Friday September 8, 2023

Today is Friday, September 8 and we are exploring what the Bible says about praising God.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I lift my heart to praise you in the quiet of these morning moments. Speak your truth into my life and circumstances. Enable me to hear the message you have for me today in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s steadfast love and praise him with the words of Psalm 63.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:3-5

Pause and Pray

Paul lived and worked in Ephesus for three years evangelizing the residents, sharing the truth of Jesus and establishing churches in the region. After departing Ephesus he was arrested and sentenced to prison in Rome. From there Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians. As he lay in chains, in a cold, dank prison cell he had plenty of time to reflect on God’s great rescue plan for humanity. It is “in Christ” that God is accomplishing this rescue plan. Suffering in chains, Paul breaks out in praise for the goodness of God and his love for humanity.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8

Through Jesus Christ we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. We are chosen by God, destined for adoption and freely given grace. God’s great rescue plan in Jesus rescues us. We belong to a new forever family. Human beings long to belong because we were designed to belong. We want to belong to a family, a group of friends, or a community of people. Until we know we belong, life lacks a sense of purpose, meaning and direction. In Christ we experience true belonging.

Ask: How has God’s great rescue plan played out for me? What has given me a sense of belonging?

Pause and Pray

Most holy and loving God, I praise you. You have blessed me with every spiritual blessing. You chose me before the creation of the world and have adopted me as your child. You have freely given me your grace and through the sacrifice of Jesus I have been forgiven, redeemed and sanctified. The riches of your grace have been lavished on me and I will forever praise you. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The opening of this letter is for Paul’s friends in far off Ephesus. Writing from prison, he is certainly suffering discomfort and likely afraid his life will soon come to a violent end. Despite that, he turns his praise to God. His praise is rich and overflowing. I ponder the problems, challenges and struggles I will face in this upcoming day, and I turn my praise to God. I consider the worries, fears and uncertainties life brings, and I turn my praise to God. No matter what, I am not alone, God is with me. I am his chosen, beloved, adopted child. He loves me and has redeemed my soul. I have many reasons to praise him.

Pause and Pray

God thank you for loving me and rescuing me from slavery to sin and death. Thank you for forgiving me of my sin and redeeming my soul. Thank you for your lavish grace and endless mercy. I am grateful to be your beloved child and sing praises to you. Amen.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to glorify God in all I do and say. I will speak his words and serve others with the strength he supplies.

Amen