HOW TO BLESS THE LORD IN THE SEASON OF CORRECTION & DISCIPLINE

Do you feel that you are suffering the consequences of past mistakes? Do you feel like God is holding you back from what you really want in life? These are just some of the experiences of being under the discipline of the Lord. Every Christian will experience God's discipline from time to time. How do we fill our hearts with praise and bless the Lord?

HOW TO BLESS THE LORD IN SEASONS OF TESTING & BLESSING

Are you more likely to remember the Lord when things are good or bad? Throughout my years in ministry I have asked this question to many people.  Some seem to forget the Lord when things are good and suddenly remember when things fall apart. Others seem to remember the Lord when things are good, but panic when things go bad. The results seem to be evenly mixed. 

HOW TO PRACTICE THE POWER OF PRAISE

Our perceptions shift. Attending my very first church as a new believer, I remember enjoying the message, but wondering, “Why they had to sing so many songs?” Can you remember ever thinking that? As we grow to know more about the Lord and experience more of his grace, worship seems like the most natural response.

Recently, I have been giving much thought on how to practice thankfulness. This has drawn me into the Psalms. One thing that I have discovered is that thankfulness and praise are twins. We are going to look at the power of praise in this article.

WHAT FOLLOWS THANKFULNESS?

When the seasons turn to fall, I tend to become reflective about life. This year, my reflections have been upon God’s intention to relate to me personally. Am I available to relate to him? Recently, I have noticed that thankfulness seems to be one of the simplest, yet important factors of entering into his presence (“Receiving the Gift of Thankfulness”). For the last few weeks I have challenged myself, my family and faith community to a “Thankfulness Challenge”.

Reflecting on thankfulness has led to the Psalms. While meditating on what David has written about thankfulness, I have discovered an interesting relationship between thanks and praise,

5 GIFTS OF THANKFULNESS

Mere religion is not attractive to God. Religion doesn't satisfy anyone who has tasted the goodness of the Lord. God's intention has always been to relate to us personally. Recently, I have noticed that thankfulness seems to be one of the simplest yet important factors of entering into his presence.

In the Psalms, David continually calls us to "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1). This frequent call to thankfulness gives an insight to David's heart. No wonder God cherished his heart the way he did.