Get Your Praise On and Get it Right

by Reverend M. Sylvia Ball

¹²What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for all His bountiful dealings?]
¹³I will lift up the cup of salvation and deliverance and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁴I will pay my vows to the Lord, yes, in the presence of all His people.

Psalm 116:12-14 [AMP]

Spiritual Warfare

Yesterday I had one of those days.  Not a bad day, an incredibly good day.  The bad day was the day before when the enemy did a sneak attack.

Warfare is never wanted but in this case, it was unwanted and unexpected.  So, after a couple of sleepless nights I decided to practice what I preach and teach.

I made a conscious choice to catch the negative thoughts and exchange them for a word of thanksgiving and praise. Now, this was not easy to do; it had to be intentional.

Over time, however, something amazing happened.  I experienced an incredible peace, calmness and joy deep down in my soul.

From Stressed to Blessed

I can’t tell you when I made the shift from feeling stressed to feeling blessed.  All I know is that it happened.  And when I realized that my stress was gone, somehow a simple “thank you Lord” seemed so inadequate.

What about you? Have you experienced a time when you were so completely overwhelmed with the goodness of God that you found it hard to articulate your thanks?  Intuitively, we recognize that God wants us to maintain an attitude of gratitude.

It is good to praise the LORD
       and make music to your name, O Most High,

Psalm 92:1 [NIV]

In Psalm 50:14, Asaph reminds us:

Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
       fulfill your vows to the Most High,

Psalm 50:14 [NIV]

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Thessalonians 5:18 to maintain a constant state of thankfulness.   We are to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Thessalonians 5:18 [AMP]

In Romans 8:28, he reminds us that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Romans 8:28 [AMP]

When we experience emotions that encompass wonder, love and gratitude beyond words, maybe GOD is not so much looking for our words, but our actions.

In Psalm 116:12-14, the Psalmist, recalls the goodness of the Lord, searching out personal ways to show his gratitude. He asked; Lord, how can I praise you in a way that articulates my thanksgiving and most importantly, please you?  He wants to get it right. 

If you, like me, are wondering how to go beyond the WORDS of thanksgiving, if you want to get your praise on and get it right, the text shares three things for us to consider.

Think on God’s Goodness

The Psalmist says in verse 13, I will lift up the cup of salvation.  In Biblical times, the cup was symbolic of a person’s lot or fate in life.  Whatever God allowed to happen; whatever situation they found themselves in, they would think about it in light of God’s wonderful salvation.

Taking time to thank God for his goodness is a discipline that many of us find difficult to cultivate and maintain.  We are such busy Christians.  Wearing various hats and operating in different roles.  We are spouses, parents, care-takers, ministry leaders, employees, community service workers, students.  The list goes on and on and many of us wear our busyness as badge of honor.  We rush home, to work and to church, often arriving late, unable to resist sharing just how busy we are for the Lord. 

God did not call us to busyness, but he does call us to a time of meditation, a time of reflection.  “Be still, and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10a NIV).  This is a paradigm shift, from focusing on what we have done for God; it’s about what God has done for us.  Take time to think about God’s goodness.  Block out today’s “to-do” list, tomorrow’s challenges and yesterday’s successes and failures and spend time thinking about God’s goodness, this great salvation.

• Think about the fact that we needed to be saved.
• Just as a murderer needs a lawyer...
• Just as a drowning person needs a lifeguard...
• Just as a sick person needs a doctor...
• We were sinners and we needed to be saved.
• Think about the fact that God “worked our salvation with his own arm (see Isaiah 59:16).
• Think about the fact that we are redeemed with the blood Jesus, adopted into His family.
• Think about God’s saving and sustaining grace.
• Think about the fact that we were chosen by Him.  We are “picked-people.”
• Think about how our salvation is secure and we are sealed, in Him.
• Think about how God consistently delivers, protects and shields.

What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for me? (Psalm 8:5 NIV).  This is how we can begin to get our praise on, simply thinking on the goodness of the Lord. 

After a time of thinking on the goodness of the Lord, the psalmist tells us that the natural outflow of our thinking will be calling on the name of the Lord. An involuntary utterance unto the Lord will flow out of us.  That is pure praise, not prompted by a praise leader or fixed rote praises to the Lord. Psalm 116:13b …call on the name of the LORD.

