WEDNESDAY'S WORD - APPRECIATION - Sadell Bradley 11/18/2020

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD APPRECIATION Sadell Bradley 11/18/2020 "Appreciation is the highest form or prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts. - Alan Cohen Appreciation is the highest form of prayer. What a powerful statement. APPRECIATION is a recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something; gratitude; a full understanding of a situation or person; an increase in value. The Latin verb appretiare means to set at a price or appraise. Appreciation speaks of the regard that someone is held to deserve in your own mind and heart. When that value is expressed aloud in words (statements, songs, letters, cards, billboards, etc.) your gratitude for who they are to you, or what they've done for you, becomes clear. This magnifies their worth and endears you to them and vice versa. This is true for people; it's also true for God. ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING & HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE The entry way into the presence of the LORD includes shouts of joy and gladness, worship, service, singing, blessing, and thanksgiving. Before we get into the Most Holy Place, before we ask for anything, the doorway is appreciation. This familiar admonition from Psalm 100:4 is an exhortation to worship. Hebrews 13:15 says, by Him (Jesus) we continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. We don't hold it inside, we speak it so we, and God, or others can know our gratitude. Wonder what would happen if we repeatedly used verbal expressions of appreciation in our relationships: at home, work, school and church? Every time we express appreciation the value of the one recognized, cherished, admired, or treasured, increases within us. When we say we 'magnify the LORD,' the statement is not making Him any larger. He is infinite. The magnification is about our own perception of His immensity, power, and ability to handle our situation. The more we thank God, the more that perception grows. Song-writers Bryan and Katie Torwalt in the Hymn Holy Spirit invite us into that appreciation, "Let us become more aware of Your presence, let us experience the glory of Your goodness." God is not getting bigger or better...we are just recognizing and growing to appreciate the vastness of His grace. Paul affirms the link between appreciation and prayer, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7) SHOW SOMEONE APPRECIATION TODAY! I so appreciate YOU, the readers of this blog! for years many of you have invested a bit of time in your day each week to read Wednesday's Word. What an honor. Through seasons of peace, joy, sorrow, and tribulation in this world, I've been blessed to share my vantage point of the Kingdom's perspective on issues. Many of you have responded, expressing your own insights and gratitude when something I've written has left an impression on you. Writing is a blessed journey. No one learns or benefits more than the writer, but why write if there's no one to read it. I am so grateful for you.