Praise & Presence: Week Four

Praise & Presence ...Week 4

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you. -Psalm 67:3

Now that we have made our way through week three, we must continue to press our way into the presence of God during this Lenten season.  It is tempting at this point to either get slack or completely fall off.  As a matter of fact, I challenge you to check in with some friends to make sure they are still with us on the journey.  Read and re-read the past week's devotions and begin to piece the messages of encouragement together.

We began this journey to the cross off with the goal of harvest and manifestation.  We realized that the benefit is blessings and shining, but the reason is because of the need to make God known and spread salvation.  So, week four shifts us into praise and presence!

Verse 3 says:

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

Our Lenten journey should bring us to a place of praise and presence.  Ok, let me say it a little differently.  If we have been earnestly seeking God during this Lenten season, then God has assured us that He is with us.  It may be as subtle as waking up just before the alarm clock or as grand as avoiding the car accident.  God has been present!  God has not only been present in keeping us safe, but if we have been listening...we will agree that God has been speaking!  The acknowledgement of God's presence can provoke us to praise (say thanks) to God!  In our praise, the Psalmist then says "May ALL the peoples praise you".

This is another week of inspiration!  Our praise of God will inspire others to do the same.  As I said last week:  As each of us seek to be an inspiration, someone will also inspire us.  This will then become the scripture living before us that all people will praise God.

Remember, the Lenten season is not just about our individual growth but corporate growth as well.  Let's praise in God's presence!

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

What harvest am I expecting from God?
Why am I afraid to wait?
Why am I afraid of God's blessings?
What is keeping me from receiving, fully, his grace?

 How can I help to make God known through what I do?What has God done that provokes me to praise?
How can my praise inspire others to praise?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the assurance of your presence in our daily lives.  As we journey through this Lenten season, we could get discouraged or distracted; however, we truly want to walk in your will for our lives.  We seek you for the inspiration to praise so that we can be an inspiration for others to do the same.  We honor you and thank you for everything that you continue to do in our lives.  In Jesus' name, Amen.