Surrender of P.R.A.I.S.E.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Good Friday of Holy Week is the ultimate picture of surrender. The day when Pilate surrendered to peer pressure, resulting in the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus surrendered to the will of God and suffered in agony and pain for the salvation of all mankind. Hanging on a cross for hours upon end, undergoing more than most can bear to hear. The ultimate sacrifice to make way for grace. And yet, as He was suffering, He asked the Father to forgive those who were persecuting him (Luke 23:34). His divine nature and unconditional love for others is mind-boggling. Astonishing mercy, grace, and love!

The last words uttered by Christ are found in Luke 23:46. A display of extraordinary sacrifice and submission to God. The scripture reads, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. All that was within him he placed into God’s hands. Enormous trust in the Father was demonstrated for all the world to hear and see. His last seven words are forever part of Good Friday. What a testimony for followers.

Jesus’ submission is a display of ultimate praise. Christ validates his trust through the yielding of his spirit. I can’t help but sing, “You can have it all Lord, every part of my world”. All for your glory, all for your will, all for the advancement of your kingdom. Praise Your Holy Name!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great in the LORD and most worthy of praise, he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 1 Chronicles 16:23-29

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

The surrender of praise is a choice much like our attitude of praise. We are called to be living sacrifices. Scripture reminds us that this is what brings ultimate adoration to the Father. May this Good Friday bring to mind submission and allow you a time to reflect upon your personal commitment to the Lord.

Are you willing to give it all to Him? He gave His all for you.

April 10, 2020 0

Attitude of P.R.A.I.S.E.

Through him them let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
― Lou Holtz

“Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, money, circumstances, than failures and success, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, ability, or skill. It will make or break a business, a home, a friendship, an organization. The remarkable thing is I have a choice every day of what my attitude will be. I cannot change my past. I cannot change the actions of others. I cannot change the inevitable. The only thing I can change is attitude. Life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it.”
― Charles R. Swindoll

“When you take control of your attitude, you take control of your life.” “Happiness depends on your mindset and attitude.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements.”
― Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?

And the list continues regarding attitude. I am sure you have a few favorite quotes on the subject as well. When I reflect upon them, one particular line comes to mind. “Your attitude is a personal price tag; it determines your value.”

By definition attitude is the way we thinking about something or someone. It includes the posture we choose to display. Therefore, attitude is a choice. This choosing is relative to all areas of life, especially regarding praise for the Lord. The approach and outlook we have directly affects the stance of gratitude and thankfulness within our hearts.

On Wednesday of Holy Week, Matthew 26:14-16 is a passage some contemplate, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Thirty pieces of silver was his greedy attitude. No regard of appreciation for the one and only Savior. He had spent hours upon hours following Jesus and witnessed what He spoke as truth. Where was Judas’ gratitude and recognition of thanks for God, the solitary hope for his life? Overcome by the love of his human nature and an attitude of selfishness. Choosing this stance, he could not possess an attitude of thankfulness nor could he utter a word of praise to God Almighty. A single choice. . .

Occupying an attitude of praise goes beyond the way we feel. There are days when our circumstances dominate our thinking and influence our emotions. We all have them; “rotten, no good, very bad days”. It takes our faith, inward love for God, and the Holy Spirit to seize our attitude. It is our choosing to bring our attitude under the authority of the Father and praise His Holy name.

Don’t feel like praising—Do It Anyway! Don’t feel thankful—Praise God Anyway! Why? It is a biblical stance to select an attitude of praise for a Savior whose love was displayed on a cross through a broken body and nail scarred hands. He is beyond worthy of our praise despite our feelings and emotions.

I once heard it expressed that our attitude of praise can be altered by starting with our duty to honor the Lord. As we elect to praise the Father out of sheer duty, over time it transforms into devotion. Then as we select to exercise our devotion to God, it becomes sheer delight-absolute sold out PRAISE! Duty-Devotion-Delight…a method to changing your attitude of praise.

“Even the smallest changes in our daily routine can create incredible ripple effects that expand our vision of what is possible.”
― Charles F. Glassman, Brain Drain The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life

April 8, 2020 0

Posture of P.R.A.I.S.E.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4

Body language-need I say more! Scrunched up face, crossed arms, bobbing head, mocking mouth, rolling eyes—total disrespect. Oh, don’t let me forget outward actions like slamming a door. Yep, that will cause any father to take the door right off the hinges. You understand if there are or if there had once been teenagers in your household. Maybe, you’ve had the privilege to be an educator, childcare worker, coach, youth pastor… Yet, who am I kidding? I was a teenager once and still this youthful posture will arise its ugly head.

As we dive into Holy Week, let us ever be mindful of not only our body language but also the stance of our heart, mind, and soul. Praise is an expression of something relished and adored. When you possess love for someone or something, it is evident in your posture. You radiate with admiration and you can’t hold back your feelings. You want the world to celebrate with you because of the emotion it generates.

So why is our outburst of discontent sometimes easier to display than our compassion for God? (Ouch! That hurts even more when I see it displayed in words.) It is a question we must visit when we exam how we praise the Father. The position of our entire being bears the demonstration of worship on many levels. Posture exposes and presents the owned passion for God. Although we all retain a level of public display, God recognizes a heart for Him. He is never fooled.

Luke 19 describes the Monday of Holy Week as a day when Jesus discovers a stance of disrespect and unbelief in the Temple. His intense desire to purify His children is clearly seen by His intolerance for disgrace and lack of honor. He found their demonstration far from exalting God. It looked more like a proudful strut flaunting selfish desires and parading their gods in the presence of God.

What is your posture of PRAISE? How do you show reverence inwardly and outwardly? Does the world know who you love above all else? Where can you improve upon your praise stance? In what posture do you want Jesus to find you on any given day?

May God’s word encourage you as you examine your entire praise pose:

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Rev. 7:9

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. Psalm 134:2

When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Genesis 24:52

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

It came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:11

May we be found leaping for joy, bowing down in worship, standing in honor, lifting our hands in reverence as we gaze upon His glory.

Share your position knowledge and experience of praise with someone today. I can’t think of a better stance on Monday of Holy Week.

April 6, 2020 2

Six Days of P.R.A.I.S.E.

Praise Him for He is the tree of Eternal Life!

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5

Hi friends! Welcome to Holy Week. This is my favorite season. It signifies such an outpouring of love. A time where the Almighty Father awarded His very best, His son, Jesus Christ, to a lost and dying world. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the Lord’s all sufficient mercy.

Our Great and Mighty Jehovah is beyond worthy of our adoration. He has prepared things before us, is present with us, and is fashioning the days ahead. How can we not bellow it from the mountain tops and even in the valleys low with all that we possess?

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the Lord God Almighty!

Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him!

The Lord God Almighty is worthy to be praised with all that I am.

Bless His Holy Name.

As an invitation of praise, come join in six days of P.R.A.I.S.E. during this Holy Week. Let us discover together how to offer our very best to the one who gave it all. May we unite with one another through a Spirit of praise and allow the Lord to fill our vessels to overflowing. During these days, may we be energized to rise up and offer our daily takeaways with at least one other person, each day for six days.

Father God we pray for a Spirit of Praise to be forever present in our posture, reflection, attitude, intellect, surrender, and eternal mindset. We give you all we have in sincere worship because You gave all you had for us. We aspire to grant our best to You. Thank You Father God for Your Love shed on the cross. Oh gracious Lord, it should have been us.

April 6, 2020 0