Day 49: A to Z Praise

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Summer Soak Up

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! —Psalm 150:6

SOAK:

Today I’d like you to try an A to Z of praise.  Debbie Taylor Williams in her book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, shares an exercise of A to Z praise.  It’s a wonderful way to rehearse who God is and what He has done by listing an attribute for each letter of the alphabet and then pray those back to the Lord in praise.  It’s a great devotional exercise to do for family devotions or with a small group.  Just grab a sheet of paper and list the letter of the alphabet, A-Z, and then list an attribute, characteristic, or name of God for each one.…continue reading

Day 47: A Praise Chat

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Summer Soak Up

Join me today for a “praise chat”.  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. —Psalm 145:3

SOAK:

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! —Psalm 113:3

My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long. —Psalm 71:8 (HCSB)

There are many words for praise in the original language of both the Old and New Testament.  Take a look:…continue reading

Day 46: When Praise & Faithfulness are Hard!

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Summer Soak Up

SOAK:

As I contemplate God’s faithfulness and greatness, it also serves to magnify how often I am unfaithful in my walk with God.  I often make promises I don’t keep. I let circumstances overwhelm me and allow them to motivate my actions instead of trusting God. I get caught up in what’s “fair” and “unfair” and my perspective turns inward instead of upward.  The idols of my heart are many and my faithfulness is so shallow at times.

And trust can be hard!

…continue reading

Day 45: Great is His Faithfulness!

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Summer Soak Up

SOAK:

Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! —Lamentations 3:22-23

Remembering and rehearsing God’s faithfulness in the past helps us trust Him in the here and now.

God’s mercies never end and they are new to us each morning.  When we feel overwhelmed, forgotten or frustrated with our circumstances in the present, it’s comforting, encouraging and hopeful to remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past.…continue reading

Day 44: Evidence of God’s Faithfulness

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Summer Soak Up

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God… —Deuteronomy 7:9

What evidence do we have of God’s faithfulness towards us?  Take a look at just a few from His Word!

SOAK:

God’s Faithfulness…

Is seen in His love towards us.…continue reading

Day 43: He is Faithful!

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Summer Soak Up

This week we will bring our Summer SOAK series to a close.  Let’s focus on the faithfulness of God.

SOAK:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! —Psalm 57:10-11

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23

How is God’s faithfulness described in these verses?

The definition for faithfulness the original language means stability, certainty, reliable, sureness, security and truth. In a world that is often unreliable, uncertain, insecure and lacking truth, it is comforting and encouraging to know that there is One who is always faithful, unchanging, always true and who is Truth!

Sometimes we miss God’s faithfulness in our lives because we are so self-sufficient and independent. But when we come to the end of ourselves —to the end of our resources and our strength —we see God’s faithfulness so clearly.  God is ever-faithful.  He is always acting on our behalf, to love and care for us, to meet our every need and sustain us in the dark and difficult times. He is faithful!  He is reliable, sure, trustworthy and truth!

What evidences of God’s faithfulness do you see in your life —His love, care, provision and protection?  Take a moment and list what comes to mind.  Praise God for His faithfulness.  Be intentional to look for His faithfulness on a daily basis. And remember His greatest act of faithful love toward us is seen in what Jesus has done for us —restoration, forgiveness, hope and eternal life.

SHINE:

Spend some time reflecting on the verses from today and on the fact that God is Faithful!  Use the following as a guide for your praise and prayer time to the Lord today. 

I praise you, O Lord!  Because You are faithful.

Because you are faithful, Your presence in my life brings ___________.

I praise You and celebrate that fact that because You are faithful, I am/I can___________.

It’s my prayer that through this series we will, “from the rising of the sun to its setting”, focus on and praise our amazing God!  We’ll take the Word for the day and think about it, ponder it, pray it and practice it.  We’ll allow it to really SOAK into our hearts and lives. And then we’ll SHINE — boast, rave, praise and celebrate God’s presence in our lives, reflecting Jesus to those around us.

Would you consider sharing what you have learned and your praise celebration with others? Leave a comment below!

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©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com

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Day 42: Peace & Provision in His Presence

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Summer Soak Up

Let’s end our week praising God, who is our Peace, our Comforter, our Burden-Bearer and our Rest, by focusing on a beautiful and familiar Psalm.

SOAK:

Psalm 23 is probably a very familiar psalm to most of us. I love to read a familiar passage in several translations of Scripture.  It brings a freshness to the passage so many times for me.  I invite you to do that today with me.  Read slowly and each time the psalmist mentions what the Lord does for him, pause and reflect upon this in your own life.  Pray the psalm back to the Lord. Let God’s Word soak into your soul and spirit and renew your heart and mind!…continue reading

Day 41: He is My Resting Place!

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Summer Soak Up

Our summer days are winding down. Perhaps you’re finding yourself a bit worn and weary.  Maybe you’ve had a busy summer or perhaps life has just been overwhelming in general.  Could you use some rest?  I’ve got the perfect spot!

SOAK:

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…and you will find rest for your souls. —Matthew 11:28

Look at the definitions in the original language for this verse:

Weary – kopiao – fatigued, worn out, weary and faint.  It is a word used to denote not so much the actual exertion we experience in labor but the weariness experience from that labor.

Burdened – phortizo – a word meaning the freight of a ship, to be overloaded or heavily burdened.

Rest – anapauo – to refresh; to cause one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength; to give rest, to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation.

Find Rest – anapausis – intermission; rest while performing necessary labor.  It describes the inner peace and tranquility, the rest of the soul even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

What a great place to find the rest we need…

  • When we are worn out, fatigued and weary.
  • When we are overloaded and heavily burdened.
  • When we need to be refreshed and to recover our strength.
  • When we need an intermission, rest, even in the midst of our work.
  • When we need rest in the midst of difficult circumstances.

…continue reading

Day 40: The Lifter of My Head!

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Summer Soak Up

Do you ever have those days when you’re just having the blahs?  You’re feeling down with a heaviness in your heart and spirit?  I know I do.  Sometimes it’s because I’ve got much on my mind and much in my schedule for the day.  Sometimes it’s because life is hard and relationships are messy. Sometimes it’s because I’m burdened by the circumstance or heartache someone I know is experiencing.  And sometimes…I just have the blahs for no apparent reason.  During these times I have a choice. I can give into the blah and go about my day with my head down and feet dragging or I can turn to the One who is the lifter of my head!…continue reading