Call Him by Name

We know the Lord as Creator, Judge and Savior, but there are other names for God that we come to know only through life’s experiences or trials, sickness desires and needs. It is in these crises that God reveals Himself in ways unique to our situation.

When GOD called Moses and Moses said; who shall I say sent me? Moses wasn’t asking GOD “what should we call You?”  He asked “who are You, God?”

GOD responded saying “I AM Who I AM.”  In other words, “Moses, I will be continuously present for you, provide what you need, no matter what the situation.”

Abraham came to know Him as Jehovah Jireh my provider, GOD told him to sacrifice his son; Abraham was going to go through with it until GOD provided a substitute.

Think about your most recent trial, through the situation, GOD showed Himself in a unique ways.  When you think on His goodness to you in a personal ways, then He becomes a personal God and you can call Him by name and make it personal.

If you were sick; you might call Him HEALER.

If you prayed and He answered quickly, you can call Him “YOU who HEARS PRAYERS.”

If you were in some form of bondage and He brought you out, call Him LORD MY Deliverer.

Maybe your life was void and in your seeking He provided in a unique way, call Him the Lord that satisfies.

Maybe you went through a dark and lonely time and He manifested Himself in a special ways.  You can call Him THE LORD my LIGHT and the God Who is there!

Just like our natural parents love to hear us call them mommy and daddy, our God delights in hearing us call Him by the name that is personal to us.  After all, it is acknowledgement that we recognize Who brought us out. 

Maybe you are going through a trial right now.  Why not get your praise on right now.  After all He is a faithful God and this is not your first, nor will it be your last trial.  What has He been to you in past situations?  Think on the goodness of your God and you just may hear yourself calling Him, a firm rock, your hiding place, your very great reward or Prince of peace.  Do you want to get your praise on?

Think on the goodness of the Lord, call Him by name and then serve Him.  

The Psalmist says I will fulfill my vow in the presence of all His people.  Have you noticed that everything the Psalmist says is personal?  How can “I” repay the Lord, “I” will life up the cup of salvation, “I” will call on the name of the Lord and “I” will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. 

The fact that he owed the Lord for everything that God had done for him, personally, the solution is personal.  Yes, he is going to fulfill his vow in the presence of the people, but he does not say that he’s going to talk to the people about his service.  Think about it this way; when we come to the house of the Lord, for worship or service, we bring a contribution.  Sometimes, our presence in the worship experience can bless someone else.

Our presence is an affirmation of our faith, so we don’t say to everyone, “I’m here because of my faith in God, and our presence speaks for us.” 

It’s Personal

When I went through my trial last week, it was all personal.  My struggle, my tears, my prayers and my praise!   And, so it is for you, getting your praise on is personal.  That old adage, actions speak louder than words, is true. Words are not always required to give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, but action is.

What are some ways to service the Lord?  Privately meet the need of hurting person, give without announcing to anyone.  Speaking words that edify and build up; admonishing someone in private and keeping it private.  Sincerely forgiving and praying for those who hurt you. When we pay our vow to the Lord we do the things that God requires of us, we perform our reasonable service!  We present our bodies as a living sacrifice and what we do, not what we say, becomes a sweet smelling fragrance in the nostrils of our God!

You see, praise and thanksgiving flows from our knowledge of God.  HE does not love us like a punitive judge or arbitrary moody dictator.  His love is based on His own unchanging nature.  We may change, but He never does and it for this reason that we are thankful; it is for this reason that we want to praise Him.  So, you were wondering just how to get your praise on.  Know this; you don’t need a praise team, a worship leader or a public gathering.  Simply take up your cup, for it overflows with such a great salvation.  

Call the Lord by name, for He has done great things in your life, and fulfill you vow.  Give service to the Lord, not to impress the people in church, but to simply show your love for God. 

Go ahead, get your praise on!

---

For more than 15 years, the eloquent and vibrant Sylvia Ball has been serving the Lord Jesus Christ through preaching and teaching. Sylvia is deeply committed to rightly dividing the word of God so that men, women and children will come to know Christ personally, and in doing so, each will be encouraged to walk in their God given purpose.

Wisdom from Judypie

Take Your Medicine

God’s Word is good medicine. Read and study God’s Word, consent and submit to His sayings...let them not depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart. For they they will be life, healing and health to all your flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22). Guard your heart, decide to have a happy heart everyday, practice smiling and laughing, think happy thoughts and your cheerful mind will work healing. This doesn’t automatically occur; you have to be determined to achieve happiness that isn’t dependent on circumstances. Remember the Father has given you a joyous spirit and a glad heart. He is your exceeding great Joy!

