The Posture of Praise – 5-Day Reading Plan

Latest Comments

Craig Smee-Cross Over

Day 1: Aligning with God’s Constant Blessings
God’s blessings are like a waterfall, always flowing. Our posture determines whether we receive these blessings. If we remain in negative postures like selfishness or anger, we miss out on the abundance God has for us. Changing our posture to one of gratitude and praise positions us to receive His blessings. When we focus on the negative, we block the flow of God’s blessings in our lives. However, by shifting our focus to gratitude and praise, we open ourselves up to the constant stream of blessings that God has for us. This shift in posture allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love and provision.

By adopting a posture of praise, we align ourselves with God’s character and allow His transformative power to work in our lives. This means actively choosing to focus on God’s goodness, even in difficult circumstances. It involves recognizing that God’s blessings are always available to us, but we must be in the right posture to receive them. [01:03]

Psalm 68:19 (ESV): “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt stuck in a negative posture. How can you shift your focus to gratitude and praise to align yourself with God’s constant blessings today?

Day 2: Exalting God’s Character Over Circumstances
True praise is not just thanking God for what He does but exalting who He is. Isaiah 25:1 reminds us that God is our God, not our circumstances. By declaring God’s character over our lives, we allow His nature to transform us, making us more like Him. This means that in both joy and sorrow, we should focus on who God is—His goodness, faithfulness, and love—rather than our current situation. When we exalt God’s character, we acknowledge His sovereignty and trust in His plan for our lives.

This kind of praise requires us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and see the bigger picture of God’s work in our lives. It involves a deep trust in God’s character and His promises. By doing so, we allow His nature to shape our responses and attitudes, leading to a more Christ-like life. [07:13]

Isaiah 25:1 (ESV): “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you allowing circumstances to overshadow God’s character? How can you begin to declare God’s attributes over these areas today?

Day 3: Praise as a Supernatural Expression
Genuine praise is a supernatural expression of our divine relationship with God. It involves putting God above our feelings and circumstances, declaring His character, and thanking Him for the impact of His character on our lives. This kind of praise is constant and at all times, as described in Hebrews 13:15. Praise is not dependent on our emotions or situations but is a continuous act of worship that acknowledges God’s unchanging nature.

By engaging in this supernatural expression of praise, we align ourselves with God’s will and invite His presence into our lives. This constant praise helps us to maintain a heavenly perspective, even in the midst of earthly challenges. It strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God, allowing us to experience His peace and joy regardless of our circumstances. [12:49]

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV): “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

Reflection: How can you incorporate a constant sacrifice of praise into your daily routine, regardless of your current feelings or circumstances?

Day 4: Living Forgiven
God removes our sins completely and immediately. We often carry unnecessary guilt and spend our lives scrubbing at stains that God has already blotted out. Living forgiven means changing our heart’s affection and our life’s direction, aligning ourselves with God’s character of forgiveness. This involves accepting God’s forgiveness and letting go of past mistakes, trusting that He has truly cleansed us from all unrighteousness.

Living forgiven also means extending the same grace to others that God has extended to us. It requires a heart transformation that reflects God’s love and mercy. By doing so, we free ourselves from the burden of guilt and shame and walk in the freedom that Christ has provided. [52:52]

Micah 7:19 (ESV): “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Reflection: Is there a past mistake or sin that you are still holding onto? How can you fully embrace God’s forgiveness and live in the freedom He offers?

Day 5: Believing in God’s Power and Willingness
We must believe not only that God can do anything but that He will act on our behalf. Jeremiah 32:17 and 1 Samuel 17:45-47 remind us of God’s power and willingness to intervene in our lives. This belief transforms our posture from one of doubt to one of confident expectation. Trusting in God’s power and His willingness to act on our behalf requires faith and a deep understanding of His character.

When we believe in God’s power and willingness, we approach life’s challenges with a sense of hope and assurance. We know that God is not only capable of performing miracles but is also eager to work in our lives for our good. This confidence in God’s power and willingness helps us to face difficulties with courage and trust in His divine plan. [56:11]

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God’s power and willingness to act? How can you begin to approach this area with confident expectation today?

Tags:

No responses yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *