Friday, October 18, 2013

What’s your praise?


                I’ve always loved gospel, praise and worship music; singing of God’s goodness and unmatchable love.  It’s a wonderful thing to hear a song that speaks to a current situation or feeling in my life.  I feel blessed and encouraged by those songs because they always offer hope by assuring me that with God I can make it through.  I also love to sing the songs that talk about how awesome our God truly is; songs that talk about His grace and mercy, His mighty yet gentle hand and His unchanging ways.

                Some days you can catch me in the bathroom getting ready for the day or in the car on my way to where ever listening and singing at the top of my lungs.  I’m having my only little praise session for God.  There is just something that touches my heart to worship God through listening and singing songs of praise; it’s my way of praising Him that reaches deep within my soul.  This is a time when I can feel His anointing and presence on my life and it feels good to acknowledge that to Him by singing and glorifying Him.

                Now, knowing this I have to admit that sometimes I hold back.  I hold back out of fear of being looked at like I’m silly or maybe just because I don’t want to embarrasses those around me.  However, lately I have noticed myself really letting go and praising God in church during Sunday praise and worship time.   I’m no longer a stranger to standing, even if no one else is, to offer up my praise as the choir sings to God and to us.  You may find me with my arms extended in the air, hands clapping and even swaying from side to side.  I no longer want to stifle my praise…I know God knows my heart, but if I can’t walk it out then what true purpose does it serve? 

                There are so many ways we can feel God’s presence and offer our praise to Him…we just have to find our own personal way and allow ourselves to give in to it.  My oldest daughter often praises God through her art.  She has made beautiful murals for her youth group at church because she allowed herself to let go and praise Him through her hands and drawings.  There are dance and mimes teams at church that worship and feel His presence through their moves and yet others that play the instruments for those singing and dancing.   

                We all have a praise inside of us and what a blessing it is for not only God and ourselves, but for others when we release it.  Through our praise others can see just how wonderful God really is.  Whether things are going good or we are in the midst of a trial, our praise shows our trust, belief and need for God to make it through.  I will also say that it’s a time of true release…a time when I feel close to Him.  It’s a time when I’m not clouded by the ways or issues of this world, but instead I’m entering into His presence where there is peace and unconditional love; not to mention the fact that He is so worthy of all our praise!!!

I sincerely encourage you to find your praise, find a way of acknowledging Christ and the amazing impact He has on your life.  Through this worship I know you will find yourself coming closer and closer to God.  It will teach you to trust and love Him more as well as give you a joy so deep and so pure that no one can take away. 

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