Think on These Things

Father, Your Word is my Handbook for renewing my mind to think and speak as You think and speak. By the grace of God I will think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Your Word will renew my mind with Your thoughts, Lord, driving out thoughts of fear, doubt, bad feelings toward others, self-hatred, depression and unbelief in the name of Jesus. Amen.

• 
  Philippians 4:8
  

Bless The Lord

The Bible says that we have what we believe in our heart and say with our mouth. How much of your everyday conversation is devoted to negative, unfulling words? Do you talk more about the devil than about your Heavenly Father? Fill your mind with good things and speak words that are filled with grace and encouragement. Talk about the many blessings God has bestowed on you and your family, Eulogize God, speak well of Him, talk about His goodness and mercy. He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in Christ! Let His praise be continually in your mouth.

Prayer of Affirmation

Lord, I bless your holy name! I will not forget all your benefits - you forgive all my iniquities, heal all my diseases, redeem my life from destruction, and crown me with loving kindness and tender mercies. Thank you for satisfying my mouth with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. I worship you in the splendor of your holiness, in Jesus’ name.

• 
  Psalm 103:1-5
• 
  Psalm 29:2

Heavenly Father, You made me what I am and gave me a new life; and long ages ago You planned that I should spend my life in helping others. You are a great God, a loving God, a giving God, and I purpose to imitate You. The end of all things is at hand, and I will be serious and watchful in my prayers. Above all things, and by Your grace, I give myself to a fervent love for others – a love that covers a multitude of sins, in the name of Jesus. Amen

• 
  Ephesians 2:10
• 
  1^st Peter 4:7
  

LORD, I give thanks to You for You are good! Your mercy endures forever. Who can express Your mighty acts? Who can declare all Your praise? Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Visit me with Your salvation in the name of Your Son, Jesus. I love You, my Lord, my Redeemer. Amen.

• 
  Psalm 106:1-4
  

Father, I thank you for the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which flows through me to others. I abide in Jesus, He abides in me and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am salt and light in the earth - a witness to him everywhere I go - in my home, the workplace, and to the end of the earth. I purpose to practice the presence of Jesus, and make choices that will honor you, Father. Thank you for leading me in triumph in every situation I face today in Jesus’ name.

• 
  2^nd Corinthians 2:14
• 
  Matthew 5:13-16
• 
  Acts 1:8
  

This Week:

Hide His Word in your heart, keep yourself in the love of God building yourself up on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit. You are a living witness that God is good and merciful to all who call upon His name.

Fruit of My Lips: Thanksgiving, Praise and Rejoicing

Lord, by Your Holy Spirit perfect the fruit of my lips. Help me draw thanksgiving forth from my innermost resources; reach down into the most secret places of my heart that I may offer significant thanksgiving to You in the name of Jesus. Amen

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Hebrews 13:15 [AMP]

Father, You are worthy of all praise. We praise You for Your mighty acts, according to Your excellent greatness. We will praise You in the sanctuary with instruments and with the dance; with stringed instruments and organs; with cymbals and high-sounding cymbals. As long as we have breath, we will praise You, Father God, in the Holy Name of Jesus. You are a mighty God! Hallelujah!

¹ PRAISE THE Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power!
² Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!
³ Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes!
⁵ Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Psalm 150:1-6 [AMP]

Father, we rejoice because we have been justified by faith, and have peace with You through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We shout glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please You. This is the day that You have made and we rejoice in You, God our Savior in the name of Jesus. Amen.

THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-2 [AMP]

Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].

Luke 2:14 [AMP]

Wisdom from Judypie: The Power of Thanksgiving

Forgiven

Father, in the name of Jesus, I am blessed. I am happy because You gave me a fresh start; my slate’s wiped clean. I count myself blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) — You are holding nothing against me and you’re not holding anything back from me. When I confessed my sin, my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. In the Name of Jesus I thank You!

¹ BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered.
² Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
³ When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.
⁴ For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
⁵ I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
⁶ For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray--pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him.

Psalm 32:1-6 [AMP]

⁷ Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried.
⁸ Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him.

