MARCH 15, 2024
Topic: LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE – CONDITION FOR EXPERIENCING GOD’S PRESENCE
Text: Colossians 3:16, 17, Psalm 100, Psalm 22:3
Memory Verse: Colossians 3:16:- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.
Psalm 22:3 – God inhabits the praises of His people. The presence of God is guaranteed in heartfelt praise worship, this is not limited to time of worship during church services or the month of thanksgiving. When God inhabits our praises; that is the ultimate victory. His presence is our greatest spiritual asset in life; praise is a price you pay to get it. His presence breaks barriers, levels mountains and puts you above circumstances.
Acts 16:25; “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: Singing, praising and thanksgiving all go together. Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, and their feet put in chains. If it were some believers in similar circumstances they could have grumbled and complained and would not praise God. They praised God and an earthquake happened in the prison cell and their chains were broken off, they were set free.
His presence makes crooked things straight; every crookedness that the enemy has planted in your life, family, destiny, business and career are destroyed because of the anointing that comes with His presence. There are testimonies of healings, financial breakthroughs, diverse miracles that take place in an atmosphere of praise.
2 Chronicles 20:13-23; “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against them”; their enemies destroyed one another. Invoke the Presence of God with praise and He will step in and take over your battles with His Almightiness and Omnipotence. God takes over our battles as we praise Him. Remember King Jehoshaphat.
Acts 13:2; “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said”. Ministering to the Lord is prayer of worship. We need to worship God for Who He is, not only “Give me, give me, give me” When we fast and minister to the Lord, God will manifest Himself. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord Ps 147:1
Pride of Life is destroyed with a life style of praise. When we praise God, we acknowledge Him as our provider, we surrender our achievements to Him and God takes all the glory. Remember Ahithophel and the story of the rich fool, they were both cut down because of pride. Malachi 2:2, Psalm 50:2-3; our life of praise will preserve the blessings of God in our lives; our blessings will
not be cursed. Ps 67:5-7; our praise provokes Harvest. When we praise God, His blessings upon us become inexhaustible.
Meditate and Apply: David praised God seven times a day Ps.119:164. God lifts you up as you live a lifestyle of praise. Ps 92:1,12, Ps 113:1, 7-8.