What's in your mouth?

I was reading in Psalm 34 yesterday and the first verse says:

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall

continually be in my mouth."

I thought well, that is pretty clear. And then I thought about what has been in my mouth lately. There has been words of complaining, and criticizing and comparing. There have been grumbling words and general fussing about what is not quite right. And it says here that praise shall continually be in my mouth. Then I ned to be intentional about making a change. To go about my day speaking and singing praise to my God. For He is good. He is faithful. He is with me and will never leave me. He is able. He is worthy of my praise. Not only for what He has done but simply for who He is. He is Creator of all things. He created me and gave me life and breath. He is my redeemer. He is my Savior. He is my friend and companion. He is my provider and my protector.

I am to bless the Lord at ALL times. Not just when I feel like it or when things are going well, but at all times. Because He is always worthy to be praised. And there is power in our praise. It silences the enemy. One of the ways to praise and bless God is by reading His word - and it certainly "tastes" a lot better than complaining. Psalm 119:103 "How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey." It also reminds me of this hymn:

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds by: John Newton

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name! the Rock on which I build, My Shield and Hiding Place, My never-failing Treas’ry filled With boundless stores of grace!

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King; My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath, And may the music of Thy name Refresh my soul in death.

"When I see thee as thou art, I'll praise thee as I ought." Yes! Praise continually in my mouth. We speak/write/sing praise for who our God is and then thanks for all He has done and continues to do. Practice being grateful, be intentional with speaking out loud what you are thankful for and writing it down so you remember. Every day.

During worship today we sang the hymn Blessed Assurance. We sang it together, but separately as we continue to worship online from our homes. (today was our 18th week worshipping on line) And I sang it as loudly as I could (I'm sure most of the 4th floor of our apartment building heard me) and I had tears streaming down my face, God knew I needed another reminder.

"This is my story this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long."

What's in your mouth? I love the quote, "Throw kindness around like confetti", perhaps we need to throw praise and thanks around like confetti too.