Romans 4:7-8 [AMP]

Strength

Father, when I am weak You give me power. When I have no might You strengthen me. I will wait upon You, LORD, and You shall renew my strength. I shall mount up with wings as eagles. I shall run and not be weary; I shall walk and not faint. You are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? LORD, You are the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? If God be for me, who can be against me? Amen.

²⁹ He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
³⁰ Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
³¹ But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Isaiah 40:29-31 [AMP]

THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 [AMP]

Triumphant Praise

Father, our Lord and God, receive our song of praise as we raise our voices in song to You, the One who rides upon the clouds! Jehovah is Your name--we rejoice in Your presence. We are singing a new song of triumphant praise, and shout for joy to the God of our salvation. Hallelujah!

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.

Psalm 33:3 [AMP]

Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts--His name is the Lord--be in high spirits and glory before Him!

Psalm 68:4 [AMP]

Thanksgiving

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O most High. Now thanks be unto You, our God who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us manifests the fragrance of Your knowledge in every place. Thank You for Your unspeakable gift. You give us the victory, and we give thanks always for all things unto You, our God and Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High,

Psalm 92:1 [AMP]

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

2^nd Corinthians 2:14 [AMP]

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Ephesians 5:20 [AMP]

Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!

2^nd Corinthians 9:15 [AMP]

Thank God for Everything?

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:20 [KJV]

As a Christian, am I supposed to thank God for everything that comes my way? There is a lot of discussion about this verse in churches today. However, we need to be scripturally discriminating about this and analyze what we are giving thanks for.

Are you supposed to give God thanks for your little child getting hit by a car and dying? When your husband dies of cancer and leaves you with five children to raise. Do you thank God? There are many churches that preach that we are to give thanks in these and other evil situations. They say, “Well, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. ” No!

I can’t thank God when someone dies and goes to hell. I can’t thank God when someone is crippled with some paralysis and he can’t even feed himself. Is this what the scripture is asking me to do? Am I to thank God for everything that happens - good or bad?

The Spirit of God gave me a revelation regarding this scripture which I want to share with you today. Look at the twentieth verse again, “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” Notice that the things we are to give thanks for are those that are “unto God. ”

In Matthew 22:16-21 (NKJV) we read, “And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the tax money.’  So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’   And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’”

We are supposed to give thanks to God always for the things that He has done, not for what the devil has done. Do you understand? We give God thanks, credit, praise and glory for what He has done! You don’t thank God for what the devil has done. You don’t thank God that somebody died and went to hell. You don’t thank God that somebody is sick and helpless or because somebody was killed or murdered. Don’t blame God for what the devil does.

I know that the idea of a devil is far fetched for some intellectuals. However, whether you believe it or not, the devil still exists. The Word of God says it and I believe God’s Word. Some of you are in denial and that is why the devil has been whipping your heads. He has tricked you into believing that he doesn’t exist and you have been calling the things that the devil has been doing in your life, “the works of God. ”
Even as a society we have been blaming God for all manner of destruction. The insurance companies write into their insurance contracts, “Acts of God. ” There are certain things they won’t insure because they say that the flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquakes are “Acts of God. ”

First John 3:8 says: He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the devil must have some works. Is this right? Jesus described the devil and his works in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to seal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ”

The devil has some works and when the devil does his works you are not to give God thanks for what the devil has done. You give thanks unto God for what He has done. Render unto God the things that are God’s and render unto Satan the things that he has done. Stop blaming God for the things that the devil is doing!

Meditations from Judypie: Power to Live Victoriously

This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! My delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on Your law I habitually meditate (ponder and study) by day and by night. Then I shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water; ready to bring forth fruit in my season; my leaf shall not fade or wither, and everything I do shall prosper and come to maturity. Amen.

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 [NIV]

But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

Psalm 1:2-3 [AMP]

God wants you to have success in every area of your life. There are spiritual laws that will govern earthly laws if you put them to work. The law of sowing and reaping can be studied while walking through your flower garden or driving through the countryside. When one seed is planted in good soil it will produce many times more. I encourage you to put your sanctified (set apart unto God) imagination to work and meditate on God’s Word concerning finances, healing, relationships, walking in love, following after peace, developing the fruit of the spirit described in Galatians 5. Meditate on things that are worthy of reverence, honorable and seemly, just, pure, lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. As a man thinks in his heart so is he.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Dreams are seeds of reality – they are the beginning of all your achievements. Obstacles can become stepping stones to success if you believe. Your future is filled with probabilities and possibilities. Jesus said that all things are possible to the person who believes.

