Abundance of Praise

by Pam Jenkins

"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3

The word for praise, as used in Psalm 113:3 means: to boast in, to act madly, to shine, to flash forth light or to act a fool over. King David once danced down the streets of Jerusalem in praise to what the LORD had done and his wife was totally embarrassed by it! David praised the Lord without restraint, with no worries of what anyone thought; he flashed forth light and let loose in the city streets, and he had no regrets when he was finished. Praise is liberating when we allow it to jump up within us and release into outward expression. From the time the sun begins to rise from its slumbering state until it begins its journey back down. we are to praise the name of the LORD. Praise is to be part of our entire day, from beginning to end, praise for the LORD that is. In fact, we are to start our day with praise for the Lord and we are to end it in praise for the Lord. Whatever happens within our day, praise can and should always follow.

Have you ever been in a crowd when something wonderful happened like a touchdown, a goal, a homerun with bases loaded, the end of a great show or play and hear the crowd erupt with loudest praise? It’s exhilarating to say the least and more than that its contagious! When praise erupts, no complaints are heard, no plans are made, no phone calls taken, no worries welling up, anger subsides, dismal situations fade into the noise, and all is right with the world for that brief moment of celebration. Praise led the way for the army of Israel in many a battle! Praise is God’s timeless gift to His children whereby we can minister to Him every day. Praise ministers to the heart of God because it recognizes who He is! When is the last time you spilled over with praise for God, uninhibited? Praise releases us from our surroundings, beloved, because it silences the world.

Praise for God will remove obstacles, defeat the enemy, rebuke fear, silence unbelief and send demons trembling! Start your day with praise for the Lord because He’s worthy and as the sun is setting on your day, praise Him just the same! He’s worthy, beloved. When you don’t know what to do, praise Him. When you don’t know what to say, praise Him. When you don’t know how, when or why, praise Him! Praise is your instrument to play before God. May you pick it up today and play it loudly!

Praise Him Madly.

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL SPONSOR:

Salvation -What will it cost YOU! by Jim Mazzulla

This Salvation devotion is inspired my the many years of hearing from many misled “new converts”the following statement, “I accepted Christ because someone said my life would be “better”, and my life isn’t better.” Well, in truth their life is better if their saved, but better does not mean problem free, which is how many interpret “better”. Be careful how you explain salvation to people!
I ask that you all open your spiritual ears and hearts, and please understand I am not preaching a gospel of works, or legalism, but truth that will ultimately set you and new converts FREE!
As we start this devotion let us remember that Jesus paid a great cost. Our salvation cost him his life! He bore on Himself all our sin so we could be free from the penalty and power of sin. It sure cost Jesus a lot, let us NEVER forget that!

“The Quick Fix” -No cost Salvation:
Many tell us of a quick fix no cost salvation! All you have to do is say a prayer to accept Christ and it’s done! Oh really that’s all there is to it! I call that easy believism (no repentance, no change of heart, just blessings). If that’s what you’ve heard, believed or taught then sorry to break the news to you, but that’s WRONG!

“The Bless Me Club” -No cost Salvation:
While it is true that there are MANY blessings of being saved, such as I am now a child of God, I can now commune with God, I can have joy in the midst of trials, and a peace that surpasses all my understanding, etc. BUT today Salvation has become little more than accepting Christ because they (lost person) is told all the blessings they will receive, plus they’ll get to go to Heaven and IT WILL COST THEM NOTHING! When in TRUTH is it will cost you giving Him your whole life, that’s what JESUS requires. Really we should accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR even if Heaven wasn’t promised, because He is worthy!!!!
Our main text is Mark 10:17-24: v.17 -And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? v.18 -And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. v.19 -Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. v.20 -And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. v.21 -Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. v.22 -And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. v.23 -And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! v.24 -And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

