UNDERSTANDINGTHEPOWEROFPRAISE

DavidOyedepo

Contents

Introduction

Chapter1:HaveYouPraisedHim?

Chapter2:PrayerAndPraise

Chapter3:PraiseWarfare

Chapter4:MakePraiseHappen!

Chapter5:SourcesOfJoy

Chapter6:IsAnyMerry?

Chapter7:WhenYouPraiseHim...

Chapter8:YouNeedGraceForPraise

Chapter9:Now,TurnToTheStrongholdOfPraise!

Introduction

Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;letallthepeoplepraisethee.Psalm67:3

Praiseiscardinaltothebeliever,becauseitishischeapestaccesstotheMostHighGod.Itisalsooneofhissurestaccesstotherealmofthemiraculous.PraiseisalsoapreservativeoftheblessingsofGod.Blessingsmaycomewithoutit,butittakespraisetopreservetheblessings.Itistoone'sblessingswhatsaltistomeat–itkeepsitfromdecaying.

InMalachi2,thepriestsstoodtheriskoflosingGod’sblessings,becausetheyhadignoredthewaysofGod.

Andnow,Oyepriests,thiscommandmentisforyou.Ifyewillnothear,andifyewillnotlayittoheart,togivegloryuntomyname,saiththeLordofhosts,Iwillevensendacurseuponyou,andIwillcurseyourblessings:yea,Ihavecursedthemalready,becauseyedonotlayittoheart.Behold,Iwillcorruptyourseed,andspreaddunguponyourfaces,eventhedungofyoursolemnfeasts;andoneshalltakeyouawaywithit.Malachi2:1–3

BynotrememberingtogiveGodthegloryduetoHim,thepriestsstoodtohavedungspreadontheirfaces,andyouknowthatdungrepresentsshameandreproach.ThisispreciselywhyIwanttointroduceyoutoalifestyleofpraise,notachurchagendaofpraise,sothatyouwillneverexperienceshameorreproach.

Thegreatestobstaclefacingyouinlifewillneverrequiremorethanpraisetobecomeamiracle.NoobstaclecanescapethetouchofJesus,andyouinvokethattouchbyintense,heartypraise;notjustwiththelips,butpraisecomingfromthedepthofyoursoul!

Unfortunately,thepowerinpraisehasbeenignoredinthebodyofChrist.Peoplethinkitisforthosewhodon’tknowhowtopray,butthatisfarfromthetruth.Ihaveprovedinmylifethatpraiseismuchmoreeffectualthanthelongestfastanymancanengagein.Also,althoughprayer(nomatterhowfervent)hasit'splace,itcannotcompetewithpraiseinpotency.Praisemakesthingsworkcheaply!

Thereisahighwayofpraise.It’safreeway–youjustkeepgoingonfromtriumphtotriumph,victorytovictory!Everythingkeepsgoingstraightforyou.

ConcerningJesus,theBiblesaysHewasnotashamedtocallusbrethren.He’stheLionofthetribeofJudah,sowebelongtothetribeofJudah.Judahmeanspraise(Genesis.29:35).Webelongthereforetothetribeofpraise;sowhenweareoutofpraise,weareoutoftunewithourdestiny.

YoubelongtothetribeofJudah,sotriumphisyourheritage(Genesis.49:8–12).Whenpraisebecomesyourlifestyle,triumphbecomesyourheritage;therefore,thesonofwickednesswillnolongerbeabletoexactuponyou(Psalm.89:22).

JacobpronouncedtheseterrificblessingsuponJudahinGenesis49:8–9:

Judah,thouarthewhomthybrethrenshallpraise:thyhandshallbeintheneckofthineenemies;thyfather’schildrenshallbowdownbeforethee.Judahisalion’swhelp:fromtheprey,myson,thouartgoneup:hestoopeddown,hecouchedasalion,andasanoldlion;whoshallrousehimup?

Thatiswherealifestyleofpraisetakesyou!There’sadegreeofcomfortandrestfulconfidencethatcomesonthosewholiveapraisefulllifestyle.

Doyouwanttogoup?Praiseistheladdertouse!JusttriggeroffthatJudaicnatureinsideyou!Youwillbesorestful.Youwillcouchlikealion,andwhenyouwakeup,anythingyoufindwillbefoodforyou.

Also,notethatbecauseyoubelongtothetribeofJudah,you'reofthecompanyofthosethatmustbepraisedbyothers,byreasonofyouroutstandingresultsandundeniablebreakthroughs!That'syourplaceinGod,andit'stimetotakethatplace.

Nothinggreaseslifelikepraise!Whenanysystemorenginelacksgrease,itbeginstomakeacrackingnoise.ThatishowmanylivesinthebodyofChristaretoday,becausetheylackthegreaseofpraise.

Itistimetotrainupinpraise!Trainingleadstotriumph.Everymilitaryformationdrawsstrengthandvictoryfromtraining.Ifyou'renottrained,you'renotreadyfortriumph.Trainingiswhatbegetstriumph.Aswetrainupinpraise,throughthethingsI'llbesharingwithyouinthisbook,youwillbegintotriumphineveryphaseofyourlife!

Amancanpraisehiswayoutofpenuryintoplenty,outofsicknessintohealth,andoutofsmallnessintogreatness!YetpraiseisoneofthemostneglectedorignoredspiritualweaponsinChristendom,andIthinkit’spurelyasaresultofignorance.

Godissaying,"It'stimetounderstandthenewsyllabus."It'snotwhatweareusedto.GodisrestoringthetabernacleofDavidtotheChurch.IfyoulookattheprophecyofAmos,itsays,"ThenshallthetabernacleofDavidberestored..."(Amos9:11).TheremustbearestorationofthetabernacleofpraisebeforeJesuswillcome.Andthat'stherealmwe'reenteringintonow,therealmwherenothinganswersuntilpraiseisoffered!

Praiseisnotfocusingonhappenings,itisfocusingonGod'sfaithfulness.ItisfocusingontheefficacyofScriptures.Itisfocusing

ontheintegrityofGodandtheinsightthatyouhavereceived.Thisiswhatmakespraiseendless!

Ibelievethereisanencounterforyouinthisbook!Youwillbeintroducedtoanewwayofliving–alifestyleofpraise!

Chapter1:HaveYouPraisedHim?

ThereisthistraditionwithChristians,andwhichhasbeencarriedoverintothecharismaticcircle.Everytimesomeonehasaproblem,peopleask,"Haveyouprayed?"Butthat'snotacompletequestion.Itisalsocommontohearsomeonetellyou:"Ihavesoandsoproblem,pleaseprayalongwithme."

Everybodyknowsaboutprayer,somuchsothatevenwhentheirprayersarenotbeinganswered,theydon'tbothertofindoutwhy.Manyhavedoneeverythingintryingtosolvetheirproblemsexcepttherightthing.

ButwhenPaulandSilasprayed(whileinchainsintheprison),andthereseemedtobenoresponsefromheaven,theyswitchedovertopraise,andGodintervened(Acts16:25–26)!

LookingalsoattwooutstandingeventsintheministryofJesus(thefeedingofthefivethousandandtheraisingofLazarusfromthedead),weseethattheybothansweredtopraise.JesusshowedusthatwheneveraproblemwilltakeGod,thengiveitpraise;becausepraisewillalwaysgetGodonthescene.Whateverappearsdifficultinyourlifeisonlywaitingforyourpraise,tofalldownflatlikethewallofJericho.So,haveyoupraisedHim?

Whensomethingstrongerthanyouisfightingyou,stopstruggling;rather,justcelebrateGodfromthedepthofyourheart.Hewillstepinandallthedevilswillstepout!Don'tforgetthatGodis"fearfulinpraises,doingwonders"(Exodus.15:11).

DoyouwanttoseeGodstepintoyouraffairs?Then,praiseHim!Somebodyisreportedashavinglowspermcount,whichiswhyhiswifeisnotpregnant.AllheneedsisGod!HaveyounotreadofthevirginwhoconceivedinLuke1?Howdidithappen?

Andtheangelansweredandsaiduntoher,TheHolyGhostshallcomeuponthee,andthepoweroftheHighestshallovershadowthee:thereforealsothatholythingwhichshallbebornoftheeshallbecalledtheSonofGod.Luke1:35

"ThepoweroftheHighest"isallittakes!LookatPsalm66:1–3:

MakeajoyfulnoiseuntoGod,allyelands:Singforththehonourofhisname:makehispraiseglorious.SayuntoGod,Howterribleartthouinthyworks!throughthegreatnessofthypowershallthineenemiessubmitthemselvesuntothee.

