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A Perspective On Praise
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises (Psalm 34:1, NLT).
Dear friends:
When C.S. Lewis became a Christian, he frankly admitted that he did not understand the importance of praise. Then, as Lewis studied, prayed and meditated on the Scripture, it dawned on him that, "Praise is the means by which God reveals Himself to His people."
That is a thought-provoking statement. I think of Psalm 22:3 in the King James Version, which says that God inhabits the praises of Israel, or His people. Praise brings His presence.
Have you ever stopped to think about what it really means to praise God?
John and Susan are both devoted Christians, and they often exclaim, "Praise the Lord!" But one day they began to ask themselves, "What do we really mean when we say 'Praise the Lord'? How can our praises to Him be more creative than simply repeating that sentence?"
There is nothing wrong with that phrase as long as we sincerely mean it. It is from the Bible itself!
The act of praise is simply giving credit where credit is due. When God gives a special blessing to us, we are to praise Him and give Him credit for the blessing. If He allows a trial to come our way, we are to praise Him because we are confident that He is going to work all things together for our good.
A young associate once asked me, "Bill, even with Christ on the throne of your life, you still face many pressures and trials as the international president of Campus Crusade for Christ. How do you maintain a calm, positive spirit in the midst of it all?"
Here is my answer to his question. One of the major secrets to a positive, joyful spirit, I told him, is praise. When I am between appointments, or driving the car or taking a walk, I always try to meditate on our loving and magnificent God and praise Him for His mercy, love, goodness, and grace. I also enjoy singing praise songs to Him, and quoting a psalm, or thanking Him for all the good things in my life. Praise, I said, keeps things in perspective, and the trials and problems of life grow dim in comparison to the glorious light of our wonderful Lord.
Praise Him!
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises (Psalm 34:1, NLT).
Dear friends:
When C.S. Lewis became a Christian, he frankly admitted that he did not understand the importance of praise. Then, as Lewis studied, prayed and meditated on the Scripture, it dawned on him that, "Praise is the means by which God reveals Himself to His people."
That is a thought-provoking statement. I think of Psalm 22:3 in the King James Version, which says that God inhabits the praises of Israel, or His people. Praise brings His presence.
Have you ever stopped to think about what it really means to praise God?
John and Susan are both devoted Christians, and they often exclaim, "Praise the Lord!" But one day they began to ask themselves, "What do we really mean when we say 'Praise the Lord'? How can our praises to Him be more creative than simply repeating that sentence?"
There is nothing wrong with that phrase as long as we sincerely mean it. It is from the Bible itself!
The act of praise is simply giving credit where credit is due. When God gives a special blessing to us, we are to praise Him and give Him credit for the blessing. If He allows a trial to come our way, we are to praise Him because we are confident that He is going to work all things together for our good.
A young associate once asked me, "Bill, even with Christ on the throne of your life, you still face many pressures and trials as the international president of Campus Crusade for Christ. How do you maintain a calm, positive spirit in the midst of it all?"
Here is my answer to his question. One of the major secrets to a positive, joyful spirit, I told him, is praise. When I am between appointments, or driving the car or taking a walk, I always try to meditate on our loving and magnificent God and praise Him for His mercy, love, goodness, and grace. I also enjoy singing praise songs to Him, and quoting a psalm, or thanking Him for all the good things in my life. Praise, I said, keeps things in perspective, and the trials and problems of life grow dim in comparison to the glorious light of our wonderful Lord.
Praise Him!
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
