Have you ever wondered…
If God is perfect and complete in every way….why do we praise God?
Why does he need, even require, us to do that?
I struggled with that concept for a long time.
Because I love God and want to obey him, I praised him, but it always seemed strange to me.
I didn’t get it.
What I did ‘get’ was that when I did, my outlook changed and I had a better view of life, living, and those around me.
Knowing that praising produced positive things in me helped me to continue the practice.
And then… I had an Ah Ha! moment.
Recently in my reading I came across the wise words of two insightful men of God. Lewis and Piper.
Just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously
urge us to join them in praising it: “Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it glorious?
Don’t you think that magnificent?”I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses
but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of
compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are;
the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.C.S. Lewis
We do it all the time. When beauty and good things grace our lives, we tell others about it, and we praise those who deliver those graces to us as well. We praise our kids for good work and obedience, and our spouses for their kindness and respect. We tell friends about great recipes, ideas, and products we’ve discovered. It’s in our DNA to rejoice and praise. Hmmmm….
If he is truly for us, he must be for himself! God is the one Being in all the universe
for whom seeking his own praise is the ultimately loving act. For him, self-exaltation
is the highest virtue. When he does all things “for the praise of his glory,” he preserves
for us and offers to us the only thing in all the world that can satisfy our longings.John Piper
And that is HIM… more of him…
We can’t get enough of God.
You are the Lord’s people.
Obey him and celebrate!
He deserves your praise.
Praise the Lord with harps!
Sing a new song. Shout!
Play beautiful music.
From Psalm 33
(Click the link and read all of Psalm 33)
So when the psalmist exhorts us to obey and celebrate and praise the Lord. He does that so we can complete the enjoyment we have for all the good things that God has done and is doing in our lives. He tells to praise so we have a momentary glimpse of God’s glory. He tells us to praise so that we may become complete in God. One with him. And so our hearts can be filled with JOY!
Here’s my challenge:
This week…let’s attempt to praise God continually in our minds and with our lips. May we wake with a song of praise in our hearts and lie down at night with one, too.
Will you take the challenge?
Here’s an image you can pin to Pinterest or Facebook or share on your own blog:
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Psalm 150:6
It’s Joy Day!
The day we get to look back over the past week and count seven things for which we are grateful.
It’s a great way to start the week. And it’s a great way to fill our hearts up with JOY!
Won’t you join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.
I just know you need some joy. [wink]
I’ll start…
Thank you God for…
- a good week of writing.
- a big surprise in the mail.
- a great answer to a really big ask.
- loving, caring friends.
- pulling me out of the fog.
- your everlasting love.
- a new possibility.
Now…it’s YOUR turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below. You’ll be glad you did.
Want even more joy? Take the Joy Dare here.
Joyfully!
Diane
P.S. Just a little reminder to join me again at Project Inspire{d} on Monday evening at 8 PM ET.
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It’s Overflowing + Time Warp Wife + We are That Family + Imparting Grace + Living Well Spending Less
I am so grateful to God:
l. For a wonderful Birthday Celebration for a Friend at a “Paint Party”, something I have wanted to do for a long time!! It was wonderful! fellowshipping with some incredibly awesome women and producing a piece of art!!! and delicious Cajun Chicken and Andouille sausage Gumbo!
2. For a Wonderful, Perfect Birthday on Tuesday the 16th!
3. That the Lord has blessed me with 63 years wonderful years! with all it’s good times, blessings, joys, challenges and losses….
4. For me being patient with me as I grow in Him !
5. For the perfect Peace that He blessed me with on Monday!
6. For my “HOME” that He has provided for me!!!
7. that I have discovered this last week how “Loved” I am by so many people <3 and am not alone!!!
Debbi…I love seeing how God pours out his goodness in your life. 🙂
What a wonderful birthday celebration….oh how God treasures you, his wonderful creation, whom he loves with his everlasting love.
I praise God with you for how he has provided….how he will provide….and how he gave you his overwhelming peace. Yay!!!!!!
May your week overflow with the JOY that only comes from HIM!
Happy Joy Day!
Wow….awesome photos! Not a fan of pink, but how can you not love these flowers. Very cool!
Oh geeze….seven from the week. LOL!! I’m the gal who just returned from a week in South Dakotah and Wyoming, so this oughta be easy peasy!!
…the perfect weather for playing tourist.
…the phenomenal night of star gazing in the middle of the Bad Lands.
…the equally phenomenal sunrise.
…being handed a “You make a difference” card from a complete stranger in Wyoming.
…the earth angel who told me the “meaning” of a rainbow.
…bein allowed to walk in sacred grounds.
…praying my thanks in the prayer circle.
…the amazing wrong turns that took me right where I was suppose to go. Ain’t that just how He works! 🙂
Oh my friend….I haven’t been by in too long. However….I had not forgotten and was thinking of you on your travels. 😉
I rejoice with you at the goodness God blessed you with and how you blessed others.
And pink….I love pink flowers in the garden. Isn’t that funny for a girl who isn’t in the pink of things for the most part?
Mel…may your new week be blessed beyond imagination. [hugs]
Diane, the truth is we can not praise what we do not know. This is why He wants to be known. I wrote this not too long ago. I hope you enjoy it. It is about praise and it is called “The Truth.”
The truth is, it takes faith to trust Him.
It takes a sacrifice to yield.
It takes an effort to be grateful.
He comes to the bowed head.
He touches the yielded heart.
Composing praise moves us into the holy
A miracle is released in the sacrifice of praise.
Trembling lips feel the full-faced touch of the Sovereign.
Life is abundant just because He’s in it.
We trust Him.
We trust Him for beauty we do not see.
We trust Him for songs we do not hear.
He is working all things out for our good.
He is faithful in His faithfulness.
He is glorious in His majesty.
He is amazing in His redemption.
He is right in His salvation.
He is true to Himself.
In the sacrifice of praise we allow Him to work.
In the sacrifice of praise His plans are perfected in us.
In the sacrifice of praise He is working all things out for our good.
A miracle is released on the lips of praise.
In the aroma of His presence peace prevails.
The things of this earth grow strangely dim in light of His glorious praise.
Without reservation we lift burning hearts in a symphony of praise and a melody of thanksgiving.
Heavenly Father, I appreciate You.
Son of God, what a wonder You are.
Holy Spirit, what a comfort You are.
The truth is, it takes faith to trust Him.
Sacrifice to yield.
An effort to be grateful.
But, awe, the truth is, in the end it is all worth it.
Beautiful Chris!!!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you God for…
1. The reminder to PRAISE God!
2. The perfect fall sunny day
3. Playing Tennis with my husband
4. Joy and Energy for work today
5. Sunsets over the ocean
6. God’s direction in the small details
7. A smile from a child
Thank you so much for taking time to share your ‘seven,’ Rebekah.
I rejoice with you at God’s goodness in your life. Your grateful heart is so evident. I know God is blessed. 🙂
May your week overflow with HIS joy!
Dearest Lord of my life, I have so much to thank you for. Just a few “Thanks” are: 1. You have allowed me life, that I may know you and worship you. 2. You have held me up in the most heartbreaking of times. 3. You have shown me yourself, in all the beauty this world holds. 4. You have brought me back from three near death experiences so that I may be able to have more time to do good works in your name. 5. For my family and true friends. 6. A roof over our heads and food on our table. &. Enough money that we can help others in need.
Dear Bobbi I rejoice with you at God’s amazing goodness in your life. How deeply he loves you.
May you overflow with JOY!! {hugs}