WhenyoupraiseGod,thegreatnessofHispowershatterstheplanoftheenemies.Idonotmeanthepraiseyoudoreligiouslyinchurch.ImeanpraisingHimfromthedepthofyourheart,notmeresingingsongsforfun.

Praiseisamystery,becauseasyoupraiseGod,thingsaremysteriouslyhandledfromthe"headquarters"ofheaven,whileyoujustwatchtheeventsunfoldbeforeyou.

Thegreatestobstaclebeforeyouwillnotrequiremorethanpraisetobeconvertedtoamiracle.Praisemadeonelittleboy'slunchtobeenoughtofeedfivethousandmen!ItbroughtLazarusoutofthegrave,afterhehadbeendeadforfourdays!Evenhisbelovedsister,Martha,said,"Hestinketh",becausedecompositionhadstartedtakingitstollonhisbody.

ButwhenGodstepsin,thereisnothingdecompositioncando.WhenHecametothegraveside,HerecomposedLazarus'system,andhethatwasdeadcameforthfromthegrave,alive!(John.11:44.)

ThewallofJericho,theheaviestwallinitsdays(uponwhichsixchariotscouldrunsidebyside),"dissolved"inthehandsofpraise!TheBiblesays,"Thewallfelldownflat..."(Joshua.6:20).

InJeremiah32:27Godasks:

Behold,IamtheLord,theGodofallflesh:isthereanythingtoohardforme?

ThePsalmistsaid,"Leteverythingthathasbreath,praisetheLord"(Psalm.150:6).Inotherwords,Godissaying,"Ifthereisstillanybreathinyou,youcancatchMe.JustpraiseMeandIwillcomedown.Iwillflushthedeviloutforyou,justgiveMetheremainingbreathinyou.GiveittoMeinpraiseandIwillcomedowntorescueyoufromthedenoflions."

Friend,He'salwaysthere!Everytimeyou'reshutinandthereseemstobenowayout,justpraiseGod.Asyoudo,therewillbeanearthquake,theprisongateswillbeshattered,andyouwillwalkoutintoliberty!MaythetabernacleofDavid,whichispraise,findaplaceinyourheart,sothatyoucanhavepleasuresforevermore!

Apraisingandjumpingsaintisalwayspressure–free.Ihavepassedthroughthehighwaysofdeathmanytimes,butmyheartwasnevershaken.God'spresencewastoothickaroundmetoallowfearin.

Butthouartholy,OthouthatinhabitestthepraisesofIsrael.Psalm22:3

PraiseisaninvitationthatGodcanneverturndown.EverytimepraiserisesuptoGod,Hestepsin.ThatthingwhichthedevilthinksisenoughreasonforyounottopraiseGod,letitbetheveryreason

forwhichyouarepraisingHim.ForwhenHestretchesforthHishand,whocanturnitback?

ItistimetocelebrateGod.It’stimetogiveHimachancetohandlethatsituation.Youhavecriedenough,nowpraiseHim!ComeoutofthosethingsthatmakeyoushedprivatetearsandpraiseHim.

YouWereCreatedToPraiseHim

ThispeoplehaveIformedformyself;theyshallshewforthmypraise.Isaiah43:21

ThereasonwhymanyChristiansarefrustratedandmiserableinlifeisbecauseGod'spurposefortheirlivesisnotbeingfulfilled.Thepurposeofeveryproductisdeterminedbythemanufacturer.Untilyouknowthepurposeforwhichyouwerecreated,andkeeptoit,youcannotliveafulfilledlife.

WhydidGodmakeyou?WhatdidHecreateyoufor?Whenyoudiscoverandapplyyourselftothatpurpose,youthenbegintoexperiencethebestofGod’splanforyourlife.

Godhascreatedyouandmeforapurpose,anditisclearlyestablishedinScriptures.In1Peter2:9,wearetold:

Butyeareachosengeneration,aroyalpriesthood,anholynation,apeculiarpeople;thatYESHOULDSHOWFORTHTHEPRAISESOFHIMWHOHATHCALLEDYOUoutofdarknessintohismarvellouslight:

ThatiswhynoChristianisathisorherbestwithoutpraise.YouareneveratyourbestasachildofGod,ifyoudon'tlivealifeofpraise.

GodcreatedyoutoshowforthHispraise.NowonderHecalledDavidamanafterHisheart.DavidliveduptoGod'spurposeforcreatinghim,thatwaswhyhewonGod’sheart.WhenyouareoutofGod'spurpose,youbecomemiserable;andbecausethepurposeofGodforyourlifeisdistorted,youcan'thavetestimonies.

UntilyougiveGodwhatisdueuntoHim,don'texpectwhatisduetoyou.ThatiswhyapraisingChristianisanever–shining,reigningandrulingperson!

PraisePleasesGod

IwillpraisethenameofGodwithasong,andwillmagnifyhimwiththanksgiving.ThisalsoshallpleasetheLordbetterthananoxorbullockthathathhornsandhoofs.Psalm69:30–31

Faithisnotaspotentaspraise.WhilefaithdrawsonGod'sfaithfulness,praisedrawsonGod'spersonality.Hebrews11:6says:

Butwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim:forhethatcomethtoGodmustbelievethatheis,andthatheisarewarderofthemthatdiligentlyseekhim.

Godispleased,soHemovestohonourfaith.ButwhenGodispleasedwithpraise,Hecomesdowninperson.God'sfaithfulnessistriggeredoffbyfaith,whilepraisecompelsHispresence.

Now,let'sconsiderthisillustration.IfthePresidentofyourcountrygivesyouanotetoaplace,whenyougetthere,evenwiththenoteinyourhand,thesecuritymenwouldstillwantyoutofirstidentifyyourself.Thisisbecauseanybodycanpresentsomeoneelse'ssignature.

ButcanyouseethePresidentofyourcountryinpersonandmistakehimforsomeoneelse?Cananysecuritymanatthegateaskforhisidentity?Hisnotewashisword;yet,youwerestillrequiredtoidentifyyourselfbeforeyouwereletin.ButwhenthePresidentappearsinperson,thegateswouldbeflungwideopen!Eventhegatemanwouldbeveryhappytobetheoneondutythatday!

Thisshowsthatsomebody'snotedoesnothaveasmuchpowerashispresence.Likewise,withfaith,youarebearingaheavenlynoteinyourhand.Butwithpraise,Godiswithyou!

WhenGodispleased,exploitsexplodeandyounolongerlivetheordinarylife.Everythingbeginstoanswertoyouinyourbusiness,careerandFamily.Miracles,signsandwondersbegintoanswertoyou.It'stimetomeanbusinesswithGod!

Hesaid,"Youshallseekme,andfindme,whenyeshallsearchformewithallyourheart."LearntopraiseHimwithallyourheart.WhenyoumagnifyHim,Hemagnifiesyourdestiny;whenyoupraiseHim,Heraisesyou.Godisabouttodosomethinginyourlife.WillyoupraiseHim?

WhenGodispleased,anythingcanhappen.Doyouwanttoseesomethinghappeninyourlife,businessandFamily?AllyouneedtodoisjustpleaseHimwithyourpraises.

Therearesomepointstorememberasyoudoso.

AcknowledgeHim!

Andnow,Oyepriests,thiscommandmentisforyou.Ifyewillnothear,andifyewillnotlayittoheart,togivegloryuntomyname,saiththeLordofhosts,Iwillevensendacurseuponyou,andIwillcurseyourblessings:yea,Ihavecursedthemalready,becauseyedonotlayittoheart.Malachi2:1–2

EveryactandfavourofGodneedtobeappreciatedandacknowledged.WhenyoutakeanyactofGodforgranted,itbecomesacurse.Youwillnotsuffercurses!

...Thiscommandmentisforyou...

AcknowledgingGodisacommandment.IfyoudonotlayittohearttogiveglorytoHisnameforeverygoodnessandmercyyouenjoy,Hewillsendacurseuponyou.Infact,Hesaid,"...Yea,Ihavecursedthemalready,becauseyedonotlayittoheart."

YoudonotacknowledgeHimbymerewordsofthemouth.Itisnotevensayingitsimplybecauseeverybodyelseissayingit.Youhavetomeanwhatyou'resayingfromthedepthofyourheart.EveryfavouryoudonotappreciateGodfordepreciates,andeveryblessingwhosesourceyoudon'tacknowledge,disappears.

