Pause: A Month of Gratitude in Five Minutes a DaySample

Proclaim

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9)

Prompt

“If anything is… praiseworthy.”

What does it mean to think about whatever is praiseworthy? There are a lot of ways to answer that question, but I think one helpful way is to look at your life and identify any aspects of it that are worth praising.

Are you taking concrete steps to better yourself and your situation? That’s praiseworthy. Are you making it through another day with your faith intact? That’s praiseworthy. Are you reading this daily devotional, doing the daily “prod,” and applying what you learn? That’s praiseworthy.

There’s no objective, external measure of what makes something—anything—worth praising. If it’s good if it draws you closer to the life God has called you to, or if it honors Jesus in any way, no matter how small, then it’s praiseworthy.

And that’s worth taking to heart. Praise God!

Prod

How can you act in a praiseworthy manner today? Write out ten ways to be praiseworthy… and then DO them.

Praise

Listen to “Son of Suffering” by Bethel Music

Pray

Jesus, you are so very worthy of praise. Help me put my focus on you, and in so doing, strive to be the praiseworthy person you’ve created me to be. I want to do my BEST for you today, but I know I can only do that in your strength. Amen.