Girlfriends in God - August 9, 2012
August 9, 2012
Praise God Anyway
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him (Psalm 68:4).
Friend to Friend
I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today. She did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She did and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yes!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Now that’s what I call having a good attitude.
Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits, and perspectives. We can literally change our lives by changing the way we think. In Isaiah 26:3 (NLT), we find the promise, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.” A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise – and girlfriend, praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal. Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express our trust in God, then choose to give thanks, healing begins. Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is filled with praise.
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts. (Psalm 68:4, ICB)
But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3, NKJV)
Don’t miss the life changing truth that we can enthrone God in every situation of our lives by praising Him. Praise converts our everyday surroundings into His dwelling place. It is from that throne of praise that God dispenses victory. Praise tunes us into His sovereignty and allows us to experience the reality and power of His presence.
Praise strengthens our prayer life. Prayer is not only a remarkable privilege that we often fail to recognize or understand, it is also part of our worship to God. There is the asking side of prayer when we seek forgiveness, lay needs before God and intercede on behalf of others. Then there is the appreciating side of prayer when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done. Our relationship with God is strengthened through prayer and praise. Now here is my favorite truth about praise. Are you ready? Praise devastates Satan and his forces. Yes! I love it! In fact, Psalm 20:5 (NIV) promises, “We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Satan is well aware of just how powerful praise is and I suspect he absolutely hates it … which absolutely delights me! I can almost sense his fury when I choose to praise God instead of questioning Him. He hates it when I walk by faith, setting aside feelings and emotions while focusing on God’s Word and His faithfulness in my life.
No matter where you are or what you are facing, God is with you. Choose to praise Him.
Let’s Pray
Father, Thank You for Your power and presence in my life. Help me remember that You are with me and are more than enough for every need in my life. Please help me learn to give You praise even when I don’t feel like it or don’t want to. I want to walk by faith and choose to trust You and then illustrate that trust by the way I praise You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Are you known as a woman who praises God?
- As you begin each day, take time to position your mind and heart for praise.
- Look for opportunities during the day to praise God – then voice that praise aloud.
- Begin keeping a praise journal in which you write your praises to God.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help?Check out one of Mary’s E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God’s Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more.
Join other women across the worldin Mary’s Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll!begins August 6. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2012 studies we have done so far. Check it out!
Going through a tough time?Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary’s FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past. Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.
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