Okay, I rarely go deep, but today I came across something that hit me right in the forehead! No, not literally, figuratively.
I had just finished a phone conversation in which I was discussing various concerns and sadness with the person on the phone with me. I hung up and breathed a quick prayer begging God to please fix a few things ASAP.
I made lunch for the children and then started to prepare a study guide for a Bible quiz in Maddie's LUOA , and this is when it hit me.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruits of lips that confess His name.
Embarrassingly, as I read this 4th grade curriculum, I learned what true sacrificial praise is. As stated in this 4th grade curriculum,
"It is very hard to praise God, when things are going wrong. God calls this a sacrifice of praise because it hurts to praise God when things are going wrong. A sacrifice of praise gets our mind on God and off of the problem. Praising God even when things are not going right shows others our love for God. "
It is hard to praise God when I am in the middle of frustration. But I learned today , via 4th grade, that maybe this is when I need to praise God the most. I was convicted.
Just passing along what I learned!
18 comments:
Thanks for sharing, Denise. It is hard to do - and I needed to hear that too!!
GREAT post Denise! It's funny how going back to the basic's of 4th grade can remind you of things. That was a good reminder for me too! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for that blog. I needed to hear that, and it was a real blessing.
That brings "come to him as children" full circle doesn't it?! Yeah for LUOA. Thank you for sharing that, Denny. That lesson seems to be a reoccurring one for me over this past year. It also seems to speak more to those that are watching when you (cue the music) praise Him in the storm than on the mountaintop. Truth is, ain't nobody on a mountaintop 24/7! Me likey when Denny go deep!
AMEN DENISE!!! That is so true and such a wonderful reminder for all of us. Thank you!
Thanks for "going deep" today! I think everyone needs to be reminded that. Lola-Reese is memorizing Psalms 23, and in the first verse it says "The Lord is my Shepherd I lack nothing". Even just that it says that as long as we have the Lord as our Saviour we lack nothing. Yeah, maybe our wants are met, but our needs are truly met. Brent and mine's favorite saying it "God won't leave us hanging". We all need to be reminded to praise God in every situation.
Clap, clap, clap (done slowly).
Denise, seriously, that was very good and needed. Now I have the song "we bring the sacrifice of praise. Into the house of the Lor--rd" in my head.
Okay, I think someone must be trying to hit me right in the forehead today too...I first read Hannah's post and now I have just read your post. Both of them are related to some issues we're struggling with right now - issues that were discussed less than 2 hours ago. So, thank you Denise - you didn't realize you were going to be an encouragement to me today, but you were! :)
I knew I blogged for a reason...
Donna, I was singing that song yesterday afternoon and evening. I kept seriously trying to truly understand the lyrics. How silly of me to have sung it and not understood its true meaning.
For ME, this sacrifical praise is followed by Paul saying, "I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in."
Did anyone watch Oprah today? It was about Whitney Cerak - Taylor University student who was in a van accident and mistakenly identified as another girl.
Both families were on there and Oprah asked them about their faith. One of the fathers gave the COMPLETE plan of salvation - it was amazing!
I saw it Jennifer! I was so excited when he started talking about his faith and he made it so clear too! It was so refreshing to see that on TV. I'm sure those families talked to Oprah afterwards too and said more. It was a great (but sad) show.
I so need to be reminded of this. How I often forget, in my times of distress to praise God, rather I am asking him to fix my problem, so I can move on. So Good! I will try putting this into practise.
That is great about that guy giving the gospel on Oprah. She needs the Lord!!
Seriously! Sometimes I pray that Oprah will be saved. With her platform, think how much she could do for Jesus and how many she could reach for Him! Especially on the BIG GIVE. I was getting so mad that they were just putzing that money away at gas stations and stores. Think of all the Christian ministries (ie crisis pregnancy, substance abuse, shelter and food, etc., etc.) that really need support and could've really put it to good use! What a waste....
What a great reminder Denise...thanks for sharing!!
speaking of Oprah, have any of you seen her new book club book, I think it is called a New World. It talks about how there is many ways to salvation, that you are your own savior, that there is no heaven or hell. She is totally endorsing this, saying she believes this! So sad. You can search on youtube to watch a video on it.
Donna just sent that youtube to me. " "Orpha" I like to call her that) is truly missing the boat! She is one messed girl. I am going to officially boycott her--not that I watched her anyway, or read O. But I DID watch The Big Give. Not now!
Okay, boycott was a bit harsh--I felt like a old baptist after I was rethinking my comment, as I fold clothes. I am just not going to entertain anything Orpha. She does do alot of good for the world, but she is missing THE true goodness of Jesus Christ.
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