Praise The Lord!

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

During the course of the day, there are many things we find ourselves occupied with. Whether it’s our job, taking care of children, running errands. Our day can be fully booked with all sorts of things to do. Like me, I usually make a ‘to-do-list’ with the intention to complete it by the end of the day.

I would like to ask the question. During the course of the day, as we hurry along, going here, there and everywhere, how often do we stop and reflect on our Lord? How often do we stop and give Him praise? Do we even carve out time during the busyness of our day and make some time, just for Him?

Psalm 113 says, Praise the Lord! All ye servants of the Lord, go ahead and praise the Lord. Keep praising the Lord. Praise Him more and more! Despite how occupied we may be, we must stop or even while we are busy, we must remember to praise the Lord. Our scripture reference says, from the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised. He is so good! He is so kind! Why not praise Him? Think about it, the very breath that we breathe, the strength in our bodies to do all that we do, comes from Him.

When we think of the goodness of the Lord and all that He has done, what else can we do, but praise the Lord. We should praise the name of the Lord. We should tell of His wonderful works. Praise Him, for His name is a strong tower we can run into and are saved. Praise the Lord for He has been gracious and compassionate. We should praise the Lord because He is supreme, He is exalted over all the nations. We should praise the Lord because there is no one like the Lord our God. We should praise the Lord because He lifts the poor from the dust and exalts the helpless from the ashes and He seats them with princes. He gives children to the woman who has none and makes her a happy mother.

We should praise the Lord who sits high and looks low. We should praise the Lord for He manifests His presence, His glory among us. We should praise the Lord, simple because He is God and God alone. Who can compare to the Lord our God? As you go throughout the day, remember to praise the Lord, ye servants of the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord!

Does God Still Speak?

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12

Does God still speak? What is He saying? How can I hear Him? Many people ask these questions today. It is so noisy in our world today. Many sounds are being heard, especially the sound of fear and uncertainty.

Elijah was a prophet of God and he too faced fear. Jezebel threatened to take his life. Truth is, it was a serious threat and his reaction to her threat was a human response to run and hide. This threat came right after a victorious showdown. He was fearful and felt he was alone. Many times, in our lives we get to that place, and we ask, God where are you. During those times it is hard to hear God because our minds are bombarded with many thoughts.

In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah ended up in a cave and there was a strong wind, an earthquake, a fire but God said He was not in either of them. Many times, we are looking to hear or see God in the big things, or we want to see Him do something great to prove He is there. But as with Elijah, God was there, and He spoke in a still small voice.

I will share with you one of my experiences during a noisy time in my life. I faced some challenges and felt overwhelmed. I talked to God as I had many questions. One day as I walked into a supermarket, there was a gentleman there and he was singing ‘there is no secret what God can do’. Immediately, I knew that was God speaking to me through that song. It was simple. yet profound. It was a gentle reminder to let me know that God was with me, and He was working behind the scenes. In that moment I stopped and thank Him for speaking to me through that song. The rest of the song says, ‘what He has done for others, He will do for you’.

Yes, God still speaks! It may be a song, a picture, His word. Matthew11:28 Jesus said, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’. He is inviting you today to come! Come into His presence, He wants to speak to you. Get away and spend some quiet time with Him. He will speak!!!!!

Build An Altar

“He built an altar to the Lord” = Genesis 12:7 NKJV

Do you have an altar where you meet with God and commune with Him? I believe as Believers, we all are to build an altar to the Lord; a place of meeting. After the flood, the first thing Noah did was build an altar to the Lord. Think about it. Noah had an altar before he had a home. Most of us have homes, but the old-fashioned family altar has virtually disappeared. Everywhere Abraham went, he built an altar. Why?

An Altar is a place of prayer – The Bible says that Abraham returned “to the place of the altar which he had made…And there Abram called on the Name of the Lord” (Gen. 13:4). He inquired of the Lord and stayed in consistent communication with Him.

An Altar is a place of sacrifice – “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar” (Gen. 22:9). Did God want Abraham to slay Isaac? No, God just wanted to know, “Is there anything I could ask of you that you would be unwilling to give, or anything on earth you love more than Me? God will not ask you for what you don’t have, but He will often ask you for something you would like to keep. Sacrificial giving conquers the spirit of greed, the fear of lack, and your focus on self-centered living.

An Altar is a place of worship – “You shall make an altar to burn incense on” (Exodus 30:1). As the incense melted and the smoke rose, it represented the worship of God. Worship is an act of intimacy; it’s the giving of your heart, your love, your praise, and thanksgiving to God. The Bible describes it as “a sweet-smelling aroma: (Eph. 5:2).

Though we may have physical altars in our homes, we are able to build an altar to the Lord wherever we go: in our cars, in the hotel room when we travel, the bathroom on our jobs, etc. This is not difficult because our hearts are altars, as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). God desires for our hearts to become sacred altars, a place of worship and communion with God, reflecting His love and grace in our lives. So today, prepare your heart and build an altar to the Lord.