Today is our PRAISE Sunday in this church. Praise is an expression of approval, commendation and applause to God. The Bible expresses that God has created us to PRAISE the Lord and that we should recognize His works and give Him the credit for it in our life. God delights in those who praise and worship Him. Praise will open the gates and courts of God for you.
Psalm 138 admonishes us to praise Him in our heart, in the world, in song, in humility and to praise Him in trouble. The Book of Acts 16 instructs us that the victory in overcoming bad days comes down to this simple equation: “Prayer plus Praise equals Deliverance. Verse 25 says, “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. The prison doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose. King Jehoshaphat sang praises to God when three tribes rose against Judah. When we get into the habit of praising God, we’ll forget about our problems and trials! The Bible teaches us to Praise the Lord. In Luke 19:40, Jesus told the Pharisees, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would cry out”. Praise shows that we are not ashamed of God. Mk.8:38 says “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory”.
Paul and Silas were not ashamed of Jesus in the jail at Philippi. The lame man at the gate called Beautiful was not ashamed of Jesus and His Word. Praising God brings joy to the Christian. When we go to church praising God and seeking a blessing, then we will leave rejoicing!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we can express our praise by clapping. Psalm 47:1 says “Clap your hands all ye people, shout unto God with a voice of triumph”, lifting up your hands, Psalm 134:2 says “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord”, singing – Psalm 100:2 says “come before him with joyful song”. Ephesians 5:18-20 says “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord” and verbal Praise. Psalm 100 says “Shout for Joy all the earth, worship the Lord with gladness”.
Beloved children of God, without God you would have nothing and you would not exist. We need to thank God and praise Him every day for every good gift He has given us.
PRAISE THE LORD!