GodisfaithfulandcannotdenyHimself.WhenIthinkofallthatHehasdoneinmylifeandministry,Iamamazed.MoresoasIcan'tremembereveraskingHimtodothem.ThismovesmetoquicklyacknowledgethatHealoneistheOneincharge!Ican'traiseevenanant(onmyown),it'sHim.ItispurelybythehandofGod.SowekeepcelebratingHim.Oursonghasalwaysbeen,"SeewhattheLordhasdone!"Thatiswhythedevilhascontinuallybeenfrustratedinhisbidtopulldownthework.

NevertakeGod'sfaithfulnessforgranted.Whenyoudo,youwillbegrounded!AlwaysacknowledgethatHediditall.Eachtimeyouseeverystrangeacts,quicklyacknowledge,"ThisispurelythehandofGod!"

Hesaid,"...Layittoheart."JustasonlyheartyprayersgetacrosstoGod,onlyheartypraisesmoveHim.AnnouncetoHimcontinually,"Lord,IrecognisethatYouaretheOnethathasmadethedifferenceinmylife."

Foreverylittleincreaseyouseeinyourbusiness,gointoyourroomandsingpraisestoHim.Thatismysecret.Idon'taskHimforanything.Ijustdance,danceanddancebeforeHim!So,HejustkeepsdazingmewithHisblessings.OnceIaskedHim,"Won'tYouevenletsomeonepraybeforeYouanswer?"Hisreplywas,"Therearepeoplethatbeforetheycall,Ianswer,andwhiletheyareyetspeaking,Iperform."

WhenyoucanseeandacknowledgeHimforwhatHehasdone,youprovokeHimtodomore.

Fortheygotnotthelandinpossessionbytheirownsword,neitherdidtheirownarmsavethem:butthyrighthand,andthinearm,andthelightofthycountenance,becausethouhadstafavouruntothem.Psalm44:3

OurexperienceofterrificvictoriesandtriumphsinourministryhasbeenbyreasonofHisfavour.Kingsbowtous,becauseofHethatisinus.

BeGrateful!

In1977,ayoungeroneofminewascelebratinghisbirthday,andhesaidtome,"Mybrother,whatgiftdoyouhaveformetoday?"Isaid,"OpentoDeuteronomy28:47.Iwanttoleaveyouwithsomethingthatwillhelpyouallthedaysofyourlife."Hewasactuallyexpectingmetogivehimmoney.Letmeshowyouthesamethingnow.

BecausethouservedstnottheLordthyGodwithjoyfulness,andwithgladnessofheart,fortheabundanceofallthings;ThereforeshaltthouservethineenemieswhichtheLordshallsendagainstthee,inhunger,andinthirst,andinnakedness,andinwantofallthings:andheshallputayokeofironuponthyneck,untilhehavedestroyedthee.Deuteronomy28:47–48

Youcanneverbefruitfulexceptyouaregrateful.Everyseedsowniningratitudefallsontherockandhasnofuture.

IfyoulookatthebookofMalachi,beforeGodsaid,"Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse...",Hesaid,"Layittoheart."Itisonestepaftertheother.InthekingdomofGod,gratitudedeterminesaltitude.Itisnotstrengthorsweat,butgratitude.YounevergohigherthanyouliftHim.Oneofmysonsintheministrysaid,"Youdon'tneedtobestrongtobeasuccess,youjustneedtobesmart."It'ssmartnesstobegrateful,sogoaheadandbegrateful!

Letmehelpyoutoseesomeabundancearoundyou.Youhaveprobablyneverbeenonadmissioninthehospitalforayearormorenow.Youprobablyhaveneverrequiredmedicalaidtosleep.Yousleeponyourownbed,eatyourownfoodandwearyourownclothes.Youknowofcoursethatitisnotsowithseveralotherpeople.Sobegratefulforit!

WhenyourefusetoseeHishand,youfrustrateHimandcompelHimtostopblessingyou.LookbackandseewhatyouwereandwhereyouwerebeforeyougaveyourlifetoChrist.Shouldn'tyoubegratefultoHim?

Let'spraiseHimfortheabundanceofallthings!WhenyoubecomeblindedtoHisdoingsinyourlife,liferemainscolourless.Ingratitudeisspiritualblindness.GodisasweetGod.Mayyounevermissthatsweetnesstheremainingdaysofyourlife.Justbegratefulandthereisnowayyoucanendyourjourneyinthepit!

Everymountainbeforeyoucanbeleveled.Allyouneedistomaintainahighfrequencyofpraiseandasenseofgratitude.

Don'tComplain

Everyonewhocomplainsendsupaconvict,buteverysingingandjumpingsaintstaysontopasacelebrity.

Thistestimonywillthrillyou:"I’mafishfarmer.Godre–directedmystepsbacktoafarmfacilityatIpajaandgavemeaministrytofeedthehungrythroughthedisseminationoffishprotein.IaskedGod,‘HowdoIstart?’AndHeanswered,‘Startbybreedingcatfishes.Butthen,rehearsewithornamentalfishes.’

Wegotasetofbroodstockandsuddenly,someonecameandstolethemall.However,fivepieceswereleftbehind.ThiswasinNovember.Notfeelingbadatall(rather,wepraisedGod),westartedworkingwiththefivepieces,andbyFebruary,wehadalmost25,000ofthosefishesthroughreproduction!

Mystaffsaidtome,‘Sir,howarewegoingtosellallthesefishes,sincetheyarenottheonespeoplewantnow?’Isaid,‘WehaveaGodofmiracles.Sincewepayourtithes,AGIP,offering,parentalobligationsandsoon,Godwilldazeus.’Confidently,wewaited.

Thenoneday,wesawawhitemanonourfacility,somebodybroughthim.Heisthesixthintheornamentalfishworld(I’vereadofhiminAmericanmagazines).Hecameforaquaticplants,buttheHolySpirithaddirectedourstepstoputasampleofthefishinaglassandhesawitandsaid,‘Youbreedthiskindoffishhere?’Isaid,‘Yes.’Heasked,‘Whatkindofdrugsdoyougivethem?’Isaid,‘Wedon’tusedrugshere.’HesaidtheoneshegetsfromSingaporemustbegivendrugswithin48hoursofbeingputinaglasstank,otherwise,theywoulddie.HethendecidedtotakesomesampleswithhimtoGermany.

Hewentwithabout20piecesandbehold,hecamebackabout15dayslatertosayweshouldgivehim1,500pieces!BythegraceofGod,today,eventhoughthefisheshavenotbeensoldinNigeria,theyarenowinCzechoslovakia,PolandandGermany!

Theinterestingthingaboutitisthatthemanpayscashupfront!Andsincewestartedbusinesswithhim(aboutthreemonthsago),someoneelsehastakensamplestoSingapore."

Adediran,M.

Theystolehisfish,butnothisheart;sohejustgaveglorytoGod,andtheGodofmultiplicationcame,multipliedthefish,andbroughtsomeonetotakethemouttoEurope!

Hereisanothertestimonyfromasisterinchurch:

"IusedtobeacryingbabybeforeIjoinedWinners'Chapel.OnFriday,whenIwasaboutleavingtheoffice,Ireceivedaletterwhich

saidIshouldreportinAbujawithinthenexttwoweeks.

Iwasslightlyafraid,becauseIknewthatifIhadtoreportinAbuja,thenmyFamilywouldbeflushedoutoftheapartmentwehadjustmovedintolastDecember.Iwasalittleworriedandatapoint,Isaid,‘GodisnotaGodofconfusion’.ItoldmyselfthatHejustgavemethisapartment,soHecan'tsendmeoutofit.

AftertheSundaypraiseworshipservicehere,IfoundmyselfpraisingGod,thankingHimthatatleastIwasonlytransferredandnotdismissedorterminated.Andatthatinstance,Godintervened!

WhenIgottotheofficeonMonday,Iwenttomyboss'office,tohavehimsignsomelettersthatIwouldtaketoAbuja.Mybosssaid,‘Fatuashe,soyouwanttogoontransfertoAbujaandyoudidn'tletmeknow?Anyway,I'vephonedthepersonthatsignedthatStaffOrder,thatyou'renotreportinginAbuja.SinceIhaveanappointmentthereonWednesday,IwillpersonallytaketheStaffOrdertoAbuja.’

Thatwasexactlywhathedidandcamebackyesterday.Now,Idon'thavetogoontransfertoAbujaanymore!"

Fatuashe,K.

Shesaid,"IfoundmyselfpraisingGod,thatIwasonlytransferredandnotdismissedorterminated."AndGodintervenedinhercase!Nomatterhowlegitimateyourreasons,"Neithermurmurye.."isacommandment(1Corinthians.10:10).NoreasonisacceptabletoGodforcomplaining.

Whenyoucomplaintoman,yougettheirsympathy,butwhenyoucomplaintoGod,youincurHisanger!AndifGodcatchesyoucomplaining,HecancelsallthefavoursHehadlinedupforyou,andalsotakesawaytheonesHehadearliergiven.

