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Wisdom through Story
Thomas Ken has been called "England's first hymnist." Born in 1637 near London, Thomas became a chaplain. He wanted to encourage the devotional habits of boys whom he served. So, he wrote hymns. This was before hymns were used in the churches ~ only the Psalms were used in public worship. He encouraged the boys to use the hymns in private devotions. Of the initial three hymns Thomas wrote in 1674, the one used in many congregations every Sunday is "The Doxology," or "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow." The words of "The Doxology" form a hymn of praise; here are the lyrics:
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
The hymn opens with a summons to praise the One Who is Source of all good things. Then, all creatures below are to praise God. Next, all beings above are to praise God. Last, this God to be praised is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ~ not just any god whom people claim. To bless One Person of the Trinity is to praise the other two Persons and the Trinity as One.
The WORD through Scripture
3Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every blessing which is in heaven, such as the Spirit gives us.
*Ephesians 1.3, WE (NT)
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
Psalm 34.1, NLT
Wise Words to Think Upon
[W]hen we worship God for His attributes, they are released into our lives.
If you are not the way you want to be in some area of your life, begin to worship God in that area. As you worship Him for any of the attributes of His character ~ His faithfulness ... His kindness ... His graciousness ... His patience ~ ... whatever you worship Him for will begin to be manifested in your own character.
*Joyce Meyer. The Battle Belongs to the Lord
Worship what you pray to become. Do not just worship from where you are, or you will likely stay there; worship from where God wills you to be, and you will grow toward where God is calling you.
*Brian K. Wilcox, OneLife Ministries.
Let us revere, let us worship, but erect and open-eyed, the highest, not the lowest; the future, not the past!
*Charlotte Perkins Gillman, www.wisdomquotes.com
Thoughts to Inspire Christian Living
Praise may be the most neglected part of Prayer. However, the Bible is filled with praise. Praise is affirming to God, in voice, posture, or silence, God's character. Thanksgiving is, then, not the same as praise. Praise says, "This is Who you are ...." Thanksgiving says, "This is what you have given ...."
I offer two reasons for us to engage in praise often. Indeed, blessing God should be as natural to us as requests. And, certainly, praise is more unselfish than often our requests are.
1) God is God. Now, that seems obvious to say to persons of faith. Yet, we may often live and pray as though such is not obvious to us. "God is God" means we are to bless God for who God is and because God is God, not you or me.
2) Praise is generative. What do I mean "generative"? Praise generates, nurtures, produces, ... something in us, as persons and a faith community.
Praise turns mind, heart, and will in the direction of a fact about God that we are to see manifested progressively in and through us. We are to be growing to be like God; this means freedom, for we are free to the extent we are like God, or godly. For example, if I bless God for being love, or loving, I am affirming that godly love is my desire to grow in, to become more loving.
Conversely, if I keep turning my mind, heart, and will in the direction of thoughts ungodly ~ not God-like ~, that manifests more and more in my life. Prayer is one way to see transformed the thoughts that shape my character and action. I cannot expect to be more like Christ but by renewal of the habitual thinking of my mind; thought shapes will, will shapes character.
Sure, sometimes we do not feel like praising God. What do we do? We praise, anyway. Praise is an affirmation of Who God Is, not who you are or what you feel. Praise is commitment to what God wants you to become, not your assessment of your character or emotions. When I praise God, I am saying, "God, this is Who You Are, I long to be like You, I will work with the Holy Spirit to become more of what You want me to be."
Michelangelo's Pieta is in the Vatican art collection. The Pieta is a marble statue of Mary in anguish, while she holds her crucified son. Years ago a visitor started smashing the statue with a sledgehammer. By the time guards stopped him, the damage was extensive. Thankfully, it was not irreparable. The Vatican's artists restored the Pieta to near-perfect condition.
*Go to www.artchive.com/artchive/M/michelangelo/pieta.jpg.html to view the Pieta.
God is in the restoration business. God uses worship to shape us into the persons and churches that He wills us to be. Praise is a way to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the inner work of renewing our thoughts, will, and character. This is the Holy Spirit renewing us, daily:
18And we all [none excluded], with unveiled face, beholding [or, reflecting] the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit [not you or me].
*II Corinthians 3.13, ESV
Applying It to Life
1) Define praise in your own words?
2) How important is praise in your life?
3) How important is praise in your church?
4) What one of God's traits stands out most to you? Today, praise God for being that.
5) What one godly trait do you most long to see grow in your character? Today, praise God for being that in fullness.
6) What is one new thing you learned from this writing?
7) Take one of the Scriptures and one of the quotes above. Meditate on each.
* * *
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Story of Michelangelo's Pieta at www.ozsermonillustrations.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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