Day 4: Week 2 Pure Praise

[russhutto]

1) Central Passage(s):

• 1 Samuel 4:5-6
• Ezra 3:10-13
• Psalm 5:11
• Isaiah 51:11
• Psalm 100:2
• Isaiah 54:1-3
• Psalm 107:2

2) My Daily Praise:
Get vocal! Sing a praise to God OUT LOUD! Then look for someone to talk with about the Lord today.

3) My Daily Surrender:
Ask God to help you commit to being VOCAL about Him today.

[bkwestman]

1. Central Passage
- Shouting, singing, speaking. All ways that we should use to praise the Lord. Again, one of them, singing, is the most comfortable way for me to praise Him. Can't remember the last time I've shouted out praise. Sad, but true. Speaking is probably the least comfortable for me, even though I need to do a lot of it in my role. It's an area that I've been trusting Him in for a long time. All are obviously Scriptural, but again, why do we not feel comfortable using all of these forms? Some of it could be cultural, but it seems like we need to do our part to help people understand that God loves and expects us to use all these forms to bring Him praise.

2. My Daily Praise
- Sang one of my all-time favorites - "I Love You, Lord" (Klein). For some reason, whenever I just want to sing to him a capella this song comes to mind. It's come to my mind countless times over the years. I'm not sure what it is about it, but it's my "go-to" song in many situations.

3. My Daily Surrender
- Lord, help me be aware today of ways that I can praise you vocally. I commit my way and my day to you, Lord. Have Your way in me.

[WorshipVanguard]

1. Central Passages:
Today’s study moved me from reflection to celebration. What a God I serve!!! Every scripture I read, whether through the chronological study or the Pure Praise Study, every word in scripture is sinking in DEEP! I’m still drenched in the Spirit trying to soak in what I can in the time I have. Yesterday, I reflected on how over that past several months I have lost the desire to sing (long story) when I used to sing loudly in my car or in the house. Yesterday and today, I sensed a release to sing again! So today, I’m getting my “renanah” on! WOOT!

2. Daily Praise:
Lord, thank you millions of times over for giving your people something to sing about! I’m delighted to be your daughter, and I long to see you face to face. Thank you for being attentive to my heart as you lead me to yours. My joy overflows when I reflect on the great things you have done, and the great lengths you go through for someone like me. Lord, you are indeed GREAT!

3. Daily Surrender:
Lord, you know my heart, and you know I desire to reside in your will. Today’s passages confirmed my heart lining up with yours. As much as I’m excited this is confirmed in me, the challenges are still there. I still have resistance to move in the direction in which you gave my family and me. The next several steps for us seem daunting, but I know you are here with us AND you are also in the place where we are going. Thank you for always being there and never forsaking us!

[ryanrotman]

Central Passage
Praise is something that is totally awesome. Something wonderful that we as Christians have the opportunity to do. Today I noticed something I don't think I've really seen before. It's tucked away in Psalm 100.2. In verse 1 the writer tells us to shout joyfully to the Lord and then in the second half of verse 2 he tells us to come before Him with joyful singing. Then at the beginning of verse two in the midst of praising, we are called to serve. I know service doesn't quite fit with this topic of vocal praise, but it was something that struck me. We praise because we're thankful, but we are also called to praise through how we serve Him.

My Daily Praise
I was drawn to the Doxology (also New Doxology by Gateway Worship). Especially as we near Thanksgiving. Giving God praise and thanks for every blessing He has given us.

My Daily Surrender
God, the days get so busy, I so often go throughout the day without every stopping to praise You. In the midst of everything I have to do today, help me to see where I can stop and vocally give You praise. Just as Proverbs 16.9 says, You direct my steps. This is the day You have made, help me to rejoice in it and give You praise. Amen.

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Central passages
I am SO glad the Bible is full of exhortations to sing! There is not much I love to do more than sing, and singing praise to God is my favorite type of singing.
So I'm good on that type of vocal praise.

I'm not much of a shouter. Even at ballgames, I don't often raise my voice. But, as we learned today in our lesson, and also from the featured article on the TWC homepage today, shouting praise is a scriptural way to praise, so I need to look for occasions to praise by shouting to God.

And I love offering spoken exhortations of God's goodness, in and away from church. Spoken praise can be used as a teaching tool, and can just come from a heart that is in love with Jesus.

My Daily Praise
I can never sing out loud when I do my lesson in the early morning, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so later. GOD, YOU ARE AMAZING! YOU ARE GOOD! YOU LOVE ME! (shouting)

My Daily Surrender
God, you know how much I love to sing praises to you. Sometimes, though, I sing without thinking about what I am saying, so to you it means nothing. Help me to always praise you from my heart, whether by singing, shouting, or speaking.
Tom

[InHisName]

Central Passage

I was convicted when the author talked about people shouting in a stadium for their favorite sports team. I don't know if I have ever shouted for God, or cheered, or even said a heartfelt, "Yipee!" And yet the Bible is full of "Shout to the Lord", "make a joyful noise". It doesn't always have to be singing. And the singing I (we) do is sometimes fraught with distractions..."am I hitting the right note? Can the person in front of me hear me?" I just need to let loose and sing to him!! Especially when not leading.
I do have a fear that if I'm off pitch or something while leading worship the congregation will be distracted and it will take away, rather than add to, worship. But sometimes I just need to let it go and make a joyful noise!!

Daily Praise
"Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So" (I think this is the title) popped into my mind when I read the lesson. It's such a happy song. And now I really understand what it means. Not only is it a song of faith, it's a song about SHARING that faith. A great God song. And because I'm getting to this in the evening, I'll be singing it at work tomorrow.

Daily Surrender

Lord, show me ways to vocally praise you tomorrow. Let me be filled with song, or a kind word, or an urgency to share my faith. Let everyone who knows me know who I am in you. Let my voice praise you, no matter how it sounds! Because in the end, You're the only one that matters.