Friend,thereiseverythingtopraiseHimfor.Everyonewholivesincomplaintlivesindefeat;buthewholivesinpraise,livesinvictory.Makeyourchoice!

GiveHimThanks!

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord,andtosingpraisesuntothyname,OmostHigh:Psalm92:1

YoudonotknowwhatyouaremissingwhenyouarenotgivingthankstoGodandpraisingHim.GodinhabitsthepraisesofHispeople.AndtheBiblesaysitisagoodthingtogivethankstoHim.Thatmeans,it'sabadthingtobeunthankful.

Ifyouarethoughtful,youwilldiscoverthatthere'salwayssomethingtothankGodfor.

Ineverythinggivethanks:forthisisthewillofGodinChristJesusconcerningyou.1Thessalonians5:18

ThewillofGodisthatnomatterwhereyouarenow,youshouldgivethankstoHim,andbysodoing,youwillobtainthepromise.Evenforthemiraclesyouseeinotherpeople'slives,genuinelygiveHimthanks.Don'tletanythingpasswithoutathanksgivingresponsefromyoutoHim.

Wehaveneverlookedforfoodtoeatinmyhomeandnothinggoodfinishesthere.Whatisatwork?Thanksgiving!Nothingeverfinishesinthehandsofathanksgiver,everythingjustkeepsmultiplying.

LookatthisstoryinLuke17:12–19:

Andasheenteredintoacertainvillage,theremethimtenmenthatwerelepers,whichstoodafaroff:Andtheylifteduptheirvoices,andsaid,Jesus,Master,havemercyonus.Andwhenhesawthem,hesaiduntothem,Goshowyourselvesuntothepriests.Anditcametopass,that,astheywent,theywerecleansed.

Andoneofthem,whenhesawthathewashealed,turnedback,andwithaloudvoiceglorifiedGod,Andfelldownonhisfaceathisfeet,givinghimthanks:andhewasaSamaritan.AndJesusansweringsaid,Weretherenottencleansed?butwherearethenine?TherearenotfoundthatreturnedtogiveglorytoGod,savethisstranger.Andhesaiduntohim,Arise,gothyway:thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.

AftereveryactofGod,Hewaitsontheothersideforanacknowledgementfromyou.ThisshowsthatGodkeepsrecordofyouractivities.EveryactofHisthatisnotacknowledgeddisqualifiesyoufromreceivingfurtherblessings.

Perfectionisobtainablethroughpraise.Theothernineleperswerecleansed,butonlytheonethatreturnedtogivethankswas

madewhole.

Ourministryhasneverhadanyformofcrisissinceitsinceptionfifteenyearsago.Wehaveneitherhadamisunderstandingtosettleamongusnorabreakaway;onlyyearsofcolourful,hitch–freeoperation,allbythemysteryofthanksgiving.ThemonthofJulyissetapartannuallyforthanksgivingandpraisesinallourchurchesworldwide.So,Godjustkeepsshoweringuswithfavoursofallkinds!Wereturnlikethatlepercontinually,togiveHimthanks,becauseHeisworthy!

Youhaveenjoyedallmannerofdeliverances,favours,liftingsandpromotions,sogiveHimthanks.Ateverypointinyourlife,learntosay,"ThankYou,Jesus."Ateveryturnofevent,learntosay,"PraisetheLord."Bydoingthis,youaregettingyourselfsetforachange.Iseeamazingchangescomingyourway!

TheforceofthanksgivingwaswhatliftedLazarusoutofthegrave,wherehehadbeendeadandstinkingforfourdays.Itwasbythesamemysterythatfiveloavesandtwofishesmultipliedtofeedfivethousandmen,withtwelvebaskets–fullgatheredasleftovers!Weareseeingsuchmanifestationsalsoinourdays.

Asistersharedthistestimonysometimeagoinchurch:"IwentoutonThursdayandmycarstoppedinthemiddleoftheroad.Itriedtostartit,butitwouldn'tstart.Somepeoplewhowerestandingbyasked,'Madamshouldwegiveyouapush?'Isaid‘no’.IremembereditwasourmonthofpraiseandstartedpraisingGodinthecar.

Ididn'tcomeouttoopenthebonnet,becauseIdidn'tknowwhattodo.ButasIsangpraises,Istartedthecaragainanditresponded,justlikethat!

Also,somebodyhadcollectedsomegoodsfrommeandIhadn'theardfromher.Infact,shegavemetheimpressionthateverythingwassettledandthatshehadfinishedsellingthem.

ButonFridaynight,myhusbandcamehome,bringingalmostallthegoodsback.Ilookedatthemandwasn'tdiscouraged.Somehow,Ijusthadthispeace.Isaid,'It'smymonthofpraise,Godwillbeglorified.'Ispreadthegoodsoutonthetable,thankedGodandwenttosleep.

Iwokeupthefollowingdayandhadaleadingtogosomewhere.Andloandbehold,whenIgottotheplace,justbygivingpraise,Isoldmorethanallwhattheladyclaimedtohavesoldinfourmonths!Isoldthematjustoneplace,onedayandatonce!"

Nelson,P.

FirstPeter3:13says:

Andwhoishethatwillharmyou,ifyebefollowersof

thatwhichisgood?

ThePsalmisttellsusthatitisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord.Sogivingthanksalsograntsyouaccesstothehurt–freezoneoflife.

LiftYourHandsToHim

Nomatterwhatvalleyyouaretrappedin,praisewillraiseyououtofit.

Althoughthefigtreeshallnotblossom,neithershallfruitbeinthevines;thelabouroftheoliveshallfail,andthefieldsshallyieldnomeat;theflockshallbecutofffromthefold,andthereshallbenoherdinthestalls:YetIwillrejoiceintheLord,IwilljoyintheGodofmysalvation.TheLordGodismystrength,andhewillmakemyfeetlikehinds'feet,andhewillmakemetowalkuponminehighplaces.Habakkuk3:17–19

ThecheapestwayoutofeverypitistoraiseyourhandsupinpraisetoGod,thenwillHepullyououtwiththoseraisedhands.

Thereisaproverbthatsays,"Itisachildthatliftsuphishandsthattheadultcarriesorpicksup."Everyclimbingisdonewithyourhands,soalsoiseveryliftingonlymadepossiblewithyourhandsliftedup.UntilyourhandsarelifteduptoHiminacknowledgementofHisfaithfulnessandgrace,youremaingrounded.

Theylookeduntohim,andwerelightened:andtheirfaceswerenotashamed.Psalm34:5

Ifyoucan'tseetheabundanceofHisgrace,youhavefrustrateditanddon'texpectanymoreofit.Butwhenyouliftupyourhands,youprovokeHimtodoitagainandagain.

Lookatthistestimony:"Ihadalotoffinancialproblems,havingtotakecareofthreechildrenalone.SoduringtheBreakthroughExplosion,IsaidtoGod,'AtthisBreakthroughExplosion,IwantYoutomeetmyneeds.'IcamehereonThursday,saddledwithalotofburdens.Therewasnothingforthechildrentoeatinthemorning.Itoldthemtodrinkgariandgotoschool,thattheyshouldn'tworry,thatourGodisaliveandwasgoingtosurpriseus.

Thatafternoon,Icametotheservice,fullofjoy,andallthattheBishopsaidthatdaywasdirectedatme.Hesaid,'Whenyourburdensaretoomuch,youoverbugGodandyouareoverwhelmedbyyourproblems.Whydon'tyouleaveeverythingtoGodandratherbegintointercedeforothers.'Iwenthomethatdayfilledwithjoy.

AttheendoftheBishop'steachingyesterday,heprophesied,saying,'Somebodywillcomeandlookforyou.'WhenIgothome,IstilldrankgariwithjoyandbegantosingandpraiseGod.Ididn'tknowwhatcameuponme.Thensuddenly,someonethathadbeenowingmesomeamountofmoneycameinandsaid,'Madam,youaresofullofjoy.Ihavecometopaythe2,000nairaIwasowingyou.'

Thismorningalso,someonevisitedmeandgavemesome

amountofmoney–2,500nairaalltogether!"

Egboka,A.

Friend,ifyourhandsarenotlifteduptoGodinpraiseandthanksgiving,youmightdieinthepit.Praiseisyouronlywaytokeepstayingatthetop.

