30 Days of Praise

An Amazing Journey

2010-02-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

30 Days of Praise has been an amazing journey. Combining those who have signed up on the blog, joined on Facebook, followed on Twitter, picked up photocopied devotionals, tracked with us via forwarded emails, downloaded the audio album, or picked up a music CD, we could have close to a thousand participants. That is a lot of praise in January 2010 … and God deserves it.

Please take a moment and let us know about your experience with 302010 by leaving a comment on this post. We'd love to hear from you!

New Blog Post about Last Night

2010-02-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

There was a "Broken Hallelujah" worship night at Green Valley Church to finish off the month. Check out the set list and a blog post about it over at:

blog.davidtoneymusic.com

Praise as a way of life

2010-01-31T14:14:00.000-08:00

READ: You pick

REFLECT: DAY 31 is the most important day in this entire adventure. Your commitment to the 30 Days of Praise is over, so where do you go from here?

It’s been said that it takes thirty days to build a habit. Hopefully this last month has heightened your appreciation of God and just how praiseworthy He is. More than that, we hope it has created in you a craving for a lifetime of praise.

If so, here is a way to keep the 30 Days of Praise experience going. Grab your Bible and choose one of the books from within it to start reading every morning. If you don’t know what to pick, we recommend the Book of Psalms. Try reading a chapter every morning with this question in mind: What is one characteristic about God that I discover from this chapter for which I can praise God today? Perhaps even make a note of it. Let that be the characteristic of God that you carry with you throughout the day. Then, continue to begin every morning by praising God for who He is. And keep ending each day by reflecting on all that God has done, and praise Him. That’s it!

Not only does God deserve your praise; you need it. May God fill your life with joy and contentment as you lift up His name!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

KEEP IN TOUCH:
We would love to still keep in contact with you and we have numerous resources available! If you would like to continue to receive email updates from us, we'd love it if you would send us an email to info@greenvalleychurch.com and send us the bold words below that apply to what you would like to receive:

"eCouragement" - A weekly email devotional from Doug Kyle taken from his Sunday messages

"What's Up@ GVC" - Email updates about upcoming events at Green Valley Church

"David's Music" - Email updates and new music from DavidToneyMusic.com

**Additional Resources to Check out**:
Check out other music by David Toney at http://www.davidtoneymusic.com/

Learn more about Green Valley Church at http://www.greenvalleychurch.com/

Continue to post comments about your ongoing experience of praising God on this blog.

God is Willing

2010-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Matt 8:1-13

REFLECT: I love this simple request of Jesus: A man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Having heard of Jesus’ wonder working power, the man basically said, “Jesus, I know you can heal me, but will you?”

Now, in some ways, this is the most honest prayer we will ever pray. Isn't that all we can ever say in our suffering? When we come to Jesus with our problems, our illnesses, our concerns, “Lord, I know you can, I just don’t know if it is your will.”

But at a deeper level this request was tainted with the man’s own experience and cultural baggage. It grew out of a world that forced him to feel estranged from God and isolated from community. He must have worried that Jesus wouldn't have the time, or interest, to enter his world. In other words, he didn’t question Jesus’ ability, but his willingness. He knew Jesus was able, he just didn’t know if he was available.

Sometimes it is easier to believe in God's power than in his mercy.

It was then that Jesus did something absolutely startling. Those who were close enough to see would have been horrified. He touched the man. He probably hadn’t been touched in years. And Jesus said, “I am willing.”

Never doubt that Jesus is willing. Jesus is ready to touch your life today.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God Wants to Use You

2010-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Luke 16:1-12

REFLECT: Jesus said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9

As a kid the Beatles imprinted an important truth into my otherwise rhythmically challenged mind: "Money can't buy you love." While I know that is true, in the above verse Jesus expanded my thinking. He implied that the way we use our personal possessions can impact people for eternity.

The world teaches us to use people to gain things. This way of thinking implies that people are simply a means to acquire more worldly possessions. God’s economy is completely opposite. Jesus’ followers use things to gain people. As believers we can use our resources (our time, our talent, our treasure) to build relationships that are eternal.

I know a guy who uses his season tickets to build relationships with unchurched friends. I know another family who has designated a bedroom for visiting missionaries. There is a mom who opens her backyard to kids in the neighborhood for Vacation Bible School . . . kids who never had the opportunity to go to Sunday School, and there is someone else who sets a place at the table for friends who haven’t, as yet, met the Lord.

