365 Days of Praise
Praise to God for His UNCHANGING LOVE
“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity…
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in UNCHANGING LOVE.”
Have you ever wanted someone to change? Maybe the person was a little rough around the edges, grumpy, or a complainer. “If only they would change!” we might sigh. But One whom we do not want to change is God. Why? He pardons our iniquity. He doesn’t stay angry. He delights in UNCHANGING LOVE for us. What a joyful thing for us to contemplate. Does it make you smile? It does me.
Lord, we praise You for Your UNCHANGING LOVE! What a blessing You are.
Praise to Jesus, the Truth
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me'” (John 14:6).
Perhaps John 14:6 is a familiar Scripture to you. But is it to everyone? No. Many are seeking to know truth. They’re looking for it everywhere. Yet, Jesus claims to be the embodiment of truth. He states, “I am the truth.” In a world that is filled with deceit, isn’t it a blessing that the One to whom we’re entrusting our lives is the truth? With whom do we need to share the good news?
Lord Jesus, we praise You, the TRUTH and the way to the Father!
Praise to Our TRUSTWORTHY Lord
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are TRUSTWORTHY and true.’”
Today, trust is at an all time low. Lying appears to be culturally acceptable. But, it’s not acceptable to God. One of His Ten Commandments is, “Do not lie.” The Lord God Almighty is not a liar. What He says is trustworthy and true. If at any time we should believe God and follow what He says is morally and spiritually correct, it is now. If you’ve been hurt by an untrustworthy person, don’t let that keep you from trusting God. He has an eternal track record of being TRUSTWORTHY. Take His hand. Side with Him, not the changing culture.
Lord, we praise You for being TRUSTWORTHY!
Praise to the TRUE VINE
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
Some time ago I noticed a vine growing in my flower bed and wasn’t quite sure what it was. I didn’t know if it was a weed I needed to remove or a vine to keep. I had to make a decision. Uproot it or keep it and let it grow? Many today are making the wrong decision about Christ. They don’t recognize Him as the TRUE VINE. Rather than keeping Him and His words planted in their hearts, they’re allowing vines of humanism and false teachings to grow. What can Christians do in response? We can bear the fruit of Christ in our lives. We can let others see who He is. We can pray that people will open their eyes and recognize the TRUE VINE. When we display Christ’s fruit in our lives, the false is more easily distinguished.
Lord Jesus, We praise You, the TRUE VINE! Help us discard anything in our lives that hinders the fruit of Your presence in us. Help others see You and turn to You.
Praise to the TRUE LIGHT
“There was the TRUE LIGHT which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”
Are you excited about all the ways our Lord is described? Every day when I select a description to share with you, I have a renewed sense of awe. Often the ways our Lord is described provide a contrast to that which is in the world. Such is the case today. There are many “lights.” Many claim to be “enlightened” by powers apart from Jesus Christ. Many seek self-enlightenment. But God speaks loud and clear. There is one TRUE LIGHT and it is JESUS CHRIST. HE enlightens us when we turn to Him and open our hearts to His saving grace.
Lord Jesus, You are the TRUE LIGHT who enlightens every man. We worship and adore You.
Praise to the TRUE GOD
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
Our world is filled with gods. We focus our time, energy, and money on sport gods, education gods, work gods, money gods, pleasure gods, political gods, and social gods. In effect, we worship them when they become the driving force in our lives and occupy our thoughts. However, if we want eternal life, Jesus makes it clear that the way is through the knowledge of the only TRUE GOD and HIMSELF. He is to be the object of our love and the driving passion that occupies our thoughts, energy, and resources. We are to love Him with ALL our heart, and with ALL our soul, and with ALL our mind. What or whom are we worshiping?
Lord, You are the only TRUE GOD. May we give You our full worship and praise.
Praise to the TRIUMPHANT Lord
“When He (Jesus) had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having TRIUMPHED over them through Him.”
Do you ever feel like things are out of control? Does it seem like politicians and people in authority ignore your voice? Does it seem like we live in a world where truth is ignored and people are deceived? Christ can relate. He was pronounced “not guilty,” then crucified. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Christ TRIUMPHED over the grave, rulers, and authorities. He disarmed them and made a public display of them. The good news is – Christ is still on the throne. Wrongs will be righted one day. Deceptions will be revealed. Right and truth will prevail. The Triumphant Lord is also able to triumphant over strongholds in our lives, despair in our heart, and sin that entangles us. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Christ is the triumphant Lord. Look to Him. Call on Him.
Lord, You are TRIUMPHANT over death, rulers and authorities. You are triumphant over powers and sin. We ask for Your help to stand against evil and to live godly, holy lives.
Praise to God, a TREASURE
“GOD… is the One who has SHONE in our HEARTS to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. For we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”
When you were little, did you go on a treasure hunt? Today, do you put your treasured valuables in a safety deposit box or a safe place in your home? The Bible tells us that we (Christians) are as a safety deposit box. Although we’re earthen, God trusts us with a treasure. What is the TREASURE? It’s God. It’s the knowledge of Him shining in our hearts. It’s His great power within us. With humble reverence and gratefulness beyond measure, we bow and worship God for this great gift of His presence in us.
Lord, YOU are the TREASURE that men seek, and we have You in our hearts. Thank YOU! We adore and worship You.
Praise to Our TOWER OF STRENGTH AND REFUGE
“For You have been a refuge for me,
A TOWER of STRENGTH against the enemy.”
Terrorists killed innocent people. Illness struck suddenly. Your job is a constant source of worry. Do you ever feel that you get past one storm and another hits? When a flood of sorrow, despair, or enemies surround you, run to the Lord. He is a TOWER OF STRENGTH. He is a place of refuge. You can pray. You can pour out your heart to Him. Then, be still and listen to His counsel. Follow His wise voice.
Lord, we praise You – a TOWER of STRENGTH and REFUGE. When we don’t know how we can get through the next minute, when our heart is aching to the point of death, when there is no one who can console us, when there is no shelter from despair or the enemy, You are there. We find refuge and strength in You.
Praise to Our TOWER of DELIVERANCE
“He is a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.”
If you’ve never read 2 Samuel 22, read it. David models praising God with a sincere heart. In other words, David isn’t praising God because he feels he must, he’s been told to, or he thinks it’s the right thing to do. He’s praising God because he’s overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God. He has SEEN God answer prayers and meet his needs. In 2 Samuel 22:51, David reminds us that God isn’t just a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE to him, but also to us.
Lord, You are a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE! We praise You with our whole heart!