PraiseyetheLord.Praise,OyeservantsoftheLord,praisethenameoftheLord.Heraisethupthepooroutofthedust,andlifteththeneedyoutofthedunghill;Thathemaysethimwithprinces,evenwiththeprincesofhispeople.Psalm113:1,7–8

Hewon'traiseyouuntilyoupraiseHim.HemakesthebarrenwomanthatpraisesHimtokeephouse.Everytimeyouraiseyourhandsinpraise,Godraisesyouup.

Thistestimonywillalsothrillyou:"IstartedfellowshippinghereonFebruary26,1997.BeforeIcamehere,IwasinabusinessthatdidnotglorifyGod.Icamehereintheheatoftheholinessmessage,andoneday,theBishopwhilepreachingsaid,‘Leavethatbusiness,leaveit!’ButIsaidinmyheart,‘Bishop,youareapreacher.ThisisLagos,andyoudon'tunderstandwhatthesethingsareallabout.’ImmediatelyIfinishedsayingthat,hesaid,‘Youdon'thavetotellmethisisLagos.GodcreatedLagosandHeknowsthatthisisLagos.’

IcamefortheWOFBIJunespecialcourseandattheendofit,IknewIcouldn'tgobacktothatbusinessanymore.TheLordthenspoketomyheart,aboutgoingintopetroleumorkerosinebusiness.WiththelittlemoneyIhad,Irentedanofficeandboughtatank.Buttherewasnomoneyforthesupply.Ineededabout60,000nairaforthefirstsupply.

AttheHosannaNightonFriday,theBishopsaid,‘LookatthatthingthatisbotheringyouandpraiseGodforit.’So,Ilookedatthe60,000nairaandpraisedGodforit.OnMonday,somebodywalkedintomyofficeandgaveme60,000naira!"

Obba,C.

ThemoreyoupraiseGod,themoreHeraisesyou.Remember,Godhasdefinedthepurposeofyourcreation.Untilyouaccept,adaptandidentifywithit,youwillneverbeatyourbest.

Icannowaskyouwhenyouarestranded,"HaveyoupraisedHim?"WhenyouhaveprayedandtheangelHehassentwiththeanswerstillhasnotcome(rememberDaniel's21–day'sordeal),youcaninviteHimtostepininperson.ToinviteHim,justpraiseHiminthedance!MakeajoyfulnoisetotheLordinpraise!

YouhavecriedtoGodenoughoverthatbusiness,thatchild,thatsickness,thathusband,thatwife.NowpraiseHim!Youhavefasteduntilyoualmostlostyourintestines.Nowswitchonthepraiseknob!RelaxandgiveHimwhatturnsHimon.

ItiswisdomtopraiseHim.Fromtoday,asyoucelebrateGodathome,atwork,ontheroad,intheair,ineveryplace,blessingswillbeyourportionforever!Mayyourlifebetestimony–packedfromthishour!

Thereshallbenomoreregretsonyourpath,inJesus'name!

Chapter2:PrayerAndPraise

Everyprayerrequiresangelicinvolvementforittobefulfilled.Forinstance,whenPeterwasinprisoninActs12,theBiblerecordsthat"prayerwasmadewithoutceasingofthechurchuntoGodforhim."Inresponsetothatprayer,Godsentanangeldownwiththeanswer:

And,behold,theangeloftheLordcameuponhim,andalightshinedintheprison:andhesmotePeterontheside,andraisedhimup,saying,Ariseupquickly.Andhischainsfellofffromhishands.Andtheangelsaiduntohim,Girdthyself,andbindonthysandals.Andsohedid.Andhesaithuntohim,Castthygarmentaboutthee,andfollowme.

Andhewentout,andfollowedhim;andwistnotthatitwastruewhichwasdonebytheangel;butthoughthesawavision.Whentheywerepastthefirstandthesecondward,theycameuntotheirongatethatleadethuntothecity;whichopenedtothemofhisownaccord:andtheywentout,andpassedonthroughonestreet;andforthwiththeangeldepartedfromhim.Acts12:7–10

AlsointhebookofDaniel,wefindthreeinstanceswhereangelsweresentdownfromheavenwithanswerstotheprayerofsaints.

Thensaidheuntome,Fearnot,Daniel:forfromthefirstdaythatthoudidstsetthinehearttounderstand,andtochastenthyselfbeforethyGod,thywordswereheard,andIamcomeforthywords.ButtheprinceofthekingdomofPersiawithstoodmeoneandtwentydays:but,lo,Michael,oneofthechiefprinces,cametohelpme;andIremainedtherewiththekingsofPersia.NowIamcometomaketheeunderstandwhatshallbefallthypeopleinthelatterdays:foryetthevisionisformanydays.Daniel10:12–14

AndIsetmyfaceuntotheLordGod,toseekbyprayerandsupplications,withfasting,andsackcloth,andashes:Yea,whilesIwasspeakinginprayer,eventhemanGabriel,whomIhadseeninthevisionatthebeginning,beingcausedtoflyswiftly,touchedmeaboutthetimeoftheeveningoblation.Andheinformedme,andtalkedwithme,andsaid,ODaniel,Iamnowcomeforthtogivetheeskillandunderstanding.Daniel9:3,21–22

Thenthekingaroseveryearlyinthemorning,andwentinhasteuntothedenoflions.Andwhenhecametotheden,hecriedwithalamentablevoiceuntoDaniel:andthekingspakeandsaidtoDaniel,ODaniel,servantofthelivingGod,isthyGod,whomthouservestcontinually,abletodelivertheefromthelions?ThensaidDanieluntotheking,Oking,liveforever.MyGodhathsenthisangel,andhathshutthelions'mouths,thattheyhavenothurtme:Daniel6:19–22

GodrespondedtoallDaniel'sprayersbydispatchingangelstogoanddelivertheanswers.Butthoughangelsexcelinstrength,theyarelimitedinpower.Thereisnoomnipotentangel,Godistheonlyomnipotentbeing.

Whereasangelsattendtoprayer,Godpersonallyattendstopraise(Psalm.22:3).Everyprayerrequiressomeformofangelicinterventionfortheanswertobedelivered.PrayersaremadetoGod,buttheanswersarepasseddownthroughangels.

SeeTheDifference....

Praiseissuperiortoprayer.HowdoIknow?Whereasangelsattendtoprayers,Godpersonallyattendstopraises;andthatmakesthedifference.WhenGodattendstoanything,youcanbesureofwhowins.EverytimeGodrisesinyourfavour,thevictoryiswon.PraiseiswhatmakesGodrisefromHisholyhabitation;itiswhattriggersofftheinterventionoftheOmnipotentGod.AndwhenGodstepsin,everydevilbowsout.

LetGodarise,lethisenemiesbescattered:letthemalsothathatehimfleebeforehim.Assmokeisdrivenaway,sodrivethemaway:aswaxmeltethbeforethefire,soletthewickedperishatthepresenceofGod.Psalm68:1–2

RememberthestoryofPaulandSilasinprisoninActs16?Theywereboundandthrustintotheinnerprison.Butverse25says:

AndatmidnightPaulandSilasprayed,andsangpraisesuntoGod:andtheprisonersheardthem.

PaulandSilasprayed,buttheangelprobablywasn'tgettingacross.PaulmusthavesaidtoSilas,"Let'schangeourstyle."Sotheyswitchedovertosingingpraises;andtheAlmighty,whonoprinceofPersiacanwithstand,steppedintotheprison.Seewhathappenednext:

Andsuddenlytherewasagreatearthquake,sothatthefoundationsoftheprisonwereshaken:andimmediatelyallthedoorswereopened,andeveryone'sbandswereloosed.Acts16:26

Whentheyswitchedtopraise,Godcamedowninperson!HowdoIknow?TheBiblerecordsthattherewasagreatearthquake;andPsalm114:7says,"Tremble,thouearth,atthepresenceoftheLord,atthepresenceoftheGodofJacob."Godsteppedininperson,and"immediatelyallthedoorswereopened,andeveryone'sbandswereloosed."PaulandSilaswalkedoutoftheprisonindignityandthecasewasclosed!

Seealsothepraisinggiant's(David)experienceinPsalm18:

IwillcallupontheLord,whoisworthytobepraised:soshallIbesavedfrommineenemies.InmydistressIcalledupontheLord,andcrieduntomyGod:heheardmyvoiceoutofhistemple,andmycrycamebeforehim,evenintohisears.Thentheearthshookandtrembled;thefoundationsalsoofthehillsmovedandwereshaken,becausehewaswroth.Psalm18:3,6–7

Anangelcanbewaylaid,strandedorstoppedontheway,butwhocanstoptheAlmighty?Thereisacontinuousconflictintheheavenlies,betweenGod'sangelsandSatan'sangels.Thatiswhyangelscanbestopped.ButGodcan'tbestopped.NoforcecanstandinHisway.Thatiswhynothingcanstandthepowercomingforthfromyourpraises.

