Christian Writers Circle

Praise and Thanksgiving

By Judy Hitson

To You LORD I lift highest praise

For Your presence and everlasting love

That You are with me all of my days

Abiding in me, yet on Your throne above

To You LORD I lift thanksgiving

For Your Spirit in me giving new life

That, day by day, I live Christ praising

Whether a good day or one of strife

A life of praise and thanksgiving

Lived daily for Thee my Lord

Is a sacrifice worth living

As taught in Your Word

Hebrews 13:15 NIV Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise –the fruit of lips that confess His name.

Choosing Well

By Carole Lane

As night becomes day, I sit up on the side of my bed. Immediately, I sense heaviness on my heart.

I was awake in the night worrying. Guilt was added to worry because of a lack of trust in my Lord. The enemy of my soul, “the accuser of the brethren,” is at work again.

How will I choose to face the gift of this new day? Like it is second nature, I speak aloud Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Could it be that I’m finally learning the secret of abiding in His peace and joy? Quickly, I exchange lies and oppression of the enemy for the truth and the light of the written Word.

Jesus, You are the Living Word. I gladly surrender to You. You are truth. You are Light. You are my Life.

I sense the choice to praise the Lord is one of excellence. I will continue to make it throughout today.

Praise, Thanksgiving and Gratitude
By Missy Hay

Praise is a new word for me. I’ve tried to do it in the past but feel I’ve not known how to do it “right.” I’ve always waited until I felt like praising God, which has been a real struggle for me. I’m learning or should I say, God is teaching me a lot about gratitude, thankfulness and praise even when I find it hard to muster up any words. I’m realizing even in the midst of difficult circumstances there is always something to be grateful for and always a reason to praise God. Whether it’s shoes on my feet, a roof over my head or clothes on my back, I can thank God for these things. I want praising and thanking Him to become second nature but until then I will do it even when I don’t feel like it. And I will receive this lesson as a gift.

Praise to My Lord

by Brenda Flowers

Preparing to meet You, Lord,

Reminding my mind to stop racing.

Announcing my love.

Inviting you into my thoughts.

Sending You a message of love.

Elation, joy, thankfulness poured out to You.

Praise! Praise! Praise!

Pausing now to say

Regardless of the time

All creation was designed by You.

I love You, Lord.

Sometimes, I may not say it.

Emotions are deep! Do You know?

Praise! I Praise You!

Please, Lord, hear my heart

Rejoicing in Your presence.

Amazed at all You’ve done

In my life and in this world.

Showing You my adoration.

Evermore, I will be Yours.

Praise You, My Love, My Lord!

Wonderful Peace With Praise

by Ruth Dowler

At my age, 77 years, it is difficult to remember when I began to sing the refrain, “Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace coming down from the Father above; Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”

The Lord anointed me to sing this peace song and I praise Him still. When He tells me to sing it over myself or others, I am doubly blessed.

One day I opened my hymnal and found the refrain for the hymn, “Wonderful Peace.” Text: W.D. Cornell, altered music: W.D. Cooper. It was written in the 19th Century.

There are five verses. Here is the third verse:

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;

for I’m kept from all danger by night and by day and His glory is flooding my soul.

2 Thess. 3: 16

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times.

Praise and Thanksgiving
by Catherine Japuntich Weil

Praise and thanksgiving create a place

where I can hide and receive Your grace.

A precious place, so soft and warm,

I know in You I’m safe from harm.

As You fill me with joy, my heart takes flight;

the cares of my world become airy and light.

If all is lost at the end of my days, I’ll make it through with thanksgiving and praise…

because YOU abide in thanksgiving and praise.

—

Copyright © 2009 by The Christian Writers Circle. Published with permission granted by authors.