“⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” — Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

Now that is a list of things that are praise worthy. Notice that these are all intrinsic attributes and not those that are simply on the surface. I see those things that require more thought and reflection as opposed to just visible to the eye. I may see these things, but the seeing just creates in me the curiosity to understand them.

I believe that too often we are looking for just those things that are immediately seen as those things that are worthy of accolades. We find celebrate the overt actions and bring attention to the one time that there was an act or action deemed great. When we come across that one instance, we lift it up as though it is something worthy of praise, while those “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent” is overlooked as simply consistent and expected.

I have to remember that consistency is to be praised. I have to ensure that I am looking for and praising those things that are of God to lift up and celebrate. I have to be searching for the “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent”. And when I find them, I have to sit up and take notice and give all glory to God who makes them possible and know that He is with me.

“⁹What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” — Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

What is it that you see as worthy of praise? Are you praising and celebrating the one thing that you see? What if you were to look more intrinsically and into the consistency in others that demonstrate the glory given to God as that to be praised?

“¹⁵Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” — Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)

There is a cost to lifting up of praise to the LORD. That cost is in the giving up of praise for the self. Seems like a simple thing to do, giving praise to the LORD, but in order to do so, there is a sacrifice in other areas. One has to give up the praise for self or for those in this world to offer up praise to the LORD in His world.

It is natural in this world to seek to be recognized and acknowledged for the work done. And for that there should be no ill feelings about. The thing is that we should not be solely looking for that to somehow validate our existence. I am here to please and bring glory to God. I have to remember that and give all of me to praise Him for what He has done and will do in my life, whether in this world or not.

Sacrifice is giving up for the giving. I have to remember that what I do is not about me. It is about my service to the LORD. I am here for Him and that is my purpose. I am here to bring glory to Him. I am here to serve Him. I am here to give to Him and that means that I must give up the desires of me. I have been given the opportunity to serve the LORD in this world. I have been saved by grace as I do not deserve the salvation given. I have to remember to give up and give. I have to thrust myself in the praise of the LORD and give up the praise of myself.

What process are you working through in praise? Are you looking to ensure that you are getting praise? What if you sacrificed your praise and gave it up to offer praise to the LORD for all that He has done and will do for you?

I am not worthy of the grace that God has bestowed on me. I am but a lowly sinner and will always be a sinner. No amount of work that I do or begging or pleading will remove the label of sinner from me.

But, no matter the label placed on me, no matter what I have done, or will do, God still loves me and has adopted me as His son and heaps provisions and blessing on me.

“⁵he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” — Ephesians 1:6-7 (ESV)

I have been give grace by and from God even as I am a sinner. He loves me in spite of my sin. He adopted me and all that I am, even the sin. He took me as His own and loves me. I praise Him for that grace that He has given, and given freely without any conditions. His grace and salvation are a gift and all I have/had to do was to accept the gift and it is/was mine.

I praise the LORD for all that He has given, and most of all, I praise His grace.

What are you praising that comes from the LORD? Are you looking for something that makes you look good? What if you praised Him for His grace given freely?

I will admit that I am a private person and keep to myself a good amount as opposed to putting everything in my life out there for everyone to see and be a part of. I pray privately and when I praise God, I also do so privately. I have to change that.

“¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. ¹⁶Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?” — 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 (ESV)

I see in the above verses and read in the passage about speaking in tongues and prophesying. The act of speaking in tongues is for those that understand to be able to hear. When the word of God is meant to be heard by unbelievers, there is the need to think it through and subsequently speak so that others will understand and be able to hear. Further into this passage, Paul writes:

“¹⁹Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” — 1 Corinthians 14:19 (ESV)

It is important to remember who it is that is hearing the word of God and in such to ensure that the method of delivery is meant for that audience.

The same holds true with praise for the LORD. Where the relationship I have with Him is private and between He and me, I have to remember that I am also here to spread the gospel and good news of the LORD to those that I come in contact. I have to praise the LORD so that others will benefit from the knowing why I place my trust in Him. I have to be more public with my praise for Him. I have to be overt and simplified in my praise. I have to ensure that those watching, know where I find my strength.

I have written in the margin of my ESV Bible around this passage the following: “We should worship God as we see fit, although we should let others know so as to build them up as we are instructed to do.” I have to remember it is not about me but the LORD and bringing the gospel to the world. I have to build others up and the way to do that is to be public with my praise for the LORD. I have to make my praise to/for Him something that others will certainly benefit from.

What does your praise look like? Are you private or thinking of yourself and your individual relationship with the LORD? What if you went public for the benefit of others and made sure that you shared your praise of the LORD with those you are in contact?

I know, it seems a bit odd to say that praise to/for God confuses. Take a look at the reactions of those hearing it and expand that into the world today.

