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30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #14 Praise from a Grateful Heart (Psalm 119:108)
Praise from a Grateful Heart (Psalm 119:108) Psalm 119:108, “Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.” This verse addresses the issue of our adoration. If it is your desire to be faithful to the very end, it would be helpful to nurture an attitude of praise and gratefulness in your heart. It is difficult to be bitter when you are grateful and praising God. The two don't go together. Praise and gratefulness are like fragrant pine cones to a blazing fire. They fuel the fire of dedication and devotion to God. 1. The acceptance of the offering. "Accept... the... offerings of my mouth." The psalmist wants his offerings to be acceptable before God. We need to be primarily concerned that God approves and accepts our offering. The psalmist wanted the Lord to accept the freewill offerings from his mouth, even though he was facing difficulties in his life. All throughout the book of Psalms, we find the importance of offering our praise and thanks to the Lord. May our tongue be an altar in which we can present to the Lord words that will bring honor and glory to Him and be pleasing to His ears. Those who embrace the Scriptures will be more inclined to give than those who do not embrace and show devotion to the Scriptures. May our prayer be like the psalmist in Psalm 51:15, “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” With our mouth, may we make an offering to Him. Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 40:3a, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalm 145:21a, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.” Psalm 109:30, “I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.” May the passion of our heart be, "With my mouth I will make an offering!"
2. The attitude and articulation of the offering. "Offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments." There are more offerings other than monetary or tangible. There are the offerings of the mouth which include praise and thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” The psalmist looked upon his vow to obey God’s Word without compromise as an offering or sacrifice to the Lord. The psalmist humbly asked God to accept these acts of worship and, in return, to teach him His Word more intimately than ever before. This undoubtedly tells us of his thirst for understanding of God’s Word. The psalmist's objective was to learn more and understand more about the Word of God. The difficult and often treacherous path he had chosen required God’s help, and he knew that only God’s Holy Word would sufficiently meet his deepest needs. As we present our lives to the Lord, we need to ask God to teach us His Word, just as this psalmist did. Ask God to accept your worship and to teach you His Word, as you need His help on your journey in this life. We cannot fulfill our promises to Him without His help. God’s Word will not only produce holiness in us and transform our minds, but it will also meet our every need as we take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of Christ. The Word of God challenges us to offer our lives as living sacrifices to the Lord. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” While some believers may be called to die for Christ, all are called to live for Him (Romans 12:1). We should strive to live in such a way that God will be pleased with us, that our lives will be acceptable to Him. Your love to me did not cost me; but it cost You Your life. You willingly and freely gave Your life on the cross at Calvary. What a delight and joy You truly are. Your free flowing love is not only a principle but also a pattern for me to follow. Let the stream flow in the full tide of affectionate devotedness. May my service be Yours, and no other's. May others know that I am captivated by Your love, and consecrated to Your labor. I know that it is only by Your grace that you are willing to accept my service. For what have I to offer to You, that is not already "Your own?" Teach me Your Word that I may be instructed to present a purer offering to You. Prayer: Lord, though I sincerely desire to live for You and am committed to be obedient to Your commandments, I often find myself in a dilemma in making decisions. Don't let me resort to my own wisdom and insight, but let me always be guided by Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #13 – His Praise is Worthy Even When I’m Weary (Psalm 119:62)
His Praise is Worthy Even When I’m Weary (Psalm 119:62) Psalm 119:62, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” 1. The Passion. "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee" (Psalm 119:62). When this was written, people went to bed early. To get up at midnight expressed extraordinary devotion and love for the Lord. The psalmist chose not to sleep but to spend time alone with God to express his gratitude. This truth is seen in studying the Hebrew word for "give thanks”. It is from the Hebrew word yadah which means "to throw or cast down; to shoot as you would shoot arrows”. Whether you throw something down or shoot an arrow, you do it with force and resolve. You want to hit the target which is on the receiving end of your focus. Our focus and aim are to be upon our Lord. Getting up at midnight to worship will involve considerable passion for the things of the Lord. When consistent praise flows from our lips for all that God is and what He has done, we will appreciate the preciousness of our portion in Him. Praise brings us closer to Christ. It develops an attitude of gratitude because we are focused on what He has done by counting our blessings. Our praise and thankfulness are not to be timid and petty. Oh no, they are to be given with focus, enthusiasm, and generously. There is another reason we should praise the Lord with enthusiasm and firm resolve. Praise is a natural and necessary response to fully enjoy the object