The Mystery of Praise II

Text: Psa.34:1
More Lessons: Acts16:25-26

When God made man, he made him spirit, soul and body. 1Thess.5:23b …and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. So when the psalmist in the first text demanded of his soul to sing praises to the Lord, it was actually his spirit that was instructing his soul to praise the Lord. Why did the spirit of the psalmist summon his own soul to praise God? Our human minds tend to focus on the prevailing challenges around and not on the prevailing power in praise within.

The realms of our intellect and logic cannot fathom that we must praise God because praise is not an intellectual concept, it is a spiritual mystery. That is why, with a closer look, we also will notice that the psalmist was not issuing an advice or suggestion but an emphatic command! David was arguably Israel's greatest King and an anointed man of war from his youth; so if anyone knew anything about issuing commands, David did for sure. Now, here comes the great man of war speaking about praise with military undertones to reveal that he understood that praise was actually a lethal weapon of warfare.

Throughout Bible history, from the exodus of the children of Israel to the time of the apostles, the mystery of praise was one weapon consistently deployed by the children of God to quench the fiery darts of the devil and his cohorts. The mysterious power in praise is owed to the fact that God dwells in praise and where ever the presence of the Lord is, no demonic operation can thrive there.

Praise is a vehicle of the presence and power of God. True Praise is irresistible to God. It commands the manifestation of the full weight of the hosts of heaven to your life and situation. Whenever we praise God whole heartedly, God surely visits our lives. One visit from the Lord Himself is more than enough to turn everything around for the better. Psa.126:1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Praise is a spiritual transaction where you give God what He desires and He in-turn gives you your heart’s desires. Truly, wise people praise God even before their breakthroughs show up. Be wise, praise him in advance!

Prayer/Action.
* Ask God for strength to always praise Him.
* Pray that things of celebration will never depart from your tabernacle.
* Pray for Christians to understand the mystery of praise.
Praise God even when in pains for it pays.
Begin to praise God for everything about you and around you.
Promise God you will praise Him before, during and after every pain beginning from today.

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The Mystery of Praise I

Text: Psa.103:1
More Lessons: Psa.150

It doesn't matter what you are going through right now, if only you dare to praise the Lord, I tell you it is only a matter of time before the Hosts of heaven will visit your life with power and deliverance. The original Hebrew word translated “Lord” in the anchor text is ‘ad-o-noy' and it suggests “the controller, master or commander of an army or troop”. This is why we often see the same word appear in other scriptural texts as Lord of hosts or Lord of the heavenly hosts. So when we offer praises, it is the Lord God of the armies of heaven that arises on our behalf.

The Hosts of hell cannot stand the slightest sway from the Lord of the armies of heaven. No wonder at Jericho, God instructed His people to make a shout of praise and as soon as they did, the walls of that great city came crumbling down because the Lord and his hosts of armies came into the scene. We see the same manifestation of the Lord and His hosts when in the prison where Paul and Silas where chained; at the sound of their prayer sand praises, there was a great earthquake. The gates flung open and the chains and shackles fell loose from their hands and feet. If you must experience the mighty touch and transforming power of God in your life, you must consciously cultivate he heart of praise. Psa.34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

The heart of praise is one that is persuaded that the Lord deserves the praise irrespective of what is going wrong in the immediate surrounding or who is looking on. Rom.8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. He who offers praise is fully persuaded at the promise of God. The Bible says in Heb.10:23b …; for he is faithful that promised. That's why he who praises can go to sleep in a storm because he Lord of hosts said in His word Heb.13:5b ... I will never leave thee, nor , forsake thee .

There are two categories of praise offered in the Kingdom of God; conditional praise and unconditional praise. The power, provision and protection of the Lord of hosts are always at the disposal of people with unconditional praises on their lips. We were created to give God praise. And as we do what we were created to do, God does or us what gives Him pleasure to do; to intervene in the matters of your life! Praise him NOW!

