PRAISEWORTHY TALES

PRAISEWORTHY TALES

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Psalm 103:1-2, 22; 104:1, 35 [A Psalm of David.] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: … Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. . . . Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. … Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance [Greek: self-control]: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

1Thessalonians 5:18-21 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  There are two personal categories when it comes to telling tales. One is egocentric all-glory-to-meism. The other is embodied in the psalmists’ wanting to be a blessing to God.

  Christians, especially those with confessed history of braggadocio, are too often reluctant to tell about their Christian experiences for fear of it being interpreted as prideful conversation; whereas ours is the privilege and responsibility to honor and glorify God’s works as did the psalmists of yesteryear.

  As we are thankful, the work of His Holy Spirit within us is constant and productive. Thankfulness should not be conserved within or we thereby quench the Spirit. Publishing our thankfulness is the sharing of God’s life-giving refreshing: “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” (NLT Jn.7:37-39)

  The Apostle Paul explained “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom.10:9-15)

  Now, as God’s 2Corinthians 5 ambassadorial tabernacles let us not practice a Lucifer pleasing false modesty. Let our souls join in marching forth with joyful tales that bless both God and man.  EBB4