Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotional: praise

Showing posts with label praise. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Proclaim His Mighty Acts!

Not many people have ever heard of Mithridates the Great, King of Pontus, from northern Asia Minor, in 88 B.C. He was famous for his size, his strength, and his skill of mastering the languages of the twenty-five nations that he ruled. There’s also Cardinal Mezzofanti, who was born in Bologna, Italy who spoke more than one hundred languages and dialects. Language enables us to understand one another and share ideas. It connects us.

Today, philologists claim that there are between 6,000 and 7,000 different languages that people use to communicate with one another. The majority of the languages in our world flow from one person to another. Some languages exist that have never been reduced to writing. Every language evolves and changes over time. When people connect with other people in other places, languages become richer and more inclusive. Some languages add new words while other words are deleted when they no longer make sense. Some words lose their meaning and are soon forgotten.

Yet, no matter how many words there may be or how many languages are spoken, the Psalmist put things into the proper context when he asked, “Who can proclaim the mighty acts of God, or fully declare His praise?”

We will never be able to praise God as much as He deserves, but we can praise Him with a sincere heart. If we ever begin to realize the magnitude of God’s love and mercy that saves us, and sustains us, our hearts will be filled with such joy that our voices will never cease to express our gratitude and thanks!

Prayer: Thank you Father for your love and mercy that saves us. We lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to You for Your love for us and the gift of Your Son, who came to share Your message of hope. In His Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Who can proclaim the mighty acts of God, or fully declare His praise? Psalm 106:2

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Proclaim His Mighty Acts!

Scripture For Today: Who can proclaim the mighty acts of God, or fully declare His praise? Psalm 106:2

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Saturday, October 20, 2018

The Sound Of The Trumpets

An old Jewish legend claims that each day in heaven begins with the ringing sound that comes from a trumpet.

After Lucifer, once the son of the morning, had fallen from heaven, he was asked, “What do you miss most?” After a moment’s thought, he said, “The trumpets that sound in the morning.” The legend continues that the reason the trumpet sounded was to call people together to thank God for His love and mercy, grace and goodness.

Sadly, the “trumpet of thanksgiving” is absent from the lives of far too many Christians. The sounds of glory and gratitude have been replaced with groans of gloom and grief, greed and godless living.

But we are urged in Psalm 150: to “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet.” Trumpets were used in Jewish ceremonies to remind worshipers of the greatness, glory, and goodness of God and to praise and thank Him.

Perhaps it would be a good idea if each church had a trumpet player to begin each worship service. Perhaps the sound of a well-played trumpet might remind us to “bow down” before our Creator and give Him thanks for His many blessings - the ones we are aware of and those who fall on us unannounced and unrecognized.

Giving thanks is an important part of life - especially in the life of a Christian. All that we have or will have, all that we are or will become is not accidental. Everything in our lives comes from the grace of God. And not to thank Him is to insult Him. In ourselves, we have no worth. We only have worth in, through and by God’s grace.

Prayer: God, give us grateful hearts - hearts filled with gratitude for Your love, grace, mercy, salvation, and hope! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 150:3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet.

The Sound Of The Trumpets

An old Jewish legend claims that each day in heaven begins with the ringing sound that comes from a trumpet.

Prayer: God, give us grateful hearts - hearts filled with gratitude for Your love, grace, mercy, salvation, and hope! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 150:3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Something To Crow About!

Early each morning, often before the sun rises, a “rooster” who lives nearby sends a message announcing to his neighbors that “a new day has arrived - get up and go.”

For some, this is unwelcome news. But for others, it is an announcement that a new day has dawned and there are new opportunities of the way to serve and honor God.

How “roosters” got their name is interesting. All birds - and chickens are considered birds - “roost” at night. So, the one that wakes up first and “leaves the roost” and begins to “crow” is considered “the” rooster. What makes a rooster crow is not known. But how a rooster crows is.

A rooster never crows with his neck bent and his head down. Whenever he crows he lifts up his head proudly as if he is thanking his Creator. Roosters never crow with their heads bent.

