Keep the Praise Going!
In everything give thanks,
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
We sincerely hope you have been enriched and deeply moved into closer relationship with our Heavenly Father through these 31 days of praise reporting and reading. We have heard numerous reports on how reading the praise reports of others has given inspiration and encouragement to others. We've also experienced great joy in offering up praise reports - knowing that they are a delight to our Lord is an incredible delight for us!
What a joyful life we experience in endless reciprocation of delight between us and God! This is why we are called to praise Him for and in everything; why we are instructed to "pray continuously" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is not something any more complicated or obligatory than acknowledging Him through our entire life's journey. And as the verse above says, it is God's will for us that we do so.
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9.)
It is a gift and a blessing to "proclaim His salvation day after day." (1 Chronicles 16:23) We are instructed to "ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name." (Psalm 29:2). And really, how can we not? We would not even be here, in this day, if it were not for the Lord. (Colossians 1:16) And in this day, we would not be experiencing grace, peace, and mercy that blesses us each and every moment if it were not for Jesus Christ.
As a gift beyond measure, we were given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Once you have let His spirit in and have given Him dominion over your life, that gift is yours eternally. So each day, complete with our never-ending Gift, we can thank the Lord for his continual presence in our lives:
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Indeed, to the praise of His glory!
We thank you for joining us in this spiritual season of intentional communal praise offering. We invite you to continue to send us praise reports, as we intend to keep the list going indefinitely, as they are such a blessing for everyone.
Psalm 19:14 beautifully prays:
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Praising God in song (poetry, prayer, music, silent acknowledgment) and magnification is greater to Him than any other form of sacrifice. (Psalm 69:31)
May we remain ever humble, for His sake: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us! But to your name bring honor, for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness." (Psalm 115:1)
Amen!