Filled: A Devotional to Fill Your Life With an Abundance of Hope, Peace, Joy & LoveSampel

Day 1: Filled Up With Praise

What does it look like in our lives to praise God? How can we be people that are so filled with praise that it overflows to those around us?

I never stop being amazed by sunsets. The way they hit the top of the mountains. There is something about that beauty that always makes me stop and say, “God, wow, you made this.” When we see something beautiful this is one way we can praise Him. We let God know we are so grateful for His creation and the beauty around us.

Another way we can praise God is through our life’s story. I want to tell you about Erica. Her son Joshua was dying. He had ulcerative colitis and he was literally fading away. She would go to work and wonder if he would be alive when she returned. He had surgery to have his colon removed. He wore a bag for a while, and was such a trooper through it all. They had a pact that they would always say Philippians 4:13 to each other through the whole process. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. After the surgery, Josh went into that little room, you know, that they put you in — a little recovery room — and the assistant nurse walked in and he had a tattoo up his arm. What do you think it said? Philippians 4:13. God was saying, I’m here. I haven’t forgotten you.

Erica describes this experience with her son like the psalmist does in verse 12 “We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.”

His healing is one of the wonders that God has done in her life and she tells people about it, giving glory to God. Praise him with your story. Tell it. Post it on your timeline, in your newsfeed. Tell somebody what God has done for you. People are thirsty for hope. They’re craving it. It’s become essential like water. As verse 16 says “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.”

PRAYER: Lord, thank you! We praise you for all you have done in our lives. You are the God of everything and we recognize that today and praise you for it.

REFLECTION: Take a moment to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you. Tell God thank you! Consider how God is working in your life today. Pray for God to reveal someone that you can share his wonders with!