Encouragement For Today - April 19, 2005

4/19/05

Encouragement for Today

“Clap for Jesus!”

Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse:

Isaiah 55:12, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (NIV)

Devotion:

I like to clap. We video taped my son’s wedding. At the end of the video, you can see me clapping my hands in wild delight. I wasn’t clapping congratulations for my son and his beautiful bride, but for Jesus.

After years of praying for a godly daughter-in-law, I witnessed God’s answer to my requests. Christ, through all sorts of twists and turns of life, had brought this wedding to culmination in the beauty of a golden autumn wedding. I clapped in applause of His delightful goodness.

I like to be demonstrative in my praise. I have taught my kids to clap for God when they recognize a blessing from God. Yes, they laugh at me. They tease me about clapping for Jesus, but they join in with wide grins across their own faces.

A line in a current popular Christian song says, “Ain’t no rock gonna cry in my place; as long as I am alive I will glorify the Lord.” The song derives its lyrics from the following verses found in Luke 19:37-40:

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (NIV)

“Ain’t no rock gonna cry in my place, as long as I am alive I will glorify the Lord.” That is exactly how I feel. How about you? Whatever way you show your thankfulness to God, take a moment to praise Him right now. Clap your hands for Jesus! Let him know how grateful you feel for the myriad of blessings in your life.

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, open my eyes today to the blessings you bestow upon me. Help me to develop a heart of gratefulness. Teach me to express praise to you in a new and fresh way; Lord, I do not want a stone shouting praise in my place.

Application Steps:

If the weather permits, go outside and study the beauty of nature. Watch the trees waving in the breeze. Listen to tunes of songbirds. Gaze upward and feel the warmth of the sun upon your face. After a few moments, tell Jesus what blesses you the most. Then clap for Jesus.

Reflection Points:

How do I show my appreciation for the blessings in my life?

Does my family know when something blesses me?

How can I teach my children to praise God in everyday moments?

Power Verses:

Psalm 43:4, “Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.” (NIV)

Psalm 111:2, “Great is the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.” (NIV)

Exodus 15:2, “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.” (NIV)

Ephesians 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (NIV)