Father, You are the Strength of my life. I am working out my own salvation with reverence, not in my own strength for you are effectually at work in me, energizing and creating in me the power and desire both to will and to work for your good pleasure, satisfaction and delight. I am a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away, and today I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nothing shall be impossible to me in the name of Jesus. Amen

THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 21:1 [AMP]

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

Philippians 2:12-13 [AMP]

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 [AMP]

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

2^nd Corinthians 5:17 [AMP]

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your goodness. In the name of Jesus I cast the whole of my care—all anxieties, worries and concerns—upon You. I know that You love me and care for me, and those for whom I am praying. Today I make all my requests known to You with thanksgiving. I know You hear me, and I believe Your best answers are on the way from the moment I ask. Amen.

O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

Psalm 136:1 [AMP]

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Philippians 4:6 [AMP]

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

1^st Peter 5:7 [AMP]

The names of God reveal his desire to supply your every need.

My life is complete in You, Lord Jesus. Every answer, every need, every solution I have need of is available to me.

• You are Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer
• Jehovah-Nissi, my Victory
• Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider
• You are Jehovah M’Kaddesh, my Sanctifier
• Jehovah-Shalom, my Peace and Security
• My Shepherd, you’re Jehovah-Rohi
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my Righteousness
• Jehovah-Shammah, my ever-present Friend

Because I am complete in You, Lord Jesus I can overcome my insecurities and bring maturity and wisdom to every relationship for the good and benefit of others. Amen

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

Colossians 2:10 [AMP]

To You, O Lord I pray. My enemies will not triumph over me, and I will never be disgraced for trusting You. Show me the path where I should go, point out the right road for me to walk. Lead and teach me for you are the God who gives me salvation. Thank you for seeing me through eyes of everlasting love and kindness. Your integrity and uprightness will preserve me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

¹UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. ²O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me. ³Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause. ⁴Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. ⁵Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Psalm 25:1-5 [AMP]

Father, you give power to the weak, and to those who have no might, You increase our strength. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. You gave me power to trample…over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me in the name of Jesus. Amen.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

Isaiah 40:29 [AMP]

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

1^st John 4:4 [AMP]

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Luke 10:19 [AMP]

As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. Your thoughts and words are energy, and they reach out to every condition and circumstance of your life. You have the power of choice, and have the ability to take control of your thought life and dislodge all the lies of the enemy. You have the power to be the person God created you to be! Choose to believe that you have received the ability, efficiency, and might when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. God needs you to be a true witness of the Gospel, and you will do this effectively when you are comfortable with who God created you to be. You are unique!

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You do I wait all the day long. Laus Deo!

New CD: Defender!

The Powerhouse Ministry has released its latest CD, an hour of power entitled DEFENDER! This hour of power teaches us that we need not fight, that our battles belong to the Lord! We can lead not with a punch or a kick, but with our praise.
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	Is there someone in your life who is messing with you? Don’t get mad at them. Did someone cut you off in traffic? Don’t lose your witness by flipping them off and then letting them see your Jesus bumper sticker. What should a person do when people try to bring us down... to rob us or cheat us... even try to destroy our lives? The key is to take your eyes off of people and focus on the true enemy (satan). Then, take the battle to the Lord. You can defeat more enemies with your praise than with your fists. How? Listen to this intensive hour of power! Our core scriptures in this teaching: Proverbs 6:16-19 Isaiah 54:16-17 2nd Kings 2 2nd Chronicles 20 After getting into this study, you will be immune to satan's tactics and you will see your enemies fall while God exalts you.
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You can find more details about the CD, including audio samples and ordering instructions, by clicking here.
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If you would rather not purchase the CD, you may download the audio for free (in six MP3 files) by visiting http://www.link2power.org/audioteaching/Defender

Visit the powerhouse for even more audio and printed teaching materials!

Psalm Eight

David, as great as he was, had much weakness and saw many troubles. In times of his troubles and weakness he would often return to God with praise to draw strength. As he looked upon the things created by the hand of God he was reminded of God’s great power and glory. In this hymn of praise, David marvels at the majesty of the Lord, and is reminded that He even uses the weak infants of man to confound the wise and defeat His adversaries. Then it seems that he ponders the question, what is man that God would take thought of him. He reminisces the splendor of God’s creation and then his thoughts turns to the fact that He had entrusted all these wonderful things to the dominion of man.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens (Psalm 8:1 NASU)!

