The purpose of praise is to invite the Lord God into your environment. It shouldn’t be only done weekly. I do it all the time, especially when I am driving.
The power of praise is the presence of the Lord God in your life. When we praise the Lord God, we agree with what He has already stated and shown us about who He is. Why would we ever want to live without His Presence in our daily life?! Keep in mind that you will also discover more of who He created you to be, because you were made to be like Him. His Presence is the environment He created you to live in. Therefore, holiness is good for you because when you are holy, holiness meets His Holiness.
Keep this in mind: When we enter into His presence, things change. But things also change when the Lord God’s Spirit leaves. The life of King Saul shows what a difference the absence of the presence of the Lord God can make. King Saul disobeyed the Lord God and, therefore, was tormented by an evil spirit. Since they knew of no cure, Saul’s servants suggested that they find someone to play the harp whenever the evil spirit came. Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”
“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”
One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.
So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT Take a few minutes to read the whole story. 1 Samuel 13, 15, 16
(Let's note that it says the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Everything the Lord God does has a purpose, whether we understand what that purpose is at the time. Samuel anointed David to be king. The Lord God brought him into King Saul's court. He was physically positioning David for His future!)
You do not need to be in a church service or call someone else to get you into the Lord God’s presence. Just praise Him. The more you enter into the Lord God’s presence through praise, the more natural and frequent it becomes. It will become a regular part of your life. You don’t have to go somewhere to feel His presence. Rather everywhere you go, His presence will be with you! I can testify to that! Then no matter where you are or what you may be experiencing, you will possess the key that opens doors no one can shut and shuts doors no one can open! And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:7-8
If something is blocking your way, or someone is trying to hold you back from what the Lord God has for you, do not get angry or complain. Start praising the Lord God. That is what I do! In His timing, He will show up in your situation and make things right. Just because you haven’t seen it yet, doesn’t mean that He hasn’t already done it. Praise Him with that knowledge. It is already done! Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” Daniel 10:12-14
This I must share with you: When the Presence of the Lord God is with you, it is such a good feeling that you never want to leave. You want to stay in His Presence always. So keep on praising Him regardless of your current situation. King David evidently knew this wonderful feeling when he stated: You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Always remember that the presence of the Lord God is our source of joy. If you want to have more joy and peace in your life, spend more time with Him. It works for one, being a Kingdom citizen. When you spend more time with Him, the spirit of heaviness that hangs on you will lift as the Lord God changes your attitude, perspective and atmosphere.
Here is my advice to you…seek the Lord God each day until joy becomes your constant companion and you become as delighted with His Presence as was David. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Psalm 84:10-12
Don’t seek happiness. Happiness is a temporary emotion. Happiness is tied to your situation at that moment. But the joy of the Lord God will sustain you through your trials and keep you in peace. Stay in His presence through the Holy Spirit, our Governor in the Kingdom. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100
Praise the Lord!
Remember, your faith in His Word is your most valuable asset in His Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you.
The power of praise is the presence of the Lord God in your life. When we praise the Lord God, we agree with what He has already stated and shown us about who He is. Why would we ever want to live without His Presence in our daily life?! Keep in mind that you will also discover more of who He created you to be, because you were made to be like Him. His Presence is the environment He created you to live in. Therefore, holiness is good for you because when you are holy, holiness meets His Holiness.
Keep this in mind: When we enter into His presence, things change. But things also change when the Lord God’s Spirit leaves. The life of King Saul shows what a difference the absence of the presence of the Lord God can make. King Saul disobeyed the Lord God and, therefore, was tormented by an evil spirit. Since they knew of no cure, Saul’s servants suggested that they find someone to play the harp whenever the evil spirit came. Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”
“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”
One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.
So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT Take a few minutes to read the whole story. 1 Samuel 13, 15, 16
(Let's note that it says the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Everything the Lord God does has a purpose, whether we understand what that purpose is at the time. Samuel anointed David to be king. The Lord God brought him into King Saul's court. He was physically positioning David for His future!)
You do not need to be in a church service or call someone else to get you into the Lord God’s presence. Just praise Him. The more you enter into the Lord God’s presence through praise, the more natural and frequent it becomes. It will become a regular part of your life. You don’t have to go somewhere to feel His presence. Rather everywhere you go, His presence will be with you! I can testify to that! Then no matter where you are or what you may be experiencing, you will possess the key that opens doors no one can shut and shuts doors no one can open! And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:7-8
If something is blocking your way, or someone is trying to hold you back from what the Lord God has for you, do not get angry or complain. Start praising the Lord God. That is what I do! In His timing, He will show up in your situation and make things right. Just because you haven’t seen it yet, doesn’t mean that He hasn’t already done it. Praise Him with that knowledge. It is already done! Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” Daniel 10:12-14
This I must share with you: When the Presence of the Lord God is with you, it is such a good feeling that you never want to leave. You want to stay in His Presence always. So keep on praising Him regardless of your current situation. King David evidently knew this wonderful feeling when he stated: You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Always remember that the presence of the Lord God is our source of joy. If you want to have more joy and peace in your life, spend more time with Him. It works for one, being a Kingdom citizen. When you spend more time with Him, the spirit of heaviness that hangs on you will lift as the Lord God changes your attitude, perspective and atmosphere.
Here is my advice to you…seek the Lord God each day until joy becomes your constant companion and you become as delighted with His Presence as was David. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Psalm 84:10-12
Don’t seek happiness. Happiness is a temporary emotion. Happiness is tied to your situation at that moment. But the joy of the Lord God will sustain you through your trials and keep you in peace. Stay in His presence through the Holy Spirit, our Governor in the Kingdom. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100
Praise the Lord!
Remember, your faith in His Word is your most valuable asset in His Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you.
