Day Twelve: 21-Day Experiment Praise! Who doesnt like to receive words of praise? I know I do. I have yet to meet a child (or grownup) who doesnt respond better to praise than criticism. That said, the desire for praise can be a double-edged sword when it comes to taking a stand for our faith. My commitment to follow Jesus brings me face to face with a tough choice. Will I speak and act to win praise from people or God? At times, it’s impossible to have the respect and admiration of both. The word “praise” comes from the Greek word “doxa.” The Key Word Study Bible, or what I refer to as my Big Fat Greek Bible, defines the word praise as honor, respect, prestige, fame, or approval. In John 12, we see that despite the controversy surrounding Jesus, many of the religious leaders had come to believe in Him. But they wouldnt openly acknowledge their faith to the religious in-crowd” for fear they would be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42). The next verse challenged me to take stock of my own motives and is my watchword for the day: ... they loved human praise more than praise from God (John 12:43). The Message puts it this way: When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory. Ouch. Any approval addicts out there? Lets pray that the Lord opens the door for us to talk about our faith and courage to seize the moment for His glory. Even if it doesn’t win the approval of people. Dont forget to listen for the quiet whisper of God’s approval...the best kind of praise of all. Hope you’ll share your watchword with us today….and how about a POD? Together, Marilynn
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 14:01:49 +0000
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