The High Praises of God in Our Mouth

Thoughts and emotions are fickle and lead many of us on a wild dance. When we are happy, we live a productive life; but the moment we meet a crisis or feel discouraged, we lose all hope. Some react to stress or depression by sleeping all the time, or our soul may invent psychosomatic illnesses or we turn to addictions.

This behavior causes us to receive even more criticism and rejection, and this denunciation increases our feelings of separation from the people we love. Trusting in Christ may not change our circumstances, but it certainly alters the way we view life. We belong to the eternal family of God (Ephesians 2:19). In Christ, we can accomplish anything, which He leads us to do (Philippians 4:13).

The more often we focus on the goodness and greatness of God, the more His praise rests on the tip of our tongue. The least little blessing that comes our way is reason to erupt into high praises to our Lord and King (Luke 1:46-47; Psalm 149:6). In addition to this, we get excited about His spiritual blessings, as well as His mercy and grace in our life (Ephesians 1:3).

Even our failings are not failures, because there is forgiveness with our God (Psalm 130:4). We will not lose the war for our soul, simply because we lost a battle. Christ in us already obtained for us our eternal security in Him (John 5:24). Our soul – our mind, emotions and will – magnifies the Lord and our spirit rejoices in God our Savior (Luke 1:39-56).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for transforming the personality of our soul into the mind of Christ, Your divine nature and the fruit of Your Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:16; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Remind us that You inhabit our praises (Psalm 22:3). With high praises to You in our mouth, and the two-edged sword of Your Word in our hand, we can vanquish any negative emotion and overcome any enemy of our soul (Psalm 149:6). Help us not to allow our flesh, which is dominated by our physical senses and emotions, to dictate our behavior; but help us to allow our faith in You, as well as our praises to You, to change our feelings (Deuteronomy 30:19). We choose to walk in Your joy, precious Lord.

Thought for the Day:

Our success in life pivots entirely on our obedience to Christ and following the leading of His Holy Spirit.

The Lord of the Dance

When the Holy Spirit abides in us, He desires to develop His fruit in our life (Galatians 5:22-23). He cannot force us to live a fruitful life; therefore, He wants us to allow Him to flow in and through us. Our surrender enters us into a dance of joy with the Lord of the dance, and we sing songs to our Lord day and night (Psalm 149:3; Ephesians 5:19).

We sway with Him to the music He places in our heart, getting lost in the melody of His love and dedicating our life to His service. We praise Him with the tambourines and the dance (Psalm 150:4). Twirling in harmony with His melody (Psalm 149:3), we dance in joy because of His peace and provision (Jeremiah 31:4). There is always a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Those who seek the Lord lack nothing that we need to prosper in this life (Psalm 34:10). The Lord is our light and protection, and He gives us His kindness and respect. He withholds no good thing from those who walk in Holiness before Him (Psalm 84:11). As we submit to God and allow His peace to rule in our heart, He will make our way prosperous (Job 22:21).

God never allows His righteous ones to go hungry (Proverbs 10:3). When life devastates us, our heart loses its hope, but Jesus turns our mourning into dancing (Lamentations 5:15; Psalm 31:11). Then, we can once again praise Him with musical instruments and dance before Him in joy (Psalm 150:4, 149:3; 2 Samuel 6:14). God delights in the praises and love of His Saints (Zephaniah 3:17).

Prayer:

Father God, there is no need for us to live in fear and anxiety about what we need, because You know everything about us, and You graciously and generously supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:31-32). You provide for us and protect us all of the days of our life (Psalm 84:11). You give us all good things to enjoy (Matthew 7:11). Teach us to dance with You, especially when life gets too hard to handle.

Thought for the Day:

Our Father in Heaven gives us whatever we ask, if we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. - 1 John 3:22