Listen

Praise the Lord! You who serve the Lord—praise! Praise the Lord’s name! Let the Lord’s name be blessed from now until forever from now! From sunrise to sunset, let the Lord’s name be praised! The Lord is high over all the nations; God’s glory is higher than the skies!

Psalm 113:1-4

Think

Many of you are just into a new school year. Maybe you’ve had that first exam, won or lost those first few games, performed in your first concert… As the school year settles, things become mundane. We tend to walk through our days with less thought and intention.

Today’s Bible verse is reorienting. It calls us to praise the Lord now and forever. To do it all day, every day. To realize just who we worship — a God exalted over everything — a God that started it all, yet seeks our fellowship.

I live in Western North Carolina. Each morning as I drive to my office, I mull over tasks that loom before. I easily find myself lost in the minutia of my day before it’s even started. Then, I pull into my parking space, exit my car, and look out over a stunning view of mountains and a rising sun. I’m immediately brought back to a God-centered orientation. I often stop and take a quiet moment to praise God.

Wherever you are, stop and take time to praise God today.

Bill Ogletree

Pray

God, help me to recognize and appreciate just who we worship. Orient my life in a manner that prioritizes my praise of you. Make this a God-centered day. Amen.

Go

What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.

James 3:17

Leave this time sharing God’s wisdom today.