Post by forgiven on Feb 25, 2005 5:06:33 GMT -5
A Perspective On Praise
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will
constantly speak his praises (Psalm 34:1, NLT).
Dear friends:
When C.S. Lewis became a Christian, he frankly
admitted that he did not understand the importance
of praise. Then, as Lewis studied, prayed and
meditated on the Scripture, it dawned on him that,
"Praise is the means by which God reveals Himself
to His people."
That is a thought-provoking statement. I think
of Psalm 22:3 in the King James Version, which
says that God inhabits the praises of Israel, or His
people. Praise brings His presence.
Have you ever stopped to think about what it
really means to praise God?
John and Susan are both devoted Christians, and
they often exclaim, "Praise the Lord!" But one
day they began to ask themselves, "What do we
really mean when we say 'Praise the Lord'? How can
our praises to Him be more creative than simply
repeating that sentence?"
There is nothing wrong with that phrase as long
as we sincerely mean it. It is from the Bible
itself!
The act of praise is simply giving credit where
credit is due. When God gives a special blessing
to us, we are to praise Him and give Him credit
for the blessing. If He allows a trial to come
our way, we are to praise Him because we are
confident that He is going to work all things together
for our good.
A young associate once asked me, "Bill, even with
Christ on the throne of your life, you still face
many pressures and trials as the international
president of Campus Crusade for Christ. How do you
maintain a calm, positive spirit in the midst of
it all?"
Here is my answer to his question. One of the
major secrets to a positive, joyful spirit, I told
him, is praise. When I am between appointments,
or driving the car or taking a walk, I always try
to meditate on our loving and magnificent God and
praise Him for His mercy, love, goodness, and
grace. I also enjoy singing praise songs to Him,
and quoting a psalm, or thanking Him for all the
good things in my life. Praise, I said, keeps
things in perspective, and the trials and problems of
life grow dim in comparison to the glorious light
of our wonderful Lord.
Praise Him!
Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will
constantly speak his praises (Psalm 34:1, NLT).
Dear friends:
When C.S. Lewis became a Christian, he frankly
admitted that he did not understand the importance
of praise. Then, as Lewis studied, prayed and
meditated on the Scripture, it dawned on him that,
"Praise is the means by which God reveals Himself
to His people."
That is a thought-provoking statement. I think
of Psalm 22:3 in the King James Version, which
says that God inhabits the praises of Israel, or His
people. Praise brings His presence.
Have you ever stopped to think about what it
really means to praise God?
John and Susan are both devoted Christians, and
they often exclaim, "Praise the Lord!" But one
day they began to ask themselves, "What do we
really mean when we say 'Praise the Lord'? How can
our praises to Him be more creative than simply
repeating that sentence?"
There is nothing wrong with that phrase as long
as we sincerely mean it. It is from the Bible
itself!
The act of praise is simply giving credit where
credit is due. When God gives a special blessing
to us, we are to praise Him and give Him credit
for the blessing. If He allows a trial to come
our way, we are to praise Him because we are
confident that He is going to work all things together
for our good.
A young associate once asked me, "Bill, even with
Christ on the throne of your life, you still face
many pressures and trials as the international
president of Campus Crusade for Christ. How do you
maintain a calm, positive spirit in the midst of
it all?"
Here is my answer to his question. One of the
major secrets to a positive, joyful spirit, I told
him, is praise. When I am between appointments,
or driving the car or taking a walk, I always try
to meditate on our loving and magnificent God and
praise Him for His mercy, love, goodness, and
grace. I also enjoy singing praise songs to Him,
and quoting a psalm, or thanking Him for all the
good things in my life. Praise, I said, keeps
things in perspective, and the trials and problems of
life grow dim in comparison to the glorious light
of our wonderful Lord.
Praise Him!
Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright