Have there been times you did not feel like reading your Bible? What about times not wanting to pray? Have you ever felt weary and did not know the reasons? This happened to me on the morning of Thursday, August 20, 2020. When I woke up something was amiss and I could not figure out what happened for the sudden emotional change.
Did I talk to the Lord through prayer about it? No! Did I thank Him for allowing me to live another day? No! Instead, I allowed my mind to be temporary blocked from my spiritual focus. Needless to say, the rest of my day did not go well, including burning three fingertips on my left hand.
On Thursday night, in my dream, I allowed my curiosity to get the best of me by returning an escaped animal to the well-guarded mansion across the street from us. I thought it was odd that I was not afraid, considering I fear all animals, after being attacked by a large dog many years ago. I even dispelled widely spread rumors that whomever entered within the walls of that mansion never returned the same. One of the rumors was those who enter the mansion returned without a soul. Why? They exchanged it for worldly pleasures and evil spirits that roam the world with appetites to devour Christians.
The next morning, I immediately shared this dream with my husband. I told him that I had met some really nice people and how magnificent the mansion was designed, and beautifully furnished. Be mindful, they were nice to me, until it was time to leave, like evil spirits are nice to us, so we think, until we decide to return to the faith and follow Jesus. The security guard closed the gate right before I could exit the premises, and when I asked him to wait until I get close to the gate before opening it, he refused.
By the grace of God, I made it out on the third attempt. But let me tell you what happened on the final attempt. The gate was opened just enough for me to squeeze through sideways, and when my body was midway through the gate, it immediately closed with arrows pointing in my direction to pierce my body and destroy my soul. I said, “Oh Lord,” and felt a push to safety outside the gate to escape with a well soul and out of the devil’s clutches.
I see a serious problem in my actual situation and in my dream. When I was awake and feeling weary on Thursday morning I did not call on the Lord; instead, I focused on my weariness. However, when my life was about to end, in my dream, I had no problem calling on God to save me. Unfortunately, sometimes, we, Christians, fail to pray and praise God without ceasing, and allow situations, things, and people of no consequence to consume our mind.
We live in a dark troublesome world for us not to protect our soul. In my dream, I fought, and in reality, I fight daily to secure the salvation of my soul. Therefore, praying and praising God without ceasing is spiritually crucial. I am honest with myself, and the Lord, having no doubt had I awakened on Thursday morning praying and praising Him, I would not have laid in bed feeling weary and giving the devil temporary satisfaction of me not having a spiritual mindset. Ephesians 6:12, states “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Always, Sister Copeland’s daily devotions for that morning was right on time. The title is “Praise Without Ceasing!” It reads “Pray, without ceasing” is the message of today’s verse (I Thessalonians 6:17) The next verse says, “In everything give thanks.” So perhaps another way of saying I Thessalonians 5:17 is “Praise, without ceasing.” And in the book of Psalms, the different writers showed us how to do just that.
Upon rising in the morning, David began each day with praise. “In the morning I will sing of your love” (Psalm 59:16). Why? Because “It is good to give thanks to the Lord in the morning.” (Psalm 92:1-2)
All through the day, more than “seven times a day I praise You.” the writer declared. (Psalm 119:164) And when the day drew to an end, the psalmist was found still praising the Lord; “I remember Your name in the night, O Lord. (Psalm 119:55)
In the best of times, David sang, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” (Psalm 145:3) In the most difficult of times, in the face of his own sins, David lifted his voice to say, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice…shout for joy.” (Psalm 32:11)
“I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” (Psalm 145:2-3)
END OF DEVOTION
QUESTION:
Will we do as David did and make “praise without ceasing” a way of life?
WE CAN PRAISE WITHOUT CEASING BY MEDITATING ON THE WONDERS OF GOD REVEALED IN SCRIPTURES.
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We, have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph. (John 1:45)
Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:10)
So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever. (Psalm 119:44)
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. (II Corinthians 13:5-6)
Who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him gory, so that your faith and hope are in God?” (I Peter 1:21)
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 1:1)
The time has come, he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalm 119:18)
Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 12:11)
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (Psalm 26:2)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16)
So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)
If anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let the pray over him. (James 5:14a)
No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:21)
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. (Psalm 145:3)
PERSONAL QUOTE
We must pray for clarity of our thoughts to free our minds from focusing on secular activities, people and situations that are of no consequence on our spiritual journeys. We must not give Satan the best of us. – Tangie T. Woods
About The Author- Tangie T. Woods
Tangie T. Woods was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama and was baptized at Holt Street Church of Christ. She has two associate degrees from Trenholm State Technical College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Troy University in Montgomery. She has been employed with Department of the Air Force and Veterans Health Administration since 1987; and will retire in 2023, Lord willing.
She initiated and coordinated women’s monthly Bible studies and fellowship dinners from October 2017 to October 2019; both events held in various cities. In an effort to bridge the generation gap, the Bible study teachers consisted of young, middle-aged and older sisters. Tangie started the Sisters Evangelizing Team (tSET) which encouraged sisters to get involved in community evangelism. She also initiated a ministers’ wives support group, and is currently penning three manuscripts titled “Tales of Minister’s Wives” “Spiritual Food For The Soul” and “No Regrets Spiritually Speaking.”
Tangie’s passion is to continue increasing younger sisters’ involvement in sisterhood events and in their congregation of worship. In 2017, she coordinated her first ladies’ day program at Gainesville Church of Christ with program participants of all ages. In January 2019, she hosted the first “Real Talk” featuring a younger sister as event speaker and leading questions and answers breakout sessions for young women. Approximately 100 women from Georgia and Florida attended both events. Tangie has also been afforded opportunities to speak at various ladies’ day programs in Alabama and Florida; and was invited to speak in Summer Shade, Kentucky in March 2020.
She shares her pains, struggles and blessings to encourage women of all ages, and to be encouraged, through her blog http://www.tangietwoods.blog. She started blogging on June 29, 2019; and as of today, the Lord has blessed her spiritual blog to be viewed by approximately 30,000 viewers in 53 countries. Additional viewers from other countries are added with each new published blog. Tangie gives God all the glory and praise for allowing her to spread His Word worldwide using today’s technologies to teach all nations.
Tangie is married to Felton D. Woods, Minister of Gainesville Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida. They have three adult children (Ashley, Audriana and William); and one granddaughter, Charlayne.
For more from Tangie T. Woods click here. For the original post click here.
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