The Power of Praising God
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15
Praise invokes God's presence. It gets God's attention, it creates an atmosphere. Praise is to the New Testament what sacrifices, and offering was to the Old Testament, praise is sacrifice. Psalm 22:3 “says that God inhabits the praises of His people,” so when God's people praise Him, He draws near and worship results. God has given each of us a praise ministry with a worship "team" that is never any farther away than an inch below our noise: our lips, mouth, and tongue.
God does not need either our praise or our worship-He is God no matter what we do or don't do-but we need His presence. God's presence comes through our praise. If we desire to live abundant lifestyle, we must learn to cultivate a continual environment of praise. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess His name." Praise is a sacrificial offering to God, the spiritual "first-fruits" of our lips.
4 Facts about Praising God
I. It is God’s desire that we praise Him with childlike faith.
Praising God in the midst of negative circumstances can turn seeming defeat into total victory. Psalms 8:1-2; Matt. 21:16
II. Praise Demonstrates Faith.
1. God has promised to answer prayer upon His established principles. Phil. 4:6-7.
2. It is our duty and privilege as kings and priests to offer God praise, Heb 13:15.
III. Victorious Living Through Praise.
1. Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, victory belongs to the child of God. It is appropriated through praise. 1 Cor. 15:56-57; 2 Cor. 2:14.
2. David shows us how to appropriate God's power. Psalms 9:1-4; 50:14, 15, 23; 56:4-11.
IV. Biblical Examples Of Victory Through Praise.
1. The first thing Jehoshaphat did was seek God. Then he prayed according to the word. 2 Chron. 20:9. The results of praise - 2 Chron. 20:17-22.
2. Jonah put action to his faith by praising God. He offered the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Jonah 2:1-10.
Paul and Silas got victory when they praised God in spite of there circumstances - Acts 16:16
Why is praising God important?
The reasons are countless. First, God deserves to be praised and He is worthy to receive our praise:
- "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods" (Psalm 96:4).
- "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom" (Psalm 145:3).
- "I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies" (2 Samuel 22:4).
- "You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (Revelation 4:11).
Second, praising God is useful and favorable for us. By praising God, we are reminded of the greatness of God! His power and presence in our lives is reinforced in our understanding. "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant" (Psalm 135:3).
Third, praise discharges strength in faith, which causes God to move on our behalf. "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" (Psalm 8:2). Praising God also transforms the spiritual environment that we have. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 clearly illustrates the alteration that happened when the Levites gave praise and thanks to the Lord and the temple was filled with a cloud signifying the glory of God.
"The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: 'He is good; his love endures forever.' Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the
Fourth, God inhabits the atmosphere of praise. Psalm 22:3 says, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of
Praising God - Who and When?
Who is to praise God? "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD," states Psalm 150:6.
- "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips (Psalm 34:1)."
- "Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" (Psalm 63:3-4).
- "Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD" (Psalm 134:1-2).
We cannot embark on the true joy and benefits of praising God unless we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As children of God, He dwells in our bodies through the Holy Spirit. This means that wherever we go, God is to be praised. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states that "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Praising God - How to Praise and Worship God
How is praising God possible? Singing songs and hymns, clapping our hands, even jumping for joy…the list is endless. We can give glory and praise to our God with the use of our physical bodies, with our hearts and minds, and with our deeds. There are many ways to praise God!
No matter how you praise and worship God, it should result in an awe of God's power, love, and grace for all of us! However the best way to Praise God is to Obey Him.
One thing I want to make crystal clear is the importance of the presence of God. It is one thing to know of God's omnipresence, but quite another to experience the reality of His personal presence on a continuing day-to-day basis through praise, quiet time in His Word and personal intercessory prayer.
Before anything else, we need the presence of God. Everything else in life depends on God's presence. Praise attracts the presence of God. True praise is an exercise, a discipline that flows from a pure heart and a humble spirit. When we praise and acknowledge God, we are acknowledging His sovereignty and Lordship as well as our own dependence on Him. That spirit of humility is just what God is looking for in us. If we approach God with a humble spirit He will do two things: When we come near God, He will come near to us; and when we humble ourselves before Him, He will lift us up. And with those two actions all things all possible! ( Phil: 4:13)
Praise is an act of FAITH. It is the highest expression of faith because it shows we are trusting God.
1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
No comments:
Post a Comment