Praise (Blessed) God - Ephsians 1:3

"Praise the LORD!" How many times have you heard that in church? How many times has that word been on your lips? I think it is interesting that we probably often read over that word so quickly we miss it. (At least, I do at times, you?) The word here most often is translated as 'blessed" in other English translations of the Bible (King James Version, The Message, New American Standard Bible, etc.) When we typically here the word 'blessed' we tend to think of the Beattitudes (Matthew 5:1-12 - i.e. 'Blessed are the...') But this is a different word! While the Beattitude's 'blessed' is about character, this 'blessed' is about repute or 'to be well spoken of'. In the New Testament it is used only of God. I think a proper setting for this study on the book of Ephesians is beginning with this word 'Praise' (NIV), or 'Blessed' (The Message). It brings a couple of questions to my mind: How often do you approach God as 'the one to be praised' compared to approaching HIM in haste as 'the one to be ordered' to your list of wants? Wow, that hurt! Let's not leave with pain. How about this question? How should you approach God, the one who Paul addresses in verse 1 as 'the God who has willed Paul's life (and yours and mine?) Take courage, HE wants you to come in an attitude of praise, recognizing HIM for who HE really is. May I invite you to do just that, right now? Spend 15 seconds in prayer right now. Reminding yourself, just how wonderful this God is and how much HE deserves our praise! This approach to God implies a real sense of grace experienced, just as Paul did! Experience HIS grace today, this week, forever - "Praise the LORD!" Amen? Amen! (Thanks to Marvins Vincent's 'Word Study in the New Testament' book and to Jamieson, Faucet & Brown's 'Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible' for help on that!)