In this world of exploitation, the only thing that lasts is relationships -- our relationship with God, and our relationship with people.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Praise God for Including Us

2010-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Isaiah 56:1-8

REFLECT: In Isaiah 56:1-8 one of the new things God is doing is announcing that eunuchs and foreigners would join God’s family. This must have angered and surprised many in ethnocentric Israel. It was one thing to suggest that nations would one day obtain blessing from their relationship with God’s people, but it was quite another to assert that they would stand before God on equal spiritual footing.

To eunuchs God promised that even though they would produce no earthly families, they would enjoy all the blessings of God’s heavenly family. To foreigners God essentially says that faithfulness was more important than bloodline.

The point is that God's plan (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) would mean that those who were once outsiders would become insiders; those who were disadvantaged would gain an advantage. Isn't that amazing? There is a real sense of restoration, wholeness and inclusion that is the result of God's work and grace in the lives of those who live by faith.

Praise God today for including you in his family. Ask him for the ability to grow in faithfulness.

By Geoff Horn, associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to geoff@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God's Appointment

2010-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Philippians 1:1-11

REFLECT: Is there a more potent three letter prefix in the English language than ‘dis’? Respect becomes disrespect. Ability becomes disability. Grace becomes disgrace. Ease becomes disease.

Or take the word, “appointment." Appointments represent how we would like life to go. They are the circles on the calendar or events on our computer screen.

A DISappointment, on the other hand, is a missed appointment -- plans that fell through. We wanted health, we got sick. We wanted family, we got divorce. We wanted a promotion, we got let go. Life is filled with disappointments, but for the believer this is not end of story.

Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

In other words, God has a plan for your life to do a good work even when you can’t see it. Do you think you could look at disappointment this way? If so, even let-downs can be His appointments when we entrust our lives to His good work.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Dwelling with God Forever

2010-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 23:5-6

REFLECT:

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
( Psalm 23:5-6 NIV)

The Lord can fill us with peace even when we have every reason to be terrified and confused. I once read a story of a man who was caring for his dying mother. One morning he was both heartbroken and relieved to find that his mother had passed away during the night. The man noticed his mother’s open Bible on the nightstand beside the bed. Her Bible was left open to Psalm 23. Next to the passage she had written, “The secret to a happy life, a happy death, and a happy eternity.” With Jesus Christ as our shepherd we always have hope.

By Andrew Lane, Jr. High Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to andrew@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Praise God for Liberating us from Guilt

2010-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: John 8:1-11

REFLECT: In one of the most incredible encounters of history, Jesus meets a woman caught in the act of adultery and transforms her life with His words:

"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."

Imagine all that might have taken place that day. This woman was dragged away from a secret affair and humiliated in public by her many accusers. They brought her before a stranger, a man whom she may have heard about, but someone she did not want to meet … not on these terms. He writes in the dust with His finger, and all of a sudden she senses that Jesus is not condemning her; He is pointing at the hypocrisy of her accusers. She looks in His eyes and realizes that He perceives her differently than anyone else. One by one the crowd drifts away and she finds herself alone with Jesus.

At that moment, she sees herself as she really is, a sinner. At the same time she realizes that the jury has been dismissed and this Judge somehow does not condemn her. Jesus accepts her, forgives her and then challenges her to begin a whole new way of life. In an instant her heart is forever changed. Overwhelmed by His love, she repents of her sin and is set free by radical grace.

And her story is really no different than our own stories. We all have the same sin problem, and we all have been offered the same gift of forgiveness. As we accept His gift, Jesus speaks the same words to us that He said to that woman so long ago. “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

What wonderful words of freedom! The accusers stand condemned, and the sinner is proclaimed "Not Guilty!" in the eyes of a loving and gracious Lord.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Praise His Name

2010-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: John 20:26-31

REFLECT: What does your name mean? Most of our names have some sort of meaning. For example, the name Daniel means “God has judged” and the name Isaiah means “the LORD saves.” Interestingly enough, the name Geoffrey means “God’s peace,” for whatever that’s worth.

But does your name have power?

Jesus’ name has power. Throughout the story of Acts we see that Jesus’ name has the authority to:
-forgive sins and bring salvation (Acts 2:38)
-heal a paralyzed man (Acts 3:6)
-do miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 4:30)
-overcome evil spirits (Acts 16:18)

In Philippians 2:10 we see that Jesus has been given a name that is above every other name and that one day every knee will bow to him in worship. His name is Jesus. There is no other name that compares.

