Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Admire, Honor, Worship, PRAISE


I went to a baby shower over the weekend and a teenage beautiful christian girl asked me, What is Praise? I thought I knew the answer, and I came up with the usual, honor, giving thanks, glorify, Praising my father. So when I got home I had to take a moment and research to see what else I could of added. Praise means to admire, commend, extol, honor, worship, and give glory to a superior being, our Creator, God.
To commend; applaud – Isaiah 40:9
Giving thanks – Psalm 100


Then I thought what is the purpose of Praise?
We were pre-wired that way by the Creator, God. He created and made these things for His good pleasure. In return we praise Him.

List of created being in praise – Psalm 148
Everything on earth praise – Psalm 150
The dead cannot praise the Lord, but you can - Isaiah 38:18, Psalms 115:17

Why Praise the Lord?
We are created and commanded to worship God. It helps with our relationship with Him. As we do so, we receive power to overcome life’s situations.
Are commanded – Psalm 150:1
All are created to bring forth praise to God – Psalms 115:17, Jeremiah 13:11, Isaiah 43:21, 1 Peter 2:9

We are to praise the Lord all the time. Praise should be coming out of your mouth every day, and in many expressions – singing, dancing, and lifting of hands. It is due to God daily at all times – 24 hours!
Sacrifice of praise, continually - Hebrews 13:15
Contentment of your soul – Psalm 32:7
In the midst of a battle – 2 Chronicles 20, I Thessalonians 5:18, Jonah 2:7-10
Not dependent upon feelings – Psalm 34:1, Psalm 9:1, Psalm 86:12

God is Worthy to Be Praised! It’s A Sacrifice.

“By him ~Jesus~ therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” – Hebrews 13:15


If you truly want to hear from God in your life, you must praise and worship Him.

If you want contentment in your life, you must praise and worship Him.

If you want to overcome your fears, you must praise and worship Him.

It’s only in our prayer, praise, and worship that we find directions for our path.

I hope this little information about praise has stirred your heart and moves you to praise anytime, anywhere, and for no good reason to everyone who come across your path.

Glory to God!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Reason For The Season, Tested Faith




Our spiritual life holds many seasons. Sometimes, just like in the natural, they seem to defy normal courses of action.

Yet, there are times when the weather is just perfect, like when I first started out with my garden. I planted my garden in anticipation of better and more beautiful days. Out of seemingly no~where a rain storm moves in and all that I planted suffers death or setback for I did not look to the weather forecast for any signs of possible change.

Not knowing about what hard rains can do to my garden it got so beaten up. But to those who watch the weather and know what hard rains can do to a garden covered their plants…they hid them in the secret places, under buckets and cloth until the weather was clear. Suffering only slight damage to the external edges…with roots intact, they were able to grow and produce a harvest. A friend showed me what I had done wrong, so my harvest will be greater next time.

Because I was careless/unexperienced or refused to watch and prepare I suffered great loss to the seasonal things of my garden and missed some opportuned times…missed having certain fruit. Regardless, there are lessons to be learned and faith is tested.

There are those times regardless of whether one does or does not watch and pray where loss takes place in unexplainable ways {Like by grasshoppers}. Once again our faith is tested, for it rains on the just and the unjust, rains on both the good and the bad. "Remember I am faithful and I am not hindered by circumstance or situation. I am the God of the impossible. What is most important to Me is abiding with you. Don’t let anything persuade you to pull away out of resentment, anger or self-hate for not having overcome in any area of your life. I will satisfy every place of dryness, need or worry ~Isaiah 58:11~

The difference is not in the type of weather, but in the gardener and our
perspective, the difference is what you have planted in your garden and knowing what kind of plant you are. The difference is in knowing who you belong to in knowing, though life is seasonal, you like the veggies or trees, are rooted in the eternal. Seasons come and seasons go, yet I remain the same. I am faithful.

And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not ~Isaiah 58:11~


Lord I know life holds many seasons and with each comes a transition. I praise You knowing whatever season I find myself in You are there. Help me to be sensitive to the changes in times and seasons so I will act according to Your direction.
I will not fear lack for You are my provision. I will not fear times when the storms appear on the horizon. Remind me to watch the weather and be discerning of the upcoming changes in the physical and spiritual environment around me. No matter what changes happen I know the reality of Your ever~present love and care.
Lord even though my faith is tested, I will trust in You. Help me to plant the proper things in my garden at the proper time. Give me Your perspective so that I see the way You see. Therefore I will know what You would have me do. Thank You for the resurrection power within and without and its power to bring life to all that appears dead in my life. I know You are faithful. You are not hindered by any circumstances, for all things are possible with You.
Amennnnnn


As your faith is being tested in each season of your life, are you keeping your eyes on the One who controls the seasons or on your own ability?