Sing A New Song

Psalm 40:3 And He has put a new song in my mouth...

God has given everyone a praise. The question is, do you really receive it and then sing it?

If you are down and depressed, then I would say the answer to that question is no. This verse says that the song has been put our mouths, so we all have what we need to praise. At this point, then, it is up to us to use what God has given us.

So what does come out of your mouth?

If Jesus wouldn't say it, then it is probably not a phrase from the God's new song. And this is not just about fighting words and swearing. It is about every single word that comes out of your mouth - and it can even be extended to the way you think as well. Most importantly, it is about the way you talk to yourself.

Self-talk can make or break your day, your week, your month and, well, you get the picture. In fact, the way you think and talk affects your entire lives. What you say (and think) is what you get.

The song God put in your mouth is a song of praise and wonder. The words are God-like and awesome, reflecting his very own magnificence. Sing God's words back to him - even when it doesn't feel good. Before long, those words will manifest magnificently before your very eyes.

Watching all of the talented kids at the dance competition yesterday got me thinking about thanks and how easy it can be to take our special abilities for granted. Even during times of thanks and praise, we tend to focus on specific situations or particular items rather than our unique strengths.

We may from time to time thank God that we can walk or see or hear - especially when we are faced with another person who, from our perspective, has limitations in those areas. But do we ever look at ourselves - truly look - and see the special skills and talents God has blessed us with?

I am not discounting modesty or humility, but at the same time we must know and be grateful to God for all of the special abilities we have been given. After all, God gave us those particular gifts and often times they are a major part of our purpose on this planet.

It is beneficial to realize that brilliance exists in ALL of us! Some people - even the most talented among us - can have a hard time seeing their own good qualities. But it is important to acknowledge our our brand of genius and thank God for it too. And don't worry about getting a big head. It is quite possible to be humble and have a healthy sense of self worth.

So take a good, long look at yourself. See yourself as others - and God - see you. Ask God to show you how special He created you to be and then thank Him for your own personal brilliance.

A New Month

New beginnings are happening all around us, all the time. One of my favorites is the beginning of a fresh month. It's like a mini-New Year's Day. So, today let us be full of praise for a fresh start and bursting with expectation for all of God's most perfect blessings breaking into our lives.

As we prepare to be blessed, it is important for us to clean house. That means letting go of past hurts and unforgiveness toward others and - even more importantly - toward ourselves. We cannot expect to receive anything good into our lives if we continue to cram it full of the bad.

So, take this opportunity today - a fresh, new day in a fresh, new month - to get rid of everything in your life that is not praise worthy. Throw out those old rags and get yourself ready for a new and beautiful thing. And thank Him for it now.

Thanks For Things

As we move through the repetitive days of our lives, it is easy to take the stuff we own for granted and lose the appreciation we should feel for our many blessings. Too often we focus on the things we want but don't have rather than praising Him for the things we have - all of them, even the ones we didn't want (because they may be just what we needed).

Look around you today, and notice everything you have, and really take a good long look. Think back to a time when you didn't have something that you really wanted, and praise Him that you have it now. Allow yourself to experience genuine thanks for the things around you that make your life easier, happier and more abundant. Feel the thanks in your entire being, no matter how small the item may be, and praise God for all your stuff.

An Everyday Praise

There is so much to be thankful for, it should be easy to come up with a grateful everyday praise. Today I am thankful for my family and friends, probably more than anything else in the world. I am truly blessed in this regard.

Those we see most often are frequently those we take most for granted. It is helpful as often as possible to think about how much these people truly mean to us, and how thankful we are for them. If we go into the day thankful for the people G-d has put into our lives, we will have a more difficult time treating them badly.

Trusting God

O Lord my G-d, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. --Psalm 7:1

How do you show God that you trust Him?

God's Word tells us in no uncertain terms that He is on our side; He will protect us from anthing that comes against us and He will guide us out of trouble. If we believe His word, then we should believe that He is for us always. But in real life, doubt creeps in. Even though we know this truth, it is difficult to exemplify it in our daily behavior.

Let us commit today to be conscious of our minds and our mouths when it comes to trusting that God's Word and His promises are true.