Life of Praise

Ephesians 5:12 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

"If we are to live a life of praise, we must be imitators of God - not imitators of the pastor, the head of the deacons, the well-dressed businessman at the end of the pew, or the lady up front who always raises her hands in worship, apparently sensing something we must be missing. A life of praise is authentic. It is personal. It is unmistakably stamped with the seal of the King of the universe. There is no doubt to Whom a person living a life of praise is surrendered. . . . When I faithfully pursue God, spending time with Him in Bible study and a spirit of unceasing prayer, then I'm completed by Him. He indeed is all I need. Somehow, Sunday shifts places within the week. It is no longer the last and merely dutiful day of the weekend before another mundane Monday. Instead, it's the first day of a new week of new life. It is first-fruits to God. When I walk into church, I see people like He sees them. I see others as people who need to see the love of Jesus through me. In other words, I recognize and acknowledge that I'm an instrument. I walk in and want to sit by others as a ministry. I want to help greet visitors. I want to make sure somebody called those who were sick. Why? Because a life of praise comes from understanding that this life is not about us. It's about something bigger than us. It's about loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments. (Matthew 22:35-40). . . . Look back at Ephesians 5:1-2, which gives two instructions. Not only are we to be imitators of God, but we also are to live a life of love. Exactly. When we imitate a holy God, we live a life of love. We live a life of praise." - Mark Hall, LifeStories, pg. 98, 101, 103