“¹⁵But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant, ¹⁶and they said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read,

‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies

you have prepared praise’?” — Matthew 21:15-16 (ESV)

“¹⁸And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.” — Mark 11:18 (ESV)

“⁴⁷And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, ⁴⁸but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.” — Luke 19:47-48 (ESV)

These verses are of the same event, only different accounts of that event. Notice the reactions of those that were hearing the praise that was being presented to/for Jesus. They were “indignant”, “astonished”, and “did not find anything they could do”.

As I read this morning I could only think of the persecution that would come out of those feelings described by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I see the confusion of what to do and how to act. There is a sense of wonderment and I can feel the tension mounting, although the tension is for seeing and hearing praise. In this they are looking for a way to justify taking adverse action on Jesus who is really doing nothing wrong, except for not doing things the way the establishment would have them done.

Now fast forward to today. I know that there are those that are praising God in public. Actors, sports figures, celebrities. They are not doing anything wrong except for not doing things the way of the establishment. This is causing indignation, astonishment, and confusing the establishment with what to do and how to act.

All of this confusion is driven by the praise to/for God and the work He has done and will do. What is coming from that confusion is acts against those that are just doing things differently. Those praising God are being persecuted and shunned in society for their actions. Those actions that are not harming anyone, except for the disruption of their power and bringing light to an alternate thought and solution. This praise is “bruising the ego” of those in the establishment and they do not like it. They are not being praised and that is a threat to their way of life.

Praise to/for God is confusing to others in that they are not looking for the better, only looking for their better. This confusion causes reactions and actions that are contrary to the praise lifted to/for God and that is the focus of those onlookers.

What side of the praise to/for God are you on? Are you the onlooker who seems to be confused by the idea that praise is given to/for outsiders to the establishment? What if you were to join the praise to avoid the confusion and lift up God as opposed to being contrary to Him?

This morning I was led to the book of Joel and the passage titled “The LORD Had Pity”. Verse 26 is where the focus was, however as usual, I look to before and after to get more that just a snip in time. Below is the verse.

“²⁶You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD your God,

who has dealt wondrously with you.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.” — Joel 2:26 (ESV)

When I read only the verse, I see that the LORD’s provision will be plentiful and for that I should be praising Him. He makes sure that I “need” for nothing and He will deal “wondrously” with me. He goes so far as to say that I will “never again be put to shame”, indicating that He is with me always and will continuously protect and provide.

But, look at that last sentence again, “never again”. This indicates that there was a time of shame. The LORD allowed for difficulty and overtaking. It is not until you read the rest of the passage that there is more understanding as to what took place and the place where the LORD is at this time and with us now. The LORD took pity on the people and brought them provision and protection. He gave to them to lead them to again find Him and rely on Him. That is the point of that final sentence. He would “never again” allow that to happen to His people. And look here at verse 27.

“²⁷You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,

and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.” — Joel 2:27 (ESV)

The LORD will always be with me. He will be known to be with me and I will know that there is none like Him. He is the living God and will continue to bring provision and protection to us His people in the midst of any and everything that we may face. I have to remember to give myself to Him full each day and Praise Him for all that He is and provides and will provide. I have to praise God for having pity on me and all of my shortcomings.

What praise are you bringing to the LORD? Are you even aware that He knows of our suffering and has pity on us for that suffering? What if you were to praise Him for the pity He has on us and will have on us to provide for our forever?

I regularly call my wife “Woman”. I know, it may seem somewhat out of place to do so, but let me explain. You see, I see it, and she accepts it as a term of endearment, and the word if God indicates that as well. I may have mentioned something about this in the past as Jesus referred to His mother with that term at the wedding in Canaan where He turned water into wine. This was not meant derogatory by any means. And there is also the passage in Proverbs 31 where it is outlined all that the “woman” does and should be recognized.

I am in full agreement that there is something special about the “woman”. There is so much done by the woman in the household that goes unnoticed or even ignored. Lori is my wife, the mother to our boys, the thoughtful caregiver to her mother and grandfather, she is the loving teacher of students and those on her dance team. And so much of that is overlooked. My mom, Shirley is my mother, the grandmother my our boys, the thoughtful caregiver of her family, she was the president of the baseball league, and the sideline cheerleader for all events she attends. And so much of that was/is overlooked.

Read the full passage of Proverbs 31 to get the sense of all that the “woman” does “for” all. Expressing my love and thanks and praise for Lori and Shirley is hard to do for me based on my personality and they both know it. But that does not mean that it is not there nor are they deserving.

“²⁹’Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.’

³⁰Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.” — Proverbs 31:29-31 (ESV)

And there you have it. In the word of God, the praise delivered to “woman”. The just words to express the praise for the work done. The delivery of that which should not be withheld. It is not what people see and know that make you valuable, it is all that you have done and will continue to do for those around you. You are to be praised as “woman” for you are more, day in and day out to all of those who surround you.

