I will praise the lord at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises.
(Psalm 34:1, NLT)

It has been two and a half months since we rolled the calendar to 2015.
We are now seventy six days into the new year.

I find it interesting that we mark an arbitrary point on the earth’s trajectory around the sun, celebrate it, and use it to make and renew all kinds of plans, goals, resolutions and expectations.

Did you set any goals for this year?
If so, how are they coming along?
Did you make any resolutions?
Or do you resolve not to make resolutions?

We are also in the middle of the Lenten Season when believers prepare for Resurrection Sunday (Easter) through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. The season is often marked with introspection and personal evaluation.
Have you given anything up?
Have you spent time in quiet reflection and meditation?

We often need moments in our lives, set times, and reminders when we can pause, assess where we’re at and look ahead. These are good things. But we do not need to be tied to them.

As new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) every day is a new beginning for us, a fresh day to rejoice, a day to start with praises to our Lord. We can proclaim every day to be the day that the Lord has made, we can choose to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Today, take a moment and ask yourself:
Do I praise the Lord at all times?
What are some times I have difficulty praising Him?
How might I praise Him in the midst of the difficult times?

Do I constantly speak His praises?
When do I not speak His praises?
What are some ways I may be taking credit for something He has done?
How might I be careful to give Him the honor and not myself?

Whatever our goals for the year, whatever our sacrifices during Lent, if we resolve, let us resolve to praise Him every morning and every evening and all the moments in between.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to always sing your praises, to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to You, to unceasingly acknowledge You in all things.

Grace & Peace