Time to Praise the Lord!

As I was driving to work yesterday morning I noticed a man walking on the sidewalk. He stood out because he really wasn’t walking. He was kicking up his heels and moving around like he was dancing. He’d raise his arms up and down and put his hand on his chest. As I drove past I looked to see if he was inebriated or maybe sick. People don’t dance around outside in the cold - an unusual situation to be sure, especially on a weekday morning.

As I passed him I noticed that he was wearing ear buds. It was then that I realized he was dancing to the music no one else could hear. He was having a great time enjoying himself, singing out loud and making moves to what he heard. I could hear nothing he heard but I knew he was enjoying it thoroughly.

It was then that God spoke to my heart: This is the life of a believer. We should be dancing to the music of the Spirit even if we’re the only one hearing it. We should be so enthralled with the Savior that others will wonder what we’re up to. They’ll take notice because we’re showing by our actions the love and joy of the Lord. His Word makes a melody in our heart and we just have to respond. And because we are responding to Him, others will respond. And then we have the opportunity to share with them the heart songs of Jesus Christ.

Oh beloved, listen to the heart of Christ. Play His Words as your favorite music. Read them early in the day and dance with the One Who saved you. Sing with the One Who has given you life. Rejoice with your arms wide open with the One Who has taken you from darkness to His light. Enjoy God’s presence daily. It’s God who goes before you and His Spirit desires to show forth the praises of Him who has called you to worship daily in His presence. Things happen when you live a life of praise. Your heart becomes more full of gratitude. Your spirit becomes full of fortitude. Your mind becomes clearer and sadness has to flee. God knows your situation and He sees that things aren’t all perfect. But when you praise and worship the Lord your problems grow dimmer and His light grows brighter. Praise is a covering of protection over your heart and mind. It may feel ridiculous to praise the Lord right where you are, but the benefits will take you into God’s presence beyond your wildest imagination. Instead of rehearsing your problems begin rehearsing God’s promises and see the darkness flee from your heart and mind.

He loves you and He’s for you and He’s singing to your heart and calling you to worship and asking you to respond with joy! This is no Sunday event, this is your lifelong response of daily praise to the One Who has saved you and redeemed you and given you a new song to sing. It’s all about Jesus and His wonderful work in your life that will cause others to want to know what you have. This praise and worship attitude will also keep you safe and lift your spirits all day long as you live in the Light of His Word.

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) AMP

Isaiah 55:12 For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 61:3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Psalm 40:3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord. AMP

"Call Me Back, God!"

One of my daughter’s friends shared this cute story about her youngest son. While they were eating out, very seriously on his play phone, holding one ear to 'hear better' he says: "Hello? I need help to get out of this place. In your name, Amen." He promptly hangs up. Then he hesitates, picks his phone back up and quickly says: "call me back!"

It’s a cute anecdote. But it makes me think of my own prayer life. How many times have I quickly shot off a request to God as though ordering from a menu. Life is busy and I want God to “call me back”. But how will I hear if I’m too busy to stop and listen?

We can talk to God anytime, anywhere, even in the middle of our busy lives. But is that enough time with God? And is He a fast food Savior in a pass through? We spout our order out to Him and as an afterthought we may say, “Oh yeah, Lord, You want to reply?”

God’s ear is open to our hearts 24/7. No closing time and special orders don’t upset Him. The only thing is we can’t have it our way. And the only way to have it His way is to spend some quality time with Him. If our prayer life is simply a quick phone call to heaven and asking for a response tersely, will that suffice? Will we be fed manna from heaven, will we know the Lord of heaven and earth intimately? Will we really get what we want? And is the only reason we pray to get what we want?

God knows your schedule. He knows your time constraints and your busy days ahead. He knows you have things to do, people to see and places to go. He understands your problems, oversees your deepest needs and cares about every single thing that you care about. He also knows you’re often frazzled, tired, frustrated, depressed, anxious, fearful and busy. 

Oh beloved, why don’t you step away from life’s menu for a few moments this morning and taste and see that the Lord is good! Take time to talk with Him about everything. And then let Him have time to speak His truth into your life, for that’s where the real slaking of your thirsty soul is found.

Maybe it’s worth the time to put down the phone and pick up the heavenly line of love, joy and peace. Escape from the crowd and take time to hear, really hear from Him. He is the I AM in your I’m not situation. He’s the bearer of Good Tidings of Great Joy in your bad news message. He’s the One and only One who knows you perfectly and loves you completely.

I promise, on the authority of God’s Word, that He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth slowing down for a real conversation with your Savior every day.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.

Psalm 105:4 Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

Jeremiah 33:3'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

There is One Who Will Always Listen

 

Remember back in the day when the large discount stores would have blue light and red light specials?  Someone would speak into the intercom, “Attention customers, blue light special in aisle 7” or some such call to action.  Sure enough people who leave their regular shopping plans and file to the area where the light was revolving. Surely there was something that none of us could live without.  As soon as the temporary sale was over, the light would be turned off and everyone would disappear back into the store to continue shopping. 

Little children as well love to call out, “Attention everybody!”  This is a call for family to rally around as they do some cute cartwheel or make a speech that just melts the heart.  Even if it’s funny, the adults will take it seriously and play close consideration. All listeners lean in close to hear a child’s message.  Afterwards, hugs will go around as everyone delights in the child’s story.  Children enjoy the attention of their family.  It’s important to them to be recognized and appreciated for their unique abilities. 

Everyone wants attention.  There are times when you may even wish you had a light shining or a bell to ring.  You’ve heard some wonderful news and you can’t wait to share it. You dial a phone only to find no answer. You try tell your spouse or another loved one, but they’re busy. You may live alone without the comfort of another human being to share your life with.  You may feel that no one cares, or that there’s no one to listen as you so desperately want to share.

Oh beloved! There is One Who will listen to your joyful stories. There is One Who is always listening for you to share the wonders of your day. The Lord Himself, Maker of Heaven and Earth, doesn’t need you to shine a light or blow a horn! He hears you! In fact, He listens before you call out to Him.  He’s never too busy, He’s ready in an instant and He applauds your triumphs! When things are hard and you’re not sure where to turn, He is there as well. You reach out and find that God is your ever present comfort because His Word says so.  While others may not give you the time of day, God is your Audience of One. And with an audience like the Father, who needs anyone else? 

Run to Him this morning and share your day’s plans. He loves for you to include Him! And then in the evening, when the day is done, you can come to Him again and He’s not too tired, distracted or worn out, ever.  He will always listen, He will always applaud you, He will always be on your side to comfort, to enjoy and to reveal His love to your heart. His Word is your megaphone and when you call out to Him, He always responds. Why? Because He loves you and He’s on your side no matter what. And that’s worth seeking His face and rejoicing in His presence.

Psalm 116:2 Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord delights in His people…”

Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.