November 22, 2024

Give Thanks To The Lord

June 7, 2014 by

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Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of His works with songs of joy.
Psalms 107:21-22 

Give thanks to the Lord (for He is good)
For He is good
Give thanks to the Lord (for He is good)
For He is good
Give thanks to the Lord (for He is good)
For He is good
His love endures forever

His love will reign forevermore
His power will reign forevermore
His grace will reign forevermore
His peace will reign forevermore
His love will reign forevermore
His power will reign forevermore
His grace will reign forevermore
His peace will reign forevermore

His love endures forever (praise the Lord)
His love endures forever (Hallelujah)
His love endures forever

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A Quick Reminder

June 6, 2014 by

“What has God done for you lately?”   Whenever I’ve been asked this question in the past, I thought it was cheesy.  Why does it matter what God has done for me?  (Or better yet) why do you want to know?  I used to think that my struggles were my struggles, and my victories were my victories, and the things that God did for me…were for me.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of His works with songs of joy.
Psalms 107:21-22

The answer to my questions are simple.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO KNOW OR BE REMINDED THAT GOD IS ABLE.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves,
others will praise God for the obedience
that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,
and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you,
because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
2 Corinthians 9:13-14

We can forget sometimes that our God is able.  Oh, how we can forget!!  When bills pile high and the fridge is empty…we can forget.  When the bank account says $0 and the gas tank is on ‘E’…we can forget.  Those are times it’s easy to forget that God is able.  But hearing about how God provided for a brother or sister can be a quick reminder of our God’s ability and a spirit-lifter.

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy,
and they shared her joy.
Luke 1:57-58

So. I ask again… “What has God done for you lately?”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Thank You, God, for being a God who answers prayers and gives perspective. Thank You for being taller than any mountain we could approach.  And thank You so much for providing us with sisters and brothers to help nudge us on when we are temporarily dazed by our circumstances.  What an awesome God we serve.  Amen.

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More Than Enough

June 5, 2014 by

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Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
Psalms 107:21-22

Thanksgiving and rejoicing…those are two beautiful words.

I think it’s wonderful that we can practice thanksgiving at any time during the year; that the act of being thankful isn’t limited to a holiday in the fall.  I’ve decided that one of the best feelings to have is when I can take a deep breath, and offer a true Thank You to my Heavenly Father.

For me, I know that the idea of these two words was somewhat intimidating.  I would wonder what thanks I could offer that would be sufficient, that would truly express the praise He deserves for all He has done in my life.  I knew that I could never meet the requirement (or that’s what I thought).  But I came to learn that He didn’t place requirements on the thanks we offer.  He just said to sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving.  And how we can—with the gifts we’ve been given, offer thanks through writing, through song, through helps, through whatever method you can.

I learned that thanksgiving and rejoicing are everyday acts.  They are things we can do when we wake up, when we’re working, when we’re talking to friends.  They are things that can become part of our character, things we can practice, and things that can become second nature.  This is definitely something that I have been working on and something that I want to continue to work on.  Daily He is by my side, helping me in these endeavors.  This week let’s focus on thanksgiving…let’s focus on rejoicing!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your love and kindness, for Your patience, and for the gifts You gave us that we can use to offer You thanks.  At times we may not know how to offer thanksgiving, it may not feel adequate, but to You it is beautiful.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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An Attitude of Gratitude

June 4, 2014 by

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Let them praise the Lord for His great love
and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about His glorious acts.
Psalms 107:21-22

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

A sacrifice can be defined as ‘something valuable given to God.’  An offering can be defined as a ‘gift or anything presented to God.’  According to the Lexham Bible Dictionary , all sacrifices are offerings but not all offerings are sacrifices.  In the Old Testament there were two primary reasons for sacrifices and offerings. One reason was for atonement/restoration and the other reason was for worship and thanksgiving.  Sacrifices and offerings were needed to approach God.

Jesus became our permanent sacrifice, our eternal sin offering. But that does not mean we no longer need to bring offerings before the Lord. We can still bring a sacrifice of praise, a peace offering before God. Psalm 96:8 (NLT) encourages us to do so.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
bring an offering and come [before Him] into His courts.

The idea behind a peace offering was communion with God; sitting down to a meal with God and drawing close to Him. Through praise we can come into communion with God. Our praise celebrates His mercies, His goodness, His provisions and our redemption. In the Old Testament sacrifices served to restore relationship with God and to please Him. Praise gives us the opportunity to do the same. We can bring a ‘thank you’ offering to the altar and a grateful heart to God. Sharing what God has done encourages others and keeps our victories fresh in our minds.

As Charles Spurgeon states:

“Such things are worth telling, for the personal declaration honours God, relieves ourselves, comforts others, and puts all men in possession of facts concerning the divine goodness which they will not be able to ignore.”

Psalm 73:28 (NLT) reminds us that when we draw close to God we can’t help but sing His praises!

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my Shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

And, don’t you know, that pleases God.

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Heavenly Father, You are deserving of our praise. May our hearts and our lips joyfully ring out in worship of You. We come to You with a grateful heart, thankful for all You have done for us.  We know that if we don’t praise you, even the rocks will cry out Your name.  Our desire is to please You and we know our praise is pleasing to You.  Let an attitude of gratitude inhabit all that we do. In Your name we pray, Amen – so be it!

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Deeds

June 1, 2014 by

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Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,
for His wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of His deeds in songs of joy!
Psalms 107:21-22

Reading the background of these verses, it amazes me how we are in such rebellion.  No matter how good we are, we cannot become better by our deeds. When we become ill, we pray for our heavenly Father to heal us, to make us better.  We pray when we lose our jobs.  We pray when we are in any kind of trouble.  What I want to do is praise my Father for whatever may come my way.  I want to sing for joy and dance with passion!

I believe it is this heart-change that allows us to see that God is not the image we have of our earthly father.  God is so not that man!  God wants us to love Him because He first loved us.  God has given us the Psalms and the other accounts to remind us of how He wants what is best.  He knew we would make mistakes…He knew we would need His loving arms around us all the time.

As God spoke and His word was done, we also can speak and proclaim His Word throughout all of the world.  We can speak them over our lives and the lives of those we love. We can speak the healing Scriptures over those that are hurting. For example we can pray,

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.
He gives strength to the weary
and strengthens the powerless.
Youths may faint and grow weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
But those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

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Father, give us courage to seek You everyday, with every waking moment and every breath we take.  Help us to not be afraid of what others may think if we begin to pray Your Word and proclaim it over our family, our church, and our nation.  We love You and want to experience life to the fullest!  In Your name we pray, Amen!

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His Unfailing Love

November 22, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

 

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalms 107:21-22

(I stare at these verses, and I wonder what road God will take me down as I begin to type words onto paper. It’s my hope and prayer that anything I write to a group of people will honor Him and that I go the direction He leads me to go. So, with a prayer coming before writing anything of substance, here is what’s on my heart when I read these verses.)

The Book of Psalms is filled with many heart-cries of thankfulness to God. You cannot read much of this great book without realizing that the theme of thankfulness runs throughout it. But today, I am drawn to write about God’s unfailing love (another recurring theme in this book). God out-loves everyone; He never stops loving you; His love is UNFAILING; and His love cannot be measured—but it can be displayed! We are to “…give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men” (Psalms 107:21). God has shown His faithfulness in fulfilling promises, forgiving, healing, leading, performing needed miracles, loving, and sustaining (to mention only a few things He has done.) But the greatest act of love of what HE DID was sending His Son to die on the Cross for our sins! (I pray I never tire of telling the greatest story that is true, life-changing, and filled with love, mercy, and grace!) For please know this—it is nothing that we have done!!! We cannot earn our way into heaven with our works or even pitifully try to be good, but we must completely love, trust, and believe in Jesus as the One and Only Way to God!

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.’
John 14:6

Oh, let us live lives that display thankfulness for a Savior Who displayed mercy, love, and grace when HE died for our sins on the cross! When faced with the cross, His love DID NOT FAIL! Jesus chose to sacrificially hang there and die for our sins! And let us tell of His works and unfailing love with songs of joy. Friends, through the power of the Holy Spirit, speak it, write it, live it, and sing it!

Lately, I am drawn to this wonderful praise song, “Unashamed of You” sung by Chris August. If you have a few minutes, please listen to it. Then ask yourself, “When was the last time outside the walls of my church that I spoke of Jesus and His grace through His love on the cross?” Ask yourself, “Do I praise Him enough for His unfailing love?” As you listen, worship God, and make changes in your life…if the Holy Spirit prompts you to do so. Now, go listen to this great song!!! I’m on my way to do so!

Dear Lord,
I’m thankful for Your unfailing love and that You provided a way for a sinner, such as I, to be restored and have a relationship with You by way of the Cross. Thank You that it’s not about anything that I have to earn, but that it’s all about Your love, mercy, and grace poured out on the Cross for all of us that receive the forgiveness You offer us so freely and easily. Lord, if anyone is reading this devotional that does not know You, my prayer is that they come to You in brokenness and ask for forgiveness of sins and desire for You to now be his/her Savior and King for ALL eternity! In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray.
Amen.

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The Positive

November 21, 2013 by

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Let them praise the Lord for His great love
and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and sing joyfully about His glorious acts.
Psalms 107: 21-22

My mom has been talking to me about what I focus on.  Basically, I need to stop focusing on the negative.

