preemptive praise

John 4:47-54

There are moments in our lives that are absolutely pivotal to our future. It is in these moments that I believe we have the opportunity to either become or back down. We all want to become; we dream about it when we are young. Somewhere along the way, in the midst of settling reality and responsibility, we lose the ability to dream. We need reasons and explanations for things outside of our normal to make sense. Our normal can become so small and narrow that when we see others doing anything different we are amazed.

There is a core value that I live by: In order to see things you've never seen, you must be willing to do things you've never done.

In Jesus' encounter with this royal official in John 4, there is something of enormous value that is to be recognized: preemptive praise. His son's healing took place before he saw it but as soon as he believed it. How do we know the royal official believed? His response. His actions revealed his heart. He didn't question Jesus or try to force him to go to his son.

When we face moments where questions can spoil what God has spoken, we should practice preemptive praise. Thank him for what He will do because of what He has spoken...and then respond accordingly.

Read the story.

'The man took Jesus at his word and departed.'



one love...one life.
Guy