Christian Living

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As I sit here this morning to write for the Lord, my mind is thinking of the different things we say to give praise and glory to Him. We say, “Lord, we praise You.” But, do we mean it from our hearts or just our tongues. I praise Him for my wife, my son, my church, my pastor, my family, and His calling on my life, but more importantly for the death and resurrection of His Son for my salvation. It really doesn’t stop there, but it would take up this whole column and much more to list all that I praise Him for. But, in the end, I wonder do I mean what I say or am I just in the habit of saying it.

I think of the way I say it. Do I give the Lord praises from my heart, with full affection, as I do when I tell my wife and son how much I love them? Or, do I just tell Him because I know that I’m supposed to say those things? Is what I say more to comfort myself and think, "Okay, there, I said it." Or, is what I say reaching His throne room. I mean them from my heart, and I try to express His praises and His Glory in a way that shows how I feel about Him. He knows the deepest parts of our soul, so I think He knows what I am trying to say. I realize that this does not only apply to praises. It also applies to our love for Him. We do not love someone without giving praises to them; however, we can praise someone without loving them.

The Lord wants us to show Him this kind of love, from the deepest part of our soul. But, He also wants us to show this kind of love to the world. To let them know that we are indeed in love with our Master; that we aren’t just doing this for show, or for our own glory. But also, we need to show them the same love that Christ shows His Church. Christ gave this as a commandment, not once but three times, in the Sermon on the Mount. If it is important enough for the Savior of the world to say it three times in one sermon, we might want to listen. I love the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul not just with my mouth and writing. I am awakened at times by the Lord to write something that He has on my heart, and I get up and obey. If I didn’t, then how much love do I really show the Lord? If we love someone we do as they ask of us. This applies in all areas of our spiritual lives; when the Lord asks, because He’s not going to force us, we should respond.

May the Lord comfort and guide you in all things. And with your hearts give Him praise and love. For He says that the way we judge, is the way we shall be judged; so judge all as worthy to be loved and the Lord shall judge you righteously.


©2003 J. Thomas LaCroix

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