John 20:31 tells us the purpose of that Gospel. It says,
But these (things) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

For Jesus’ name to have meaning, we have to call upon him, believe in him, invite him into our lives. When I was young, we sang a song in church that went:

Praise the name of Jesus
Praise the name of Jesus
He's my rock,
He's my fortress,
He's my deliverer,
In Him will I trust.
Praise the name of Jesus

Our names mean something but they don’t have any real power or authority. Jesus’ name has power and authority, but for it to mean something you must call upon it. Trust in it. Praise it. Be reminded today of the power and life that comes only through the name of Jesus. His name alone is worthy to be praised.

By Geoff Horn, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to geoff@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Standing Near

2010-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Acts 22:3- 23:11

REFLECT: I once received this piece of advice: REMEMBER: STRESSED SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS! The implication: a little chocolate can reverse your feelings of pressure.

Where do you turn when you are under pressure?

I am so encouraged to see where Paul turned. During one of the darkest nights of Paul's life (having been arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and the target of an assassination attempt) the Lord spoke to Paul.

Acts 23:11 says, "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage!...” (NOTE: As you reread today’s passage, notice the words, stand, standing and stood).

I am struck by the phrase, "the Lord stood near Paul..." Paul's encounter reveals the very best place to turn under pressure. There is nothing you go through that the Lord does not go through with you. Remember, when life seems overbearing, to look to the Lord. He is standing right there by your side.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is With Us (Play Board Games with the Holy Spirit)

2010-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: John 16:5-24

REFLECT: In John 16, the disciples are freaking out because Jesus told them that he would be leaving. They have given their lives to follow Him, and now He is just going to take off? Responding to their fear, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” (v.7) To our advantage??? Doesn’t it seem better to hang out with a bodily Jesus? A Jesus to eat sushi with or play Settlers of Catan with or go around sharing the gospel with? Jesus says, “no.” He says that it is actually better for us to have the Holy Spirit. Why is that? Because the living God is living in us.

It’s easy to read that and glaze over it, but it is a massive truth that leads us to respond in praise. Throughout the New Testament, we are given the promise that the Holy Spirit will dwell within those who repent and follow Jesus. So, while we can’t play board games with a bodily Jesus, we can play empowered by His Spirit that dwells within us. This is transformational if we actually live that way. To eat sushi, play games, and share the gospel knowing that we are not doing it alone.

So let’s praise God that He has made His dwelling in us, and as we go throughout our day, let’s develop this relationship with the Spirit of God. Talking to Him, listening to Him, and experiencing life together.

By David Toney, Worship Arts Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to david@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Our Maker

2010-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Genesis 1:26-31

REFLECT:
“If I were a butterfly,
I'd thank you, Lord, for giving me wings;
And if I were a robin in a tree,
I'd thank you Lord, that I could sing;
And if I were a fish in the sea,
I'd wiggle my tail and I'd giggle with glee;
But I just Thank You Father, for making me - ME!

'Cause you gave me a heart and
You gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and
You made me His Child
And I just Thank You, Father
For making me - ME!”

(lyrics from The Butterfly Song by Brian M. Howard)

For those of you with children or grew up in Sunday School I know you are singing along right now! The simplicity of this children’s song is so beautiful. The day to day trials of life often sweep away the simplest praise… God made you and He does PERFECT work! “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…” Genesis 1:27

Praise God today the He made you and didn’t just stop there, He’s creating a good work inside you!

By Mollie Robison, Children’s Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to mollie@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Good

2010-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Genesis 3:1-7

REFLECT: The very first temptation, in the Garden of Eden, is a lot like every temptation we will ever face. So what exactly was that temptation?

Many myths have circulated about this temptation. Many say the sin was eating from a forbidden apple tree, though the Bible does not say the fruit was an apple. One writer proposes that the fruit was a grape, and consequently the sin was making wine (perhaps to support his own viewpoint). Many people these days speculate that the fruit Adam and Eve partook of was sex (an interesting commentary on the today’s culture). However none of these suppositions come from Genesis. In reality, we are not told what the fruit actually was, because the type of fruit had very little to do with the temptation.

At the heart of the temptation was a challenge to God’s goodness. Satan asks, "Did God really say, You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” It was an accusation. That question, and the way it was phrased, suggested that God was restrictive. In reality, God had not forbidden eating from all trees; only one. But it was as if the tempter was whispering, "God is withholding something good from you. He really does not want you to experience a rich and full life."

Every time we entertain temptation we tell ourselves that we know better than God about what is good for us. We begin to think that God’s rules are too confining and that, somehow, we are being restrained from something that is really great. At the root of every temptation is a challenge to God’s goodness.

Nothing has changed. God’s purposes for our lives are still rooted in His goodness. The choice is simple. Our way to “goodness,” or His.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God Never Changes

2010-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Malachi 3:1-6

REFLECT: God is often described as being two different persons by some: the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. However the Bible teaches that God is immutable.