Now,whatisthatproblem,issue,cross–road,andfrustratingconditionfacingyourightnow?Youdon'thavetodieinthatprisonhouse.Calculatean"earthquake",thatwillbringaneverlastingbreakthroughyourway!

EverytimepeoplegotoseektheLord,theydosoonlyinprayer.ButtheBiblesays,"AndyourheartshalllivethatseekGodinpraiseafterthisorder."

Angelsintervenewhenyoupray.

Andhecameandtookthebookoutoftherighthandofhimthatsatuponthethrone.Andwhenhehadtakenthebook,thefourbeastsandfourandtwentyeldersfelldownbeforetheLamb,havingeveryoneofthemharps,andgoldenvialsfullofodours,whicharetheprayersofsaints.Revelation5:7–8

Angelsstoreupprayers.Whenwepray,theFathertransfersittotheangelicdepartmentforaction.ButwhenyoupraiseHim,Hedoesnotcontactanyangel,forHeinhabitsthepraisesofHispeople.

Praiseissuperiortoprayer!Wehaveseenthateverymind–bogglingmiraclethattookplaceintheBiblewasindirectresponsetopraise.JesusliftedHiseyestoheavenandgavethanks,andtherewasenoughfoodfromfiveloavesofbreadandtwosmallfishestofeedfivethousandmen!AllHesaidwas,"Father,Ithankyou",not,"Father,multiplythisbreadandfish."

PraiseisGod'shotlineanytime!Youcanprayamiss,butyoucanneverpraiseamiss!

MakeYourChoice

Jesussaidsomethingaboutprayerthatisveryrevealing.

ThinkestthouthatIcannotnowpraytomyFather,andheshallpresentlygivememorethantwelvelegionsofangels?Matthew26:53

Angelswillalwaysrespondtoprayer,atthecommandoftheFather.Thatiswhytheyarecalledministeringspirits,senttoministerforuswhoshallbeheirsofsalvation(Hebrew.1:14).TheBiblesaystheyhearkentothevoiceofHiscommand.

Angelsattendtoprayer,whileGodpersonallyattendstopraise.Makeyourchoice!Thehottestprayerwillonlybringangelsdown,buteveryacceptablepraisebringsGoddown!

It'stimetopraiseGoddownintoeverytightissueofyourlife.WhenyoubegintosingandpraiseGod,Hesetsambushmentagainstyourenemies(2Chronicles.20:22–25).Itispraisethatmakesyourbattlechangehands.GodwillalwaystakeoveryourbattleswhenyoupraiseHim.

Wehavetoomanyprayerwarriors,itistimetoraisepraisewarriors!Youhaveprayedandfastedenough.Nowdiscoverthepowerinpraise,becausewhenyouarefullofpraises,youhavemorevictories.

Chapter3:PraiseWarfare

LetthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouth,andatwoedgedswordintheirhand;Toexecutevengeanceupontheheathen,andpunishmentsuponthepeople;Tobindtheirkingswithchains,andtheirnobleswithfettersofiron;Toexecuteuponthemthejudgmentwritten:thishonourhaveallhissaints.PraiseyetheLord.Psalm149:6–9

Thereisnosituationinyourlifethatwilltakemorethanpraisetobow.ThisisbecausepraisebringsGodintoanysituation,andwhatevercannotstopGodcannotstopit.Why?Whenyoupray,Godanswers;butwhenyoupraise,Hestepsin,inallHisglory,might,powerandawesomeness.

IfyouwanttosecureGod'scompanyinthemidstofanyconflict,justreleaseyourselftopraise,andHewillbethereinperson.WhenGodcomesonthespot,everydevilgivesway!

LetGodarise,lethisenemiesbescattered:letthemalsothathatehimfleebeforehim.Assmokeisdrivenaway,sodrivethemaway:aswaxmeltethbeforethefire,soletthewickedperishatthepresenceofGod.SinguntoGod,singpraisestohisname...Psalm68:1–2,4

WhateverwilltakeGodonlycallsforpraise.Thatispraise–warfare.Whenpraiseisinplace,Hispresenceiscompelled,forHeinhabitsthepraisesofHispeople(Psalm.22:3).

Inpraise–warfare,youdon'tgetemotionallyexcited.Rather,youlookatthemountainsbeforeyouandbringthemdownwithpraise.

PraiseisaGod–givenweaponinyourhands,withwhichtohumiliateSatan.ItisthepricetopayinordertotransferanybattlefromyourhandtoGod'shand.Whenyouenterintotherealmofhighpraise,noneofyourenemiesissafeanymore.Whenyouswitchovertopraise–warfare,therewillbeacrashingdownofeverywallofJerichoinyourlife.

Sothepeopleshoutedwhenthepriestsblewwiththetrumpets:anditcametopass,whenthepeopleheardthesoundofthetrumpet,andthepeopleshoutedwithagreatshout,thatthewallfelldownflat,sothatthepeoplewentupintothecity,everymanstraightbeforehim,andtheytookthecity.Joshua6:20

Praise–warfaredisarmsyourenemies,suchassickness,poverty,lack,failure,etc.WhenyougivethanksandsingpraisesuntoHisname,Psalm92:11becomesarealityinyourlife:

Mineeyealsoshallseemydesireonmineenemies,andmineearsshallhearmydesireofthewickedthatriseupagainstme.

Praisewillgrantyouaccessintothehurt–freezoneoflife,becauseGod'spresenceautomaticallydispelsevil.Hiseyesaretoopuretobeholdevil,soevilcan'tbepresentwhereGodispresent.Hedwellsinthelightthatnomancanapproachunto(1Timothy.6:16).Thisiswhatmakespraiseasuperiorweaponofwarfareintheconflictsoflife.

Youremember,whentheevilspiritcameuponSaul,everytimeDavidbegantoplayontheinstrument,theevilspiritdepartedfromhim.

Anditcametopass,whentheevilspiritfromGodwasuponSaul,thatDavidtookanharp,andplayedwithhishand:soSaulwasrefreshed,andwaswell,andtheevilspiritdepartedfromhim.1Samuel16:23

Evilspiritscan'tsurvivethepresenceofpraise.Theenemiescan'tsurviveapraise–filledatmosphere,becauseitisGod'snaturalhabitat.

"Target–Praise"Warfare

InthedaysofJehoshaphat,itwas"target–praise"warfarethatbroughtthemthegreatvictoryoverthechildrenofAmmon,MoabandMountSeir,whocameagainstthem.

Andwhenhehadconsultedwiththepeople,heappointedsingersuntotheLord,andthatshouldpraisethebeautyofholiness,astheywentoutbeforethearmy,andtosay,PraisetheLord;forhismercyendurethforever.Andwhentheybegantosingandtopraise,theLordsetambushmentsagainstthechildrenofAmmon,Moab,andmountSeir,whichwerecomeagainstJudah;andtheyweresmitten.

ForthechildrenofAmmonandMoabstoodupagainsttheinhabitantsofmountSeir,utterlytoslayanddestroythem:andwhentheyhadmadeanendoftheinhabitantsofSeir,everyonehelpedtodestroyanother.AndwhenJudahcametowardthewatchtowerinthewilderness,theylookeduntothemultitude,and,behold,theyweredeadbodiesfallentotheearth,andnoneescaped.2Chronicles20:21–24

Thatis"target–praise"warfare!WhenGodstretchedforthHishand,nomancanstopitorturnitback.Hesitsuponthecirclesoftheearth,doingwhatHepleases.

Friend,whateverGodhasnotplanted,butwhichisgrowinginyourlife,Family,business,finance,children,etc,canbeuprootedbytheinvocationofpraise.Fromtoday,asyou"praiseat"whatever"tares"theenemyhassowninyourlife,GodwillstepinanduprootthembyHimself.

Somebodysays,"Ishouldbemarriedbynow."PraiseHimforthatstate,andyou'llsoonbemarried.Anothersays,"Ishouldhaveajobbynow."PraiseHimandthejobwillbeyours.

Abrothergotajobthisway.Heneededajob,andwhenhecouldn'tgetone,hebegantosellmaltdrinksforsomebody.Hewouldcollectsomequantityfromtheperson,whichhesoldbycarryingitaboutinthemarketonhisshoulder.Hewasinchurchoneday,andItoldthecongregationtogetbackhomeandgenuinelythankandpraisetheLordforHisgoodnessuntous.Hegothomethatnightanddancedaroundthecartonsofmaltdrink,thankingGodforHisfaithfulness.