Psalm 111:1 reminds me of the cry of a rooster as a good way to begin each day. “Praise the Lord! I will extol the Lord with all my heart.” Why? The Psalmist then gives thirteen reasons:

“Great are the works of the Lord.”
“Glorious and majestic are His deeds.”
“His righteousness endures forever.”
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate.”
“He provides food for those who fear - stand in awe - of Him.”
“He has shown His people the power of His world.”
“The words of the hands are faithful – trustworthy - steadfast - upright - just - and He provides redemption.”

Prayer: How great You are, Heavenly Father, for Your great gifts. May we shout of Your greatness every day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 111:1-2 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Something To Crow About!

Early each morning, often before the sun rises, a “rooster” who lives nearby sends a message announcing to his neighbors that “a new day has arrived - get up and go.”

For some, this is unwelcome news. But for others, it is an announcement that a new day has dawned and there are new opportunities of the way to serve and honor God.

A rooster never crows with his neck bent and his head down. Whenever he crows he lifts up his head proudly as if he is thanking his Creator. Roosters never crow with their heads bent.

Psalm 111:1 reminds me of the cry of a rooster as a good way to begin each day. “Praise the Lord! I will extol the Lord with all my heart.” Why? The Psalmist then gives thirteen reasons:

Prayer: How great You are, Heavenly Father, for Your great gifts. May we shout of Your greatness every day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Friday, April 6, 2018

The Universal Language

No matter where you travel - from the darkest jungle to the highest mountain - you will find some type of music. It could be rap or rock and roll, hip-hop or jazz, rhythm and blues or opera, music for a marching band, the painful music of the pagan, the Middle Eastern style that seems to be so irritating or the majesty of hymns or worship music. It all makes a statement about the one who is making it and the ones who are listening.

Sometimes the music sounds sad and sorrowful or joyful and uplifting. Then again it might be the music of marches that stirs up our patriotism on the Fourth of July. Music can bring tears to our eyes or a smile to our face when it reminds us of a loved one. When we sit quietly in church or lift our arms to God, it can elevate our hearts to His presence or excite our senses when we hear music that proclaims the glory of God’s goodness and grace, love, and salvation. But is there more?

A Psalmist once wrote of the music that should always fill the heart of a Christian: “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy Name!”

Praise, in the life of the believer, is personal. If we remind ourselves of the work of Jesus while on this earth, we remember that He did His greatest works with individuals. Even when He was dying on the cross for our sins, He ministered to the one next to Him: “Lord,” he cried, “remember me!” And Jesus said, “This day you will be with me in heaven!” Even as our prayer for pardon is personal, so should our praise to our God be personal.

Prayer: Lord, fill our hearts with praise! May our souls be filled with songs of joy and hymns of gladness, always! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

The Universal Language

A Psalmist once wrote of the music that should always fill the heart of a Christian: “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy Name!”

Prayer: Lord, fill our hearts with praise! May our souls be filled with songs of joy and hymns of gladness, always! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Time For A New Song?

Sunday church bulletins quite often reveal more than the words printed on them. Other than the date on the front of the bulletin the order of service changes very little. There seem to be three important words that appear in every order of service: Invocation, Offering and Benediction. And in between those words, the hymns, Scripture and special music will be “recycled” from week to week. But there is little new or different. Even contemporary worship services seem to follow the same format and formula week after week.

Sounds boring, doesn’t it?

Perhaps that’s why Psalm 96:1 explodes with a challenge: “Sing to the Lord a NEW SONG!” - which literally means “NEW THINGS!” If God is alive and well in our lives and in our churches we will surely be seeing new things and singing new songs because we will see Him at work in our lives and in the life of our churches. Prayers will be answered and lives changed, sinners will be saved and His disciples will be called to serve Him in new and different ways showing His love and care to those around us. We will have to rearrange the order of service to make time for public praise to share what He is doing and sing new songs because He is doing new things!

