"God Smiles When We Praise"

God Smiles When We Praise
by Rick Warren

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

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Few things feel better than receiving heartfelt praise and appreciation from someone else. God loves it too. He smiles when we express our adoration and gratitude to him.

Noah’s life brought pleasure to God because he lived with a heart of praise and thanksgiving. Noah’s first act after surviving the flood was to express his thanks to God by offering a sacrifice (Genesis 8:20).

We praise God for who he is and we thank God for what he has done (Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 116:17). David said, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord” (Psalm 69:30-31 NIV).

An amazing thing happens when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God. When we give God enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy!

My mother loved to cook for me. Even after I married Kay, when we would visit my parents, Mom prepared incredible home-cooked feasts. One of her great pleasures in life was watching us kids eat and enjoy what she prepared. The more we enjoyed eating it, the more enjoyment it gave her.

But we also enjoyed pleasing Mom by expressing our enjoyment of her meal. It worked both ways. As I would eat the great meal, I would rave about it and praise my mother. I intended not only to enjoy the food but to please my mother. Everyone was happy.

Worship works both ways too. We enjoy what God has done for us, and when we express that enjoyment to God, it brings him joy—but it also increases our joy. The book of Psalms says, “The righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy” (Psalm 68:3 TEV).

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life.

Refuse to Worry

"Who of you by worrying can add a single minute to his life" (Matthew 6:27).

God doesn't want you to live worried and anxious about anything. He knows that worry is counterproductive. It steals your peace and joy and affects every area of your life, even your sleep! Have you heard the saying, "Don't worry yourself sick?" Yes, worrying will actually make you physically ill. You won't ever gain anything by worrying, in fact it causes you to lose precious moments that you can never live again. The good news is, God has promised to bring you victory over worry. When you make the choice to put an end to worry, God will give you His peace.

Decide today to put an end to worry in your life. Don't feed worry by focusing on bad news all the time. Sure, we should be informed, but we should be most informed of the truth of the Word of God. Choose today to feed your faith and fill your heart and mind with God's promises. Declare everyday, "My God shall supply all my needs. He makes a way out of no way. He is a Restorer and Redeemer." As you focus on God's Word, you'll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy. You'll be filled with hope and joy and move forward into the blessings God has in store for you.

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, today I choose to put an end to worry in my life. I choose to feed my faith by studying in Your promises and declare your Word over my life. Help me to totally trust in You today and always. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

A long time

So it's been over a month since my last post.
And, as you can see, I can't never stick to something that I start off doing. I only made it to day 29 of posting for the fast. That almost makes you think that I gave up on the fast but actually, I didn't. I made it through the fast and it turned out to be harder this year than it was last year.
The fast last year was only 30 days and this year it was 10 days longer but it turned out to be hard.
I'm glad that it's over though.

I'm starting school this week and am real excited about it. I don't think I'll have any time for my casual reading once school starts though but that will be alright for me. At least starting off it will be. I'll be so excited with school that I will definitely need to pace myself when it comes to my assignments.

I haven't been in school for 10 years and that is a long time to be out and then to return. But this time, I'm determined to finish. And I know I will make it. I'm even thinking about going until I have my PhD. Now wouldn't that be great. I at least want to have my bachelors before my oldest graduates from HS in 6 years. I think it could even be possible that I'd be getting my masters when she's getting her diploma if I work really hard.

Well, that's enough babbling and I'll try to write more often.

Until next time,
God Bless.

Fast - Day 29 - Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Father, we fast and pray today for the homeless and orphans. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their desires. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. For He satisifies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:4-9)

God's Prayer Promise: "If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." James 1:5 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 28 - Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Father God, we fast and pray today for unmarried members and single parents. We pray that they will be imitators of God, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God's Prayer Promise: "You parents - if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 27 - Monday, March 3, 2008

Father, we fast and intercede today for bereaved families. "But you, O God, see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand." (Psalm 10:14) "My comfort in suffering is this: You promise preserves my life." (Psalm 119:50) "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (Psalm 119:92)

God's Prayer Promise: "This High Priest of ours understands our weakness, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercey, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 26 - Sunday, March 2, 2008

We pray today for the unsaved and the unchurched in our communities. As we lift up the name of Jesus this day, may those who do not know Him hear us and be saved. For their faith will come by hearing the message we bring of Christ. Help us Father to bring the news of hope and eternal life to a dying world. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." (Romans 8:15a)

God's Prayer Promise: "When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them." Psalm 91:15 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 25 - Saturday, March 1, 2008

We fast and intercede for the sick and shut-in. "The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness." (Psalm 41:3) We pray for healing and restoration for those who are sick and confined to their homes. Provide the comfort and peace that only you can give.

