Tag: Praise

The Absolute Greatness of the God I Serve., part 2

PRAISE

Psalms 29:4  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. My God made the heavens, and earth and plants and oceans, and mankind, what has your god done?

Psalms 96:4-9 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6  Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7  Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Psalms 145:3  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.         

There is no god like our God.         

He is the only God worthy of my worship.He is the only God that can change your life –

II Corinthians 5;17-18  – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Praise Him because He has trusted you to carry this message of God news 

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
  1. To better understand the love of God, learn to be still. (clear your mind of your thoughts and fill it with His.)
  2. Get to know God as you would a friend.
  3. He will never forsake His children –

Hebrews 13:5-6 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Proverbs 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

    Acts 17:22-31 – Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.29  Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

    Any other god is only an idol – money, fame, popularity, people, etc. We are to give Him praise (too often we give men praise for what God has   done. 

    Exodus 20:3 – Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

    Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.     

    1 Corinthians 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.  

    Let Us

    Let us Have Grace

    I. What does this grace mean to us.


    A. We have been extended His unending, unfailing, undeserved amazing grace that will lead us all the way home.

    Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:


    B. This grace leads to mercy.
    C. This mercy leads to a lively hope – a hope that is real.
    D. Hope leads to an incorruptible inheritance.
    E. This hope enables us to endure hardships of this earthly life.
    F. Theses hardships lead to glory and honor when He comes.
    G. This glory to come leads us to joy that the world just cannot understand.
    H. In the end, we win – We are assured of the salvation of our souls

    I Peter 1:3-9 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.


    II. What does this grace in our lives do for others –


    A. Leads us to consider our words carefully –

    Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


    B. Leads to an attitude of grace toward others –
    C. Leads to a spirit of unity others can see, even the lost. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
    D. Leads to a spirit of unity with other believers.
    E. Leads to a family unit working together to see others come to Jesus –

    I Corinthians 3:1-11- And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

    Let Us Go Forth

    Hebrews 13:13 – Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

    Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

    A. We are to go forth OUTSIDE the camp (the body of believers) to those who are lost in their sin.
    B. We are to bear His reproach –

    Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


    C. We must be willing to take up our cross and follow Him regardless of the cost Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
    D. It is through the trials that we become strong in Him – 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

    Let Us Offer The Sacrifice Of Praise.

    Praise – note the word sacrifice

    Praise results only when we surrender what we want and exchange it for His will for our lives

    A. Praise is a day by day, moment by moment lifestyle.
    B. Praise is the result of what we have on the inside.
    C. Praise leads to a life of thanksgiving

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


    Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

    Psalms 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.


    Psalm 145:1-21

    I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy ighteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

    The Keys to Real Joy

    Isaiah 41:10-13
    Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

    I) Put first things first –

    Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

    A. Learn it is ok to leave somethings undone each day.
    B. Prioritize each day.
    C. Remember, what is at the top of your list should be God, Family, Others

    II) Set aside time for praise each and everyday

    Psalm 92:1-10 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

    A. Begin by counting your blessings from yesterday.
    B. Add to that the blessings of family and friends.
    C. Add to that the fact that God wants to bless you today too.
    D. Ask for an attitude of praise to follow you all the day long.
    E. Look for someone to encourage during the day; you will.
    find them everywhere.

    III) Do not hold grudges –

    TO DO SO IS TO LET OTHERS CONTROL YOUR JOY

    Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

    • A. Be quick to forgive – Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
    • B. Remember, God forgave you ALL your sin.
    • C. Often, we get angry with others who do the same things we do. (angry people tend to get angry with others who get angry, greedy people tend to get upset over other greedy people, proud people get angry over other proud people, etc)
    • D. Trust others in your life to point out your weak points without getting offended

    IV) Learn to relax

    A. Use your time to refresh yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically.

    Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

    Mark 6:30-32 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.


    B. Slow down, do not be in such a hurry.
    C. Anxiety is a huge reason for many illnesses.

    V) Be in love with your spouse and your family, do not just love them.

    A. Love is more than just providing material needs.
    B. Love is time.
    C. Love is sacrificial.
    D. Love is encouraging.
    E. Love is guiding.
    F. Love is willing giving, not grudgingly yeilding.

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