I Choose Today

I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Shout my Worship!

Over the last week, we have learned of some beautiful ways scripture teaches us how to worship God: Towdah (תוֹדָה) – giving thanks to God for His provisions and blessings, and Avodah (עֲבוֹדָה) – we are also called to worship Him through our work and service. Today, let us explore an expression of outward worship of God: “Shabach” (שָׁבַח). The word “Shabach” (שָׁבַח) conveys a sense of loud and joyful proclamation or celebration of God’s attributes and deeds, encouraging believers to openly express their adoration and gratitude towards Him. Psalm 117:1-2: “Praise (הַלְלוּ) the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples! For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise (שָׁבַח) the Lord!” Psalm 145:4: “One generation shall commend (יְשַׁבֵּחַ) Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” Isaiah 12:6: “Shout (זַעֲקִי) and sing (רָנִּי), O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” These verses highlight the theme of exuberant praise and worship of God, emphasizing His greatness, steadfast love, and mighty acts. I know some people are uncomfortable raising their hands in praise at church. But what about at home, or in

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I Choose Today to Worship God Through my Work

In my previous blog post, we explored the beautiful practice of Towdah (תוֹדָה) – giving thanks to God for His provisions and blessings. Taking time to reflect on His goodness helps us realign our perspective, especially during challenging seasons. Today, let’s delve into another dimension of worship, deeply woven into our daily lives: Avodah (עֲבוֹדָה). Avodah, in its essence, goes beyond words of gratitude—it encompasses our very actions and efforts. Just as we express thankfulness through listing God’s blessings, we are also called to worship Him through our labor and service. This concept of Avodah, rooted in the Scriptures, reveals that from the very beginning, God designed our work to be a form of worship unto Him, Genesis 2:15: “The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to work [וְלַעֲבֹד, vela’avod] it and to guard it.” Here, we see that even in the pristine environment of Eden, God assigned Adam the noble task of cultivating and caring for the garden—a sacred duty that was not merely about physical labor, but a means of glorifying God through stewardship and diligence. As we reflect on the concept of Avodah—worship through work—it’s crucial to consider how we

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I Choose Today to Prepare my Heart for Worship

Worship. On Sunday mornings we go to church and worship the Lord when we sing. We may even go to a whole service or concert and worship through song. If you know me at all, I absolutely love praise and worship. Music, words of worship, and harmonious melodies speak to my heart. I’ve even been known to raise my hands when singing. I get lost in it, unabashed in how I appear. But worship is more than just singing; it is an attitude of the heart. The Bible talks a lot about worship, but not just the worship of song. There are many ways and occasions of worship. Over the next couple of weeks, we will discover together the many ways we can worship God. We will learn together, not only pleases God, but how it affects us. When we worship: It allows our hearts to be softened/open Deepens our faith Alleviates fear As we pour ourselves out to God, He pours Himself into us It allows God to move our hearts so we can hear from Him There are more benefits to worship, but you get the point.  Worship means something to God and it means something to us.

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I Choose Today to Exhibit Self-Discipline

Self-control/discipline seems elusive sometimes. In this a day and age, people (myself included) can react inappropriately to situations. What does it mean to have self-discipline, and where does self-control come from? Self-control and self-discipline are closely related concepts, but there is a subtle difference between them: Self-control typically refers to the ability to restrain one’s impulses, desires, or emotions in the moment, particularly in situations where there may be temptations or distractions. It involves exercising moderation and making wise choices. One of the things I have exercised self-control is when it comes to eating sweets. I have learned to control my blood sugar with making life choices with my food. However, I do allow myself one bite of sweets when dessert is offered. This aligns with exercising moderation while making wise choices for my health. Self-discipline, on the other hand, is more about the ability to control one’s behavior and habits over the long term. It involves setting goals, making plans, and consistently following through with them, even when faced with obstacles or difficulties. In essence, self-control often pertains to immediate actions or reactions, while self-discipline is about maintaining a broader sense of control and direction in one’s life. Both

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I Choose Today to Recognize Good

Good ideas, good food, good days, good…. Do you ever wonder where all the good comes from? Scripture tells us where good comes from, when it states, ”Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father…“ James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬a ‭NLT‬‬ Barnes’ Commentary talks about goodness within the context of this verse, he states,  “…where it can be regarded as good as a whole and in all its parts. The general sense is, that God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on the earth we are to trace to Him.” Even when everything around us seems to be bad, evil, or not going as well as we had hoped, there is always good. How can I say this when I’ve experienced such tragedy and trauma in my life? Because I have seen it first hand, and God also promises it in His Word, ”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ In those times, and those since, I have intentionally looked for good. And when something good happens

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