When I was a young believer in Jesus, I was encouraged to keep a thanksgiving journal. It was a little booklet I carried with me as a means to capture the daily happenings that filled my heart with gratitude. Sometimes I would pen my thanks items at the end of the week, following a time of reflection.
Carefully crafting a list of praise items is a good habit—one that I should probably reestablish in my life. It helps me to be mindful of God’s presence and to be grateful for His ever-present provision and protection.
The psalmist who wrote Psalm 117 celebrated God’s love and faithfulness with words of worship for his Creator. In the shortest of all the psalms, the writer encourages all people to praise the Lord because “his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever” (Psalm 117:2).
As believers in Jesus, it’s our privilege to be people of “praise” because we worship a praiseworthy God. Here are some practical ways we can do just that: Start the day by spending a few minutes with God. Read a portion of Scripture and focus your thoughts on how great He is and on what He’s done for you. Commit your day to Him in prayer. And if He puts a song in your heart, sing or hum it as you get ready for what lies before you.
Then, throughout the events of your day, pause often to focus on Him, to pray about challenges that come to light or to give thanks to Him for who He is. At night, as you get ready for bed, praise Him for His loving-kindness and faithfulness you experienced that day (Psalm 117:2).
God draws us to consider Him and His awesome ways. As we take time to do so, our lives will truly overflow with praise.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 11:14-32
More:
Read Hebrews 13:15 to see how often we should praise our great God.
Next:
What can you do to remain God-focused this week? How can you better understand and celebrate His unfailing love and faithfulness?
Gary Shultz on August 3, 2016 at 6:37 am
You are absolutely right Poh. To have our minds continually focused on God’s presence is a vital part of the relationship. I don’t think we “blossom” correctly until we have accomplished digesting that He is ever present and is our faithful Father, who seeks to speak and fellowship with us and who enjoys our praise and adoration. These posts are a great way to be reminded of the different life facets we experience each day, something new, something to think about, something to remember and be thankful. Thanks Poh
jesusking32597 on August 3, 2016 at 8:06 am
Each day, the Lord fills me with songs of thanksgiving and praise. I can not help but sing the words he instills in my heart! Singing these songs the Lord gives me brings me deep and utter joy.
gagirllive on August 3, 2016 at 8:44 am
Amen, Poh Fang. You’ve described a beautiful walk in a day with Jesus. We enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, and bless His name throughout the day. Sweet fellowship. Martin Luther said, “Come, let us sing a psalm of praise and drive away the Devil.” Thanksgiving and praise are acts of love and worship toward our wonderful Savoir, but they are also weapons. How many times have I felt discouragement flee when I opened up my mouth in praise and thanksgiving to my God? Our own souls are blessed as we take our delight in Him. God and man in sweet communion—a match made in heaven and brought to earth by our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!— the highest praise belongs to Him. Thanks for this sweet devo today, Poh Fang.
youssef1777 on August 3, 2016 at 8:54 am
THE FAITHFUL CAN FAIL 7 TIME . BUT TRUST IN GOD AND HIS WORDS . PROTECT HIM FROM DOING THINGS THAT GOD SAID STAY AWAY FROM IT . GOD BLESS ALL .
Mike Wittmer on August 3, 2016 at 9:18 am
This is great advice, Poh. I read something interesting in Ephesians this morning–we are ‘for the praise of his glory’ (1:12). Our salvation brings praise to God. When we give Him praise, we also are the praise!
godlove on August 3, 2016 at 9:32 am
Thanks for this great devotional Poh Fang. I really like the nice little tips on how to improve our walk with the Lord, making the effort to remain in fellowship with Him throughout the day. Like Gary said, for me too, this forum offers a great opportunity to fill my day with reflections about our journey and relationship with our God. I have never had the opportunity to say this before, but I feel like my life has actually changed since I discovered this web site and more so since I started developing the habit to read the devotionals here on a regular basis. I have developed a much deeper understanding and changed my attitude towards a lot of things in life (hopefully for the better in our Father’s view). A big thank you to all the writers and to all the commenters on the forum who share their different insights. You’re all a daily source of blessing to me. Praise the Lord!
gagirllive on August 3, 2016 at 10:11 am
I feel the same way, godlove. And you’re a blessing to us as well!
godlove on August 3, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Thank you very much, dear sister 🙂
Gary Shultz on August 3, 2016 at 11:46 am
Great point Mike, God multiplies our praise and faithfulness in a personal way. He also holds heavenly and earthly benefits for those who praise Him, as we in the Spirit are bound to His.