A middle-aged couple appeared before a divorce court seeking a final separation. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" the judge asked the woman. "Yes," she firmly replied, "We have been married fifteen years and all that time I have kept house, cooked meals, and..." She paused tearfully and the judge asked, "And did he find fault with you?" "No," she said, "It's not that, but in all that time he has never once said 'Thank you.'"
Often we forget the thoughtfulness of a "Thank you." And at times we even take God for granted. Therefore, the psalmist reminds us that it is a healthy thing for us to praise God. Praise is a habit we need to learn for the pure development of our souls (Psalm 147).
Learning to praise God is beneficial to other areas of our lives as well. Expressing appreciation to God daily spills over into our personal relationships; we begin appreciating people. Today, let us seek ways to thank God for all He has done for us. And let us carry this appreciation over into our jobs, our school, and our families. In doing so, we will quickly learn that praising God can make us happier and healthier people. Today, "Praise ye the Lord!"
1. I cannot ask for more for all the blessings God is giving me in different packages. Praise God.
2. Thank You for Your mercy. May I have mercy to others, too.
3. Praise God for patience. Under the heat.
Power and authority are words we rightly associate with Jesus’ ministry. However, they are not unique to Jesus. Jesus called his disciples together and ‘gave them power and authority … to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick’ (9:1–2). This is the ministry to which every one of Jesus’ disciples is called (Matthew 28:18–20). His power and authority are available to you today.
Lord, help me to follow your instructions – to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Help me to follow your example closely and to learn to minister with power and authority.