I’d call the season I’m in now one of discovery. I’m learning more about God and myself. And yet, when the road gets rocky and circumstances aren’t favorable, I’m prone to focus all my energy on the problem until it is solved.  Focusing on the negative is like having blinders on that stop you from seeing all the good in your life.

So, when I was told what our next devotional was going to be on, it’s no surprise the word “sacrifice” is what had my attention. (Nothing negative about that, right?) Forget that verse 21 says, “Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.” I was going to write about how obedience is much better than sacrifice, but something just didn’t feel right.

So, I waited. (Yay!)

For four days I pondered. Every time I went to write, I felt like I was being told to wait. Three of those four days I was drawn to Micah 6:8, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

On the fourth day, I got curious! I went back to the beginning of Micah chapter 6. This chapter is about God bringing his case against the Israelites and Him asking them to bring their case against Him (verses 1-8).

God went first asking, “O my people, what have I done to you?  What have I done to make you tired of me?  Answer me!” (verse 3).  He then reminds them of good things He’s done for them.

The Israelites replied asking what sacrifice they could bring Him (verses 6 and 7). And then, verse 8 is God’s response.

I reread Psalms 107:21-22 and noticed that I’d completely missed the positive in the verses. And finally, it dawned on me, I am inclined to focus on the negative, even in God’s life-giving, hope-filled Word.

I’ve decided to focus on the positive and to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18); to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). I know this is possible because God is working in me, giving me the desire and power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13).

* * * * *

Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes and softening my heart. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for constantly loving me.  Amen.

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Praise Looks Good on You

November 20, 2013 by

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Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and declare His works with rejoicing.
Psalms 107:21 and 22

This psalm is relevant today for all believers who in misery and affliction cry out to the Lord; it builds up our faith and encourages us during those times when we need God to intervene specifically in our lives.

However we are to praise God in good times and in bad times, for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men. Let us go back to the children of Israel and see how God took care of them. He made sure they had food, their clothes did not tear, their shoes did not wear out—all were His wonderful works. The children of Israel did not grasp the concept of praising God at this point; rather, they felt Moses took them into the wilderness to perish.
We are to praise God in all circumstances for He alone knows what is best for us. He created us in His own image and likeness. That is a reason enough to thank Him endlessly, for it gives us an assurance that we will not lack anything! We are the apple of His eye; we will inherit and eat the fruit of the land all because we are His likeness. This means God cannot allow us to suffer it is like He is suffering with us for we are His very own.

One time I was listening to Dr. David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in San Diego, California. In his message he said, “Praise is not a choice but rather is a mandate and that is what we were created for.” He said, “Praise looks good on us and makes our faces shine in the eyes of our Lord. We come to the Lord with praises and His glory comes down.”

This is so true! When our praises go up…His glory comes down and takes care of our anxieties. Even if we cannot pray, but just give thanks and praises to the Father, He delights in the praises of His people.

As we are praising God it is like a sweet aroma going to heaven. It is as if He smells it, checks out where it is coming from, and He realizes that it is you and me…Wow!! And He asks the angels to rush with blessings that were in stock and an immediate supply to us.
When we are praising the Lord we have to do it with gratitude and rejoicing for what He has done and what He is yet to do. He is Omnipresent; hence His instant blessings.

* * * * *

God our Father, we thank You for Your goodness and Your wonderful works. We give You all the glory and honor for Your lovingkindness. We declare with our mouths that indeed You are our God and Your works are marvelous. In Jesus’ name I have prayed. AMEN!

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Intentional Praise

November 18, 2013 by

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Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
Psalms 107:21-22

“Say please. Say thank you. Give honor and credit to those where it’s due— in sports; in life; at home; in school.”

These are some things I say to my children on a regular basis; these are things I need to remind myself of on a regular basis as well:  Give thanks… sacrifices of thanksgiving…declare His works with rejoicing.

I think that so often we as people, that I as a Christian, don’t give enough credit where it is due.

I was journalling last night, writing about some of the things that have happened in my life over the past few days and years.  During this process (and after reading over some of what I had written) I realized that I had not given credit where it was due.

It’s not as if I haven’t thanked God personally for what He has done for me, or even what He has done in me but have I “sacrificed with thanksgiving?” Have I “declared His works with rejoicing?”  Do other people, believers and non-believers alike, know Who I attribute my successes to?  It takes more than a quick “Thank God!”  It takes an intentional act of declaration—a sacrifice of praise.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifices of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

I know that God knows my heart.  He knows that I truly thank Him and appreciate all that He has done for me, but I want others to know, too.  I want God to not only know my heart but to hear my words as well.  I want to make intentional declarations of thanks.

* * * * *

Dear Heavenly Father,
Bring these Scriptures to mind when we give thanks.  Remind us to make intentional declarations and not simply rely on the fact that You know our hearts.  Thank You, Lord, for the gentle reminder You give us through Your written Word.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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