Praise, the key to unlock God’s blessings:
John 15:11 (NLTse)
[11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Romans 15:13 (NLTse)
[13] I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul prays that God who gives hope will also keep you full of joy and peace as you anticipate what God has in store for you. Then, believers can overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that God accomplishes his care for his people—giving them
Endurance,
Encouragement,
Unity,
Hope,
Joy,
And peace.
But there is one key element in a Christian’s life that will unlock God’s blessings. This is PRAISE!
Hearts that choose to praise God first cannot be shaken by circumstances.
So often we are weighted down by the issues of life, that we tend to start our prayers with a laundry list of problems we want God to fix. Forgetting the beauty of honoring God for who he is.
Something changes deep within us when we stop and lift our voice in praise before we ask for anything.
When we praise God first, we invite His presence and power into every situation. Praise opens the door for faith to rise and hope to be restored. It reminds us that God is bigger than our struggles, and His goodness is not dependent on our circumstances.
Psalms 100:4-5 (NKJV)
[4] Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. [5] For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
This verse is an invitation to approach God with a heart full of gratitude. It teaches us that praise is the door to unlock God’s presence.
When we shift our focus to thanksgiving, we shift our focus from what is lacking to the one who provides all things.
Think of it like tuning an instrument, no matter how skilled the musician, the music will not sound right if the instrument is out of tune. In the same way when we start with praise, our hearts become tuned to God’s goodness and everything else falls into its proper place.
When we praise God, it opens up our mind to peace, joy and the miracles God wants to release.
The world teaches us to react to what we see and feel, but this is not the way God commands us to walk. The enemy whispers that praise is only for the good times.
God tells us to praise Him first, not because everything is perfect but because He is worthy.
We are not called to be ruled by your feelings, but to rule over your feelings by faith. You are not called to wait for joy to come to you. You are called to draw near to God and He will fill you with joy.
You are not called to let your circumstances dictate your worship; you are called to let your worship change your circumstance.
Acts 16:25-26 (NLTse)
[25] Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. [26] Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Notice Paul and Silas did not wait for the chains to fall off before they praised God. They praised God in the darkness, in the pain, and in the uncertainty. Their praise was not a response from freedom but was the door to unlock it.
Praise is your weapon; it is your breakthrough.
Psalms 95:1-3 (NLTse)
[1] Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. [3] For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
This is a commitment to put praise first no matter what the circumstances look like.
Praise is not just for the mountain top, but for the valley. Praise is not just for the answer, but for the waiting. Understanding that God is working behind the scenes, and He will work everything out for my good (Romans 8:28).
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLTse)
[17] Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, [18] yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
DECLARE: I’m a worshiper not a worrier, I’m a victor not a victim. Let your life be a testimony of praising God first.
PRAISE IS THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH, IT SAYS LORD I TRUST YOU EVEN THOUGH I DON’T SEE THE ANSWER.
Praise is not about getting God’s favor; it is about coming into agreement with His nature and promises. Declaring God you are good, and I will trust you no matter the circumstances.
Psalms 103:1-2 (NLTse)
[1] Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Praise is a weapon; it confuses the enemy and brings clarity to our hearts. Praise is your breakthrough, praise is your victory.
Psalms 92:1-2 (NLTse)
[1] It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. [2] It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.
Make a commitment today to praise God every morning, every night and throughout the day!!!!
-Pastor Jr-