Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Psalm 148 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.

He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.[a]

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

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Reflect

When I read this Psalm, I couldn’t help but smile! To think that our Awesome God has created all things and that those things give God praise…. WOW GOD!!! Don’t you think that we, humans, should get in on that action too?

The WORD commands us to praise the LORD, but how many times do we make excuses not to? We may be going through a hard time and not feel like praising the Lord or we aren’t in the mood, so we don’t. How sad is it that we whom have the very gift of a personal relationship with the One who created all things and saved us from the pit, choose not to praise God? We choose to remain upset, because we are hurting inside from things that we do not understand. We ask God, “Why this and why that?” or we just simply want to continue to give God the silent treatment.

Life is hard and times are tough, but we serve the One True God who deserves our praise! God rescued us and saved us! God is for us, and not against us! God is fighting our battles for us! And most of all, God loves us more than anything else in all creation! I do believe that God deserves our praise!

When we praise God not only do we grow stronger, but we also grow closer to God! It truly is a win-win situation, so let’s just praise the LORD!

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Pray

“Awesome God, we come humbly before You, asking You to forgive us for not admiring You! Help us to remember that You deserve our praise and we draw closer to You through it! We love You, Lord and You are worthy of our praise! In Jesus name, Amen!”

Go with God!