The Handprints of God
Today’s Truth
Sing to God, sing praises
to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts—His
name is the Lord—be in high spirits and glory before Him.
~ Psalm 68:4 (AMPC)
Friend to Friend
I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs
on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today. She
did, and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in
the mirror, and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She
did, and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the
mirror, and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she
said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So, she did, and
she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and
noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yes!" she
exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Now that’s what I call
having a good attitude.
Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits,
and perspectives. We can literally change our lives by changing the way
we think. In Isaiah 26:3 (NLT), we find the promise, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled
with praise – and girlfriend, praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual
arsenal. Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express
our trust in God, then choose to give Him thanks, healing begins. Praise
provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and
blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our
messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence
and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that
praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is
filled with praise.
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts. (Psalm 68:4, AMPC)
But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3, NKJV)
Don’t miss the life changing truth that we can enthrone God in every
situation of our lives by praising Him. Praise converts our everyday
surroundings into His dwelling place. It is from that throne of praise
that God dispenses victory. Praise tunes us into His sovereignty and
allows us to experience the reality and power of His presence.
Praise strengthens our prayer life. Prayer is not only a remarkable
privilege that we often fail to recognize or understand, but it is also
part of our worship to God. There is the asking side of prayer when we
seek forgiveness, lay needs before God, and intercede on behalf of
others. Then there is the appreciating side of prayer when we offer
praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done. Our
relationship with God is strengthened through prayer and praise.
Now here is my favorite truth about praise. Are you ready? Praise devastates Satan and his forces. Yes! I love it! In fact, Psalm 20:5 (NIV)
promises, “We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift
up our banners in the name of our God.” Satan is well aware of just how
powerful praise is and I suspect he absolutely hates it … which
absolutely delights me! I can almost sense his fury when I choose to
praise God instead of questioning Him. The enemy hates it when I walk by
faith, setting aside feelings and emotions while focusing on God’s Word
and His faithfulness in my life.
Through continual prayer, through the power of God’s Word, and
through faithful praise, we declare our trust in God to deliver us.
Praise lifts up the shield of faith in spiritual warfare. Praise makes a
frontal attack on doubt and fear. Even in the midst of Satan’s best
efforts, we can find victory when we praise Him.
Let’s Pray
Father, I praise You today for what You have done in my life. I choose
to thank You for the storms that have made me stronger. I celebrate
Your mercy and grace at work in my life, a life that is so unworthy of
Your love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Begin keeping a joy journal. Make a list of the blessings God pours
into your life. Those blessings may be small or large … it doesn’t
matter. They are all His handprints.
More from the Girlfriends
Experiencing the Presence and Power of God in Your Daily Life
Dan and Mary Southerland
It is easy to see God in the miraculous events of life, but I believe
God’s greatest work takes place in our everyday lives as He takes the
ordinary and uses it to create the extraordinary and unexplainable! We
really can celebrate life and learn to experience God daily. On this MP3
download, Celebrate Life,
Mary delivers a powerful message that not only offers hope, but also
explains how you can learn to truly celebrate every day of life.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
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