David begins by acknowledging our Lord as Lord of all and the greatness of His name in all the earth and that He has displayed His glory above or greater than the heavens.

From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease (Psalm 8:2 NASU).

Now it seems that he begins to marvel at the fact that God has used the mouth of babes (the sons of men---see v. 4)) to establish strength to overcome the adversaries. (See Matthew 11:25; 21:14-16; 1^st Corinthians 1:27).

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him (Psalm 8:3-4 NASU)? (See Hebrews 2:6-9).

When David considers the stupendous work of God’s creation his thoughts are of man who may be seen as no more than a speck of dust in comparison, but yet God has high regard for him.

Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty (Psalm 8:5 NASU)!

Here, in verses 5-8, his question is answered. David views man, created in God’s image, as “a little lower than God;” for “the creature is not greater than the Creator;” for God is the sustenance of the image (Genesis 2:7); thus man is the “crown jewel” of all God’s glorious creations.

You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas (Psalm 8:6-8 NASU).

David acknowledges that God esteem man and gave him the high office of ruler of the earth and all that was in it. In doing so he gave man dignity above all other creatures.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth (Psalm 8:9 NASU)!

There is no doubt that with these thoughts David is humbled, but yet strengthened knowing that God loved him, and thus He ends as he began, with a note of praise.

James C Sanford

Mike MacIntosh Update

We received a message from The Horizon Christian Fellowship family regarding the surgery that Pastor Mike MacIntosh had this past week:

We would like to send a special thank you to everyone who has been praying for Mike. His back surgery this past week went well and he is now home and in the recovery period, resting. He will be down and quiet on his back for two weeks.

The following two weeks will allow for a little more walking and moving around. The fusion process for the vertebrae will take approximately 6 months. The pain level may stay at the preoperative level and/or hopefully begin to subside in the coming weeks.

Mike is very appreciative of all the prayers that he felt and heard in his room at the hospital in the early days of recovery. He's humbled by the love and gentleness of those who have sent well wishes. He feels very small right now and thanks God for His love and mercy on such a sinner as himself.

Our physical lives are so fragile. One of the fresh lessons learned is to be tender towards one another. Life is but a vapor - we must put more value on our time with the Lord, family, and friends.

Mike feels so encouraged that God has used him in spite of himself through the many years of chronic pain, and he is amazed that the future holds loving opportunities to continue in the service of His Kingdom.

May the Lord bless you, as your love and prayers have so blessed the MacIntosh family.

 

What Pleases God?

From Prayer, Praise and Promises by Warren Wiersbe:

¹⁸Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. ¹⁹Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, justice, and right, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bullocks will be offered upon Your altar.

-- Psalm 51:18-19

We can live to please ourselves. We can live to please others. But above all we should live to please the Lord. David closes his prayer of confession, “Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness” (Ps. 51:19). Everything we do should please the Lord.

A. W. Tozer used to say, “God is not hard to get along with.” And this is true. One day David said, “Let [me] fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man” (2^nd Samuel 24:14). God knows us, loves us and is patient with us. Everything He plans for us is for our good, our enjoyment and His glory. So what pleases Him the most? An obedient walk, not sacrifices. David says, “If I brought sacrifices without repentance, You wouldn't accept them. But if I repent and bring you a broken and a contrite heart, then you will accept my sacrifice and my service.”

It's interesting how David ends this psalm. “Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem” (v. 18). David in his sin had been tearing down, not building up. He had given opportunity to the enemies of Israel to blaspheme God. The word got out. Soon everyone knew what David had done. So he says, “O God, when I was sinning, I was tearing down. I was not pleasing You. Now I want to please You. And because I'm pleasing You, I will be building up. And the walls of Jerusalem, walls of protection, will be strong.” Are you tearing down or building up?

God plans everything for your good, your enjoyment and His glory. As His child, strive to please and honor Him in all you do. Is your walk with God one of obedience? Make your life the kind that pleases Him.

¹⁴And David said to Gad, I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are many and great; but let me not fall into the hands of man.

-- 2^nd Samuel 24:14

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