Daily Power #230

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Ps. 63:4)

When I became a follower of Christ, I was in college, and as I’ve shared with you, it sort of happened by accident. I had started this Bible study with my frat brothers to improve our image. I had been given a Bible by a man from the Gideons visiting campus. And I had no clue what I was doing. I would close our sessions with, “And God, please protect us as we go out partying this weekend. Keep us safe when we get drunk. Don’t let any of our girlfriends get pregnant.” Seriously, that was my prayer.

Then one day I was reading the Bible and stumbled across a passage in Ephesians (2:8–9) that flat-out said that we are saved by the grace of God and not by our works. This news hit me like a ton of bricks. Right then, I left my room and went out to an empty softball field, all by myself, knelt down before God and gave him my whole life.

Feeling God’s presence, I automatically lifted my hands. Keep in mind, I grew up in a traditional church, where the only time I raised my hand was in Sunday school to ask permission to go to the bathroom. But there on the field, I was so overcome with the joy of the Lord, I had to worship.

Never forget to praise God for how he has saved you from your sins and given you a new life.

Power Lift

Lord, I’m so grateful for how you’ve saved me from my sins. Today I will praise you throughout the day, remembering your grace and mercy, celebrating your goodness.