Tag Archives: Praise

Jan19

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on January 19, 2015 by lsgrlr

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Kings 16. “And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (Verses 31-33). Don’t provoke God. Don’t purposely do what He has said not to do. Ahab provoked God, anyone who has read the story knows that this did not bode well for him. Don’t provoke God, praise Him. He is always with us, always meeting our need. Don’t anger Him. Thank Him.

Dec28

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 28, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 22. “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me” (Verses 17-20). Praise. It is what gets us through the hard times, and helps us not to be over taken by the floods and fires of life. Praise sets our hearts in the right place and gives us the right perspective. David has gone through a lot over the past several chapters. But today he is ALL about praise. He took time out to thank God for all He had done so far. He understood that the reason he had made it at all was because God had gone before him. Did life get rosy and pretty all of a sudden? No. Did David have less enemies, and more friends? No. Did he sin less, was he more holy? No. Life had not really changed around him, but his praise and joy came because he knew where his STRENGTH came from. He was secure in God’s love for him. He remembered to give PRAISE.

Oct16

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on October 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 5. “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day” (Verses 1-5). I know I shouldn’t laugh, but there is just a great satisfaction in watching God, be GOD (of all). The Philistines mistook the victory against Israel as something they had accomplished on their own. It never once dawned on them that God may have been teaching His people a lesson. Okay, fine they are human I can understand why they misunderstood. But why, why would you put the God you know to have parted the waters, the God you know to have destroyed nations, next to your god who had done none of that? They next morning their god is on the ground, prostrate before the God of all. They take their little idol up and once again place him above God, who just moments before he was prostrate before… Philistines are not very bright. are they? The next morning not only is their god once again prostrate before the Lord of ALL, but he is broken, arms, head severed from torso. Get the point Philistines, no god above the ONE true, GOD. Here’s the thing, everyday society places all forms of “gods” above the One True GOD. We look at the state of the world and shake our fists at Him asking why He allows this, never once stopping to consider that maybe He is teaching us a lesson, maybe this is the consequences of our disobedience. No “god” above the God of ALL. PERIOD.

Sep21

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 8. “Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.’ But Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you'” (Verses 22-23). I love these words. Why? Gideon didn’t believe the hype. He knew exactly who had rescued Israel, he knew who the TRUE leader was and thus he proclaimed, “not me, but GOD.” Have ever heard a really good pastor/teacher? One who just brings you into the presence of God, one that just makes you want to open your bible, and go over every word he just said? Here’s a newsflash, it is not the pastor, it is God’s spirit moving you to a place of communion with Him. However many times we mistakenly think it’s the vessel and not the one pouring into the vessel that deserves the praise. Sometimes to the determent of our pastor/teachers who are just as human and we are, and therefore prone to believe the hype. Remember Gideon’s victory? Well so did he. He was totally aware that he had nothing to do with the win, and that God had everything to do with it. Here’s the lesson: Our pastors are just the vessels, it is God who deserves the praise.

Jun21

DAY 170 (2014)

Posted on June 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

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This basically my mom’s reaction… God loves to surprise His children, He’s good like that.

My mom’s birthday is on Sunday. As my brother and I decided what to do for her, we came up with a GREAT idea. We’d surprise her with the one thing she wanted most: My brother to come visit. Everyday since he moved to Buffalo at least one time a day she’ll say these words, “I miss Jon.” Yesterday morning I woke up, told my mom I had to help my boss with something, but I’d be back to pick her up and take her out. At which point I headed to airport to get “my boss” (aka. baby brother). I retrieved him from the airport, made a quick Starbucks run (we were both coffee deprived), then headed home. When I got home I left my brother sitting in the car in the driveway. Went inside and asked my mom, to come help me get stuff out of the car. She walked through the garage toward the driveway, she had a quizzical look on her face. Then she noticed him and immediately started screaming for joy. She was so excited (still is), she started laughing, crying, and yelling all at the same time (I did not know that was even possible). Here’s the cool part: she couldn’t stop thanking God. Why is that the cool part? She knew to whom the praise belonged. She did thank my brother and I for the surprise, but her praise was all toward God. She praised Him for providing my brother with the funds to travel. She thanked Him for my willingness to get up at an insane hour in the morning. She thanked Him for another year of life that she will get to begin with both her children around. There was not a thing that she did not praise Him for. I am blessed beyond measure to have this, godly woman, as my example in life. She has taught me that truly “EVERY good and perfect gift is from God.”

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).

So what’s the plan? Know to whom the praise belongs.

Mar9

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on March 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Genesis 46. “And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, ‘Jacob! Jacob!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘I am God, the God of your father,’ He said. ‘Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes'” (Verses 2-4). I bet you’re thinking this will be a a devotion on the long awaited reunion. Or maybe one about letting God go before you (both of which are excellent topics). However, as I read the verses today, the question God laid on my heart was this…”What will be your answer when I call?” Israel’s answer, “Here I am”. God is constantly calling, constantly asking us to step outside of our comfort zone to go where He is leading. Before each journey, each new direction there is a call. Today during my time with Him, I realized there have been times when my answer has been complete and total…SILENCE. Our walk with the Lord depends on our answers to HIS call. So the question is to us…”What will your answer be?”

Feb20

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on February 20, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Genesis 28. “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth'” (Verses 20-21). This prayer of Jacob is mine today as well, that God will go before me and provide all my need, because He is my God. Jacob faced a hard road. Imagine his guilt. He had stolen what rightfully belonged to his brother, and he had deceived his elderly father. He needed a place of refuge. He needed to know that despite all of that God would be his God. That He would do all that He promised. We know from hindsight He certainly did. Therefore today, like Jacob let’s allow God to do what He said. Let’s allow Him to be God.

Feb14

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on February 14, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Genesis 22. “Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’ Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance” (Verses 2-4). If God gives it to you, doesn’t He have the right to ask for it back? This story is very inspiring to me. Why? Abraham waited for the promise to be fulfilled. God provided Issac. Then God said, I want him back. Abraham’s belief: “God will provide a lamb”. He believed. Therefore, he was obedient. Complete trust leads to complete obedience.

Feb8

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on February 8, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Genesis 16. “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me'” (Verse 14). This portion of scripture breaks my heart. A large part of me finds Hagar’s situation unfair. It was Sarai’s choice to give Hagar to Abram. However instead of taking responsibility for her own actions, Sarai first blames her husband, then she proceeds to mistreat Hagar. Hagar runs away, and has an experience with God that leads her to say the verse above. She who is running from her master find the true Master, and realizes that no matter what her plight, He sees her. But even better than that she sees Him, too. We can run, we can hide, but God is always aware of us. He ALWAYS sees us, even when we feel unnoticed.

Feb1

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on February 1, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Romans 8:28-39. (We interrupt our regularly scheduled travel through Genesis to bring you breaking news…) Nothing, NO, nothing can separate us from the love of God. More over we are predestined, called, justified, and glorified. Why? Because God is for us and therefore (not matter what comes), nothing can come against us. Does that mean trials won’t come? Does that mean we won’t experience pain, and unhappy moments? No. It means in those moments He will be there too, walking through it with us providing us a way of escape. Today I woke up to song written by my talented friend Gen. It was these verses put to song. It reminded me of how much God loved me, not just me, but all of us. Hold on to the truth of God, (if you know it) the world will seek to steal it away and make you feel less than for believing. However, this truth ALWAYS constant: “If God is for us. Who can be against us?”

(PS checking with Gen to see if she’ll allow me to link the webpage. I’ll post it once she replies. So check back on this page to see if it has been updated).