“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4 KJV)
Since my childhood years I have heard the saying, “When the praise go up, the blessings come down.” Look, you might even hear someone make that declaration today when you are in worship services. You are going, right?
Let’s be real! Many people who will attend this Sunday morning will join in the praising, but during the week some of these same people, not all, and surely not you, will go from praising to playing; from praising to planning their week with no thought given to praising the Lord; from putting up their hands as one is trying to reach heaven to forgetting to be found putting away childish things that give no glory to our God, and from shouting aloud to, sorry but I have to say it, to steering adrift from holiness and righteousness,
It’s early Sunday morning and I want to make sure you do not join in with those referred to as “some of these people” described in the paragraph above. So, when you leave the church parking lot and resume living your life, let me give you some quick biblical advice, not from my mind, but from the Master’s, on how to make the saying, “When the praises go up, the blessings come down,” a reality in your life this week. Friend, if you want the blessings to come down, follow Jesus’ teachings found at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount. Read the verses below and rely on them as you go through the days ahead. Praise God this morning! Live God, everyday! Be blessed!
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:3-13 The Amplified Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King