(This picture is the library of C. H. Spurgeon-The Prince of Preachers. Mr. Spurgeon collected twel

(This picture is the library of C. H. Spurgeon-The Prince of Preachers. Mr. Spurgeon collected twel
(This picture is the library of C. H. Spurgeon-The Prince of Preachers. Mr. Spurgeon collected twelve thousands of books. May we also pursue after the spiritual, heavenly and eternal things with our whole heart by God's grace!)

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

7. Modern Worship Song: Praise

Modern Worship Song: Praise
Author: Elevation Worship

I‵ll praise in the valley
Praise on the mountain
I‵ll praise when I‵m sure
Praise when I‵m doubting
I‵ll praise when outnumbered
Praise when surrounded
Cause praise is the waters
My enemies drown in

As long as I‵m breathing
I‵ve got a reason to

Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul

I‵ll praise when I feel it
I‵ll praise when I don‵t
I’ll praise cause I know
You‵re still in control

My praise is a weapon
It‵s more than a sound
My praise is the shout
That brings Jericho down

As long as I‵m breathing
I‵ve got a reason to

Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul

I won‵t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
Praise the Lord oh my soul

I‵ll praise cause You‵re sovereign
Praise cause You reign
Praise cause You rose and defeated the grave

I‵ll praise cause You‵re faithful
Praise cause You‵re true
Praise cause there‵s nobody greater than You

Monday, May 5, 2025

6. Devotional: Troubled? Try Praise!

Devotional: Troubled? Try Praise!
Author: Charles F. Stanley (1932-2023)

Through praise, we escape the oppressive emotions 
that often accompany hardship.

    Hardship is often accompanied by negative emotions such as fear, frustration, despair, and doubt. People ruled by these feelings are more likely to make poor choices. So it’s important to decide now to respond to adversity as the psalmist did—with a heart of praise.

    Even in the darkest hours, worship fills the heart with joy and the mind with peace. It also enlarges our vision so we begin to discern how the Lord is at work in the world, perhaps in ways we haven’t noticed before. We see what He’s doing in our life and detect areas where obedience is required.

    Our tendency is to plot a course through a situation toward the easiest solution. But believers who handle things on their own do not mature in their faith. They miss out on the blessings of following the Lord’s plan. Stopping to praise Him protects us and directs us to the right path—namely, the way of God’s will. Moving forward in faith can be frightening. However, we can confidently take a risk, knowing our omniscient, omnipotent God has His children’s best interest in mind (Jeremiah 29:11).

    It’s hard to despair while honoring God. We can dispel doubt by recalling His past faithfulness to us and ease frustration by committing our future to Him. Praise is not the obvious reaction to hardship, but it is the wisest response.