that is being praised. For example, when watching a football game on television, it is a natural response to praise a tremendous play made by your favorite team. To shout "WOW! Did you see that?!" after an acrobatic catch in the end zone is not only natural, but necessary to fully enjoy the game. If you do not believe that it is necessary, the next time you watch a football game try to not express yourself at all. Sit on your couch in a nonchalant manner and you will quickly find that you do not enjoy the action of the game nearly as much as you do when you have the freedom to express yourself in praise, cheering, booing, and excitement. When we are a thankful people, we will have time for God, church, the Bible, and prayer. Praise and gratefulness will help you to remember how precious the Lord. 2. The Praise. "Give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments" (Psalm 119:62). What profound dedication. The psalmist would praise God for His Word; he would praise God for God's ways; he pledged to praise God for His righteous laws at all times and in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:18). Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” David got up in the middle of the night to thank God for His Word. There is no equal, even in sacred history, of another so dedicated as to rise at midnight to thank God. Notice also how he described God’s Word as “thy righteous judgments”. When we consider Paul and Silas while they were in prison at midnight, singing, praying, and praising God, giving thanks to God because of His righteous judgments, it encourages and motivates me to praise Him even when I’m spiritually spent and physically frayed. When my flesh is growling no! while my spirit is shouting yes! I’m reminded to be instant in season and out of season. The more the flesh is denied for the service of God, the more we shall be elevated for His enjoyment. a. He is Worthy of our Praise because He suffered for us. b. He is Worthy of our Love because of the Life that He lived. c. He is Worthy of our Worship:
If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #12 God is Good and He Does it Good (Psalm 119:68)
God is Good and He Does it Good (Psalm 119:68) Psalm 119:68, “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.” We can and should always praise the Lord for His goodness. The ultimate proof of God’s goodness is our redemption. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” As sinners, we don’t even deserve salvation, but because of God’s amazing grace, He gives us many other good things. God displays His goodness to all of His creation. For instance, the sun and the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). God provides food for all creatures. Psalm 136:25, “Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Both the saved and the unsaved experience happiness. God gives His people additional good things, as conveyed through His many covenants and blessings found throughout Scripture. He protects us and provides for us in many good ways. The Lord bestows favor and honor. Psalm 84:11, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” “The center of God's will is our only safety”, Betsy Ten Boom. How do you feel about the goodness of God when you are facing a particularly difficult time? George Mueller's response was quite amazing. Mueller's wife, Mary, died of rheumatic fever on February 6, 1870. They had been married 39 years and four months. He was 64 years old. Shortly after the funeral, he was strong enough to preach a "funeral sermon" as he called it. What text would he choose when God had taken his beloved? He chose Psalm 119:68, " Thou art good, and doest good." His three points were:
Under this third point, he recounts how he prayed for her during her illness: "Yes, my Father, the times of my darling wife are in Thy hands. Thou wilt do the very best thing for her and for me, whether life or death. If it may be, raise up yet again my precious wife. Thou art able to do it, though she is so ill; but howsoever Thou dealest with me, only help me to continue to be perfectly satisfied with Thy holy will." This is an amazing prayer from an amazing man. And yet, he would stand before you even today and say that he was only an ordinary man with an extraordinary God. You have the same God who will help you. Go to Him when you need strength. 1. The Person for the teacher. "Thou" 2. The Prerequisite for a teacher. "Thou art good, and doest good" 3. The Praise for the teacher. "Thou art good, and doest good" The psalmist has repeated his request to be taught. He is fervent about being taught. Such an attitude will greatly help the learning process of the student. Ask God to teach you His Word. Witnessing God’s goodness to him through his suffering inspired the psalmist to long for more instruction from the Lord. He asked God to continue teaching him His Word. The psalmist confessed his faith in the holy character of the Lord. Even though he was suffering intense persecution, he reemphasized the fact that God is good and that everything He does is good. Notice again that he did not blame, question, or doubt the Lord. Experiencing God’s goodness through his affliction actually reinforced the fact that God has a purpose for everything He permits to enter into our lives. Every affliction, every challenge, and every trial—even persecution is an opportunity for God to reveal His goodness to us. David proclaims, “Thou art good, and doest good.” God is good! And He does that which is good! Therefore, David prayed, “teach me thy statutes.” David appealed for God to teach him. If David, the man after God’s own heart, the sweet psalmist of Israel and God’s anointed, needed God to teach him, how much more do we? The psalmist wanted to know the right way, God's way. Many seeking knowledge never show interest in learning this knowledge which is far more important than all the other subjects man pursues. “What can I say to this but You are good, and do good? What may I not then expect from You? Teach me Your statutes. Teach me the Revelation of Yourself. Teach me the knowledge of Your Son. For this is life eternal, that I might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Prayer: Lord, give me discernment and knowledge that I might walk in Your truth, following Your ways. Make me free from sin through obedience to Your Word. Use the trials and afflictions that certainly come to draw me back to the precepts and principles that should guide my life, correcting behavior and attitudes that are contrary to Your way. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #11 - It’s Good to Give Thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:1-2)
