How can we feel a searing pain in our heart, yet choose to accept it?
How do we see today’s string of hurdles, yet choose to start running toward them with a smile?
The only way that Jesus’ followers can make these decisions when the world only sees suffering and bad luck, is by looking up to our Savior, and saying, “Praise the name of Jesus!”

The Lord has been earnestly teaching me about worship, and proof of this is my many blogs on the topic! Worship is not just for Sundays in church, as we know, because God designed this act to be a daily – if not hourly – part of our lives, regardless of our circumstances.

I submit to you that no matter what is happening around us, or within our family, or to us individually, that God truly just wants us to confidently and completely trust Him with it, and say, “You are worthy of my praise ALWAYS!”

This is true: the Lord is good all of the time, He is always faithful, He is eternally present, He is perfectly just, and He is holy, holy, holy! For these reasons alone, as God’s highest and most personal creation, we need not focus so intently on ourselves and this world, but remember that no matter what, GOD IS. This is why we need to give Him glory by worshipping Him!

I find this to be easier to do when I remember who He is, and who I am to Him. His heart for us is SO big! This makes our personal issues so small.

To worship God is to give back to Him everything: your heart, your time, your will, your pride, your desires, your voice, and your life.

If we neglect to worship our Lord, then the enemy has an opportunity to distract us, to cause fear or confusion, and to turn our attention away from the Lord. This can lead to anxiety, worry, weakness and to poor choices made that can hinder what God was trying to do in the first place!

“Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Matthew 4:10

When we praise Jesus, He hears, He sees, He responds. He is more likely to answer a prayer request if we spend more time just worshipping at His feet. I’m not saying stop asking; I’m saying if you want to get the attention of the Lord, then revere Him, fear Him, and even in the hardest times, give Him the honor due His name. He is your Savior and Redeemer! He died that we may live!

Here is an idea for you: before you go to bed, ask the Lord to put a song in your heart in the morning. That way, when you wake up, despite all the troubles around you, the first thing on your mind and in your heart is a song to the Lord. I do this! He continues to wake me up with a new song, including ones I haven’t heard or thought of for years! My morning begins with JOY and PEACE in my heart on my lips, which results in the enemy needing to work that much harder to bring me down. Herein lies the battle!

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation”
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Jesus knows what you are going through. He hears your prayers, intercessions, and knows your heart. The greatest way to show how much you love Him is to praise Him during your storm. This is a true act of faith, and that is something He asks of us.

You are the child of God, the greatest King ever, and He has given you His hand of friendship and a home in heaven. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He hears your prayers and answers them. He clothes you with power! For these and so many more reasons, He is 1000% worthy of our praise and adoration ALL DAY.

Food for thought:
Acts of daily worship:
Look out your window when that sink is full of dirty dishes, and thank God for your window and the dishes. Scrub them ’til they shine!
When doing 4 loads of laundry, thank God for the clothes on your back and a washing machine and dryer. Fold, hang and put them away for everyone!
As the bills lay on your counter, thank God for your counter and whatever funds you do have. Tithe first, then pay to Caesar what is owed.
During this Covid pandemic, praise God for the time with your family. Love them as Jesus loves you – with no reservations.
In everything you do, give glory to God, for this is right, as He is our everything.

Fun facts: The first recorded instance in the Bible of worshipping the Lord by singing is Exodus 15:1. The Israelites and Moses worshipped God immediately after they safely crossed the Red Sea.
The Book of Psalms are songs and poems sung to the Lord.
Instruments are mentioned from Genesis 4:21 all thru Revelation.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Lower Falls at Yellowstone