Praise and Personal Evangelism

"I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,

 out of the miry clay,

And He set my feet upon a rock making my

 footsteps firm.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of 

 praise to our God;

Many will see and fear

 and will trust in the LORD."

Psalm 40:1-3

When we honestly reflect on what God has done for us in Christ we ought to burst into joyful praise.  That is what the Psalmist points to in the opening verses of Psalm 40.  Going from the miry clay to the Solid Rock is certainly worth shouting about!  But, it is the last phrase that hints at the relationship between our praise and personal evangelism.  When we recognize what God has done for us, by His gracious salvation, our praise will lead others to see this glorious truth and submit to Him.  When we take our eyes off the cross and stop reveling in Christ, our joy and praise diminish.  As does our witness for the Lord Jesus.

Speaking of this many years ago, John Piper said, "When our praise ceases, the effectiveness of our ministries will cease." [quote taken from a sermon preached by Piper as a student at Fuller Seminary]

Let us continue to praise and glory in our Father's grace!  So that many will come to know Him.

HT: JT

Encouragement from our Father

I am always astounded at how the Lord works. He is God. He is Sovereign. He is always 'working.' Yet, when I actually see firsthand what He is doing, I am blown away. What makes this even more incredible to me (weak faith warning) is when I pray and ask Him for something and then (BAM) the evidence of God and His work in answer to my prayer is right in front of my eyes. This is such an encouragement to me!

I know He hears my prayers. I know He answers my prayers. However, as if to show His grace for me, He lets me actually see it with my physical eyes and not merely through the eyes of faith. This was my experience today, and it was so sweet! God is good, all the time. Yet, there are times when He is just so good. To the praise of His grace!

Our God is a Mountain Mover

Today Josiah rejoined his Mom, Dad and three brothers at home. It has been three weeks since a very traumatic event landed him in the ICU, apparently near death. Thousands of folks around the world have been following his story, praying for him and his family, weeping tears of heartache and joy and marvelling at God's grace and mercy.

I am struck by the power of this situation and more so, how God has used it. My little brain is not able to process some of the big questions about how and why things happen. Here's what I know for sure: God is able to "move mountains" if that is His will. And He can do it in unexpected and amazing ways. Yet, there are other times that He chooses to work in ways that make us scratch our heads and say, "I would have done it differently." Still, He is God, He is sovereign, He is amazing, He is gracious, He is merciful and He is always faithful...to His plans, for His glory.

It is our task, as His creation, not to question Him, but to worship Him. To move beyond speculation toward adulation. To stop doubting and begin praising. To look past the wisdom of man to the cross of Christ. At the end of the day, He ALONE is worthy, of all glory and honor and praise.

Today, we praise Him for His gracious healing and His magnificent provision for Josiah. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.