A Voice of Thanksgiving - Patricia Jordan

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. Psalm 26:7 ESV

Using a voice of thanksgiving is one of the best ways to witness for God.

During our children’s childhood, we attended churches where, on the fifth Sunday night, folks gave testimonies or asked for their favorite hymns to be sung. I enjoyed it and chatted with many people about how their testimonies uplifted me. 

One summer, I attended a friend’s church revival. People gave testimonies about how God answered their prayers. A woman in the choir told how God delivered her from heavy alcohol consumption. Since then, her life had become fuller and more enriched than ever before. She cried tears of joy over her new life in Christ. I didn’t see her as being too emotional, and neither did those around her. They hugged her or patted her on the back as the choir stepped down. 

In 1975, I lived in Atlanta, GA. I had lived an ungodly lifestyle for several years, moving from place to place and job to job and running from my bad decisions. I worked full-time, but still lost my car. I felt discouraged. But my sister Deena encouraged me to join the military.

On a Sunday morning in April, while sipping coffee, I thought about my life’s direction. While lost in thought, I saw myself sitting with my parents and four older siblings on a church pew during a revival night. I was nine that summer. As the choir sang their last song, the preacher looked in my direction and asked, “Are you washed in the soul-cleansing blood of Jesus?”

I wasn’t a Christian but wanted to be one. I went forward, confessed my faith in Jesus, and was baptized Sunday night. My decision on that revival night, along with reliving that memory, changed the direction of my life. I found a local church, joined it, and then investigated the military idea. I’ve lived a Christian life ever since. 

Sharing testimonies strengthens our faith and the faith of others. I love telling the story of how I returned to faith in God at twenty-three. 

With a voice of thanksgiving, tell others what God has done in your life. 

Patricia Jordan is a seventh-generation southerner from the Appalachian Mountains. She is thankful to return and live there after living in various parts of the world with her retired military husband. They have raised three daughters. She has published You Are Valuable (Westbow), which is her story of how she overcame chronic low-grade depression through Bible study, prayer, and talk therapy. Lately, she has turned her writing talents to writing devotions about walking with God.  

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Sun - Lynne Phipps

To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV

It was a cold winter’s day. So cold that I debated going for my daily walk with the dogs, worrying that it would be too frigid for their feet. Nevertheless, they were anxious to get outside, so off we went. 

As we trudged around the snowy path, I pulled my parka hood up over my hatted head to try to cut the searing north wind. What a bitter day, I thought. In spite of the cold, however, the beauty of the brilliant blue sky against the stark white landscape was a sight to behold. Best of all, however, was the heat of the winter sun beating down upon us, making our glacial experience that much more bearable.

That winter sun reminded me of the last part of today’s scripture verse: a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Life, just like the weather, can at times become quite bitter, causing us to become discouraged or even to despair. God understands this and has given us a remedy to make our difficult situations bearable. 

Praise is the key to lifting our spirits and blessing us with the encouragement, hope, and strength to persevere amidst the winters of life.

Praise focuses our attention on the truth of who God is, what He has done in the past, and what He will do now and in the future. Praise opens the door of hope, as well as expectancy. God is ever-present.  He will never leave us. He goes before us and can lead us on the right path. He is the God of peace who will provide every good thing we need in order to do His will. God provides wonderful counsel and wisdom. He hears us when we cry and answers our pleas. He is also able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope or dream, more even than our highest prayers.

Yes, when we don the garment of praise amidst our times of discouragement or despair, our spirits are lifted, our burdens become lighter, and hope for today as well as tomorrow begins to shine down upon us, just as that warmth of that winter sun shone down upon me on that cold and bitter winter’s day and gave me strength to keep going.

Father God, thank you for the garment of praise to banish the spirit of heaviness within my life when the storms of life assail me. Remind me to don it quickly and wrap it tightly around me. In your name I pray, amen. 

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, Christian Devotions, and Love Lines from God. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Praising in All Seasons - Abigail Skelton

Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV

There are countless books and self-help guides about what to do in periods of crisis. Even in the church, we hear far more sermons on grief and hardship than on joy and rejoicing. Praising in all seasons challenges the best of us. 

Yet, sometimes for me, in seasons of blessing and wonder, my focus on the Lord seems to drift. Life is good. Life is easy. Relying on God for everyday help is less of a necessity until something bad happens again. But what if I could rejoice like those in Scripture, who focused on God and whose prayers multiplied in the good and easy seasons?