Even though God would purify Israel of her sin, He says in Malachi 3:6, “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Israel could know that even though the purification process would be severe, God’s love and promises would remain unchanged.

In a post-Christian world where the things we use to rely on are eroding away, we can find comfort in that God’s love and promises remain unchanged. Father, we praise Your Holy Name!

By Doug Sutherland, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to dsuthy@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Walk the Wall

2010-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Nehemiah 12:27-43

REFLECT: The rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem was an amazing achievement. Only a few years earlier most people thought the project was unattainable. But God equipped the people and their leaders to accomplish this feat. So when the wall was finally finished, Nehemiah did a crazy thing. When it came time to dedicate this newly built wall, he divided the Israelite worshipers into two groups. He sent one group marching and praising on top of the wall in one direction. He then sent a second group, also on top of the wall, marching and praising God in the opposite direction. Both groups met at the Temple area.

Now, I guess both groups could have just gone directly to the Temple. I suppose they could have avoided this precarious activity of wall walking altogether. So why march the wall?

By walking the wall they were once again taking inventory of what God had done for them. They were walking the perimeter of God’s faithfulness. They were surveying the results of all He had done.

This morning, take inventory of what God has done in your life. Walk the perimeters of His faithfulness to you. What evidence do you see of God’s work? What miracles large and small surround you? Look around. Maybe it’s time to walk the wall. And praise Him as you go.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God our Protector

2010-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 23:4-6

REFLECT: Psalm 23:4 says Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

During the summer months, the best shepherds will bring their sheep up to graze on the untouched pastures of the mountain tops. Mountains generally have valleys and gulches that run up the sides. Shepherds know that the best way to get sheep to the top of a mountain is through the valleys. The paths of righteousness that we follow God along sometimes go through valleys of “the shadow of death.”

Living a life pleasing to God is the best life to live. Following Jesus Christ may not always keep us out of harm’s way or prevent us from facing despairing situations. However, with Jesus as our shepherd, there is no need to fear the uncertainties of life. God provides for us and protects us. God will always be with us. For this we praise Him!

By Andrew Lane, Jr. High Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to andrew@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Knowable

2010-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: John 17

REFLECT: Imagine you have two sheets of paper in front of you. One sheet contains your personal prayer list for yourself -- all the things that you ask God for. And the other sheet of paper contains Jesus' prayer list for you -- all the things He wants for your life. Now, what would happen if you held them side by side? How similar would they be? How much overlap would there be between your list and His?

Increasing the connection between those lists requires two things. First you must want them to match (only you can settle that one). Secondly, you must know what exactly Jesus desires for you (that's what the rest of this devotional is about).

In John 17, Jesus reveals His heart for his followers as He prays for them: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:1-3)

Jesus' passion was for God to be glorified as people like you get to know Him. Without question, this is what matters most in your life. Even today this is Jesus' greatest desire for you -- that you would get to know God more intimately. His goal is that when you get to the end of your life and stand before God, it will be more like the reunion of great friends than someone bumping into an old acquaintance. Such knowledge requires effort, commitment and intentionality. And like building a good friendship, it takes time. This is without question at the top of Jesus' list for you. Where is it on your list?

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Love

2010-01-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 31

REFLECT: As a new parent, praising God has been at the forefront of my mind continuously (also calling out for guidance and help!). All I have to do is look at my precious daughter’s face and I am overwhelmed with praise for our Lord and the knowledge that God LOVES me!

Psalm 31:7 says that “I will be glad and rejoice in your love…” The evidence of God’s love is apparent in our loved ones. What a blessing to be a parent, daughter, son, brother, sister, uncle, grandparent, etc…

Take the time today to praise God for the blessings in your life that He has given you out of His LOVE!

By Mollie Robison, Children’s Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to mollie@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Steadfast

2010-01-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 63:1-8 and Lam. 3:1-24

REFLECT: I love Chipotle burritos. There is a bursting of savory goodness in every bite, and every time I get to eat one, my whole being is happy. When I go with people, I know I am bad company, because I never want to talk to them. I just want to sit and enjoy every moment with that burrito. This is how David is with God in Psalm 63. He says, “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.” (v.5) His praise is coming from a desire within that is utterly overcome with joy in God.

