Feel Like Giving God Praise?

God is here

When I was about eight years old my dad was preaching on a Sunday morning.  All of the sudden he stopped and said…

“The Holy Spirit is here. I feel God’s presence.”

As people began praising God in response, my eyes and head were turning every which way. I was looking up and down, forward and back in the sanctuary.  So convinced by what my dad said, and how he said it, that I was certain I would be able to see God somewhere in the room.

It also wasn’t uncommon for dad to stop in the middle of his sermon and say something like,

“Don’t you feel like giving God praise right now?”

To which people would begin to speak out their thanks and love for the Lord. I can recall the first time I did that. I told Jesus I loved him and felt him warmly embrace me with his love. It was life changing!

Throughout his ministry, dad taught many things from God’s Word about our faith in him, but it was in the spontaneous moments of stopping everything that dad showed us the simplicity of experiencing God’s presence.  This is something we need to do more of.

Thanks for something

What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. (Psalm 116:12–13, NLT)

Think of everything God has done for you. Why not stop for a moment and tell him what he’s done for you, what he means to you, and how thankful you are.  You’re going to sense his love and presence, and if there is anyone around, they will too! They might even start looking for him in the room.