What would our lives look like if we were mindful that our actions, our thoughts, our time, our investments…were a direct reflection of what HE has done for us? What if we were firmly anchored – not on our stuff, our jobs, our family, our status – but on Him?

Who has the pleasure of your attention?

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.” Rev 4:11 ESV

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Who has access to the throne of your life?

So be very careful! Don’t forget the covenant the Eternal your God made with you; don’t make yourselves an idol in the shape of anything. The Eternal your God has commanded you not to! The Eternal your God burns with jealousy when you’re not completely loyal to Him. Dt 4:23-24 VOICE

What have you have placed on the altar of your life?

At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice
as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you.
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar
and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart. Ps 5:3 TPT

Where and to whom are you anchored?

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us… Heb 6:19-20 AMP

Will you take a personal inventory on how your life is established, to whom you are living for? It’s not about the right agenda, the right party, the right narrative…the truth is only ONE is to be Lord over our lives, only ONE who is to have our FIRST commitment. It is from THIS place that our story, our focus, and our commitments should be established.

A Sacrifice of Praise

This is the month of November, a perfect and normal time to focus on gratitude. What would happen if PRAISE and THANKSGIVING became your starting point each day? What would your life look like if you CHOSE to PRAISE no matter the bad report, no matter the state of your emotions, no matter what storm you are presently facing, no matter the turmoil of our world today? A sacrifice, by definition, costs us something. So choosing to praise even when our lives and feelings don’t align, is truly a sacrifice.

Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. Heb 13:15 AMP

So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. Heb 13:13-15 MSG

He wants your heart, your devotion, not a life simply lived by going through the motions. He doesn’t want you because you are a “good Christian”. He wants you because you are His; He wants access to your heart!

Going through the motions doesn’t please you,
    a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
    when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
    don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. Ps 51:16-17 MSG

Starting from a place of praise will cause your heart to overflow, it will cause your outlook to change and your perspective to skew towards His. It will empower you!

Enter into the secret place, lift high your hands in praise, sing psalms of worship and adoration! Start a gratitude journal, create a worship playlist, dance, kneel, draw, paint, create a special space to sit alone with the Creator of the universe – the One who created you and calls you by name. Bask in the presence of the One who knows you intimately and wholly (Psalm 139)!

You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise. Come right into his presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to him and affectionately bless his beautiful name! Ps 100:4 TPT

Will you join me in 21 days of gratitude? I think it could be the beginning of a fresh outlook. Let us know in the comments below!

(Suni Piper is a writer and passionate intercessor for the nation and for the Church. She is determined and surrendered to be a voice of truth and encouragement to the Body of believers. Follow Suni at her website ASurrenderedLife.com.)