So what will it cost you?
It will cost whatever is between you and the Lord, often we don’t know what it is until He requires it.
“....Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest......” -(v.21)
Love speaks the Truth, love doesn’t water down the Truth, love doesn’t not lead someone into thinking their all right WHEN THEIR NOT! Jesus in love did not lower his requirements for Eternal Life. This man thought he was "IN", then Jesus hit the ONE area that HAD HIM more than Jesus, His Possessions. And you know what he couldn’t do what Jesus asked. So did Jesus say as the man sadly walked away wait a minute I want you to have Eternal Life just give away a little bit of your possessions. No, the MAN DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE SAVED, THERE WAS SOMETHING BETWEEN HIM AND JESUS. Jesus doesn’t change His standards for entrance into Eternal Life (Salvation), don’t you either when sharing with people, or you won’t be helping some on into Eternal Life but very possibly deceived them into a Christless Christianity, still lost and hell bound. That’s not loving someone that's deceiving someone, whether on purpose or ignorantly!
As stated earlier, there is a cost to our Salvation, while it is true there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation (Eph. 2:8,9), when you accept Christ as your LORD and SAVIOR he does require your whole life for Him! Let’s stop believing and convincing people of a watered down salvation, that ultimately either produces spiritually sick Christians or people who though they think they are saved the truth is the are not.
I would like to close with Luke 14:27-30,33: v.27 -And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. v.28 -For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? v.29 -Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, v.30 -Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.....” v.33 -So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus says there is a cross to bear or you “CANNOT be My disciple”. Then Jesus goes on to say that if you were going to build a tower, does the builder not FIRST “count the cost” whether he will be able to go through with it until it’s complete/finished. Do we tell people to count the cost when they accept Christ! It will cost the forsaking of all things that get in the way of completely following Jesus. It might cost you a job, do you own a liquor store and you get saved, say bye, bye to your liquor store. It might be your in a relationship with an ungodly person (unequally yoked) it’s bye to that relationship. (Note: This does not mean you leave your unsaved husband/wife because you are now a Christian -Read I Cor. 7:10-16). It could be a number of things (people, fame, TV, possessions, etc.), if their in the way of your walk with Jesus then say bye to them. Don’t promise people a watered down Christianity, if your saved you know there are things God has told you to forsake when you got saved. I’m not saying to tell them all they will need to forsake you don’t even know that, but there are some obvious things you do know they will have to forsake!
Let me close on a positive note by saying regarding the area of “COST”. I am very happy and honored in the things the Lord told me to say bye to when I got saved. And you know He continues to show me things that I need to let go to have a more fruitful walk in Christ. The most exciting times in JESUS have always been when I have been free from things that do not please Jesus. I guess what I’m saying is that the cost bearly seems like a cost at all when you consider the rewards of being a vessel God can use, hearing His voice, walking with Him, pleasing Him, sharing about the Lord with others, having a God given peace, joy, contentment, etc.

Bottom line is when you get saved it will cost you ALL of YOU, but in return YOU get a relationship with JESUS -GOD! Barely seems like much of a cost in that light!

FALL-OFF-THE-BONE BABY BACK RIBS: OVEN METHOD

from https://www.familysavvy.com

Fall-Off-the-Bones Baby Back Ribs: Oven Method

For those of you, like me, who hate having to fire up a grill or smoker, you’ll be THRILLED to know that you can make fall-off-the-bones baby back ribs with an oven method that are out of this world delicious.

How do you get fall-off-the-bones baby back ribs? The secret is found in cooking the ribs LONG, LOW, and SLOW in the oven! I aim to cook 3 or more racks at 200-225 degrees for 8 hours or so.

What is the difference between baby back ribs and St. Louis Style (spareribs)? I always use baby back ribs (as opposed to St. Louis style), and most often these are sold in large packages of 1-2 slabs. Baby Back ribs are leaner; spareribs are fattier and thicker.

How do you remove the membrane from ribs? This is something that makes ribs so much better, and it is super simple. Just get a pile of paper towels (or a thin dry washcloth). Find the edges of the membrane and use the towels or cloth to grip the edges. Keep pulling all the membrane until it is gone. It doesn't take long; it is just messy. Note: It is worth asking the butcher if he or she can remove the membrane. If so, this will save you the time and trouble!

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 racks of baby back ribs
1 bottle red barbecue sauce (your favorite)
Your Fave Dry Rub (or make the recipe below)

HOMEMADE DRY RUB RECIPE:

4 (packed) Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 Tbsp kosher salt
2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp onion salt
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground cumin

INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove membrane from ribs; cut racks in half if needed for easier handling.
Rub ribs liberally with dry rub; cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Remove ribs from fridge; let sit at room temp for 30 minutes.
OVEN METHOD:
Preheat oven to 200-225 degrees.
Line bottom of roasting pan with heavy duty foil; pour 1/2 cup water in bottom of pan. (May place directly on roaster without grid).
Place cooking grid on pan; spray or brush grates liberally with oil.
Place ribs on grid; cover tightly with foil, sealing the edges to make an airtight "oven" for ribs.
Bake 8-9 hours. (Don't open door during cook time; this will make the process take longer.)
Remove from oven; let ribs rest for 30 minutes (to let juices settle so meat will be tender).
Remove foil; brush ribs with bottled sauce.
Place ribs under broiler for 5-10 minutes for glazed exterior.

DAILY SMILE:

Perfect Spouse

Submitted by HENNE

A young lady visited a computer dating service and requested, "I'm looking for a spouse. Can you please help me to find a suitable one?"

The matchmaker said, "What exactly are you looking for?"

"Well, let me see. Needs to be good looking, polite, humorous, sporty, knowledgeable, good at singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour if I don't go out. Be able to tell me interesting stories when I need a companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest."

The matchmaker entered the information into the computer and, in a matter of moments, handed the results to the woman: "Buy a television."