People today are asking, "Does God have a plan and purpose for my life?" The answer is yes! Our highest purpose is to live "for the praise of His (God's) glory" (Eph 1:12). The word praise appears 200 times in Scripture. Praise means to celebrate, to commend, to bless, to honor and to glorify God as our Father, Jesus Christ as our Lord and the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. We praise God first for who He is then for what He has done, is doing and will do! 

Praise is our response of love to the love of God. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength" (Deut 6:5). "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Praise is an attitude and life of reverence, humility and gratitude to God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9:10). Praise is living in a way that glorifies God. "Whatever you do...do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31). 

C. S. Lewis said, "Praise is inner health made audible." A life that is lived first and foremost for the glory of God produces mental, emotional and physical health. When we love the Lord with our hearts, then we honor Him with our goals, pursuits and desires. When we love the Lord with our minds, then we honor Him with our thoughts, attitudes and choices. When we love the Lord with our strength, then we honor Him with our actions, the way we relate to others and the way we care for our bodies, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

As you seek to know God's purpose and plan for your life, remember that the bottom line is to live "for the praise of his glory."