Now, in Lamentations 3, the praise is coming from a much different perspective. Most of the chapter is a lament: “He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cover in ashes; my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” (v.17) The author is crying out to God in pain and anguish, but there is a turning point in his cry. He says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (v.21-23) His emotions of pain are raw and real, and he shares them with God unashamedly. But, he knows that no matter the circumstance God is steadfast in his love, mercy, and faithfulness. So, he says, “Therefore I will hope in him.” (v.24)

So, today: Am I enjoying my favorite, delicious treat; or am I chewing on a bowl of rocks? Is my soul satisfied as with fat and rich food, or are my teeth grinding on gravel? Either way we have hope in the God who is always there, no matter our situation. And praise can come at any time. Whether we are overcome with happiness or crying out in pain, God is steadfast and desires our honest praise.

By David Toney, Worship Arts Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to david@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God our Sustainer

2010-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Luke 18:1 - 14

REFLECT: Luke 18:1 records the purpose behind many of Jesus’ teachings. It says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Ultimately, in life, we have two choices. We will either pray or give up. We will either see the obstacles in our lives as an opportunity to dialogue with God, or we will see them as a reason to throw up our hands in despair.

There are two basic choices in life and they are mutually exclusive. When life gets difficult, as it always does, you will either pray or give up. When worry steals your peace, you will either pray or give up. When circumstances appear out of your control, you will either pray or give up. When times get challenging and problems mount, you will either (say it with me) pray or give up.

Some people think it’s only when someone gives up that they pray. As if this is the way it works: “I give up. Nothing more I can do. I guess all that’s left is to pray.” They act as if prayer is giving up. But the Bible says just the opposite. It says that if we pray we will not give up. And if we give up we will not pray.

Prayer and praise is the greatest signal that you haven’t given up. Today, God is your sustainer. Let praise and prayer be the indicator you have not given up.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God our Rock

2010-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Isaiah 26:3-11

REFLECT: Isaiah 26:3-11 presents an interesting contrast between those who trust in God and those who don’t. The passage begins with a confident statement that God will bring an overwhelming peace to the lives of those who trust in and focus on God. Isaiah 26:4 reveals that we are to…

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Forever. The Rock. Eternal. God sure must be strong.

Verses 7-11 go on to show us two attitudes that we can have towards God.

The righteous spoke first and described their life as “smooth” and their journey as “level.” Didn’t their lives generally include as much or more hardship than the lives of unbelievers? We know that following Jesus is no guarantee of an easy life or of an absence of suffering; in fact it’s quite the contrary. So how is it that they can say that their lives are smooth?

You see, knowing the Lord was with them every step of the way gave them a different perspective on life. They anticipate what the Lord will do, they trust Him completely and know He will come through for them. His glory was their desire. Their thoughts of God consumed morning and evening times.

In contrast, the wicked wasted God’s grace. They did not have a proper understanding of God so they lived according to their own ways. Verse 11 says, “O Lord, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it.” They are blind and unaware of what God is doing.

It starts with our thoughts and our focus. Is our focus on the hills and valleys and storms and challenges of life? Are our thoughts centered on the what-if’s and the please-no’s of life? Or are we focused on the Lord?

Peace has little to do with circumstances. It has everything to do with God. May you find your mind consumed with thoughts of God today. May you anticipate what He will do. May you trust Him completely. For He is the Rock eternal. Forever.

By Geoff Horn, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to geoff@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

Praise God for What He is Yet to Do

2010-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: John 11:1-44

REFLECT: I believe that all of life should be lived the way we say grace at the dinner table: giving thanks ahead of time for what we are about to receive.

In John 11:41 we find an amazing prayer. Jesus prays, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me." A closer look reveals that this prayer came right before God did one of the most spectacular miracles in the Bible. God brought Jesus' friend, Lazarus, back from the dead.

Now, mark this. When Jesus prayed this prayer, Lazarus was still in the grave. The thanksgiving came before the miracle. It seems backwards. You would think the thanksgiving would come after the resurrection. And no doubt there were plenty of shouts of thankfulness after Lazarus was brought back to life. But Jesus did a very odd thing: Jesus thanked God before it happened.

Jesus reveals a great approach to life. Pre-gratitude. Become someone who thanks God for what He’s going to do before it happens. Not that we tell God what to do, but we thank Him for whatever He will do, knowing it is for our good and His glory.

I’ve made it a habit to approach each day like I approach each meal. I give thanks ahead of time. In the process, I have found that I am much more aware of what God is doing. Sometimes they are simple things, like dolphins dancing in the waves, or a special conversation with one of my kids. I realize these are some of the very things I was thanking God for earlier. Even during difficult situations I am more inclined to look for God in the midst of it. And to know there is a hidden blessing I’m suppose to discover. If you want to experience a thriving faith each day, become a forward-thanker.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Longsuffering

2010-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 86

REFLECT: There is a word in the Old English that is used in the King James Bible of 1611 that expresses patience. That word is “longsuffering”. We don’t see that word used much today but it vividly describes God’s attitude toward us.

