“And David danced before the LORD with all his might” (II Samuel 6:14). It was a joyous day in the land. King David and the people of Israel were bringing the Ark of the Covenant to its place in Jerusalem. The people worshiped; they shouted. Trumpets sounded, and sacrifices were made every…
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:20 In our daily walk with the Lord, we often face things that are not exactly like we wish they would be. But if we learn to give thanks regardless…
“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!” (Psalm 146:1, Holy Bible, NKJ). Shallow thanks or other expressions of gratitude echo the hollow sound of a rehearsed delivery, absent of enthusiasm, offered for social requirements. The psalmist proclaims “Praise the Lord!” He repeats it, then declares the sounds more…
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
The morning glory lifts its face as a new day has begun.
The petals slowly open to catch the morning sun.
Dewdrops glisten on each bloom, perfume fills the air.
The vines stretch upward to the sun, their beauty with us to share.
How wonderful to start each day with arms outstretched in praise.
The gentle presence of the Lord reflecting on our face.
Awakened from a night of rest we seek His grace and love,
And peace descends upon our hearts like showers from above.
To share His beauty to the world is the task that He has given.
May His glory shine through us to lead someone to Heaven.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for another new day, guide my steps and make me a blessing to someone today.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. (Psalm 9:1, Holy Bible, New King James Version) Bible scholars say King David offered this psalm to God after the death of his and Bathsheba’s son. At a time when some might…
And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8-10, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
The disciples were fearful when Jesus insisted on returning to Jerusalem for Passover week. They were puzzled when he told them to fetch a young donkey for His arrival. But what a jubilant celebration they encountered when they entered the city.
Matthew describes the greeters as “a very great multitude.” They honored Jesus by laying clothing and tree branches in His pathway as they chanted Scripture that fulfilled prophecy.
Today, we honor God with hosannas of song and praise. We surround Him with worship.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we can’t pave Your way with palm branches on this celebrated day, but we lift our hands in adoration to You, the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104:33-34
When the Lord created man in the beginning, He could have made us in such a way that we would be forced to do whatever He wanted. But instead He gave us a free will. He only gave Adam and Eve one rule to follow, and they broke that. How much different it would have been if they had made a choice to obey God rather than disobey Him.
Serving the Lord today is a choice we make. We decide to lay aside our own will and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in everything we do.
Worshipping and praising God is also a choice. In the different circumstances of our life, we decide—to grumble and complain about our lot, or to praise the Lord for His blessings and His guidance, knowing that He knows what is best for us. He will never allow anything to come our way, that He does not give us the strength to bear.
I choose to worship God, how about you?
Prayer: Jesus, you have met us so many times in the past, and we will praise and worship you, knowing that you will see us through every situation.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1
Singing is very much a part of worshipping the Lord. I hate it when I have a cold or sore throat and cannot sing in church without coughing, it just seems like the service is not the same. Sure, we can worship the Lord from our hearts, even though we cannot use our voice, but there is a special feeling when we join our voices with the rest of the children of God.
But, like the Psalmist, we can sing from our heart, even though no sound comes from our mouths, because our heart is fixed on the Lord. He knows our every thought and hears praise coming from our hearts, even though others around us cannot.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the song you have put in our hearts, a song of praise for all that you are and all that you have done for us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Everyone sees it. God’s work is the talk of the town. Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good hearted people, make praise your habit.” Psalm 64:9-10 in The Message.) The Psalmist David was on the run from Saul who was trying his best to kill him. It’s a tough…