“Uggggh I don’t really feel like doing this right now….I’m tired, I’m hot and not really in the mood” This is the way that I felt the other day as we began to start a night of praise & worship with my WR team and another team staying at our same ministry site. As the music began though and I quieted my soul God put something on my heart and it was this……praise and worship should be ceaseless. We shouldn’t really have to “prepare” ourselves for praise and worship. It shouldn’t be something that we choose to “turn on”. Instead it should be something that flows naturally from our lives and from the Spirit of God that lives within us. Praise and worship towards our Lord and Savior should encompass our being and be so ingrained in us that there is literally no way to separate it from our daily lives. We see in the Psalms that David is constantly crying out to God with praise and worship. I believe this is part of the reason that he was counted as a “man after God’s own heart”. I think that when we worship God it draws us closer to his heart.
Praise and worship also helps to keep us in a right mindset. I’ve found that often times when things aren’t going the way that I’d like, praise and worship is the cure-all! It helps to readjust our focus on the things that God has blessed us with in the past, the present and also the things that he has planned for us in the future. The Bible tells us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has planned for those who love him.” Therefore, even if our earthly lives are rough at times and seem hopeless, God has amazing things prepared for us if we have a relationship with HIM! With that said, I give you a list of some things that I’ve been thankful for thus far on my World Race journey…..
God. Fellowship. Living in community. Street waffles filled with chocolate (thank you Thailand). Emails from my awesome family. Sit down toilets. Clean water. Blessed health. Tuk Tuks (pics to come). Prum Bayon hotel. My U squad. My team. Quiet time with the Lord. Waterfalls. Traveling to new countries. Sharing the love of Jesus. Talking to friends back home. Ministry contacts that LOVE the Lord. Learning children’s games in other cultures. Awesome exchange rates. My beard. Praying to God and knowing that he hears me……
These are just few of the things I’m thankful and that is just the tip of the iceberg! I’m praying that as you read this you to will remember to thank God for all the wonderful things he’s blessed you with!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice!”
