Praise Him Psalms & Parables, Praises & Promises

  Offering My Life to God Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. - R omans 12:1 The lyrics of "Offering" speak of surrendering our lives to God as an act of worship. This is not just about giving up our bad habits or making a few changes here and there. It's about giving God complete control of our lives. It's about saying, "God, I'm all yours. Use me however you want." This can be a scary thing to do. We like to be in control. We like to know what's going to happen next. But when we surrender our lives to God, we can trust that He knows what's best for us. He will never lead us astray. When we offer our lives to God, we are saying that we trust Him. We are saying that we believe He has a plan for our lives. And we are saying that we are willing to follow Him, even when we don't understand where He is l...

  Certainly! Here's a devotion based on Nehemiah 8:18, but this time with a focus on Elsie and her Christmas legacy, incorporating the Scripture "the joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10): The Christmas Card Miracle Elsie sat at her kitchen table, the weight of disappointment heavy on her heart. The letter arrived that morning, confirming their family's exclusion from the prestigious competition to become the next Santa and Mrs. Claus. Years of preparation, of upholding the family tradition of spreading Christmas cheer, felt like a cruel joke. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the stack of Christmas cards she had been creating – whimsical designs filled with joy and hope, intended for children who might not experience the magic of the season. Suddenly, a verse from scripture echoed in her mind: "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Elsie realized that the true spirit of Christmas wasn't about fame or recognition; it w...

  The sun beat down on the ancient city of Jerusalem, its rays glinting off the newly rebuilt walls. A hush fell over the crowd gathered in the square, their faces turned towards the raised platform where Ezra stood, the scroll of the Law of Moses held aloft. Days of joyous celebration had passed, marked by feasting, singing, and the reading of God's word. Now, as the festival drew to a close, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Ezra's voice, strong and clear, echoed through the square as he read, "Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according 1 to the manner." (Nehemiah 8:18) The people listened intently, their hearts stirred by the words of the Lord. The Israelites had returned from exile, their spirits broken, their city in ruins. But through God's grace and the diligent work of Nehemiah, they had rebuilt the walls, res...

  I was experimenting with Google's AI Gemini. They wrote me a devotion about being kind. Pretty cool The Ripple Effect of Kindness **Scripture:** "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32 **Reflection:** Imagine throwing a pebble into a calm pond. The pebble creates a ripple, which then creates smaller ripples, spreading outward in a continuous pattern. Kindness works in a similar way. A small act of kindness, like a smile or a helping hand, can create a chain reaction of positivity. When we are kind to others, we not only make them feel good, but we also make ourselves feel good. Acts of kindness release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Kindness can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. In addition to the personal benefits, kindness can also have a positive impact on our communities. When we are kind to others, we create a more compassionate and caring society. So today, I challenge ...

  Check out this poem. I asked Gemini AI from Google to write a poem based on the Christian song, Honey in the Rock. So cool. Here's a short poem inspired by "Honey in the Rock" by Rend Collective: **The Rock Weeps** The Rock, they say, is dry and cold, A barren heart, a story told Of emptiness, a soul forlorn, Where hope has withered, joy is torn. But deep inside, unseen, unknown, A sweetness stirs, a hidden tone. For in the depths, a promise lies, A hidden spring, a sweet surprise. The Rock may weep, may feel the pain, Of drought and thirst, a constant strain. But grace will flow, a gentle stream, And life will bloom, a vibrant dream. **Note:** This poem attempts to capture the essence of the song, which speaks of finding hope and sweetness even in the midst of hardship and dryness.