Thirty-One Reasons to Praise

Today is kind of a big deal for me. Ok, it is a big deal and here is why. 
 
Earlier this year I started writing yet another book. Through my pain, my low moments, and my frustrations with ministry and life I found myself actively searching for reasons to praise God in the midst. Giving up was an option moving higher up on my list, and that has NEVER been how I rolled. I needed to pull it together! I conquer, so this defeated mindset trying to grow, had to go!
 
I was tired of offering up generic praises that I was basically doing out of habit to fulfill the charge to bless the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1). But it was becoming a checkbox on my "stay saved to-do list." 
 
HEAR ME CLEAR: I'm very aware that salvation is free, and I am saved by grace and faith alone (Ephesians 2:8). There are no amounts of work that can change that (Ephesians 2:9). But I found myself just trying to fulfill a praise requirement to show God I was still with Him. Or maybe, to prove to myself I was still with Him. 
 
But I needed more. I needed more sound reasons to go behind my praise. I needed word, which I do believe is truth, to set me free so I could experience and actually receive the joy, peace, revelation, love, and grace that was constantly being poured out by God. I was so stuck in what was going wrong I couldn't receive any of these things in full. So I cried out to God, "Please, just give me reasons to praise. Just give me 30 reasons I have to praise you."
 
Because I know He is worthy of true worship, I needed to be in a place where I could do so in spirit and truth. Not my carnal mind and vain repetition. And over the next couple of weeks, He poured out way more than 30 reasons, and I received them all. 
 
For every situation, tearful moment, anger-filled interaction, broken moment, grief-filled night I gave to Him, He showed me how to find the praiseworthy moment in it. He taught me to have Philippians 4:8 thoughts in the midst of my greatest lows, and He proved to me where a spirit of praise could take me mentally, spiritually, and in the physical. 
 
And this is what I am finally able to share with the world in my first published book, Thirty-One Reasons to Praise: A 31-Day devotion and journal! 

This is why today is a big deal to me! This book is finally ready and is officially on sale for pre-order through my online store right now!!!
 
I still have moments of struggle, but I now have an arsenal of Scriptures that overflow from the recesses of my heart to give me what I need to press forward in the moment; Scriptures that keep praise in my mouth. Scriptures and passages that still speak to my new situations with the same integrity and authority it did the day God placed those words on the pages. Scriptures that lead me to new Scriptures in the Word and fill me up with God to the point of overflow!
 
Today, if I can encourage you to do one thing it would be to find your reasons to praise! No matter what you are facing, no matter what you are witnessing, no matter who is around you, there is always a reason to praise!!!

There are always reasons to give God glory and as we keep our minds stayed on Him, He promises to keep us in perfect peace, peace that guards our hearts and minds (Isaiah 26:1; Philippians 4:7). With peace comes clarity and the ability to hear and see God clearly. 
 
Revelation, wisdom, and abundant living await and praise is an avenue you can use to put you on the right path with the right mindset to receive them in full!
 
Find your reason to praise today child of God! If you want some help, like I said earlier, my book is now available for pre-order in my online store.


It officially releases on www.ItsMelanieLee.com & Amazon on September 23, 2016, but you can claim your copy right here, right now!
 
In this devotion and journal, you will get transparency, but you will also receive:
 
Daily Scriptures
The main Scripture appears at the top of your devotion introducing the topic of the day. At the end of your devotion is a list of other Scriptures included in the passage for additional study.
 
31 Devotions
The devotion is the primary subject matter for the day. They are written to inspire you and get you thinking about why you can praise God in the midst of things that might not feel praiseworthy.
 
Although Thirty-One Reasons to Praise is designed to be read one devotion per day to give you time to meditate and apply what you have learned, that may not be your style. You can read this book in whatever way gives you the greatest sense of help.

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A Prayer of Thanksgiving/Praise
At the end of each devotion, you are encouraged to pray and praise!
 
Prayers of thanksgiving are used to speak God’s Word into our lives. Read them to yourself or read them aloud! Not only does speaking and hearing the word increase our faith, but God hears the prayers of His children and is willing to respond to us (Romans: 10:17, John 14:14)!
 
One thing I love about the Bible is that when we utilize it, it works! Speaking the word over your life with praise on your lips will have wonderfully positive effects on your mental, emotional, and physical world! I cannot wait for you to see the manifestation.
 
Journal Application
Journaling can be a helpful tool in solidifying what you have read or learned. Application is the whole point of these sections, so the word comes alive for you. It can be a freeing experience! I pray God will speak to you throughout the entire devotion but especially during your journaling time!

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I know it will be a help to all those who open its pages if you allow it to!

God is faithful. Do you trust Him? If so, praise Him in advance for never leaving or forsaking you as He carries you to better in Him!

Have an awesome week!

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