Hard to believe 2018 is done and we are starting with a fresh slate before us. We have been given a new year, a new day, and His new mercies! That is reason alone to praise Him.

It’s a 31 day challenge month in Hello Mornings and our group is challenging ourselves to 31 days of praise. We started the month off with these Scriptures and thoughts on Tuesday:

• We praise Him for being our place of safety. Our readings today are: Psalm 27:5; Psalm 71:3; Matthew 6:25-26; and Psalm 63:7. In these verses, we find that God is our sanctuary, our rock of safety, our fortress, our helper. Much the way we protect our loved ones and our things, God is for us and is protective over us. Don’t miss that He is these things to us because He values us. He has saved us by the precious blood of His Son, His Spirit lives within us and we are His. None of these Scriptures tell us we will be spared hardship. But they do remind us we will come through. Praise Him for being your sanctuary – your place of safety, where you can hide. Where He keeps you safely. What is one thing He has brought you through in 2018?

• We praise Him for His Word which sustains us. Our focus was on Hebrews 1:3; Luke 4:18-19; Psalm 45:3-4. In theses Scriptures, we can see that God reaches out to those with deep needs – like you and me. He brought Good News to the lost, the broken, and the hurting. It is His Word which will release captives and sets the oppressed free. And so, Lord, we praise you for Your Word sustains each one of us. You bring your word to us just as we need it, filling us with hope and strength for today.

• We praise Him for the wisdom He brings to us. We read Isaiah 50:4, 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 13:21 and Matthew 7:24-28. He wakens us morning by morning to hear Him so that we can hear and respond as one who knows Him — one who trusts Him and has confidence in His plan for our day, and for our lives. God gives us words of wisdom not only for ourselves but to also give out to the weary. May we not hoard the treasures of His Word. His Word is meant to produce in us, to bring forth fruit, every good thing through the power of Jesus.

• We praise Him for being our substitute. Today we are reading 1 John 4:10 and Isaiah 53:3-12. Let His Word sink in. All Jesus experienced was for each one of us. For me. For you. He suffered so that we could be made whole – in body, in mind, in relationships. He suffered for the good of us all and to make possible the forgiveness of all our sins.
  Lord, we praise you for being the substitute for us. You made a way, the way for us each to be made right with God for all eternity. Help us not to become callous to this but to remain tender towards your suffering. May our hearts always be filled with praise and gratitude for all you have done on our behalf. And help us to learn from you how we are to love others. Real love = sacrifice. May our lives reflect this today and every day. Amen.

May we hear the call from “Come, Thou Fount”:

“Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,
Tune my heart to sing They grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.”

What can you praise Him for today?

Today I am joining …  Tell His Story and Grace Full Tuesday and #RaRaLInkup .