Lately, I have been having an overwhelming feeling (in a good way) to praise God. I want you to feel this feeling of joy and peace too! So keep reading!
So let's talk about what people do for a "new year." We talk about getting in shape, losing weight, and eating healthy. We make goals to spend less time on our electronic devices. We make goals to spend more time with our spouses or children. We try to reconnect with someone.
What about our relationship with God? Do we tend to seek Him only when we feel down or need help or when we need Him to answer our prayers or pray for a miracle?
But how often do we praise him? How often do we thank Him? How often do we glorify Him?
Recently someone told me I should keep a "blessing book." They suggested that I look for things that bless me throughout the day. Something that makes me smile or something I'm grateful for. The rules are that you can't have the same one twice. Every day has to be different. You also have to find five a day. So be specific. This concept has changed my life. I no longer see the negative that surrounds me. ONLY BLESSINGS. Then I started to read the scripture of blessings in the Bible, which made me want to start praising God. That then lead me to find verses about praising God. At the end of this article, I will share several verses you can look up for both things.
Verses of blessing: Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Luke 6:38, Isiah 41:10, 3 John 1:2, 2 Corinthians 9:8, John 1:16, Ephesians 1:3, Proverbs 16:7, Philippians 4:7, Matthew 6:30-33, Philippians 2:13,
Malachi 3:10, and Ephesians 3:20
Verses of praising God: Psalm 148,Psalm 149,Psalm 150, Psalm 103, Isiah 25:1, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 63:3-4, Psalm 139:13-14, Psalm 71: 8, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 105:1, Psalm 145, Philippians 4:8, Isiah 12:4, Psalm 108:3,and Ephesians 1:3.
Grant Fishbook (author of A Miracle Every Day) suggests that when we wake up, we should praise God for all the miracles He provides throughout the day. The miracle of a new day, God gave you life today. The miracle of a sunrise, God is faithful. The miracle of breath, God, permitted you to breathe. The miracle of provision as God provided food, God provides. The miracle of God's love, God loves YOU, not for what you do but for who you are! The miracle of hope, God knows you and sees you, which should give you hope!
So as you go into the New Year, make all the resolutions! Eat healthily! Lose weight! Put your phones down! Reconnect with someone! And start praising God more! Tell Him, and show Him how grateful you are for the little miracles He gives you daily! I challenge you to begin your blessing book; it will change your life. Start looking at all the blessings in your life, and start blessing others. You will not regret it! Praise God!
Numbers 6:24-26. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
May God bless you in your New Year! Happy New Year!