Prayer/Action.
* Pray for God’s visitation as you praise Him.
* Pray that as you praise God, He will sink every wall of Jericho around you.
* Ask God to help you praise him in every situation.
* Ask for the spirit of praise and thankfulness.
Sing a song to Jesus today, dance and praise Him.
Shout Halleluyah.

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Valuing the Voice of God II

Text: Heb.4:7
More Lessons: John10:1-5

Many people keep asking to know how to be sure that the Lord is speaking when you hear a voice either in your spirit or audibly. There are certain people in my life who's voices I cannot miss even in a crowd simply because I know them personally and intimately, So If you deepen your intimacy with the Lord, you will not miss His voice, because you know Him. When Jesus said my sheep hear my voice, He was invariably saying, the little lambs cannot hear my voice, because they have not developed to the point where they can recognize my leading. Sheep in this context are those who value God's voice more than anything else. These are the true sons of God.

When the troubled waters roar, those who have a personal relationship with God will find an easy way out because they can identify the still small voice of the Holy Spirit even in the noisiest of tempests. However, those who have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ will grope in the dark even when God is speaking to them because they have not developed their spiritual senses to know the voice of the Lord. It is often said that only what you value can add value to you.

God will not trust His voice to those who will not value it. If God cannot trust you to obey Him in little things, He will not reveal strong things to you. His leading is a heritage only for those who are maturing into sonship. Leading is only made possible when those who will be led are yielded and obedient enough to follow the voice of God. It is in vain that some people in search for the Lord's leading hop from one miracle centre to another when the Lord desires to speak His word directly into our hearts by His Spirit which is resident in us. God wants to talk with you.

The pathways of this life are too dangerous to ply without the voice of the Ancient of days. We cannot afford to handle the voice of God with levity. We cannot afford to use God; we must let God use us. We must yield and obey his gentle promptings. Until the child Samuel learn to say “Speak Lord for your servant heareth” he may have never matured into the prophet Samuel who could say 'thus saith the Lord'.

Prayer/Action.
* Pray that the issues of Life will not negatively affect your intimacy with God.
* Ask for God’s directives towards maturity in hearing His voice.
* Repent of ever handling the voice of God with levity.
* Ask the spirit of God to come upon you afresh and keep you connected to the Father.
* Pray that you will never grief the Spirit of God nor walk away from Him.

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Valuing the Voice of God I

Text: John10:27, More
Lessons: I Sam.3:1

The GPS navigator system in a car might be of very little value to its owner until he drives into a big city for the first time and all he knows about where he is going is the name of the destination. That's the moment when the advantage of having a navigation system fitted car will be appreciated. You will suddenly put all your trust in the directives of the electronic navigator that was once abandoned, and obey its directives aptly and without a second thought because of the pressing need to arrive at your destination.

We never know the value of a thing until we are in a situation where we cannot do without it. It is just the way our minds are conditioned to respond naturally. It is the same with the voice of God. We don't seem to easily realize how much we need God's voice until all of hell breaks loose and there is nowhere else to turn; then we come running to the feet of the Master in tears, asking for just one word from Him. Man desires an affair with God, but God desires a relationship with us; that's why he speaks to our hearts. One of the free benefits to the New Testament Christian is complete and unhindered access to the mind of God.

Heb.1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. God is more than a GPS car navigator; He is our Father and Friend. The purpose of God's voice and leading is so that we would be more intimate with Him. Rom.8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. By the leading of the voice of God, we grow to maturity in God.

We receive wisdom of God to respond to the challenges of life with answers and solutions. But if you seek the Lord only when you have pressing needs, He may come to your rescue in His mercy. But for how long do we want to keep running in and out on God when we can stay in His presence and know the Master for ourselves? But how will we even recognize his leading and gentle promptings when we have not developed the culture of valuing his voice? The Voice of God is the most valuable aid and guide in the Christian walk. God is speaking so let us listen to the voice of God today.

Prayer/Action.
* Appreciate God for your unlimited access to His mind.
* Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you to hear God’s voice clearly in all matters
* Ask God to take away every sinful obstruction that can break your continuous contact with Him
* Ask God to keep you permanently in His presence.

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