Thefollowingday,hewentoutonhisusualbusinessinthemarketandamanwalkeduptohimandaskedhimwherehegotthedrinkshewassellingfrom.Hetoldtheman,whothenaskedhimifhewantedajob.Thismantookhimtohisofficeandgavehimajobasamanagerinthesamecompanythatproducesthedrinkhewassellingonhisshoulder!

Thereisnoshutprisondoorthatpraisecannotshatter!

Hereisanothertestimony:"MywifeandIbeganworshippinghereonJuly12,1996.Beforewecamehere,mywifewasterriblysick.Shewaspoisonedin1992,andthiskeptdisturbingherinthetummy.We'vebeentosomanyhospitalsandI'vespentoverhalfamillionnaira,withoutanycure.

WhentheBreakthroughExplosionstarted,weshiftedtopraises;andnow,mywifeisperfectlydelivered!She'sherewithmenow.

Alsomyfather–in–lawwasstruckwithstroke.Wewereinformedaboutitlastweekandwewenttoseehiminthehospital.Hewashelpless;hecouldneithermovenortalk.Whenhetalked,youcouldhardlyhearhim;hisspeechwasnotnormal.Itoldthedoctortodischargehim,thatIwantedtotakehimhome.Afteralongargument,thedoctorsuccumbedandreleasedhimtome.ItookhimhomeandstartedtoprayandtopraiseGodwonderfullyintheroom.Ialsoanointedhimwiththeoil.Behold,he'sperfectlyhealednow!"

Odogwu,B.

NoonecanstopGodwhenHecomesonthescene;soitiswisdomtoswitchHimon.HeisAlmightyandOmnipotent!Praiseisoneofthemostpotentweaponsinspiritualwarfare;thoughitappearsverycheap,itbringstheAlmightyonthescene.WhenHetakesoveryourbattles,youbecomearelaxedwinner.

be"Dance–Full"

Onedayin1989,theHolyGhostcameuponmeveryheavily,andItoldallthewomenwhodesiredthefruitofthewombandhadbeenlabeled"barren","TheLordjustspoketomenottoprayforanyofyou,butthatyoushouldjustdanceyour"dancest"beforeHim."

Monthslater,oneofthefourwomenwhocameoutthatdaytestified(whenshebroughtherbabyfordedicationinchurch),saying,"WhenIheardthatpropheticutterance,Isaid,‘ThisisthechanceIhavelongwaitedfor.’"SoshecameupanddancedbeforetheLordandshebecamepregnantthatsamemonth!Hercasewasmedicallyclosedandshewasalmostgonepastthechild–bearingage,butGodbrokethroughallthattogiveheramiracle!

Psalm149:1–5makesusunderstandthatpraisedoesnotstopatsingingonly,butinvolvesmuchmore.Verse3says:

Letthempraisehisnameinthedance:letthemsingpraisesuntohimwiththetimbrelandharp.

Immediatelythatisdone,seewhatfollowsafterinverse4:

FortheLordtakethpleasureinhispeople:hewillbeautifythemeekwithsalvation.

WhenwepraiseHiminthedance,ourbeautyemerges.

Anotherwomanshareshertestimony:"Exactlyayearago,theBishopdeclaredJulyasourmonthofpraise.Healsodeclareditasourmonthofrelease,becausetheLagoschurchwassevenyearsoldthen.

WewereherefortheBreakthroughNightonJuly26.Ihadbeenlookingforthefruitofthewombandwhenevermyperiodcame,itcamewithpains.Thatnight,thepainscameagain,butIsaidtoit,‘Youhavecomeforyourdestruction.’Thatnight,theBishopsaidweweregoingtopraiseanddance,soIdeterminedwithinmyselfthatthepainsweregoingthatnight.

Iwassittingoutsidethatdayandaswebegantopraiseanddance,singingpraisestoGod,themannexttomesaid,‘Madam,areyouasoldier?’Isaid,‘No.IknowwhatI'mdoing.Iwanttocontactsomethingheretonight.'ThepainsdisappearedthatnightandIcameouttosharethetestimony.

ThentheSpiritoftheLorddeclaredthroughmymouththatIwaspregnantthatnight.TheBishopalsocameupandsaid,'Thatladythatcameuphere,Itellyou,sheispregnantalready.'Andloandbehold,Ibecamepregnantanddeliveredtwowonderfulbabyboys!"

Lawal,M.

Whateveriscontrarytobeautycanbedancedoffyourlife!Asyoudance,God'svengeancewillcomeuponeveryuglysituationinyourlife.Abrother'smoneythathadbeenimpoundedinSwitzerlandforsixyearswasmysteriouslyreleased.Howdidithappen?

Thisishisstory:"IcameherewithmywifeonJuly21,1996,andattendedtheBusinessFellowshiponMonday22.Beforethen,in1990,mymoneyamountingto$30,000hadbeenimpoundedinSwitzerland.

Iwasgivenacontracttosupplyspareparts.IwenttoSwitzerlandtobuythepartsandpaidthemoneyintravellers'cheques.Ireturnedhome,butafteronemonth,Istillhadn'treceivedthegoods.Then,IreceivedamessagefrommycustomersinSwitzerland,tellingmethat$8,000outofthemoneyIpaidinwasbadandbecauseofthat,theyhadimpoundedallthemoney.Itwasaterriblethingforme!

IwenttoSwitzerlandandspentonemonththere,tryingtoexplainthingstothem;yetnothinghappened.Themanagingdirectorofthecompanysaidbecausesomeofthemoneywerebad,theycouldnotreleaseanythingtome.Ispentalotofmoneyinsendingfaxmessages,lettersandtelephonecalls,butthemoneywasstillnotreleased.

WhileroundinguptheBusinessFellowshipthatday,theBishopprayedearnestlyfromhisheartforallbusinessmen.Iwastherewithallthedocumentsrelatingtothatmoney.ItwasJuly,themonthofpraise,andtheBishophadaskedustodanceourbestandwipeoffthesweatonourfaceswithourbusinessdocuments,indicatingthatwewouldneversweatoverourbusinessesanymore.

Thatwasit!Themoneywasreleasedtheverynextday!HowdoIknowitwasreleasedon23rd?Thelettertellingmeofitsreleasewasdated23rdJulyandIgotitinAugust.

Youcanimaginethedifferenceintheexchangerateof1990andthatof1996,whenthemoneywasreleased!ThankGodIwasnotowingthebank,Iwouldhavebeeninaterriblemess.Youcanimaginemybumperharvestnow!"

Odogwu,B.

WhateverforceisholdingdownanyofyourredemptiverightswillbowasyoupraiseGodinadance.DaviddancedwithallhismightbeforetheLordandeverythingthatmockedHim(includinghiswife)cameunderGod'sjudgement(2Samuel.6:14–23).Everythingmockingyoutodaywillcomeunderheaven'sjudgementasyoutoodancewithallyourmightbeforeHim.

Icallitwarfaredance!Yourvictoryissure.Doyouknowyoucandanceyourwayintoyourlong–awaitedcovenantmarriage,careerandpeaceinthehome?

Awomansaidinhertestimonythatwhentheexcruciatingpainssheusuallyexperiencedduringhermonthlymenstrualcirclecameagain,shesaidtoit,"Youcameatthewrongtime!"Shecametochurchandduringthepraisesession,danced"likeadrunkard".Somethingonherinsidesaidtothethingsontheoutside,"Keepquiet,I'moperatingonastrangekeyforsweatlessvictorythistimearound."Andshegotit!ShewassimplybringingtheWordofGodtobearonthesituation.

LetthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouth,andatwoedgedswordintheirhand;Toexecutevengeanceupontheheathen,andpunishmentsuponthepeople;Tobindtheirkingswithchains,andtheirnobleswithfettersofiron;Toexecuteuponthemthejudgmentwritten:thishonourhaveallhissaints.PraiseyetheLord.Psalm149:6–9

Thatwarinyourhome,body,officeandfinanceareissuesthatpraise–warfarecanhandle.Fromtoday,whereveryouturn,youwillhavereasonsnotonlytosing,buttodancebeforetheLord,inJesus'name!

Chapter4:MakePraiseHappen!

Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;letallthepeoplepraisethee.|Psalm67:3

Youaretheonetomakepraisehappen.Theword"let"impliesthis.Doyouwantawayoutofthatdifficultsituation?Then,youhavetoletpraisehappen!Letgladnesshappen(verse4)!Thisisbecauseifyouhadlostanythingatall,Heisthereasonwhyyoudidnotloseeverything.