Psalm 92:1-2, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” The Bible speaks of these three elements of true worship. 1. The ways of worship (Psalm 92:1-3) We may worship God in words, in songs, and in music. 2. The object of worship (Psalm 92:2) One of the objects of worship is to proclaim God’s lovingkindness and His faithfulness. 3. The time of worship (Psalm 92:2) Although we may worship at any time, morning and evening are the special times of worship. We are to be consistent in gratefulness. Considering all the goodness of the Lord, it is only fitting to return to thanks to Him, especially on the Lord’s day. This involves singing praise to the name of Him who is higher than any other. There is a level of praying and praising which cannot be expressed in words. It is an activity of worship within the realm of the spirit. We are called upon to not only thank Him, but to sing praise to Him. Psalm 92:1-2, “To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Praise is due God not only on Sunday, but we should praise Him every morning, as well as every night. Implied is beginning and ending the day with the Lord. Specifically, David notes praising His lovingkindness and His faithfulness. How often we take these stellar attributes of God for granted. Giving thanks is not just something that is good to do—it is our duty and privilege. It is clear that a sacrifice must consist of praise and thanks, or must at least not be without praise and thanks if it is to please God. And if it is without praise and thanks, He neither wants nor likes it, as indeed He says in Isaiah 1:11, “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.” We cannot give God anything; for everything is already His, and all we have comes from Him. We can only give Him praise, thanks, and honor. The demoniac was grateful for deliverance and told others what the Lord had done (Mark 5:19-20). David was grateful for his dear friend Jonathan and to his shepherd, the Lord, when He said that his cup was running over (Psalm 23:5). He expressed his love by caring for Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (II Samuel 9:6). A woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped His feet with her hair because she was grateful for His pardon and forgiveness (Luke 7:37-38). Truly grateful people show their gratefulness to others! Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Why is "praise" a sacrifice? Have you ever praised the Lord in the presence of unsaved people? Unsaved people can intimidate you into silence by their looks, comments, and rejection of your praise. Praise Him anyway in the good times and even in the dark times. God is good to us all the time, and our thanks should be equal to His blessings and benefits. When our words and our songs are filled with gratitude, our hearts will be fixed on God as they should be. If it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, then quite obviously it is a bad thing to withhold such gratitude. It is foolish to think that failing to be thankful will not impact our lives in many negative ways. John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet, in those days, he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed. Yet, he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes. "And what else do you thank God for?" he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all, a constant desire to serve Him!" Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness. Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath." The Lord was his song of praise. Praise for God graced his lips in death because he lived and served Him throughout his life. He could say the same thing as the psalmist in Psalm 119:56," This I had, because I kept thy precepts." How are you spending your life? If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #10 – An Attitude of Gratitude (Psalm 100:4)
Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” In the Old Testament period, God's people brought animal sacrifices to be offered to the Lord at the altar. Today, instead of bringing the Lord dead sacrifices, we present living sacrifices to Him. The Bible speaks of several sacrifices that praise God: 1. We have the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). When our lips thank God for what He has done and for who He is, our praise pleases Him. 2. We have the sacrifice of a broken heart (Psalm 51:17). We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1-2). 3. There is the sacrifice of good works (Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 13:16). 