And then in verse two, we read, “Proclaim His salvation day after day!” When the proclamation of His salvation is the centerpiece of our work and worship, we will be overcome with His joy and “sing new songs!”

Prayer: Lord, may we accept Your challenge to sing a “new song” by living and sharing Your great salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 96:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Time For A New Song?

Sounds boring, doesn’t it?

Prayer: Lord, may we accept Your challenge to sing a “new song” by living and sharing Your great salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 96:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Glorious Things!

The Psalmist wrote: “Glorious things are said of You!"

John Newton once was a slave trader. After becoming a Christian he became a powerful preacher, a leader in the fight against slavery and a famous hymn writer.

One of his hymns contains those Glorious Things!

"He whose Word cannot be broken" reminds us of the faithfulness of God – a centerpiece of the Psalms. In psalm after psalm we hear the echo of God's faithfulness giving strength, hope and encouragement to the children of Israel. Though they often abandoned God and at times paid a dear price for forsaking Him, He was there every time they called on Him and immediately answered their cry.

"Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove." There never was a time in their history that God did not feed them, go before them or watch over them. When they looked to Him for forgiveness, and repented of their sinful ways, His mercy met them at their point of need and His blessings followed. He was with them to meet their needs, remove their fear and grant them the desires of their heart.

"Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, Never fails from age to age." If there ever was a time in the history of our nation that we needed to be reminded that God's grace would "never fail" it is now. Everywhere we look, we see a need for His love, mercy, grace, salvation and our nation's restoration. It is not His glory that has vanished – it is our unwillingness to share His grace with others.

Prayer: Lord, how disappointed You must be when You see what we can do to share Your grace, yet do nothing. Forgive us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God!

Glorious Things!

The Psalmist wrote: “Glorious things are said of You!"

John Newton once was a slave trader. After becoming a Christian he became a powerful preacher, a leader in the fight against slavery and a famous hymn writer.

One of his hymns contains those Glorious Things!

Prayer: Lord, how disappointed You must be when You see what we can do to share Your grace, yet do nothing. Forgive us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God!

Monday, October 16, 2017

What Is An Azimuth?

He stood before my desk with a set of orders and said, “FTC Nichols reporting for duty, Sir.” Not hearing his designator very clearly I asked, “What do you do for the Navy?”

“Sir,” he said crisply, “I recently completed a tour of duty on a guided missile frigate. I was the one who was responsible for making certain that the azimuth on each weapon system was operational and accurate, Sir.” He certainly had my attention and spoke in a convincing manner. There was no doubt in my mind that he was competent to do his job and that all weapon systems under his control would deliver their missiles to the intended target at the precise moment.

God wants to place His “azimuth” in our hearts. David wrote, “My heart is steadfast O God; My heart is steadfast.” So committed was he to the Lord that he emphasized the word “steadfast” by stating it twice. But there is something more.

The word “steadfast” can also be interpreted, even more correctly in this verse, as “confident!” Here we see David finding inner satisfaction in God after following many ill-fated paths. His firm faith resulted in an inner transformation that was now going to be visible by the way he worshiped and served God.

When we completely commit our lives to God, He will give us His guidance system to control the destiny of our lives. His Word will become our “azimuth.”

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that can be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path to guide us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

What Is An Azimuth?

He stood before my desk with a set of orders and said, “FTC Nichols reporting for duty, Sir.” Not hearing his designator very clearly I asked, “What do you do for the Navy?”

When we completely commit our lives to God, He will give us His guidance system to control the destiny of our lives. His Word will become our “azimuth.”

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that can be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path to guide us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Hearts That Sing Praises

Music has been called “the universal language.” Wherever there are people there is music. It seems to come from the very nature of man. Every tribe on every continent has had musicians that make their own type of music. It is different from place to place, from being as irritating as fingernails on a chalk board to sounding like the “voices of angels.”

The first “recognized” musician was Jabal who is mentioned in Genesis 4:21. He was the “father” of all who played the harp and flute. Music was very important to Moses and the Children of Israel. One of their earliest songs is introduced in Exodus 15:1 – “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted.”

