A few years ago I hosted this garden party for the ladies from my home church. I collected small stones from my garden to place at each place setting. On these stones I engraved “ If you don’t praise I will” with reference to Luke 19:40. I also left each lady a printed copy of the following words of encouragement and exhortation. You may not have attended this garden party but pray as you read the words I wrote that it will also encourage and exhort you, as lively stones to praise Him!
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LIVELY STONES
Luke 19:40 And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
May this stone remind you that you are not a cold stone without a heart. You are a living breathing stone. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Every stone is so unique in shape, size and color. Formed in various ways by the environment, habitat and weather. May this stone remind you that you are also so unique shaped by your life experiences and trials and victories. I wonder about the stories that this stone could tell if only it had breath to speak. You also have a story but you also have breath to tell yours and proclaim His work in your life.
May this stone remind you to invest that breath which He has given you to cry out His praises lest this cold piece of stone cry out instead of you. Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!
That was a truly timely–and imaginative–reminder how much we owe our Lord, Jesus Christ!