True Identity Ministries Blog

The last few weeks, whenever I put myself to write for you, I have been burdened with a message of worship and thanksgiving. Today is no different; I suppose God still has a word for us in regards to both.

I believe this for good reason. Two weeks ago we looked at Psalm 34, and we can see that our primary reason for living is to worship God and to encourage others in worship.

Psalm 86, which we looked at last week, not only directs us to worship, but to worship with complete and undivided praise.

A verse that continues to play over and over again in my mind is Ephesians 5.3, “thanksgiving is our dialect.” A dialect is a characteristic of a specific people group, or a language particular to the members of a group. What Paul is illustrating to the Ephesians is that their dialect must be different than that of the worlds. As Christians, our language particular to our family is that of thanksgiving. It is a characteristic that sets us apart.

My prayer is that when people talk with you, they would notice a dialect of worship and thanksgiving, and would be pointed to God as the source of your language. My prayer is that Christians all across the world would rise up with a collective voice of praise and honor to our God. One that the world can’t ignore.

Those who magnified the Lord to the highest degree are the ones who saw God work most; they knew the importance and necessity of worship.

I can’t help but think of Moses as the battle with the Amalekites played before his eyes. As long as his arms were lifted high, the battle was theirs. (Exodus 17)

Or how God delivered Jehoshaphat and Judah out of the hands of multiple armies, all because men were placed at the front of the army to go ahead and say, “give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” As soon as the men began to praise, God turned the enemies on each other and when Judah reached the top of the hill, every man from the enemies camp was killed. They didn’t even have to fight! (2 Chronicles 20)

Or how Paul and Silas praised God in prison in the middle of the night, and their chains were released. (Acts 16) These are but a few records of many that highlight a life of worship.

If praise releases Gods power and favor, imagine what could happen if His people began speaking with a dialect of praise. A dialect that doesn’t turn on and off, but a dialect that is heavily noticed by others and consistent in the believers speech. I can’t help but be excited and a bit saddened by this thought all at the same time. Excited because the potential is so great and very beneficial as God pours out His favor on us, but saddened because so many of us fail to develop a dialect noticed by others.

If I could pray one prayer for you this week (and believe me, I will), it would be that you would learn to speak the dialect of thanksgiving. Place scriptures where you spend the most time, either ones I have mentioned or others you have read in Scripture, that will encourage and remind you to cultivate worship in your life. Spend time alone with God where you do nothing but relish in His presence. While you’re cleaning the house or driving in the car, turn up the worship (this happens to be a favorite activity of mine. Yes, I’m that person who belts it in the car...off key). Carry thanksgiving into your conversations with other people. Find a way to take small moments throughout your day that will direct worship and thanksgiving above.

To recap what we have learned thus far about worship and thanksgiving:
1. It is our primary reason for living.
2. It must be undivided.
3. It should be consistent & clear in our language.

I am excited about what God is speaking in my heart, and hopefully in yours, as we study His Word in regards to worship and thanksgiving. I would enjoy your thoughts, testimonies and feedback on worship and thanksgiving. Let’s rise to the challenge!