What is it that is done by the woman in your life? Are you seeing her as something less that what she is to those around her? What if you were to take a look at all that she is and does, I am sure that you will see that there should be praise to woman?

I joke about getting a swelled head when someone provides praise for the work that I have done. I fell as though the work I do is just part of the job, although I would be lying if I said I did not need the praise. The reality is that I appreciate the acknowledgment that I have actually performed a task or done a job that was recognized as being beneficial to some in some way. The thing is that I have to remember that I am not doing things to be praised, but as a demonstration of the work I am doing for the LORD.

“21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

and a man is tested by his praise.” — Proverbs 27:21 (ESV)

This morning as I was continuing my study on “praise”, I was reminded that how I give and receive praise are of great importance. I have to me sincere in each of the actions, giving and receiving. I have to be sure that when giving praise, it is for work done in earnest and not just lip service to manipulate another person. I have to be sure that I do not get the swelled head when receiving praise. I have to be diligent to continue to do the work of Christ without the expectation of anything in return from those of this world.

As noted in the verse above, silver and gold are made more valuable when they make it through the refining process. It takes the heat to remove the impurities and leave something that is of more value. It is part of the process to be refined into something of more value. The same is true of me. I have to endure the heat to remove any impurities of pride and manipulation. I have be sincere and humble in my giving and receiving of praise. I have to remember that it is not about building myself up, but about building of others.

I am reminded of my 4^th personal value: “Encourage: Instill a higher level of confidence and growth for all. Leading them to think, feel, and act more positively with themselves and others.” It is about the others and not me. I am here to ensure that others are grown and that sometimes means that I will be working behind the scenes so that they can find the stage. The praise I may receive is not what I seek, it is the growth of the others where I find joy.

How are you giving or receiving praise? Are you finding yourself possibly manipulating or prideful with your giving or receiving of praise? What if you were to simply give praise to build others up and receive praise humbly knowing it is not about you, but about others?

There is a natural tendency to heap praise on oneself. After all, if you don’t, who will. Well that is really not the way things are to work in the life of a Christian. I am to do the work, not for me, but for the glory of God.

“²Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

a stranger, and not your own lips.” — Proverbs 27:2 (ESV)

It is not up to me to praise me. I look upon things from my own perspective and will miss reality as others see it. I may do some work and only see the impact to me and think that it is worthy of praise, when in reality, I have harmed others to gain a “win” for me.

In the world today, I have to concern myself with serving others and doing the work for Christ and ensuring that others are winning. I don’t do things to gain notoriety, but to spread the love and example of Christ.

When I have done the work of the LORD, I have pleased Him and any praise I am due will come from Him or from those that benefited from the work. I can be pleased that I have done the work and then I should move on to the next. Even if/when the praise does not come from others, I am responsible only to continue and move on to the next.

Knowing that it is not my role to praise me, I have to remember that it is important that I recognize and praise work done by others. You get what you give and to receive praise, I have to remember to praise others. When work is done whether for the good of me or those around me, I have to remember to let them know of the job well done. I have to be the example of what right looks like and not expect others to have to praise themselves. I have to remember to praise them for the work done and the service provided.

It is better to give than to receive, and I have to remember that as I look out into this world and recognize work done. I have to give praise to others and not be concerned with whether or not I have received. I have to only concern myself with the giving of the service to others and doing the work of the LORD. I will receive in due time.

What have you been doing as relates to praise? Are you in the habit of praising yourself for work and not concerned with praising others? What if you did the opposite and praised others, and just did the work without expectation of praise, knowing that you simply did the work of the LORD?

“¹Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens!

²Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with lute and harp!

⁴Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and pipe!

⁵Praise him with sounding cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

⁶Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD!” — Psalm 150 (ESV)

Thirteen times “praise” is used in the above passage. I use it three times in the opening title. And all of that is just the beginning of what our declaration of praise for the LORD should be.

When I begin my day I open with prayer and study of God’s Word. I follow the model of prayer that Jesus gave and lift praise to the LORD. I am thankful for all that He as provided and blessed. I am glad for the love that He has for me and those in my life. I lift up Him for granting me guidance and comfort throughout my days.

As I continue through the day, I am thankful to the LORD for the direction He gives me. I praise Him for the opportunity to bring His love through my example to those I am in contact. I am grateful for the chance to spread His name and have become less and less shy about speaking His name in all company.

Ending my day I round our by lifting up the LORD for all that He provided for me that day. I thank Him for the guidance and direction. I praise Him for delivering me through all that I experienced, knowing that whether considered a win (in my eyes) or not, all was due to the LORD and His plan.

What does your day look like as relates to praising of the LORD? Are you finding yourself praising Him only some of the time? What if you were to lift Him up in the morning, throughout the day, and then again in the evening?