Thursday, January 15, 2015

There Is Nothing Generic About Praise!


"I will bless the Lord at all time, His praises 
will continually be in my mouth."
Psalm 34:1

"From sunrise brilliance to sunset beauty
Lift up his praise from dawn to dusk"
Psalm 113:3

I am linking up with Bonnie Gray today over at Faith Barista as she begins a new Thursday link up entitled, "Faith Brews".  Bonnie has written a beautiful book, "Finding Spiritual Whitespace" and I had the privilege of being part of her online launch team.  The book was really helpful on my healing journey, and I am so grateful that she has shared her story to help others.

Today Bonnie asked us to share what word for 2015 we had chosen to reflect on.  I wasn't sure I was going to even seek out a word, but when God shared with Joel and me that 2015 would be a pivotal year for us, I felt maybe it would be important to have a focus word.  Was the word "pivotal"?  Not that I could discern.  Then I heard twice in two days from different two sources the statement, "A year without fear".  Ok, maybe this was where I was being led, but it did not seem to sit right within.

Eventually the word praise popped up....again, and again, and again.  I confess, I tried to ignore it, even after I asked for confirmation and it jumped out at me two more times!  Praise.  It just seemed soooooo been there, doing that generic. It seemed so that is, until I read Ann Voskamp's post on anxiety, and how the answer to anxiety is adoration of Jesus ~~in the form of gratitude ( Ann wrote a wonderful book on this topic, "One Thousand Gifts") and praise.  Adoration.   Then I read a powerful statement I came across out in cyber space.
 "Praise brings God into every situation." 

It all came together for me.  I just love how God is in the details of our lives.  Isn't it comforting?  You see, at times I deal with anxiety, and lately I have been seeking ways to release it.   Any of you have that problem?  My body responds to stress quickly for reasons I have shared before. Even though a great deal of inner healing has taken place, the body seems to like to hang on to it's hyper-vigilant state.  While asking God for more peace and less reactions, God in is perfect love presented me with an answer.   Praise.  He is pretty amazing isn't he!

I decided to research praise and discovered that just the word alone has 380 references at Bible Gateway.  One of the verses  I came across is Psalm 22:3, which goes along with the quote above. 
"God inhabits the praises of His people." 
(paraphrased)
Psalm 22:3

I like this idea.  Of course, we know He lives in us, but having Him dwell in our praises is kind of awesome, isn't it.  Also during prayer, praise builds us up.  We are told in the Bible that using our prayer languages (speaking in tongues) edifies us.  Builds us up.  And Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, "the joy of our Lord is our strength."  We are strengthened in joy....in praise.  Out of love, God blesses us even as we praise Him.

Having just begun this study on praise, I am excited about where God will lead me on this journey with Him.  Among other things, I have already learned there is nothing generic about praise!

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi-visiting from Bonnie's linkup (we're neighbors on her linkup).

I think God put us next to each other because He knows I'm struggling with praising Him. My grandma passed away 5 days before Christmas, and ever since, I've been in a dark place. Sadness. Anger. Boredom. All of the emotions I've been told accompany grief. It just feels like a void. She's the first person I've lost who I've been close to. During the last few months before she passed, we talked a lot about Jesus. I don't know how to explain, but Jesus showed so much of Himself through her my entire life. There's this void I wish wasn't there.

Thank you for sharing this :)

NanaNor's said...

Wonderful post Renee and so applicable to all of our lives. I started listening to worship music this morning and it changes ones whole mindset. Thank you for sharing. Blessings and love to you.
Noreen

Bonnie Gray said...

renee! i love that i can be here with you. we're journeying together with our words again. (exhale) love how God gifted you with "praise" - His words come unexpectedly, don't they. ;) love how you're listening and sharing what you heart with us. wonderful brew!

Renee said...

Hello princesstojesus, thank you for coming by. Sorry for your loss. It is wonderful you had that time to visit with your grandma about Jesus. What a blessing!

Renee said...

Hello princesstojesus, thank you for coming by. Sorry for your loss. It is wonderful you had that time to visit with your grandma about Jesus. What a blessing!

Renee said...

Hi Noreen, music does make a difference doesn't it. I plan on watching Bethel's music Tim tomorrow night...all music....

Renee said...

Hi Bonnie! Thank you for stopping. Was great to see so many linking up today....

Gayle said...

I love your new look for the new year! My word is Loveliness and my goal is to try to look for all that is good and lovely in a day and record it. I read the article as well from Ann on anxiety. I starting struggling with it after menopause and have noticed I am sensitive to the energy around me. I am learning to guard that somewhat, and when I am stewing on a problem, bring it the Lord in prayer. Have a good week!

Renee said...

Thanks Gayle.....oh, I like your word, loveliness. I am right with you on the sensitivity to energy around me! I would say is is discernment that the Bible speaks of. My daughter has learned to guard herself from it. Hugs....