Hannah longed for a child. Not just on occasion, but for years. God answered her prayers the way she wanted. And what was her response? She gave her greatest gift back to the Lord. And even as she fulfilled her vows, she rejoiced. 

Hannah wasn’t the only one in the Bible who remembered to praise God when things went right. Miriam, King David, Zechariah, Mary, and numerous others celebrated God’s goodness in seasons of blessing. If God is the giver of all good gifts, we should accompany everything we receive, large or small, with thanks.

Paul reminded the early church to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). This command sounds simple, but in our own happiness, it’s easy to miss unless we take intentional time to dwell on our Savior’s generosity. Maybe this looks like taking a break from work and thanking God for the spring flowers outside the office window. Perhaps it’s thanking God at the end of yet another wild day for a family or for small children.

God doesn’t owe us anything, but he gives us so much. Thanking him—rejoicing over seasons of blessing—should come naturally. But even when it doesn’t, we can honor God by intentionally praising him—like those in Scripture—and by living a life of rejoicing.

Make a plan to help you praise God in all seasons. 

Abigail Skelton is from beautiful Southern Oregon, where she grew up with an avid love for Jesus, chocolate, and writing. She has lived in three countries while involved in missionary work and frequently travels and studies foreign languages. You can connect with Abigail on her website: https://abigailskelton.com.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

—

We Need Revival - Patricia Jordan

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 NIV

One summer, I attended one of those old-time camp meeting revivals in Western North Carolina, where my husband and I live. This was my second summer of attending the tent meetings. I have a friend who attends the host church, and she invited me to her church’s revival. I went and enjoyed it so much that I returned again the following summer.

The host church covered the tent floor with wood shavings. Nightly, a great lineup of spirit-filled praise singers started and ended the meeting by singing wonderful gospel songs. In between the music, men and women prayed at the altar. Then one of the preachers approached the podium and preached an inspiring message. 

The preachers came from nearby towns scattered across the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as some from as far away as Mississippi. They each realized it was up to them to spark the revival flame. The preachers and singers knew we live in a dark world. The Spirit anointed each one to be a gospel messenger through their talents and calling. 

Our souls are in a dark place without the light of the gospel message being placed within them. Without Christ, we wander through life looking for meaning, even spiritual meaning. But because we know no restraint but God's law, we never find that peace that passes all understanding.

One night, I relaxed in our backyard, enjoying the stars that sparkled across the sky. After a few minutes, I felt in my spirit that God told me that the brightly lit stars represented believers. The dark sky represented the darkness of this world. That’s when I realized how much we need revival. As Christians, we have the responsibility to share God’s message with the world.

Think of ways you can help revive this dark world. 

Heavenly Father, cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins. Set my soul and heart on fire for revival. In Jesus' name, amen.

Patricia and her husband are both Christians who stay active in their faith. They are also Air Force veterans. They have three daughters, two granddaughters, and one great-grandbaby. They live in her hometown of Sylva, NC. Patricia went to college, intending to become a writer. After dabbling around at writing, she finally got serious about it and wrote a self-help book about her own journey of overcoming depression (Westbow Press). She enjoys gardening and staying in touch with her extended family. She believes in daily Bible reading as a means of spiritual growth and mental and emotional wellness.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Friday Night Lights - Karen Huffaker

 

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. 

~Psalm 32:11 NASB

It’s fall, which means it’s time for football to return. Excitement and anticipation build as fans await the first game kickoff under the Friday night lights.

Cheerleaders serve breakfast for the players. Later, coaches prepare them mentally and physically and serve them a hearty meal beforehand.

Families gather, wearing their teams’ logos on clothing, gear, and accessories. And don’t forget the cowbells, pom pom shakers, and tailgate parties. The community comes to life after a lazy summer.

But do we do the same in our worship of God? At the games, there is gladness, shouting, joy, hand waiving, singing, swaying to the drum beats, clapping hands, and stomping feet. Our worship should incorporate these enthusiastic displays and expressions of emotion, whether in private or public.

When the school band marches onto the track, it reminds me of the hymn, We’re Marching to Zion. The psalmist said to be glad, rejoice, and shout for joy.

We don’t have to be shy, quiet, solemn, or embarrassed. Nor must we look sad or serious. We have every reason to be joyful and express our gladness for what our Savior has done. Jesus saved us. We have victory in Him. The game has already been won.

Let the overflow of your joy be evident to everyone around you.

Tweetable: Are you excited about worship? 

Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Yet Will I Praise Him - Karen Huffaker

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 NIV

Ann almost shouted when she said, “Praise the Lord!”

This practice was not uncommon for my coworker. Neither was the phrase, “Thank you, Jesus!” She freely gave credit and glory to the Lord, no matter where she was. Her praise could be about little things or something big on her heart. She recognized God’s goodness and His hand in the everyday circumstances of life.

I, however, tend to whisper praise under my breath unless with family or friends. Then, I’m a bit more vocal with my gratitude.

Praise God when things are good.

That’s pretty easy if we remember. When things are going smoothly, relationships are good, health is excellent, and nothing is broken, we should give thanks and praise the Lord. But sometimes, we get complacent and take things for granted. Often, we forget that these things are the answers to our prayers.

Praise God when things are not so good.

Praise God anyway. We have good reasons to hope. We can thank God that He hears our prayers, knows our problems, and works to provide in many ways: a temporary job, housing, transportation, medication, doctors, helpers, repair technicians. He grants favors and blessings in big, little, and unique ways.

The Bible gives us instructions and examples about praise and thanksgiving. King David rejoiced, thanked God, and danced for joy before the people. He unashamedly expressed awe and reverence. Although David did many notable things, he also greatly sinned and paid the price for it. Yet, he still worshipped and praised God.

Reflect on recent days and consider how God worked in your situations, even if you didn’t notice it then. Recall the unexpected blessings that lifted your spirit. Journaling these things will encourage you. Then, praise God.

Whether you experience good things or not, praise God because He always works for our best and inhabits the praises of His people. 

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends.  

Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

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Conquering through Praise - Martin Wiles

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 NLT

 

On any given day, disappointments can be overwhelming. Conquering through praise doesn’t come easily. 

 

Enter the life of a middle school Language Arts teacher. For the first three weeks of school, the program we use for grades, homework, lesson plans, lunch, announcements, and payment was up and down because our internet was up and down. 

 

On one particular day—as the students attempted to work through an online grammar exercise—the internet dropped us at least fifteen times within forty minutes. Frustrating. Making lesson plans was challenging due to the intermittent connection. What normally took an hour took an entire day. Student lunch orders didn’t process. One fellow teacher threatened to throw her computer out the window. I thought about it myself. Of course, all of this had nothing to do with our computers. 

 

Since our lives as teachers are so dependent on the internet, several weeks of issues tax us and make finding anything positive difficult. And of course, we have to toss in staff meetings, parent meetings, and other student-related matters. 

 

Yet, many reasons to praise exist. We work in a smaller atmosphere where peer and student-teacher relationships are closer. Fights among students are almost non-existent. So is backbiting and jealousy among teachers and staff. We also get to bathe everything we do in a Christian worldview. I can talk about Christ and biblical principles as often as I choose. In fact, I’m instructed to. 

 

I’ve encountered some disappointing times during my lifetime. When I’m under a heavy load of whatever, it’s challenging to discover the light—but there’s one. And it is for everyone if they want it to be. 

 

Knowing Christ as Savior gives us reason to praise Him. Realizing all our sins—past, present, and future—were forgiven at the cross is worth shouting about. God is also omnipotent. He controls everything. The reason for the disappointment is immaterial. He has authority over the situation. Looking for the positive in all situations helps, too. We can see glasses of water as half full or half empty. The choice is ours. 

 

Let God teach you how to use praise so you can conquer disappointing times. 

 

Father, teach me to praise You even when it appears I have no reason to do so. 

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends.  

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A Sacrifice of Praise - Emily Marszalek

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15 NIV

When I arrive home from work, my dog Charlie always greets me with a full-body wag and a stuffed animal portrayed proudly in her mouth.

Whether her stuffed pig, blue dinosaur, or frayed flamingo, Charlie always presents a gracious offering to me—her way of expressing her love and joy in our reunion. She does it not because she expects to receive something in return, but out of unconditional love for her master.

Witnessing Charlie’s elation in presenting me with a stuffed animal sacrifice, I’ve often reflected on what I offer God each day. Often, my prayer time is spent focused solely on me and my needs and desires. While God invites us to present our needs—and while He delights in providing those needs—we must not forget to offer Him a gracious offering in return.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God. In Philippians, Paul advises us to not be anxious about anything but to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. In 1 Thessalonians, he tells us to rejoice always.

We can praise God for all He has already provided. We can thank Him for who He is. We can rejoice before Him, knowing that we have the privilege of serving the Almighty Creator of the heavens and the earth.

We serve an amazing God. As we present our requests, anxieties, stresses, needs, and fears to Him, let’s not forget to also offer Him a sacrifice of praise, gratitude, and joy. As we maintain a heart of gratitude toward God and a sacrifice of praise on our lips, we honor our Master.

What are you offering to God today? 

Tweetable: What types of sacrifices are you making for God? 

Emily Marszalek enjoys the simple pleasures in life with her two Goldendoodles—Charlie and Lucy—and her fiancé Nick in the Pacific Northwest. Her writing has appeared in publications including Angels on Earth, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to your Dreams, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Blessings of Christmas, The Lutheran Digest, Refresh Bible Study Magazine, Christian Broadcasting Network, and Daily Inspired Life.

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Praise at All Times - Martin Wiles

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. Psalm 34:1 NLT

Praising God in the bad times is illogical.

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve witnessed all types of behavior by believers. Praising God when something bad happens is the strangest. A financial crunch occurs and a vehicle is repossessed. Praise God, it could have been worse. They owe the IRS more than $10,000 in back taxes. Praise God, I could owe more. For years, they slave at their job without a raise. Praise God, at least I have a job. Children rebel or get killed in a tragic accident. Praise God, He knows what He’s doing. A spouse hits the road never to return. Praise God, He’ll get me through it.

Looking at this apparent illogical behavior, it appears these believers are doing the same thing the psalmist proclaimed he did. Though he praised God at all times, he never said he was happy about what was happening. Such as when Paul later said to give thanks in all things. He didn’t say to be thankful for bad things but to thank God in the bad times as well as in the good times.

I’ve been a believer for forty-seven years, and, in most cases, have copied the behavior of the Christians I’ve known as well as the psalmist. The list of things God has led me through is lengthy. I’ve never made a parallel chart, but it’s possible the taxing times might be longer than the pleasant times.

Either way, I’ve learned my praise shouldn’t depend on the circumstances. If it does, I might fuss at God more than I praise Him. Whatever the circumstances, He is in charge and has my best interests at heart. He has to. Doing so is in His nature. He never acts to harm but always to conform me to His Son’s image.

God is continually available to receive my praise. Unlike most places I call, He doesn’t have a menu option to choose from. My line to Him is direct, as is every believer’s. Nor is there a wait due to heavy usage. God functions in the kind of time that allows Him to hear everyone at the same time.

God knows my faith grows in the crucibles, so praising Him when in them is vital. His wisdom lets Him know when to deliver me from them and when to guide me through them.

Praise God at all times. Doing so makes for a wonderful life.

Tweetable: Praise is always appropriate. 

Prayer: Father, give us faith to praise You, regardless of what You send or allow into our lives. 

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Praise . . . Regardless - Martin Wiles

For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. Psalm 18:49 NLT

Her instructions to the piano instructor were clear: teach regular piano lessons for fifteen minutes and teach hymns for the remainder of the time.

Mom was a member of a small United Methodist Church nestled on a country road. The only person who could play the piano could really not play well at all. So my grandmother decided to do something about it. She took the money she made from selling fish she caught and paid for Mom to take piano lessons so she could play at church as soon as possible. Her plan worked, and at nine years of age Mom began playing the piano in church.

That was sixty-seven years ago, and Mom still plays. Yet things didn’t work out exactly the way she planned. She had dreams of becoming a concert pianist—and probably could have been. But Dad came along, stole her heart, and married her just before being shipped overseas by the Army.

Shortly after his enlistment was over, Dad accepted the call into full-time Christian ministry. And Mom? She became the pianist and/or music leader for every church he pastored until he retired. She never made the stage she hoped for, but she praised God with her hands and mouth for all of those years—and still does when she has the opportunity.

The psalmist King David did too. In his early years, he praised God with a harp. He even danced before the Lord on one occasion. He praised God often by writing psalms, as well with his mouth. God had delivered him from many enemies during his lifetime, and he didn’t mind letting others know about it.

The apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in all circumstances. Thus, he could praise God in all situations. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but one God wants us to master. We can praise God for salvation. He forgives all of our sins. We can praise Him for the hope of eternal life. There, all the things we don’t like here will be missing. We can praise Him for His promise to work all things together for our good. All things won’t be good, but He’ll sustain us and work them for our good.

The list of things to praise God for is endless. Pick a few each day, and praise Him . . . regardless.

Prayer: Father, we praise You for who You are and for who we can be through Christ. 

Tweetable: Praise God with the gifts He gives you. 

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Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.