4. And there is the sacrifice of finances (Philippians 4:18). When we share our money, time, possessions and energy with others, we bring a sacrifice to God. As the Old Testament people of God entered the Temple, they were instructed to do so with thanksgiving. To this day, one of the besetting sins of God’s people is a lack of thanksgiving to God. Such ought always be a part of our prayer life. We are to “enter into his courts with praise”. As we come into the presence of the Lord, it is to be with praise. As Old Testament Israel entered the Tabernacle/Temple, they were to do so with songs of praise upon their lips. As we come into the presence of the Lord in prayer today, we ought always do so with praise to our God. It is universal and eternal. “Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” The importance of thanksgiving to God is emphasized by it being repeated again. We are to bless His name. The condition of our heart should be of great concern because what comes out of it is going to determine how we live and act. If it is tender, we will be tender. If it is hard and cold, we will tend to be this way with people. The Bible teaches that we are the ones that determine the condition of our heart. We are responsible for our attitude. The choices we make can harden us or keep us yielded to God. Hebrews 3:15, “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” We are not to harden our hearts as God's people did in the days when they rebelled and provoked the Lord. Hebrews 4:7, “Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” When the Lord speaks to us, we are not to harden our heart against Him. God's people were to enter God's courts with thanksgiving and praise. He invites us to fellowship with Him. If you are not close to the Lord, it's not God's fault. He is ever inviting us to be close to Him. He does not force Himself upon us. He wants us to make the choice to come to Him. He holds out His hand, but we must take it. In spite of all the corruption that was going on in Israel, Isaiah mentions six times that God's hand was stretched out to His people (Isaiah 5:25; 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4; 14:27). An attitude of gratitude leads to singing, serving, submission, striding to the place of worship, and speaking forth in praise to the Lord. If you want to keep your sinfulness in check and off of your back, then be grateful for what God has done for you. When you praise God, all the world can do is listen in wonder. In 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League Championship and the World Series. The Dodgers had a great pitcher by the name of Orel Hersheiser, a mild-looking young man whose nickname was "Bulldog" because of his fierce competitiveness. In 1988, Hersheiser won about every award a pitcher can. He pitched 63 consecutive scoreless innings, still a record. In the World Series, he started and won several games. Orel Hersheiser was the Most Valuable Player and the toast of the baseball world. He was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Johnny Carson was interviewing him and asked how he, Hersheiser, seemed to stay so calm, steady, and focused in those incredibly tense, pressured situations, out there on the pitcher's mound, alone with 50,000 screaming fans and millions of people watching on television. Hersheiser's answer stunned Carson. "I sing a hymn", Hersheiser said. "I sing a hymn to myself out there that we sing every Sunday in church." Carson was momentarily speechless and caught a bit off guard and then asked if Hersheiser would sing it—on NBC-TV—and he did! Amen! Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Johnny Carson said later he was moved when Orel began to sing this song. In fact, he chose this taped segment to conclude his prime-time 27th anniversary television special of the Tonight Show. When we have a praising and grateful spirit for the Lord, He has a way of putting us in situations where people will hear our praise. “So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don't have.”—Helen Keller “Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience.”—Joni Erickson Tada (she is quadriplegic) “The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts—nevertheless, [they] set aside a day of thanksgiving.”—H. W. Westermeyer “Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”—Unknown “Giving thanks is too often demoted to a secondary place in the prayers of Christ’s people. We are quick to make our requests and slow to thank God for His answers. Because God so often answers our prayers, we come to expect it. We forget that it is only by His grace that we receive anything from Him.”—Unknown God wants us to be grateful for all the things He has done for us. When we are ungrateful, we demonstrate our immaturity. A spirit of ingratitude is the first step toward apostasy. There may be times when you may need to offer loving, tender, constructive criticism. Immaturity, however, is demonstrated when you constantly and hatefully complain instead of compliment; when you demand instead of delivering love and thankfulness for what is done for you. We can be this way with our parents, pastor, teachers, neighbors, family members, and so on. Examine your life to see if you are making sacrifices for His glory. Many jobs are waiting to be done, and you might be the person for a specific job. Have you found that place of ministry God has for you? Are you using the gifts He has given you? Offer your sacrifices of praise to God, that you may bring glory to Him and minister to others. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise - Day #9 - A Great Sinner and A Great Saviour (Romans 5:20)
Romans 5:20, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” The word “abounded” that Paul used to describe this abundance of sin means more. It refers to something that exists in abundance. This describes an abundance that is growing larger and more expansive with the passing of time. This proves that sin is never stagnant but continually grows, increases, and expands. This describes the growing nature of unrestrained sin. Paul adds “…Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” The words “much more abound” describe something that is growing out of measure, beyond proportion, and out of its banks to a far-stretched extreme. It is like a giant river that is being flooded with waters from upstream. Those waters are coming downstream so fast that the river can no longer hold the raging current in its banks. Its water rises, rises, and rises until it finally begins pouring out of its banks and begins to flood everything in sight. This is exactly the idea when Paul wrote, “…Grace did much more abound.” John Newton lived a wicked life until he met Christ as Saviour. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy (after forced recruitment) and was himself enslaved for a time in West Africa. He is noted for being author of the hymn Amazing Grace. After his salvation, he spent the rest of his days promoting and living by the grace of God. Those famous words in the iconic hymn reveal the attitude and disposition Newton had toward God’s unmerited favor: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Those words would summarize the entire scope of his life. On his death bed Newton told his loved ones, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” Indeed, we are all great sinners. Our nature, our decisions, our birth, our attitudes, our mind, and our flesh are sinful to the core. We may think we are “good” and “decent” beings, but the Bible says no one is good, not one. We have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10, 23). All have gone astray; there is not one person who is righteous enough to be accepted of God. We are great sinners. But in the same breath, we delightfully see that Christ is a great Saviour. His nature, His decisions, His birth, His attitude, His mind, and His flesh was holy, righteous, and acceptable unto God. His death secures our birth. His cross secures our life. His resurrection secures our glory. No wonder Newton died with those words upon his lips; we are all great sinners, but thankfully, we have a great Saviour! If we forget where we were and where we were headed before God saved us, we will not be as grateful as we should be. The very best that we are able to do on our own is disgustingly filthy in His eyes because it is measured against His perfect holiness. Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” In order to have the proper gratitude to God for His salvation, we must never forget that we were once wretched sinners with no hope apart from His grace. During Newtons days of slave trading from the coasts of Africa to Europe, the slaves who died on the voyage were thrown overboard. It is said that the sharks still swim the same route today that Newton and other salve traders used centuries ago because they fed from the dead souls cast overboard. Newton did not write Amazing Grace in the beginning, but when he was much older whereas he could understand the grace of God deeper. I, too, can say that the older I get, and the more mature I grow in the Lord, the more I can understand the grace of God and why a Great Saviour could ever love a great sinner like me. Jesus is able to say to us in our trouble, “believe in God; believe also in me” and, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 14:1; 16:33). We who believe in him have every reason to “be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). For an empty cross and empty tomb speak this to us:
PRAYER: Father, thank You for all that You have done for me. I am so grateful! Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your love. Thank You that I can trust my life to You! In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise - Day #8 - Sacrifice of Praise (Hebrews 13:14-16)
Hebrews 13:14–16, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” What could you give to God that would express your gratitude and convey honor to Him? Hebrews 13 suggests the “sacrifice of praise”. All throughout Scripture we see people offer this sacrifice to God. Job worshipped God when he had nothing (Job 1:20–21). The book of Psalms chronicles David’s praise in both the good times and the bad. Mary expressed praise when she learned she was to be the mother of Christ (Luke 1:46–55). And one man from the group of ten lepers Jesus healed offered thanks and praise (Luke 17:15–16). From these testimonies, we see that our sacrifice of praise should be continual—not contingent on our mood or current circumstances. “Sacrifice” here is used symbolically to represent an offering to God. Our very lives should be “as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable and well pleasing to God” (Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:18). That is the only sacrifice God now requires of his people. This sacrifice is not just songs of worship or other verbal expressions of praise offered up to God during a worship service in church. While that is a good thing, in truth, this setting is where people are gathered specifically for that very reason. The place where praise and worship truly become a sacrifice is outside of the church, where Christians must show their devotion to God and live in a way that truly brings honor and praise to God in all they say and do. A. W. Tozer said, “Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” Even in times when we do not have as much as others in the way of material blessings, we still have so much for which to be thankful. And when we purposefully give thanks to God, that sacrifice of our heart is pleasing to Him. Finding something to be thankful for in everything is certainly a step above having only random grateful thoughts. But there is still plenty of room for developing a deeply thankful heart. Here’s what you’re going for: graduate school thankfulness. Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” No matter what’s happening, no matter how dark the moment, God is in control. He can be explicitly trusted. He’s working out a purpose beyond what you can imagine. Some of it you’ll see in this life; some of it you’ll see in the life to come. Give thanks to God— always for all things! Thank Him for the hardest part of your life. Just say, “Thank You, God, even for this”, and trust in His steadfast love which endures forever. Sometimes people have a tendency to feel sorry for themselves and think that things are not going well for them. When we focus on our circumstances and lose sight of God's promises then we are setting ourselves up for discouragement and disappointment. As Christians, we have been blessed beyond measure and we have so much to be thankful for in Jesus. We need to analyze what we have in Jesus and realize that the world has nothing that can compare, and it never will. When I think of all that God has done for me, the privilege to serve him and the great family and friends I have, I consider myself a rich man indeed. Never allow the standards of this world be the guide by which you gauge things. They do not have any equipment that can accurately assess life beyond this world, but we do in the Word of God. Take a close look and consider the real blessings of the Lord! Be thankful for all the things He has given you. Praise Him for your health, your family, your financial blessings, your church, and so on. Never take them for granted. But learn to be more thankful for those things which you can never lose! Learn to be thankful for those things that cannot change! When all the physical blessings have faded, and when you can find no reason for praise in them, thank the Lord that there are some things that will never change! In these things you have an unchanging reason for eternal thanksgiving! Come before Him right now and just thank Him for Who He is and for what He has given you! Being away from home can stir up a deep sense of loneliness and displacement. This world, with all its comforts and securities, is not our final destination. Our sense of not quite belonging here is, in a way, a spiritual homing device. It’s a reminder that we were created for a different home, a "city that is to come." This doesn't release the real pain of homesickness, but it does reframe it. The longing you feel is a faint echo of a much deeper, eternal longing for our true home with God. When you feel far from home, lean into your heavenly citizenship. Use this time not just to miss what’s behind, but to seek the One who is ahead. Find a quiet corner to pray, reminding yourself of His constant presence. Read His promises in Scripture, which are a firm foundation in any location. Your earthly home may be far away, but your Father is always near. Prayer, When I say, “Thank You” Lord, help me pause long enough to really mean what I’m saying. Help the attitude that should trigger those words be a more constant part of my character. Show me where I’m most lacking in gratitude and give me strength to give You authentic thanks for those trying places. Please guide me into a continual practice of thanksgiving, Lord. And I will be forever grateful, in Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #7 – God Keeps His Promises (II Peter 1:4)
II Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” An elderly Christian lay on his death bed and called for the pastor. As the man of God entered into the room, the dying man said, “Preacher, all of my life I have relied on the promises of God, but now, in the hour of my death, I cannot recall one promise by which I lived.” The pastor took the man by the hand and said, “Dear brother, it may very well be that we forget the promises of God. But the One who made the promise has no trouble at all remembering what He said.” It is true. God keeps His promises regardless of our ability to remember or embrace them. The apostle Peter said it this way, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward” (I Peter 3:9). As children of God, on any given day we receive promises, many to which we did not even ask. The Lord fulfills His promises out of love and desire to provide for our needs. Often we do not know what is best for our lives; at times, we do not know what to ask for. But regardless, we are recipients of His care and provision. Therefore, don’t be dismayed. The Lord knows what is best for our life, and He is weaving His promises through every situation. We may forget to claim them, but He never forgets to keep them. As we come to know and understand the Word of God accurately, there unfolds unto us great and precious promises. In other words, there are mega promises hidden for us in His Word as we become familiar with it. Due to this truth, this should encourage the believer to take out their spiritual shovels and begin exploring by digging deep for His riches in the Bible. The Bible is full of promises which give us insight and help in the issues of life. These promises are called precious. It is used by Peter several times where he speaks of our “precious faith” (I Peter 1:7; II Peter 1:1), Christ’s “precious blood” (I Peter 1:19), and here, “precious promises.” If you feel overwhelmed or insufficient today, I challenge you to identify a promise from God’s Word—and claim it! When we stand on the promises of God, we stand on solid ground. Do you ever feel inadequate for the demands of the day? I do—every day! The longer I serve the Lord, the more I recognize my need for His power. Also, the longer I serve Him, the more I recognize my need to trust His power. Through God’s Word, He has given us “exceeding great and precious promises” (II Peter 1:4). But we often trust our fears and our feelings more than we trust His Word. In many cases, our thinking runs directly opposite from God’s promises. We say: God says: I can’t figure things out. = I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:6) I’m too tired. = I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28–30) It’s impossible. = All things are possible with Me (Matthew 19:26) I don’t have enough faith. = I have given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) It’s not worth it. = It will be worth it. (Galatians 6:9; Titus 2:13) I can’t go on. = My grace is sufficient for you. (II Corinthians 12:9) I can’t do it. = You can do all things through Me. (Philippians 4:13) I can’t manage. = I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19) I’m afraid. = I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7) I’m not able. = I am able. (II Timothy 1:12) I’m always worried. = Cast your cares upon Me. (I Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6) I feel all alone. = I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) I’m not smart enough. = I give you wisdom. (James 