I try to do SOAP journaling on a regular basis but often get too busy. However today this scripture seemed the perfect vehicle to get back to it. SOAP is an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. I tend to bundle them up a bit and they often result in something to share.

This morning in my devotions I read Psalm 50:23: He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright (who prepares the way that I may show him) to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.

Praise and thanksgiving is often a sacrifice as well as an offering. It is a sacrifice when it costs us. It costs us when we give up something. That something may be doubt, self-pity, fear, anger, frustration or pain. It may cost us giving up old ideas for new ones.  Willfully changing our minds and our hearts to offer thanksgiving to a God we wholly trust, looking to Him rather than to our lack or our pain or our confusion takes determination and an act of our will. We offer up praise “instead of” something we are holding on to. It is not as if we leave our needs out of the equation. Philippians 4:7 instructs us to present all our specific needs to Him while we are thanking and praising Him. Then we are promised peace of mind and heart. I love that this continual attitude of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies God. Of course it does! When others see us praising God regardless of our circumstances, it is impossible not to move them to consider that God is involved.

I also gave considerable thought to the phrase: he who orders his way aright.  The amplified says: who prepares the way that I may show him. This seems so important. It goes back to spending time not only in the word of God but listening for His personal direction. As we order our steps, our words and declarations as well as our decisions and corresponding actions according to His direction God will demonstrate in our lives and situations His salvation. Salvation here in Hebrew is yeshai {yay’-shah}; from yasha’; meaning liberty, deliverance, prosperity — safety, salvation, saving. Look at all of this! He will demonstrate in our lives our deliverance, our prosperity, our freedom and our protection!

As we Praise, as we give thanks, as we consider His direction and voice before speaking and acting things will change. At the same time that we do this God will demonstrate His care for us in every area. It appears that Praise and Thanksgiving are key to our success and well being.

One morning this week I woke up feeling a bit down. I attributed it to having difficulty transitioning to less outside work. I had cleaned out my drawers, re-organized my kitchen, made my Christmas breads, cleaned my desk, caught up on most everything needing immediate attention and found myself at a loss! Then my daughter called. We laughed that just a few days earlier I had shared my excitement over more free time to do all that I normally never get to. Things like writing that book, prepping for talks etc. Her voice and our laughter cheered me considerably. However what really made a difference were her parting words; “ mom it sounds like its time to concentrate on being grateful…”

Those next moments were crucial. I started listing off all that I was grateful for including time to do all those things I have put off! It actually took quite awhile! The rest of the day and r week took on a different hue. The simple yet profound act of giving thanks does that. It changes us. It changes how we see and it even changes how we feel.

Well the rest of my week was a sprint. Suddenly my plate was full again and this time I stopped and listed off my thankful list again, for different reasons but with the same results. Thanksgiving and peace go hand in hand. In this busy, or not so busy season, I hope you will remember to stop and make your requests know to him with Thanksgiving…then I know your hearts will be guarded.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all [comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.