~ "Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord..."

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. (Rev 19:5)

Did you know that praising God for what you have, is praying for what is yet to be done for you? When we take the time to praise him, we are telling him "thank you" in its highest form! Who are we, if all we ever do is ask for this and ask for that, and don't stop to say thank you for any of it? Are we the selfish children of our youth who always "got" the breaks, always "got" the best of everything, always "got" the perfect prom date without being sensitive to the needs or wants of others? Are we those who flaunt what the have in the face of every person whoever looked down on us? Are we the jealous ones, the proud ones or the selfish ones? I hope not!

Giving thanks to God for what he has done is an acknowledgement to him (not that he needs any pats on the back) that we are truly grateful! The expression "don't tell me that you love me, show me" comes to mind when I think of praising God. By lifting our voices in song, lifting our hands in praise, we are thanking God for all that he does for us. Uttering the words "thank God" in random situations, when one is not actually thanking God for anything, but rather using a phrase out of habit, doesn't count! Our praises of thanksgiving should be heart felt and joyful and directed solely at him!

Don't be embarrassed or ashamed to raise your hand in praise when you experience a miracle. Do not hesitate to lower your head in prayer. Everything that comes to us, comes through him first! We are not alone! We are loved and cared for by one who has supreme knowledge and a wealth of resources far beyond anything we can imagine. Someday, EVERY knee shall bow! Start practicing it now and it won't be foreign when that day come! Thank him, praise him and love him as if each breath he gives you, each prayer he answers, is the best ever!