David prayed in Psalm 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth”. It was because David knew God was not only longsuffering toward those who had no regard for Him, but that He was also that way with him in all his weakness.

We can draw comfort from knowing that when we fail or are weak that He is eternally longsuffering toward us. Father, we give You praise!

By Doug Sutherland, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to dsuthy@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God our Shepherd

2010-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 23

REFLECT:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

Psalm 23 was written by David, the second king of Israel. In his youth, David was a shepherd and the one who killed Goliath, the Philistine giant. As a shepherd, David knew that the quality of a sheep’s life is dependent on the character of its shepherd. A sheep that has a shepherd who is selfish, lazy, or cruel is doomed to a life of misery. A sheep that is cared for by a strong, loving, and patient shepherd will be blessed and content. David knew his shepherd well. No matter what circumstances David faced, knowing the character of his shepherd was enough for him.

Everyone follows something or someone. Everyone has a shepherd. Who is yours? Those who follow Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, are able to find rest knowing that He is in control. We praise God, because He is our loving and providing shepherd. He knows us and our needs better than we could ever know ourselves.

By Andrew Lane, Jr. High Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to andrew@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God is Loving

2010-01-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Ephesians 3

REFLECT: Paul prays that we would be able "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..." Ephesians 3:18-19. Have you ever thought about those dimensions? I mean, how wide is Christ's love? It is wide enough to include everybody. It doesn't matter your gender, your race, your background or your nationality. It doesn't matter who you are or where you have been. His love is for you. It is wide enough to include everyone.

How long is Christ's love? Long enough to travel from heaven to earth. Long enough to leave the flock and go after a single lost sheep. Long enough to wait for the prodigal Son to come home. Christ's love is long. How high is Christ's love? It is higher than any of us can go. Regardless of how successful you are, how powerful you are, how famous you are, how wealthy you are, how many medals you win or achievements you have earned, Christ's love is there for you. How deep is Christ's love? No matter how badly you mess up …. how low you go … even the secret stuff that nobody knows about… as dark and deep as you go, Christ's love is still there. How wide and long and high and deep is Christ's love? According to Bible... it surpasses knowledge. Amazing.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God in the Storm

2010-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 34

REFLECT: What about when it’s hard? What about when praise and God’s goodness is the last thing you want to talk about? What about when it hurts too much?

“I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am, every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm “ – lyrics from Praise you in the Storm by Casting Crowns
These lyrics spoke to me in a time of pain, when I wanted to run from God, not praise Him. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3.

Praise God today for being who He is, no matter where your heart stands…

By Mollie Robison, Children’s Director at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to mollie@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

Praise as Remedy for Worry

2010-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 37

REFLECT: Worry can be an extremely heavy burden. Like an overloaded backpack, it can weigh us down. I know this. I also know I am supposed to release my worries to the Lord. But I have a problem; I usually take them back shortly after I release them.
Before a recent flight, I had to pass through one of those security check points. Stripped of all the metal I could think of, I laid my backpack on the conveyor belt for screening. Apparently something looked suspicious, because they pulled my backpack aside. A security officer asked to go through my backpack. As he did, he gave me very specific instructions: “You may watch me as I go through your bag, BUT you cannot touch anything!”

It turns out they were concerned about my harmonica. Maybe they were afraid I’d actually play it, and drive the pilots crazy! After identifying the harmless instrument, I was free to go. But I had learned an important spiritual lesson. Once I give the backpack of worry to God, He says the same thing to me: “Don’t touch it! Go ahead and watch what I'm about to do, but don’t touch it!”

The Bible says, Do not fret … but rather delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:1-4). When you release worry to God (and I advise it) don’t take it back. He's a professional when it comes to your baggage. Leave it with Him.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on this blog post.

God is Humble

2010-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

READ: Philippians 2:6-11

REFLECT: When one thinks of the character of God, a characteristic that is rarely mentioned is that God is humble.
Because of the rhythmic nature of Philippians 2:6-11, many scholars conjecture that this was a hymn or creed of the early Christian church praising the person of Jesus Christ. Placed in the context of the letter, Paul uses Christ as an example of how we are supposed to be humble towards one another, even as Christ “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.”

No other major religion characterizes God as being humble, but because He is, we were given an offer of a new destiny for all eternity. Father, we give You our praise!

