Thursday, February 13, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Romans 8

Praise. 

As a noun, it means a display of admiration. As a verb, it is expressed by glorifying something. In nature, I praise God for sharing his creation with me. A devotional, a prayer, memorizing a verse, a favorite hymn—of all of the ways to praise, contemporary music is my personal favorite.  

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Music has allowed me to praise through so many ups and downs. 

For the first few years after my mom passed, every time I heard “The Christmas Shoes” by New Song, I’d cry like a baby. Then I would praise God for my mother and the time I had with her. A few years later, as I drove to Hospice to see my brother Gary, the song “Blessings” by Laura Story came across the radio. For my brother Jim, it was “Scars In Heaven” by Casting Crowns. I shared it with him, and it gave us a chance to talk about where we go when our time on earth is over. These were all beautiful songs that came at times when I desperately needed a word from God.

Alone in my kitchen with terrible thoughts running through my head, “East to West” by Casting Crowns played. I was reminded of how much God loves me, and it helped change me. 

When I was praying incessantly for my son, “In Jesus’ Name” by Katy Nichole became my mantra. When I shared it with him, it opened up dialogue between us. “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe is one of my husband’s and my favorites. 

Sometimes, life crises happen, or we make bad choices. These songs remind us that God is always there, waiting for us to connect our hearts to his. 

There are also songs that make me want to shout for joy. Seriously, can you listen to “Happy Dance” by MercyMe and not move? Can you go through Thanksgiving without “Gobble Gobble” by Matthew West? How about Lauren Daigle’s “These Are The Days”? 

If you haven’t heard any of these songs, you’re missing out. Listening to contemporary Christian music reminds us that God is in control of our lives. The messages in them show us who God is and who he says we are. They comfort us, remind us of how far we’ve come, and drive us toward our God-given purpose.

Praise God! 

Questions: 
Does the music you listen to feed your soul? What is your favorite way to praise God? How can you share it with others? 

Next Steps: 
Set aside some time to listen to a couple songs from this devotional (links are provided). As you’re listening, lift your heart to God in worship and feel his presence surround you. 

Tune in to a contemporary Christian music station for the next 30 days. Check out Proclaim FM (102.3), The Message on SiriusXM, or K-LOVE, for instance. Go to a Winter Jam concert or check out the upcoming Toby Mac concert. 

Prayer: 
Lord, I can’t thank you enough for the many ways you have given us to praise you! You are truly the ultimate Creator! You have written songs in our hearts and allowed us to give them back to you. We love you, we praise you, and we worship you for who you are today and always! Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:
Romans 15:4
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

This post was written by Julie Estep, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.