Music has always played an important role in the history of Christianity. In fact, before the followers of Christ met to worship God the choirs of heaven sang on the night that Christ was born. And Jesus Himself led His followers in singing a hymn of praise before going to Gethsemane!

Pliny was commissioned by a Roman Emperor to investigate the belief and behavior of Christians. He reported, “They have a custom of meeting before dawn on an appointed day, and singing hymns to Christ.”

Although music is everywhere, why is the music of God’s children different? David said, “I will sing and make music!” immediately after he found a new steadfastness, or confidence, in God’s grace. That’s why!

When hearts are at peace with God, people sing!

Prayer: Thank You, God, for putting a song of joy in our hearts, praise on our lips and a smile on our faces! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Hearts That Sing Praises

When hearts are at peace with God, people sing!

Prayer: Thank You, God, for putting a song of joy in our hearts, praise on our lips and a smile on our faces! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

It's Either - Or

It’s been wisely said that “If He is not Lord of all He is not Lord at all. If we do not value Him above all, we do not really value Him at all.” What does it mean when we say, “Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord.” There is a natural progression that begins with Jesus as our Savior and ends with Him as our Lord.

Shouting in a loud voice with words that came from the bottom of his heart, David proclaimed, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.”

With God being Who He is and What He is and you and I being who we are and what we are, establishes a very specific relationship. It declares His role and our role: He is our Sovereign. And as our Sovereign we are to be submissive to Him. All that we are or ever will be and all that we have or ever will have is a result of the grace and mercy that comes from Him, Sovereign Lord.

If God were not Sovereign, He would have no authority to dispense grace and mercy. That is what sovereigns do: they rule over their subjects and choose who will receive their favor. And the more power that any sovereign has the more important and precious is the grace and mercy they bestow upon their subjects.

Our Sovereign said, “Whoever chooses me to be their Savior and Lord will receive my love, mercy and grace and will have eternal life with me.” He also said, “Remember I am with you every step of life’s journey to protect you.” No wonder David said, “Be exalted, O God.”

Prayer: How grateful we are, Father, for the blessings You give us each day. We bow before You in humility. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

It's Either - Or

Shouting in a loud voice with words that came from the bottom of his heart, David proclaimed, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.”

Prayer: How grateful we are, Father, for the blessings You give us each day. We bow before You in humility. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

The Source Of Praise

Someone recently reminded me that my heart beats 72 times a minute, 100,000 times a day, 3,600,000 times a year. And, if I live what would be considered a “normal life span,” it will beat 2.5 billion times. It only weighs about 11 ounces yet will pump about 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels each day. Rather amazing, to say the least.

Yet I rarely stop to consider those facts. It’s God at work in my body taking care of me, watching over me, providing life for me and within me.

Often in life we seek God’s presence and power to protect us and provide for our needs. But are we aware of the magnitude of His grace, gifts and goodness? Are we sincerely thankful for His constant care, concern and compassion?

Do we ever pause to think of the work our heart does without our having to do anything to make it “work?” Do we realize that God is alive and involved in our lives without our even mentioning His name?

God gives us life without asking for it and help when we call upon Him when we are having difficult times.

David often needed God’s help. He knew that in God’s “name” there was help and hope. He experienced it in the past and knew it was available in the present.

And when God helped him, the first thing he did was to “praise His name.” Praise is what we are to “do” when we recognize God at work in our lives.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be aware of all that You do in our lives and to praise You for each gift – big or little. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.

The Source Of Praise

Yet I rarely stop to consider those facts. It’s God at work in my body taking care of me, watching over me, providing life for me and within me.

God gives us life without asking for it and help when we call upon Him when we are having difficult times.

David often needed God’s help. He knew that in God’s “name” there was help and hope. He experienced it in the past and knew it was available in the present.

And when God helped him, the first thing he did was to “praise His name.” Praise is what we are to “do” when we recognize God at work in our lives.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be aware of all that You do in our lives and to praise You for each gift – big or little. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.