By Doug Sutherland, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to dsuthy@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God is in Control

2010-01-04T09:20:00.001-08:00

READ: Jeremiah 29:10-14

REFLECT: What's your story? As an old man, King David reflected back on his life and sang out in praise. Although David had experienced more than his share of challenges, in hindsight he could clearly see evidence of God's hand in his life. He expressed it this way: “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.” 2 Samuel 22:25 The Message.

When David paused long enough to recall the blessings and accomplishments of his life, he was overwhelmed with the impact God had made. Has God made a difference in your life? Have you seen any changes? Progress? Development? Transformation? God steps into the pages of our lives and changes us forever. For one thing, future chapters will be much different when we allow God to edit our life story. In addition, God also rewrites the early chapters of our lives. He gives us a new perspective. The narration changes as God tells our story from His perspective.

What's your story? I've got a hunch if you looked closely you would see God at the keyboard. Praise Him today for being in control.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God is Forgiving

2010-01-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

READ: 1 John 1:8 – 2:14

EFLECT: Jesus’ disciple, John, wrote: I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (1 John 2:12)

Today, praise God for His forgiveness. Whenever I think about God’s forgiveness I realize that my greatest need was met by God’s greatest act. There's a story, circulated in Spain, of a father and son who had become estranged. Their relationship had been troubled for years, and finally the son ran away. His father searched for him for months. Finally, in a last ditch effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read:

"Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office, at noon, on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father."

On Saturday, as the story goes, 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers. My greatest need was met by God’s greatest act. Praise God for His forgiveness today.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

God Our Hope

2010-01-02T02:17:00.000-08:00

READ: Psalm 25

REFLECT: People today often use the word HOPE in a different sense than the Bible does. To some, hope connotes wishful thinking, a desire that something will turn out the way we want. “I hope the weather’s nice tomorrow.” “I hope he asks me out.” “I hope this chili doesn’t give me heartburn.”
In contrast, HOPE in the Bible always denotes a confident, bold assurance in God to keep his word. It is trust in God’s promises rooted in His character. Trusting and waiting are always associated with this hope.
Isaiah 41 is a reminder to God’s people that He is going to deliver them. They are going to have to go through some difficult times (exile to Babylon, for example) but He is their God. He will not forsake them.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Hoping in the Lord is not wishful thinking. It is a confident assurance in the character and the presence of God. This hope fuels our daily activities. We don’t cross our fingers and wait to see if everything turns out alright, rather we live in the light of the Reality of God and His covenant promises. I encourage you to memorize and meditate on these words from Psalm 25:4-5 today:

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
And my hope is in you all day long.

By Geoff Horn, Associate Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to geoff@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

MUSIC.

2010-01-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

12 worship songs born out of Psalm 145-150. Click on "Album" to go grab it.

Praise God for supplying the people, energy, time, lyrics, music, and coffee to get it all together.
There were several people who contributed in either writing or playing:
Courtney Toney, Ryan Castillo, Doug Kyle, Shane Hartgrave, Chris Boshaw, Chad Bunn, Jon Penner, Rob Crockett, and everybody who was at Green Valley Church on December 13th.
Thanks everyone.

I'm excited to enjoy 302010 with everybody and begin a new decade with praise.

-david toney

Emails are coming everyday

2010-01-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

If you've joined you are recieving daily emails with the devotional for the day, and updates (such as when the album is released). If you have joined, but haven't received an email in over a day, check your spam filter to see if they are not getitng through. The momentum today has been great. Praise God!

Praise God for who He is.

2010-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

You are a worshipper. You were created to relate to God, love Him, and worship Him. But it doesn’t happen automatically. It is only as we carve out times of stillness in the midst of the busy-ness that we will find times to connect with Him.

God offers you this invitation:
        "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

This incredible invitation has been translated many ways:
‘Cease striving and know that I am God.’    NASB
‘Stand silent, know that I am God.'    Living Bible
‘Give in, he cries, admit that I am God.'    Moffat’s translation
‘Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your high God, above politics, above everything.’    The Message

Whichever translation speaks to you, God’s point is clear. In the midst of our busy lives, God invites us to stop, to rest, to relax, to let go, to stop resisting, and let Him be God to us. As you begin
30 Days of Praise, carve out a few minutes at the beginning and the end of each day to recognize and appreciate God as your God. And to praise Him for who He is.

By Doug Kyle, Lead Pastor at Green Valley Church. Send feedback to doug@greenvalleychurch.com or comment on the blog post.

hours away

2009-12-31T13:04:00.001-08:00

Wow!

Devotionals

2009-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

What we are committing to is simple: "Every day I will praise You." (Psalm 145:2)
There is no time commitment or checklist to fulfill. We are simply saying, "Every day for 30 days, I will intentionally praise God."