1:5) Which of God’s promises are precious to you? Which ones are you storing up in your heart and mind to carry with you into the future? Perhaps you should start a list of God’s promises as you read His Word. Make it your intention to believe His promises are precious and very great. Then commit to start knowing them by heart. Then you'll be ready to hang on to them through whatever challenge comes next. What five promises of God can you write down right now? How did each of them become memorable to you? Where are you tracking how God is keeping His promises? If you aren’t, how will you put that into practice? God's love never fails and His promises never cease. We can always trust what God says, no matter what may be going on around us. Thank Him today for His promises to you. PRAYER: LORD, we thank You already for what You are going to do for us. For Your Son’s promise to always be with us. Thank You for the confidence to face the uncertainties of the year ahead because I can have confidence in You. We commit ourselves anew to believe Your Word and to listen to Your Spirit’s prompting. Your promises are precious and I thank You for making them available so I can lean on them and rest in them every day. Once Your Presence and Your Promises are presented to us, our lives cannot be the same. Without You we can do nothing. LORD, abide in us. In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #6 – The Joy of Finishing Strong (II Timothy 4:6-8)
II Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Paul was awaiting execution under the wicked reign of Emperor Nero. From the pit of the Mamertine dungeon in Rome, he penned his final words to his beloved disciple Timothy. This was Paul’s last will and testament, his final words before his departure, and what he wrote should spark our attention. He did not dwell on his suffering and current circumstances. He didn’t write in fear or regret. Instead, he wrote with unwavering resolve. This is not the tone of a man defeated, but of a man determined, whose life was marked by victorious, self-sacrificial worship. Here we have the dying words of an old soldier. Without reservation Paul said, “I am now ready to be offered.” This wording takes us back to the Old Testament practice of pouring out wine upon certain sacrificial offerings. Paul viewed his martyrdom and the shedding of his blood as an offering poured out to God. Paul had lived for Christ and was willing to die for Him. Our challenge is not merely to fight, but to fight a good fight. The word good speaks of that which is "worthy, honorable, noble, and commendable". He fought for things of eternal value. He fought for sound doctrine. He fought to see souls saved, Christians discipled, and churches planted. The Apostle Paul did not have a great start in Scripture. He came upon the biblical scene as a zealot whose ministerial ambition was to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. However, upon his conversion, he became the chief advocate of the very church he once sought to destroy. In the closing chapter of his life, he wrote in II Timothy 4:6-7, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Paul had a lousy start, but a great finish. In those closing remarks, Paul mentioned a man by the name of Demas. Demas was a co-laborer in the work of the Lord. Demas started out strong in the Lord but failed to stay on course. Paul wrote of this man in II Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.” Demas had a great start, but a lousy finish. Somewhere in the journey, Demas became mesmerized and distracted by the world around him. He took his eyes off the eternal, and placed them on the temporal. As a result, he will forever be remembered as a man who finished poorly. Consistency is the key to crossing the finish line in good standing with God. I’ve been around long enough to know some men and women whose lives were totally sold out to God a few years ago who have since walked off the track in the middle of the race. They’ve given up. They’ve lost their longing for God and all that He is. The possibility is real for all of us unless we allow our hearts to be completely gripped by God. The faithfulness of my walk with God in the next year and the next decades depends on my willingness to stay in relationship with Him. Every one of us needs a reason to live; a compelling cause and purpose that keeps us going when we would rather quit. The truth is that we all face obstacles that hinder us and make life difficult. Some people allow those obstacles to stop them. Others overcome. The difference is not in the obstacles, but in the determination and drive of the person who faces the obstacles. The passion and purpose of every believer should be to glorify God and bring others to Him. If that is our purpose, then nothing will stop us from continuing on the right course. The way we finish is directly tied to how we run. Paul ran with urgency. He fought the good fight. He kept the faith not just in lip service, but also in lifestyle. It is a life that is not merely focused on the end but on the present race in how we live for Christ. Living a life of worship involves cost and sacrifice, not moralistic gestures with good intentions. Many people start well, but they are always looking back. It you keep looking back, you will eventually fall back. Paul finished his course because his heart was set on finishing. When Paul faced the threat of imprisonment or even death for preaching, he said in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” His purpose for life was so compelling that it drove him to overcome and finish the course which God had laid out for Him. May that be true of each of us. What kind of epitaph will men place on your headstone? Regardless of what you and I may say about our lives, or what others may write about us when we are no more, God has the final word! At the end of your life, will you be able to look back and say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”? You can! Perhaps