves you and He has a wonderful day planned for you!

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The Heavens Declare

I went out this morning to see the blood moon and the eclipse. My little camera didn’t capture it adequately…but my heart did.

People worldwide are looking up and the heavens are speaking.

“Wisdom and victory come when we listen to the Lord’s instruction. The heavens are telling of the greatness of God and the great open spaces above show the work of His hands. 2 Day to day they speak. And night to night they show much learning. 3 There is no speaking and no words where their voice is not heard. 4 Their sound has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun. 5 It is as a man soon to be married coming out of his room and as a strong man who is happy to run his race. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and it makes its way to the other end. Nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The Law of the Lord is perfect, giving new strength to the soul. The Law He has made known is sure, making the child-like wise. 8 The Laws of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The Word of the Lord is pure, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The Lord is always true and right in how He judges. 10 The Word of the Lord is worth more than gold, even more than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey straight from the comb. 11 And by them Your servant is told to be careful. In obeying them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:1-11 NLV

The earth tells of God’s greatness, the heavens declare His glory, His word gives wisdom and great reward!

Before I even stepped out on my porch my heart was singing. I am full of praise. The Creator of the sun, moon and stars sees me each day. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He protects me from harm. He calls me by name and has made me His child.

“I lift up my eyes to You, O You Whose throne is in the heavens.” Psalm 123:1 NLV

I call Him “Father”.

“All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arm stretched wide
I will worship You” Gratitude by Brandon Lake

My heart sings praise to the Father. I hope yours does too!!

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Enjoy the Sonshine

One of the things I enjoy the most about living in Arizona is the amount of sunshine we get to enjoy. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely gorgeous but it’s the warmth of the “all-day” sunshine that really touches my soul.

I am so grateful that the Lord has brought me to this place. This is my home but more importantly, it is a daily reminder of the goodness and blessings of God.

Oh, how I love the Lord…I never want to take His love for me for granted!

“But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. 17 I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me!” Psalm 59:16-17 ERV

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

As much as the sunshine warms my soul, it is the Sonshine that gives me a victorious life each day. This morning my heart once again breaks out with one of the old hymns I learned as a child. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”/

” O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”

I pray that you let everything in life dim this morning so that you may see Jesus shining bright.

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Basket of Blessings

Thanking the Father for his love and protection today.

If you drive safely to work and home each day, be thankful. If your children arrive home from school each day be thankful. If you have enough money in your purse for groceries, be thankful. If your house is warm and your clothes are adequate, be thankful!

The cornucopia is also called a horn of plenty. It was a basket filled with the richness of the harvest. It was a reminder of the blessings of the year. I used to have one on my dining table every year, it reminded me to be thankful for so many things.

Living in a tiny house there is no dining table and no horn of plenty, but the gratitude is greater than ever. So much to be thankful for, so many blessings. This is the 14th day of November, I hope you have been adding something each day to the list of things you are grateful for.

Here are a few things from Scripture that you can add to the list:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Let Israel say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.”

5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in rulers.” Psalm 118:1-9 NLV

Build a basket of blessings.

“ You must take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you gather from the land the Lord your God gives you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to have His name.” Deuteronomy 26:2 NLV

A blessing basket can be filled with notes of times you know the Lord provided and protected. It can have pictures of those you love and special memories of when you felt the love and goodness of God in your life and to your family.

Share the notes and memories around your table.

“I pray that you will be giving thanks to the Father. He has made it so you could share the good things given to those who belong to Christ who are in the light. 13 God took us out of a life of darkness. He has put us in the holy nation of His much-loved Son.” Colossians 1:12-13 NLV

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done. 2 I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 NLV

Blessed to be a blessing! May your basket of blessings be full and overflowing!

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What Has Jesus Done?

That’s the question I have for you this morning. What has Jesus done for you and who have you told?

I was reading about the demon-possessed man who had lived in graveyards, been chained at various times, lost his mind and walked around naked. He had an encounter with Jesus and Jesus set him free.

The demons went into a herd of pigs who then ran off a cliff and drown in the sea, but that’s a story for another day.

The men taking care of the pigs went into town and told the owners what had happened to the pigs and to the man. They came out to see for themselves. There they found the man sitting at Jesus’ feet. He was clothed and in his right mind. The towns people were frightened and told Jesus and his disciples to leave. The man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him “No, stay here and tell everyone what has happened to you”.

” 37 All those who lived in the area around Gerasa asked Jesus to go away because they were afraid. So Jesus got into the boat to go back to Galilee. 38 The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.‘ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:37-39 ERV

It was the testimony of people just like this man, telling his story, that brought the crowds to see Jesus. The leper, the blind man, the woman with the adulterous past, the woman’s whose son was raised from the dead, all gave testimony to what Jesus had done.

I love the account of the man who was born blind. The religious leaders were trying to discredit Jesus, and they spent a great deal of time questioning this man. They even questioned his parents.

“25 The man answered, ‘I don’t know if he is a sinner. But I do know this: I was blind, and now I can see.‘ 26 They asked, ‘What did he do to you? How did he heal your eyes?’ 27 He answered, ‘I have already told you that. But you would not listen to me. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to be his followers too?’…30 The man answered, ‘This is really strange! You don’t know where he comes from, but he healed my eyes.'” John 9:25-30 ERV

Jesus spoke to Mary in the garden after His resurrection and He told her to “go tell Peter and the disciples that I am risen”.

Before Jesus went back into heaven He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Let me ask you again. What has Jesus done for you? Go tell someone, they need to hear your story. Tell it as an act of gratitude and thanksgiving.

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Breathtaking

Have you ever had an experience where you had to grab a breath? The beauty of nature – the birth of a child – seeing your mate at the altar?

Breathless! Breathtaking! Awesome!

The image I used this morning was from a sunset we saw the other night coming home from town. Dave was driving and he didn’t think it was much, looking through the rearview mirror but when we stopped…he said “that’s amazing”!

Sometimes I see things in nature, hear a symphony or see a loved one and it takes my breath away. I feel the presence of God in those times. Our Father is so vast in His existence and omniscient in power.

Our God is an awesome God!

You have an assignment today. I don’t often assign homework but today’s the day.

Take time to find something where you can focus on the awesomeness of the Father. Sitting quietly in His presence and let Him speak words of love to your heart.


“The Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2 ERV

“Look at the powerful things the Lord has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth.” Psalm 46:8 ERV

“He rescued his people and made his agreement with them forever. His name is awesome and holy.” Psalm 11:19 ERV

“I prayed to the Lord my God and told him about all my sins. I said, “Lord, you are a great and awesome God. You keep your agreement of love and kindness with people who love you. You keep your agreement with the people who obey your commands.” Daniel 9:4 ERV

Take time, after all He took time for you!

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