Hebrews 13:15 says, 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.
Here praise is being defined as the fruit of our lips and in John 15;7-8
Jesus says,I If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
I think "sacrifice of praise" is a good way to put this because there are times when it is really a sacrifice to keep praising. But yet we are told to praise "continually". Psalm 34:1 says, I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Now how is that possible?! Is there a secret here somewhere? I believe there must be some mighty power in praise. I have to think about how I react to my children when they whine and complain and demand and then how I react to them when they are full of thanks and praise for me. Hmmm. For me that really brings it close home!
Matthew 21:22 says, And in all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
If we ask believing, than I think we would follow the asking with praise for being heard and answered even before we see the answer!
I came across this poem in the book 'There's Dynamite in Praise' by Don Gosset ( this is a good book!)
Praise unlocks heaven's portals;
Praise causes doubts to cease;
Praise brings precious blessings;
Praise leaves the sweetest peace.
Praise breaks all bands asunder;
Praise sets the captives free;
Praise lightens every burden;
Praise is the master key.
Praise changes circumstances;
Praise establishes the heart;
When praise becomes perpetual,
Praise is a Holy Art.
~ Frances Metcalfe
I have found this to be very true!
Here are some of my favorite praise verses;
Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoise in thee: I will sing praises to thy name, O thou most High.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteaousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto out God: many shall see it and fear, and trust in the Lord.
Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people: shout to God with the voice of triumph.
Psalm 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Ephesians 5 19-20 Speaking to yourselves in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
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.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
There are many, many more verses!
So next time when things are going all wrong and you feel like complaining or yelling at someone try saying, Praise the Lord,thank you Jesus! Even if you don't feel like it. I've done it and it works! Things around you start looking better!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
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