you are reading this and you are lost today. Let me just remind you that you can only get to Heaven if you know Jesus Christ. If you have never been saved, please come to the Lord today and call upon Him by faith. He will save your soul if you will come to Him. So let us finish well. Let us run, fight, endure, and when the time comes, be ready to be offered not reluctantly, but joyfully. Not in a manner that would cause shame or dishonor of the salvation and the life that we have been called into. Instead, we must live all for the glory of Christ. PRAYER: Lord, I don’t know if I have minutes, days, or years ahead of me, but I realize I need to be ready to cross the line. Whenever my time comes, I want to be found faithful. I want to run this race with endurance for Your glory, so keep me near Your Son and help me keep the faith. I confess how desperately I need Your strength in the fight. Urge me on to cross the finish line and break the tape, accelerating with joy! In Jesus’ worthy name I pray, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 30 Days of Thanks & Praise! - Day #5 – One Day in God’s House (Psalm 84:10)
Psalm 84:10, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” The psalmist declared in Psalm 84:10, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Just for a moment, consider the magnitude of that statement. One day versus one thousand days. One thousand days almost equates to three years. So, in essence, the psalmist implies that one day in the house of God is better than three years somewhere else…anywhere else. Think of the lush beaches of Hawaii. Consider the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains. What about the subtle serenity of the Smokies? Think of palaces, castles, mansions, and coliseums. None of these places compare to the incomparable glory of the presence of God! The courts are God's courts and represent His presence. A day in his presence is better than a thousand days in anyone else's presence. If you could spend a thousand days with some important politician or entertainment figure, you would be very excited at the opportunity. The prestige that comes from being with a famous person would be great. But the Scripture says a day with God is better than a thousand days with anyone else. The psalmist was so mesmerized and infatuated with God’s House that he succumbed to the notion, “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” He would rather be a lowly servant in God’s House fulfilling a menial task than to sit among the world’s elite in places of luxury. David Livingstone said, “I'd rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of God, than on the throne of England, out of the will of God.” Spurgeon wrote, “To feel his love, to rejoice in the person of the anointed Saviour, to survey the promises and feel the power of the Holy Ghost in applying precious truth to the soul, is a joy which worldlings cannot understand, but which true believers are ravished with.” A doorkeeper at God’s house was the lowest position assigned to the Levites. Likely, the youngest Levites with the least seniority were assigned this humble task. There was no glory in standing guard at the doors of the Tabernacle. The tents of wickedness undoubtedly refers to the places of sinful entertainment, the nightlife of that day, the haunts of the high rollers, the resorts of the rich and famous. God’s worst is better than the devil’s best. The psalmist pleads guilty to desiring only the humblest service in God’s house rather than the posh pleasures of the elite. Indeed, there is no greater job than in serving the King of kings. Even the lowest level of His service is higher than anything the world has to offer. This psalm describes people who are so devoted to God that they desire above everything else to be in God’s house to experience God’s nearness, to worship Him with other faithful believers. In a day when Christians frequently skip church to pursue recreation, I wonder how many could honestly say that one day of gathering with God’s people to worship Him is better than a thousand days of other leisure activities? The psalmist enjoyed the company of God’s people greater than anything that the world had to offer. If we can’t join him in these feelings, maybe we need to re-examine our values! It is certain that we can worship and serve God outside of the walls of His House (and indeed we should). However, there is something gratifying about approaching our designated places of worship. What you find at God’s House, you find nowhere else. If you are dedicated to the Lord, you will know what is good, best and better. You will have a good sense of values and will show it especially in the spiritual sphere. You will know what is important and what is not. The world will not help us here. It has a very distorted sense of values. It will sacrifice eternity upon the altar of time. When we have a poor perspective or sense of values, we will spend on what is worthless and will not spend for that which is of great value. Such a practice, when it is in the spiritual area of our life, is to invite eternal disaster. The better the dedication to the Lord the better the priorities and perspective of life. If I had just one day to live, I'd want to live it still surrendered to the Lord's will for my life. Being used in the Lord’s service and being fully surrendered brings the most satisfaction. There is no higher calling than that of simply being what the Lord wants you to be! When the Lord is preeminent, all of His things will become exceedingly precious to me, and I will want to be near Him at all times! Prayer: Father in Heaven, Give me a longing for Your presence in my life above all worldly attractions and desires. It is awesome to think that You will withhold no good thing if I will abide with You and walk in Your ways. Give me a desire for You and faith to trust You each day. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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