Praise #2

 

 

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.