Keep Playing

Jesus said that men ought always to pray and not faint.

Text for Today – Hebrews 11:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Around Christmas time, we hear carols sung for weeks, and that’s good.  For weeks, Christmas programs and special family times are planned, and that’s good.  Now it would be so easy, with all the busy-ness of that season, or any other time for that matter,, to sit back, take it easy, and just coast for a while.  But now is not the time to stop celebrating Jesus or playing your instrument.

Now don’t think I’m telling you not to rest.  That should be a part of your own personal schedule.  Even God rested on the seventh day.  What I am saying to you is that now is not the time to become idle.  Now is really the time to keep playing.

Let us enter into the new year with high praise in our hearts and on our lips.  Our Text for Today calls for us to offer the sacrifice of praise CONTINUALLY.   That means “without cessation.”  Our praise and worship to be ceaseless, ongoing, never-ending, and ever increasing in intensity and excellence.  The coming year should be one of higher praise than the past year.  That praise should be of a more excellent manner, better rehearsed during the past year.  That praise should be fresh from a heart that is in continually contact with a God Who renews your strength daily like the eagle. 

So, instead of thinking of celebrating Jesus, praising Him, and prayer in the terms of seasonal things, make them life-styles.  While you have praised Him for saving you, He is still your Savior every day you live.  While He has healed you in the past, He desires to keep you in health throughout your life.  While you praise Him for His provision, know that He is evermore your Provider.  He it is Who was alive, and died, and is now alive forevermore.  He was there with you when you awoke this morning, and He’ll be with you again tomorrow morning, and every moment between.  Now, it not the time to stop praising Him, but rather it is time to keep praising, AND playing your instrument.

Whatever your instrument of praise; voice, clapping hands, a holy dance before the Lord, or some traditional or non-traditional instrument of music, turn it into an instrument of praise to the King of Judah that is our Lord and Savior, and KEEP PLAYING!

Manna for Today – Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 5:3