Tag: Growth

I Will

“Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” – Psalms 111:1

David was known as a “man after God’s own heart.” The Psalms are filled with both individual and corporate expressions of worship to God. They contain the full spectrum of emotions and human experience that we encounter in our walk with the Lord. The Psalms to this day encourage and speak to us no matter where we are, and they point us back to Jesus.

What stands out to me in the verse above is David’s declaration, “I WILL praise…”

It is a choice to rejoice. A daily one. Will we surrender to God in worship, or worry our way through? Will we lift our hands in praise or be preoccupied with all there is to do? No matter what kind of a day or season we are in, may we have a made up mind about giving God the praise and worship He deserves! May we choose to come to Him honestly and openly, and get everything and everybody (starting with ourselves) to the feet of Jesus. Everything else will take its proper place after that. God is worthy of our trust, our love, and steadfast devotion. There is no question when it comes to God’s love and faithfulness. The question is will we, like David, make the choice to rejoice today?

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus, I lay every care and concern down at Your feet and I choose to rejoice. With my whole heart, I WILL praise You! Amen.

Put It Away

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Young children do and say the funniest things don’t they? They are innocent and haven’t yet learned how to filter what comes out, and so we get to enjoy them in all their unhindered and unfettered glory. It’s wonderful! Yet, innocence is for children. As we grow and mature, our innocence must grow up into wisdom and purity. There are some ways and thinking that must be as Paul says, “put away.” Maturity is less about what we put on, and more about what we put away. The longer we walk with God, the less it should be about us and the more it becomes about Jesus and others.

God is a good Father who knows what we need, and wants to progressively bring each of His children forward into wisdom and maturity. Our God-given personality needs to be shaped into Christ-like character. Is there more of Jesus and His ways and less of me and mine as the days go by? Let us put away our old childish ways and thoughts and come to Jesus to receive His Spirit, His ways, and His wisdom. As we pursue Him in His Word, in prayer, and along side other believers He will surely pour out His wisdom and His Spirit that we might be mature and effective servants and siblings in God’s family and Kingdom.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father, help me to put away old ways and thoughts that don’t fit me anymore, and please give me Your Spirit and godly character that I might walk maturely and in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen.