Come, Listen to me

“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

Psalms 66:5  Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

Psa 66:16  Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Psalms 46:8    Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.

Psalms 111:2    Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

Psalms 126:1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”  The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

Psalms 34:2    My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Psalms 71:18   So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Malachi 3:16    Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.

1 Timothy 1:15  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Psalms 22:23  You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!  For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

Psalms 32:5  I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found

“Come and see”, “Come and hear”, and “Come behold”, His works, awesome deeds and what He has done for my soul.  These are invitations to us from God’s word.  It is an offer that must be accepted or rejected/turned down.  An invitation does not force us to accept it.  There are consequences either way.  There are visible actions in the lives of those who choose one or the other.  “Great are His works and studied by those who delight in them”.  His works are studied by those who delight in them.  One outcome here would be reading His word and thinking about what has been read.  Another outcome would be to believe in Him and having a desire to see His handiwork in creation.  Other outcomes would be; humble service, listening for His whispers of guidance, wanting to be lead by Him, learning what honors and glorifies Him, praying to Him, telling others of Him and His what He has done not only historically but what He is currently doing in their life, looking forward to eternity with Him, praising Him, etc…..  On the other hand, for those who reject these invitations we see; little to no time spent in His word, no speaking of Him, not hearing His whispers of guidance, not seeking to be led by Him, self satisfaction, not looking at His handiwork in creation, no thought of eternity, no speaking to others about Him.  Commit to accept His invitation and spend time in His word learning of His steadfast love, power, grace, mercy, and might.  Be aware of the consequences of accepting or rejecting His invitation.  “Behold I stand at the door and knock”  Can you hear Him knocking at your hearts door?  Choose to open your heart’s door to Him and commit to humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him. 

Worthy of Praise

” I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

“I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Psalms 34:2 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.  Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!  I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

1 Timothy 1:15-16   The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:13   though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

Psalms 32:5-6  I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

Psalms 22:22-24  I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:  You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!  For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

Jeremiah 9:24  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Psalms 105:3   Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Isaiah 1:18   “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

When you think about praising God what comes to mind?  How many things can you list?  Try writing them down for the next 5 minutes.  I imagine at the end of this time you are just getting a good start and more and more flood your memory.  There is much we can praise God for past, present and future.  God is an awesome God and worthy of praise, honor, and glory.  Humbly submit to Him, seek Him, follow Him, obey Him and continually PRAISE HIM!!!!

Fruit of your lips

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”

“the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise”

 

Psalms 9:1
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalms 86:12
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 103:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Psalms 145:1
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalms 146:1
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

1 Chronicles 29:10
Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.  And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Isaiah 43:21
the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Do you remember the last time you “Praised God” for who He is, what He has done, His steadfast love, His power and might, His creation, etc…?  I fear that we are to often seeking something from Him and to rarely praising Him.  There is a song form Lauren Daigle:

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms

Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy
Ooh, I wanna know You

You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
I seek You

Remember in loving your God with all your heart, mind and soul we should be having praise flow out of us like a mighty river.  Place praise for Him first in your heart and mind.