How can we practically "bless the LORD" in our daily lives today? Setting the Scene: Psalm 103:1 in Plain View “Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.” (Psalm 103:1) What “Bless the LORD” Means • “Bless” (Hebrew barak) points to kneeling in adoration, speaking well of, and giving honor. • Because God lacks nothing, our “blessing” is never adding to Him; it is recognizing and declaring His worth with every fiber of our being. Whole-Soul Praise, Anytime • Begin and end each day by voicing specific reasons you admire Him (Psalm 34:1). • Sing or hum Scripture-soaked songs while driving or cooking (Ephesians 5:19). • Keep a running gratitude list on your phone; review it when anxiety nags (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Obedience as Worship • Choose integrity at work even if it costs a promotion (Colossians 3:23-24). • Forgive quickly, mirroring the mercy He shows you (Ephesians 4:32). • Guard entertainment choices; delight in what delights Him (Psalm 101:3). Speaking Words that Bless • Swap complaints for testimony: “Here’s how the Lord helped me today” (Psalm 107:2). • Use social media to spotlight His faithfulness rather than self-promotion (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Offer verbal encouragement that roots people in Scripture’s truth (Proverbs 16:24). Serving People for His Sake • Visit or call someone lonely; God counts it as service to Himself (James 1:27). • Volunteer skills—mechanical, musical, administrative—to strengthen the local church (1 Peter 4:10-11). • Give financially with a cheerful heart, seeing offerings as tangible praise (2 Corinthians 9:7). Stewarding Body and Resources • Treat your body as a living sacrifice by exercising and resting wisely (Romans 12:1). • Budget so generosity is planned, not occasional (Proverbs 3:9). • Care for creation—recycle, garden, avoid waste—remembering “The earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1). Trusting Him in Trials • Verbalize confidence: “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). • Refuse bitterness; trials refine faith and glorify Him (1 Peter 1:6-7). • Share answered prayers to build communal hope (Psalm 118:17). Keeping His Benefits in View • Meditate on Psalm 103:2-5; rehearse each benefit aloud. • Mark anniversaries of God’s interventions—healed illness, unexpected provision—to keep praise fresh. • Display visual reminders (journal entries, photos, Scripture art) where eyes land often (Deuteronomy 6:9). Perpetual Offering of Praise “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name.” (Hebrews 13:15) Blessing the LORD is not an occasional event; it is the ongoing rhythm of lips, hands, and hearts echoing the worth of the One who first blessed us. |
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