Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Little Challenge

I'm going to ask you a personal question.

You ready?

What does your praise life look like? Not your prayer life. Not your Bible reading.

Your time in praise?

Well, I will be honest. Mine has been a bit weak.

My mentor, Debbie, came over the other day. First, let me tell you about Debbie....Oh my goodness. I love this woman. She opens up a world of faith for me that I never knew existed. She is an incarnation of Jesus in my life. She feeds on the Word of God like none other. Anytime I have ever been with her, I know that I know she has been with Jesus that very morning. Her face is aglow with His presence. She enjoys Him. She walks in the power of His Spirit. He is everything to her. It is one of the biggest blessings in my life to have her in it. Debbie, I love you - and all of this is true of you.

So, I was walking through some yuck the other day, and I sent Debbie a message, asking her to pray. One thing I have learned recently is I don't ask people to pray for me unless I know they really will. It is an honor to pray for people. And I know when I ask Debbie to pray she's going to take it very seriously. And did she ever.

When she came over she had notebook - with page after page of notes. Written were things she had heard from the Lord on my behalf. Words of encouragement, Scripture, thoughts, ideas and a few Biblical challenges.

In so many words, one thing Debbie told me was that I need to really praise Him. Praise Him because 1. Scripture says to and 2. He is worthy.

In her notebook was this verse...

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3

Let me tell you, I had some enemies the other day. My family was in a tough spot. We were feeling a bit pressed. Not crushed, but pressed. And Debbie, without hesitation, challenged me in my praise life.

She said this...."People in church will clap their hands to praise the Lord. But they aren't necessarily praising Him...they are applauding Him. Nothing wrong with that. But anyone can be applauded. Only God deserves this." And she raised her hands. She said, "Only God is worthy of our hands lifted in reverence. It is only God that we lift our hands and bow before. He is worthy of this."

Wow.

Before she left, she prayed over me. It was so good to see her example of Praise. She thanked Him for who He is - our Fortress, our Strong Tower, our Deliverer, our Provider, our Counselor, our Protector and on and on. Because He is Worthy. With hands raised and heart abandoned, she praised Him and gave Him the appreciation He deserves. She was not quiet or shy. She was thankful.

I was so challenged. Debbie called on the Lord. And in that moment, although nothing changed on the surface about my circumstance, everything changed in my spirit. I knew I was saved from my enemy. The enemy flees upon our worship.

Praise quiets the enemy.

I challenge you today, with hands raised and hearts abandoned, not being concerned with how you look, praise Him.

For He is worthy.

3 comments:

  1. Becky-I've just discovered your blog (through Leslie Lambert's blog) & I'm so encouraged! I'm in the process of starting up a blog for my group of high school girls and your blog reflects exactly what I want to accomplish. Thank you for sharing what the Lord is teaching you!

    I was taught this a few years ago by a wonderful woman in the Word. She had been delivered from cancer and her husband had just gone Home after battling cancer also. She said what got her through was praise and took me to 2 Chronicles 20 where God's army actually defeated the enemy by singing. Pretty cool. Now when I'm in a blah spot, I sing it 'til I feel it. He's always faithful to bring me back to a spot where I'm comforted & refreshed.

    Thanks! Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't help but think of a song by Hillsong United - The Stand...

    So I'll stand
    With arms high and heart abandoned
    In awe of the one who gave it all
    So I'll stand
    My soul, Lord, to you surrendered
    All I am is Yours

    Too often I just say "thanks" without doing just what you--and this song--say to do: Stand, with arms high and heart abandoned. Thank you for this challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "And in that moment, although nothing changed on the surface about my circumstance, everything changed in my spirit. I knew I was saved from my enemy. The enemy flees upon our worship.

    Praise quiets the enemy."

    Thank you for reminding us that praise is a weapon with which we can do spiritual warfare....a beautiful, precious, POWERFUL weapon.

    Thank you for this challenge.

    ReplyDelete

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