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Praise and Thanksgiving

October 1, 2012

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

Remember your past breakthroughs. Learn to count your blessings. Remembering former breakthroughs will help to carry you through current challenges. Before he faced Goliath, David told Saul, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).

Here’s a good way to recall praiseworthy things in your life. Write down three instances of deliverance, breakthrough, or victory that you can thank God for. It could be something from your distant past, something that happened just this morning, or even something that wouldn’t seem like a big deal to others but is significant to you.

Daily reinstate your relationship with Jesus. These principles of praise and worship are rooted in who Jesus is. Receiving Jesus is not a religious ritual—you get a new life! And if that were not enough, there are a lot of other things that we can thank God for: how He pulled us out of despair or depression, how He was with us in trouble, how He never left us even when we failed, how He has saved us and given us the security of eternal life. Rejoice in the God of your salvation, and take time to acknowledge Jesus in your daily life.

Dare to be wild. You were not born to be a plastic house plant. You were created to make a difference in this world, to achieve great things, and to be more than a conqueror. When circumstances get rough, when kids get weird, or when finances are squeezed—call upon the Lord and get radical. If you see a need, give. Serve, love, believe God to go through that door. Daily thank God for what He has done! Life is an adventure, and you are called to live it.

                  “Get your motor running. Head out on the highway.
                 Looking for adventure and whatever comes our way.”
                             Steppenwolf—Born to Be Wild

Thank God for all He has done!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.