Daily Devotionals by Ardith Keef

     The most beautiful Praising of the Lord does not take place on praise tapes or in
meetings where people are stirred up.
     It takes place at times that are often unexpected and in deliberate statement and
adoration in the private quiet time.
     One reason Charismatic believers often find themselves on up and down 
roller coasters is because they do not pray in their native tongues. Once they have 
experienced tongues, they are usually not taught how to express the gift, and they
consequently look to reproduce an experience.  As a result, there is seldom a 
careful expression of the heart, and while it is true that the Spirit intercedes in words 
we do not understand,  there will be no praise at all unless the words are in the 
understanding.
     In the private quiet time, there must be a period where the Soldier of the Cross 
picks up the Cross each day and puts it on his back.  It must be verbal, and it must 
be in the language of his heart.  Only after that can there come the sweet, sweet flow 
of the Holy Spirit, Who illumines the breath-taking treasures of the One who died for
 us.
     Those expressions flow out, because they cannot be held back.
     Then, there are the testimonies that are mentioned so often in the scriptures. 
Those are spontaneous and do not feel like praises.  They may only seem to be
recountings of what He has done - but in heaven, they open up vast enjoyment, and
those expressions are inhabited by Him.
     Soldier of the Cross,  never, never look for experience.
     Read the Word, look up, and move on!