Making Praise a Priority: You and God, You and Others, You and Your Kids (Paperback)

Chapter One

For You Alone

Let's do a little shopping. Get your cart. What do you really need? Time alone? How 'bout the giant-size box? Twelve hours a week of household help? Throw in a couple of cartons. Pick up an extra pair of hands and eyes in the back of your head. Down the utility aisle. Um, let's see - you're a mom, you need the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job. How 'bout a dozen cans of each? Oh, and by the way, don't forget to make room in that cart for several bottles of joy ...

It's a lovely fantasy, but unfortunately joy isn't a commodity you can pick up in the grocery store, nor is it an emotion you can talk yourself into or force yourself to feel. Joy is much more elusive; sometimes it's as slippery and as hard to hang on to as a soapy toddler.

Chances are that Jesus brought joy with him when you opened the door and let him into your life. That joy is probably still there somewhere, but maybe it's been buried under the commotion and busyness that come with being a mom. Maybe it's a bit tarnished by anger or resentment, or it's rusted over with worry about your kids or your mother's health or terrorist threats or the plunging stock market. Maybe it's like a neglected and withered plant on the windowsill that you just haven't taken the time to nurture.

Take this session as an opportunity to look around and find joy in your life again. Dust it off, polish it up, and enjoy the gift that makes your eyes shine and your mouth twitch with God's laughter. Hum a tune, dance around the living room, praise the Lord!

For You and God's Word

Begin by reading Psalm 100. Several of the sessions in this study will look at some aspect of this psalm, which contains an exuberant call to God's people to worship, glorify, and praise God. The psalmist begins, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."

1. Joy in the Old Testament often meant a public expression of emotion in shouts, in praise, in dancing, and in laughter. Can you relate to this kind of joy? Why or why not?

2. Sometimes a deep awareness of God's grace, mercy, and power comes as a gift. Praise bubbles up in you, and you are swept away by joy and gratitude. Can you think of a time when you were so overwhelmed with love for God that you wanted to "shout for joy"? What prompted this impulse? Describe the thoughts and emotions you experienced at the time.

Did you have answers for the last two questions? Or do you just wish you did? Read Psalm 16 to see where King David's joy originated.

3. What does David say is the only source of good things (verse 2)?

4. In whom does he delight (verse 3)?

5. What are some of the good things he receives from the Lord (verses 1, 6, 8, 10, 11)?

6. How can you have this kind of joy? Check out Matthew 7:7-11 for a clue.

Read Paul's words in Philippians 4:4-8.

7. Why do you think he repeats his command to rejoice?

8. How might presenting your requests to God (verse 6) help you deal with anxiety?

9. What does Paul promise as a result (verse 7)? Meditate for a few moments on this verse. How does it give you cause for rejoicing?

10. Now look at verse 8. What kinds of things does Paul tell you to think about? How might thinking about these sorts of things increase your joy?

List here what sorts of "noble" or "pure" or "admirable" things you might concentrate on.

For You and Others

Read Psalm 100 together. The focus of today's study is verse 1: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."

1. Do you need to be joyful in order to praise God? Do you think having joy is the same as feeling joyful? Why or why not?

(Continues...)