However, throughout the month there will be 3 main resources to help us do this in fresh and exciting ways. Daily devotionals. Weekly messages. Worship songs.

Each devotional will take a look at an attribute of God to help our minds focus the praise. For instance, reading a few paragraphs about the holiness of God might help shape our worship that day towards awe, humility, and gratitude.

And here's how they will work. Each friday, the coming week's set will be available to download, print, or view. In addition, we will be getting a daily email with that day's devotional to remind us and encourage in the midst of our busyness.

AND, the first set is up! Click on the Devotional tab at the top of the blog to view, print, or download the first 10.

The prayer in all of this is that our daily rythm of praise will extend far beyond the 30 days and far beyond a new year's resolution. Our prayer is that we would become people who naturally live a life of daily praise.

the album is almost done!

2009-12-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

12 tracks confirmed. still left to do: vocals for 4 tracks, guitar for 2 tracks, background vocals for most tracks, some beeps and noises, and then its the final mixing and mastering process.

it was so great to sing one of the songs with our congregation this sunday. it made the song come alive for me. songs are just songs, and i like songs. but when someone can worship the creator of the world through one, it makes the song have a life and value beyond what i could imagine.
i am so excited to print the cds, put the songs online, and play them with people all month long. there is a peace that comes with praising, taking my eyes off myself and turning them toward Jesus.
i can't wait for january to start.

Daily Devotions are in production

2009-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

For the first 30 days of January, we will be together considering one attribute of God per day as a way to heighten our appreciation of God's praiseworthiness, and develop a praise habit. Check back as they will soon be posted.

CHRISTMAS EVE!!

2009-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

So, 30 Days of Praise is right around the corner, but first it's Christmas!! Praise God that he came in the way that He did. Humbly, in a stable, as a real baby, who had to learn how to speak and read, as a human who actually did human things like go to the bathroom and blow his nose. And yet, He was and is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We celebrate the wierdness and beauty in this. Praise God for his amazing plan.

Recording

2009-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

So, week 2 of recording for the 302010 project. Praying for some lyrics to happen and some melodies to get happening.

Praise God for His Story.

2009-12-07T08:36:00.000-08:00

A king is crowned. The king turns from God. A new king is annointed, but spends a decade running for his life. Finally he is on the throne, but has an epic fail. So, the consequences play itself out by his own son usurping the throne. He has to flee again and takes an army with him. The son is going to take his army to kill him, but a man loyal to the true king tricks the son into defeat by appealing to his pride. The battle happens and the son is killed. The annointed king is back on the throne.

Why hasn't there been a 3 hour Lord of the Rings-ish movie made about Saul, David, and Absolom. I think it would make millions.

The amazing thing about reading through the story of Isreal is that God is always in control and present in all situations. "For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom [the bad son of the good king]" (2 Samuel 17:14)

God was there, and God is here. All of history is God's story, and we are part of it. Just as he has been faithful and good and present and just and wise and loving in the stuff we read about, he will be faithful and good and present and just and wise and loving in our stories. That is just who God is, and he never changes.

30 days until 302010

2009-12-01T16:29:00.000-08:00

The countdown begins. 30 Days of Praise starts in 30 days.

Thanks.

2009-11-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

Psalm 145:
⁴ One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Thank you God for your faithfulness to every generation.

Track 3

2009-11-19T01:58:00.000-08:00

One song is almost done! I'll put up the draft in our little music player. It's born out of Psalm 145 4-7 (track 3 in the project). I love the verse, "One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts." This idea of passing on the greatness of God through story, life, and his Word. Every generation is Yours alone//This is celebration of what You have shown to us//Your majestic works of grace//I will meditate//And declare Your fame

The Album

2009-11-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of recording week for the 302010 album. We're excited to see what happens in the days to follow. God has provided some lyrics, some music, some effects, some noises, and a whole lot more for the next week that we have yet to see. Guest musicians are dropping by the studio all week long to lay down some face-melting sounds, and the coffee pot is seeing some serious action. Hooray for music. Hooray for Psalms. Hooray for Praise.

Soft launching soon

2009-11-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

We are super close to a soft launch of this site. We are shooting for mid November. I wonder who will be the first people to sign up.

The Blog

2009-10-13T14:36:00.001-07:00

Well, the process is beginning for 30 Days of Praise. We are months away, but the social networking is beginning. The Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and now on to figure out the rest of them that nobody really uses. LinkedIn, MyFolia, Ravelry, etc. It's a crazily networked world, but we are embracing it for the purpose of 30 Days of Praise!