Let’s
talk about God’s word of “Praise” a bit. I get very excited about what happens
to believers when they begin to praise God. In Psalms 68:1, this is a sure
thing. When you give praise to God, your enemies MUST SCATTER! In vs 3 it talks
about the righteous being glad, rejoicing before God; and may they be happy and
joyful.” His joy is given to you. You may not have started out that way, but
His joy will pour out to you when you begin to give Him Praise. Rejoicing,
praying, clapping hands, dancing, musical instruments, a joyful noise and
singing are all forms of praise.
The Body
of Christ becomes unified.
Praising
God is a sure weapon when we are in battle.
Could
this possibly be the missing link in some churches of today?
But you might
ask; how do I begin to praise God? What
is the beginning?
The very
beginning is with your soul. Your soul is your emotions, your personality and
makes all your decisions. If your soul asks The Holy Spirit inside of you, “What
is your way? Your decision?” You will connect to God and make the right
decision. Always pause a bit before you answer someone or must make an important
decision. Ask God, what is the right way to go that will give Him the glory. There
isn’t a person on earth who can successfully negotiate with truth. The foolish
try and many “think” they are getting away with it, but The Spirit of Truth
always catches up with them. Whenever The Spirit of Truth is sent out, justice
begins.
Your
flesh may say to you, “I don’t feel like praising God.” Your soul and flesh can
spar from time to time. Only when you listen to The Holy Spirit within you will
you begin to praise God. He is just that real in your life!
Now is
the time to realign your heart with God and give Praise to God.
In Psalm
103 1-22 David says that we are told to:
Bless or
praise the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, do not forget
all His benefits.
Can we
say, “Soul! Praise the Lord!”
What are
His benefits?
LOVE!
Mercy! Grace!
He
forgives ALL our sins and heals ALL our diseases.
He
saves us from destruction and crowns us with loving kindness and tender
mercies.
God has
saved me from much destruction! From scarlet fever twice when I was a baby! From
being hidden in an attic so that my mother wouldn’t find me. I fell off a
cement porch and split my head open. Playing in my sand box a great Dane
attacked me. From a stepfather tying me
up at 5 years old to a kitchen chair and whipping and beating me! Living in a
Catholic Orphanage [which worked for my good]. From a bull chasing me in the pasture! I was a
latchkey kid before the word became popular. My mother moved around so many
times, I do not remember many of the names of the schools or the towns. I made
friends and said good-bye. As a teenager, I was arrested twice on the same
night! Spent time in a juvenile home. I have lived with 3 alcoholics. From
twice being choked by two different husbands, from a terrifying car wreck and I
was saved because my VW threw me out as it continued to roll and bounce over 3
times and flattened when the car stopped. From being viciously attacked from
behind and having a bowie knife at my throat as he raped me in the bush.
Yes,
there is more. That is only touching upon some of the incidents I have gone
through.
I have good
reason to give God Praise for the rest of my life! I can attest and boldly proclaim, all my heart
belongs to Jesus Christ who rescued me from the things I went through due to my
youthful foolishness and the things that were not my fault.
He satisfies
our mouth with good things, and our youth is renewed like eagles.
Want a
bounce in your step? The Spirit of Joy on your face? Are you oppressed? Depressed?
Do you not know the way to go? I tell you from my heart. When you begin to
believe that Jesus is calling to you, do not hesitate, this is The Holy Spirit
summoning you. When You accept that He is the Son of God, He changes your
entire life. You begin to grow and He never stops teaching you.
He will
give you righteousness and judgement. Moses was shown His way, His acts to the
children of Israel. God is a merciful and gracious God. He doesn’t get
angry quickly but abounds in compassion and lovingkindness. Although the word
says He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Most important, He does not deal
with us according to our sins. Nor does He reward us with punishment
according to our wickedness. As high as the heavens are above the earth is His
lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him. He removes all our
transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Just as a good father loves
his children, so the Lord loves those who worship and fear Him. He knows us! He
knows our frame. He knows you better than you know yourself. He remembers we are dust.
I heard, “Be
still, and know that I am God.”
I was completely
humbled, shattered and broken into pieces as I was nursing my baby boy when I
started to read the book of John. God’s truth overwhelmed me when I read of His
love. All my life I had been searching for real love, and I found it in the
Bible. I was stressed and wired. Bewildered, I realized where I was heading and
suddenly, the only way I can describe it is, I felt a physical force of
compassion that began in my head and traveled all the way down to my toes and
out. What was that I thought to myself? Later, I learned it was the Holy
Spirit. I had been lovingly introduced
to our Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the orphanage, and I carried a
small candle of hope inside of me throughout my life knowing I would someday
return to the God of my childhood. I repented and knelt by my bed and gave my
life to God and when I got back up, I’ve never been the same. My only regret? I just wished that I had
returned much earlier. Our timing is up to The Holy Spirit though, not us.
David talks
about how man’s days are like grass, like a flower, but when the wind comes and
passes over him, it is no more and its place knows it no longer. But the lovingkindness
of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who reverently fear Him,
and His righteousness to children’s children. To those who keep His covenant
and remember to do His commandments.
Do you
know what that means?
Remember
one thing, what you do while you are here can possibly affect your children and
it will be either for God or against Him.
It means
to imprint His word upon your hearts. The Bible says, “fear God and live.” It is His fear
that keeps us from sinning.
The Lord
has established His throne in the heavens, His sovereignty rules over
everything. Bless the Lord you His angels, they are mighty ones who do His
commandments. They obey the voice of His word! He Blesses all of you hosts, You
who serve Him and do His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His in all
places of His dominion.
Bless
and affectionately praise the Lord, O My Soul.
Stay
tuned for Praise 3.
