God Deserves All Our Praise
The Greek word for praise is "doxo." That is where we get the word "doxology." A doxology is a statement or song of praise to God for who He is. Paul wrote a lot of doxologies in His letters to the churches. It seems that he was always ready to praise God in various ways. (Ephesians 3:20,21) We need to learn from him and others, because praise is not something that comes easy for most Christians today.
God is perfect, and all He does is perfect. Therefore, we can praise Him for every one of His attributes, such as, His power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, graciousness, love, and peace. Then, we can praise Him for all He does that flows out of these perfect attributes, such as providing our salvation, our provisions for life, and our home in heaven. Most of the time, thanksgiving comes after our praise, so that we thank Him very specifically for things He has done for us. However, that is separate from praise, which is focused on God's personal attributes. It is much like complimenting God. The more we do this, the better it is for us. It causes to remember who He is and that He is able to do the right things in each circumstance in our lives.
Paul praised God for being able to do"far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." In other words, we can't even conceive of the great things He can and will do for us, as we trust Him. He does these things "through the power at work in us." The person of the Holy Spirit gives us that power. Then, Paul gives God all of the glory or the credit for everything done in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. This reminds us that God is at work around us all of the time to do His will through the Body of Christ, the church, because of Christ Jesus. He deserves all of the credit or glory for giving Himself up for us and for our sins. We should praise Him forever and ever, because He will be working on our behalf for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 4-6.
God is perfect, and all He does is perfect. Therefore, we can praise Him for every one of His attributes, such as, His power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, graciousness, love, and peace. Then, we can praise Him for all He does that flows out of these perfect attributes, such as providing our salvation, our provisions for life, and our home in heaven. Most of the time, thanksgiving comes after our praise, so that we thank Him very specifically for things He has done for us. However, that is separate from praise, which is focused on God's personal attributes. It is much like complimenting God. The more we do this, the better it is for us. It causes to remember who He is and that He is able to do the right things in each circumstance in our lives.
Paul praised God for being able to do"far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." In other words, we can't even conceive of the great things He can and will do for us, as we trust Him. He does these things "through the power at work in us." The person of the Holy Spirit gives us that power. Then, Paul gives God all of the glory or the credit for everything done in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. This reminds us that God is at work around us all of the time to do His will through the Body of Christ, the church, because of Christ Jesus. He deserves all of the credit or glory for giving Himself up for us and for our sins. We should praise Him forever and ever, because He will be working on our behalf for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 4-6.