God's Prayer Promise: "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NLT)

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Fast - Day 24 - Friday, February 29, 2008

We fast and interced for the ministry facilitators of our church. With thanksgiving, we pray that they will receive strength, power and insigt as they persevere and minister to the poeple of this church and community. We pray for their families, finances, transportation and time management. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)

God's Prayer Promise: "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." James 5:16 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 23 - Thursday, February 28, 2008

We fast and intercede today for the foreign missions and oppressed people of the world. "The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." Father God, we pray for those who have been called to foreign mission fields and those who minister to oppressed people of this world. Please provide for and protect them, and give them strength and endurance and supernatural power as they share the gospel. "Ask the Lord, the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field." (Matthew 9:38)

God's Prayer Promise: "Then if my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 22 - Wednesday, February 27, 2008

We fast and pray for our Radio Broadcast Ministry. "He said to them, 'Go to all the world and preach the good news to all creation'" (Mark 16:15). Father we pray that you will bless all who are a part of our Media Ministries: Audio Tape, Video and Radio. Our desire is to obey the command from Jesus Christ and to be salt and light to the world with the True gospel.

God's Prayer Promise: "Have faith in God. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it." Mark 11:22-24 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 21 - Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Lord God, we earnestly pray for lost souls today in our families and in the community. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him for the forgiveness of their sins. Empower our church to lift up the name of Jesus Christ so that all the world will hear and be saved.

God's Prayer Promise: "And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself." John 12:32 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 20 - Monday, February 25, 2008

We fast and intercede for Children and Youth. Please convict our hearts to pray fro them continuously. May we also love and nurture them unconditionally. Empower us to teach them spiritual truths so that they will have the fullness of you, and complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Jesus Christ.

God's Prayer Promise: "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 19 - Sunday, February 24, 2008

Father, we pray today in humility. We ask for your guidance, power, strength, and wisdom so that our church will be a church body of love, perseverance and faithfulness in service. Help us to bear spiritual fruit and grow in the knowledge of you and in obedience to your will for our lives. We humbly dedicate our lives to you.

God's Prayer Promise: "Do not be afraide, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by my name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1b (NLT)

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Fast - Day 18 - Saturday, February 23, 2008

We fast, pray, and thank you for the "Seed For Our Sanctuary" Capital Stewardship Campaign. We have not been equal in giving, but equal in sacrifice. Father, help us to continue this campaign in obedience to our commitment to you. We pray the prayer you gave to King David - "O Lord our God, as for all the abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all belong to you." (1 Chronicles 29:16)

God's Prayer Promise: "The truth is, you can directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. Yo haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." John 16:23b-24 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 17 - Friday, February 22, 2008

Father God, today we are fasting and praying for the Nursery Ministry, Children's Church Ministry, Childcare/Preschool and Christian Academy. Our desire is to continue to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children during our worship services and throughout the week. We thank you for the commitment of the volunteer workers and staff. We ask that you will convict the hearts of all who have been given the gift of nurturing and helps to minister to our children. We thank you who have made this commitment.

God's Prayer Promise: "If our conscience is clear, we can come to god with bold confidence. And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him." 1 John 3:21-22 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 16 - Thursday, Februrary 21, 2008

Faterh God, we fast and pray today for the ministries of our church. Please strengthen every ministry to fulfill the mission and vision of our church, to provide the enrichment, equipping, evangelizing, and the encouragement needed by our members and the community. Send more workers for the harvest, we pray.

God's Prayer Promise: "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things". Psalms 81:10 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 15 - Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Father, we fast and pray, seeking your guidance and blessing for our personal needs. Lord God, we know that your Word is true; that you will supply all of our needs according to your riches in glory. Help us to stand in faith and to seek your kingdom and your righteousness so that all we need can be added to us. Thank you in advance for all your provisions.

God's Prayer Promise: "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God; who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 14 - Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Father, today we fast and persevere in prayer for all three family churches, for this ggreat body of believers and expanding our territory. We pray, believing that you will provide for us just as you did Abraham. As we pray today, we are looking forward, northward, southward, eastward, and westward, believing that what you have for us, we will prossess.

God's Prayer Promise: "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercry, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

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Fast - Day 13 - Monday, February 18, 2008

Father God, we thank you for our awesome First Lady. We fast and pray that you will bless her for the sacrifices that she consistently makes for our church and Your Kingdom. Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (Proverbs 31:30-31) Please continue to grant her peace, patience, and protection.

God's Prayer Promise: "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22 (NLT)

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