Hubby left for work this morning and I turned on an online sermon to have some quiet time with Jesus.
As the online sermon began, the worship band was just wrapping the last line of a brand-new worship song: “Oh my God you’ve sure been good to me!”
After which the pastor asked us: “How big is your ‘because‘? What are you praising Him because?”
“Everything that has breath, and is thankful, praise the Lord!” the pastor continued.
“Somebody is praising Him because they had something to eat today.”
I responded: “Yes! I had breakfast this morning. Thank you Jesus for providing food for me to eat this morning!”
The pastor continued: “Somebody is praising Him today because He fed me.”
I responded: “Yes … Thank you Jesus, because You are spiritually feeding me right here, right now!”
The pastor continued: “Somebody is praising Him today because I had somewhere to sleep last night that was soft and comfortable.”
I responded: “Yes! Thank you Jesus for giving me somewhere to sleep last night that was soft and comfortable!”
The pastor continued: “I’m praising Him because … … … now you fill in the blank.
“I’m praising Him because He’s faithful!
I’m praising Him because He’s King of Kings!
I’m praising Him because He’s my Shepherd.
I’m praising Him because I shall not want!
I’m praising Him because He led me in the valley.
I’m praising Him for every mountain He brought me over.”
“I’m praising Him because He’s good!
I’m praising Him because He’s great!
I’m praising Him because He loves me!
I’m praising Him because He died for me!”
The pastor encouraged us: “Give Him a personal praise right now.”
And in that moment, I knew that this is what today’s blog post will be: I’m praising Him because …
I got out the computer to type up this post as the worship band launched one more time into their brand-new worship song:
“You’ve been just that good!
So good to me!
You’ve been just that good!
So good to me!
Lord without Your love where would I be?
Oh my God You’ve sure been good to me!”
So here is what I am praising Him because …
I’m praising Him because of His goodness and grace and mercy in my life. He didn’t leave me in the mess of the regrets and mistakes and foolishness of my younger days. But He has been patiently working on me over the years. I’m praising Him because He is changing me. I’m praising Him because He is actively transforming me to be more and more like Jesus.
I’m praising Him because of His loving gift of hubby in my life. I’m praising Him because of His grace and love poured out on my children. I’m praising Him because my two children love and serve Him.
I’m praising Him because He has given me another new day to live and serve Him.
I’m praising Him because He has given the gift of sunshine today.
I’m praising Him because He has given the gift of fresh air to breathe.
I’m praising Him because He has blessed me with the gift of being able to live in freedom.
I’m praising Him because He has blessed me with the gift of being able to live in peace.
What about you?
What are you praising Him because today?
Truly, as the brand-new worship song declares: “Oh my God you’ve sure been good to me!”