Intheearlydaysofourministry,whenevermycarbrokedown,Iwouldsay,"ThankGod,itisthecarthatbrokedown,notme."ThePsalmistsaid:

IwillpraisethenameofGodwithasong,andwillmagnifyhimwiththanksgiving.Psalm69:30

"Iwillpraise..."Itisaconsciousactofthewill,notsomethingyoujuststumbleinto.

Youdon'twaitforjoytocome,youmakeithappen.Manyhavebeenwaitingforgladnesstocomeintheirlivesallthiswhile,andhavediedunderdepression.Verse4says,"Oletthenationsbegladandsingforjoy."Thatistosay,"Gladdenandlightenyourenvironment."

Whenyouaresoblessed,thatitisonlyonekindoffoodyouhavetoeatdailyinyourhouse,justrememberthatthechildrenofIsraelateonekindoffoodforfortyyearsinthewilderness!YettheBibletellsusthattherewasnonefeebleamongthem.So,youshouldpraiseHimthatatleastyouhavenothadtoeatthatparticularkindoffoodforfortyyears.

Intheearlydaysoftheministryalso,weusedtoliveinahousethathadonlyonetoiletfacility,whichwaswhatallthemembersofthechurchusedaswell.ButIrememberedthatthe"Sonofman"(Jesus)hadnoplacetolayHisheadwhenHewasgoingaboutHismissionontheearth,soIrejoicedthatatleastIhadsomewheretolaymyhead.

Youaretheonetogeneratejoyaroundyou.Youdon'tprogrammesorrowbyspreadingbadnewsandexpectjoytosurroundyou.

LeteverythingthathathbreathpraisetheLord.PraiseyetheLord.Psalm150:6

Why?HeistheOnethathasallowedthebreathtoremain.PaulandSilasknewthis,thatwaswhytheycouldstillpraiseHim,evenintheirbounds.Theyweregratefulforthefactthattheystillhadlifeinthem.

Makepraisehappen!Itbeginswithbeingjoyful.Whenyouareintoxicatedwithjoy,itexplodesinpraises.

GenerateJoy

MakeajoyfulnoiseuntotheLord,allyelands.ServetheLordwithgladness:comebeforehispresencewithsinging.Psalm100:1–2

Oneofthegreatestassetstofulfilmentinlifeisjoy.Whenyouarejoyless,youarehelpless.Thatexplainswhydowncastpeoplearealwaysgoingdown,becauseittakesaboostedmoraletomakeadefiniteandoutstandingmarkinlife.Somepeoplearealwaysunhappyandtheycan’tevenexplainwhytheyarethatway.Theysagandwonder,"Whyiseveryotherpersonlaughing?Oraretheydeceivingthemselves,consideringtheeconomicsituationinNigeria?Can’ttheyseewhatisgoingonallaround?"Whattheyarecarryingistooheavyforthem.Butthejoyfulmaniseverwinning,becauseofthelimitlessbenefitsofredemptionhehasaccessto.

IttakesagladhearttogiveacceptablepraisetoGod.It’snotjustthesingingthatregistersyourpraiseinheaven,itisworshippingandcelebratingGodfromaheartfullofjoythatprovokesHimtocomedowninthemidstofyourpraises.

Speakingtoyourselvesinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelodyinyourhearttotheLord;Ephesians5:19

WithoutGodyoucandonothingandwithoutjoy,youcan'thaveHim;soyoumustgiveyourselfwhatittakestomaintainaheartfullofjoy.

Andtheangelsaiduntothem,Fearnot:for,behold,Ibringyougoodtidingsofgreatjoy,whichshallbetoallpeople.ForuntoyouisbornthisdayinthecityofDavidaSaviour,whichisChristtheLord.Luke2:10–11

ThecomingofChristwasproclaimedasthecomingofjoytotheworld.SowhenJesusstepsintoanylife,thatlifebecomesanembodimentofgoodtidingsandgreatjoy,becauseHeisheaven’sgreatestdepositofjoy.Christisthegenuinefountainofjoytomankind.Thatiswhythehappiestpeopleintheworldarebelievers.IstronglybelievethatifanyonecannotfindjoyinChrist,hecanneverfinditanywhereelse.

ButthefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,longsuffering,gentleness,goodness,faith.Galatians5:22

ThatmeansthroughredemptioninChrist,yourspirittakesonnewlife;andwhenyouarebaptisedintheHolyGhost,your

regeneratedspiritisendowedwiththeabilitytobearfruits,oneofwhichisjoy.TheBiblecallsit,"Joyunspeakablefullofglory",becausetheremaybenophysicalreasonaroundyouforit,butitisthereallthesame,justoozingoutfromyourspirit.

So,ifjoyisnotflowinginyourheart,itmeansapartofyourheritageinChristismissing.Youmustconsciouslygeneratejoy,inordertoenjoyallthebenefitsofredemption.

Sorrowandbroken–heartednessthriveonthepast,concentratingonfailures,mishaps,missedopportunities,insultsandassaults.Butalifeofjoyonthecontraryfocusesonthefuture.Itisfullofexpectationforabrightandbettertomorrow.Manypeopleexpectgoodthings,butveryfewbelievethatitwillcometopass.Fewerstill,focusontheirexpectations,sotheyaredraggedbackbythepastandstrandedbythethingsofthepresent.

Paulsaid,"IpresstowardthemarkfortheprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus"(Philippians.3:14).Itisonlybyfocusingonthefuturethatyouareguaranteedacontinuousflowofjoy.Jesusdespisedtheshameofthecross,becauseHefocusedHismindonthejoyofthefuturethatwassetbeforeHim.

So,buryyourpastfailures.Itisirreparable.Thereisnothingyoucandoaboutit.Theonlywaytoprovethatyouarenotafailureistojoyfullyputyourbestintothepresent,inordertoarriveatthatsuccessfulfuturethatyoudreamof.Joywillgiveyoutheendurancetoignorethenegativeforcesaroundyouandreachoutforthatgloriousfuture.

EncourageYourself

AndDavidwasgreatlydistressed;forthepeoplespakeofstoninghim,becausethesoulofallthepeoplewasgrieved,everymanforhissonsandforhisdaughters:butDavidencouragedhimselfintheLordhisGod.1Samuel30:6

Davidfoundhimselfinaverytightsituationhere.Hismenwantedtostonehimaftertheydiscoveredthattheirwivesandchildrenhadbeencarriedawaybytheirenemiesfromthecamp.Davidhadnoonetoturnto,buttoencouragehimselfintheLord,whodeliveredhimandhelpedhimretrieveallthattheenemyhadtaken.

Youareperfectlyinchargewhenyougivejoyitsrightfulplace.Youmustgettoapointinlife,whereevenSatanhimselfknowsthatyourheartcannotbebroken.Enoughofpeopleencouragingyoueveryday!Nothingworksbetterthanself-encouragement,becausesomepeopleinthenameoftheencouragementareonlytauntingyou.SolearntoencourageyourselfintheLord.

Therearecertainprinciplesthathavehelpedmetoalwaysstayjoyful.Theyare:

•Godisalwaysright.•Godiseverfaithful.•IfGodcan’tdoit,thennooneelsecan.IfGodcannot,nooneelseshouldtry.Heistheendofhumansearch.

Ifyouhavethesealwaysatthebackofyourmind,youaresuretoovercomeeverythingthattriestobreakyourheart.AreyoulookinguptoGodforajob?Whynotrejoiceoverthefactthatyouareacandidateforajob,thatyouareevenmedicallyfittowork.

AreyoulookinguptoGodforamarriagepartner?Whydon’tyouthankGodthatyouarefittobeconsideredformarriage,thatyouarenotlockedupinanasylumoraleprosariumasaleper.It’sathingofjoythatyouareevenworthytobemarried.Isitachildyouwant?PraiseGodthatyouaremarriedandarenowacandidateformotherhood.LookforreasonstorejoiceandyouwillseeGodperfectingeverythingyouarelookinguptoHimfor.

Jesus,thejoyofthewholeworld,livesonyourinside,youhavenoexcusetobeajoylessChristian.Youshouldbetheoneencouragingthosearoundyou.Maybesomebodystoleyourgoods.ThankGodyouarenottheonewhostolethegoods.Between"Thatisthethief",and"Thatisthemanwhosegoodswerestolen",whichwouldyouliketobeaddressedas?So,praiseGodyouaretheonewhosegoodswerestolen,andnotthethief.

Whatifyourcarcaughtfire?ThankGodyouarenottheone

thatcaughtfire.Wouldyouratherprefertobetheonethatcaughtfire?Oneofmypreciousdaughterscamecryingtomeoneday,tosayherfatherhaddied.Isaid,"IthankGoditwasyourfatherthatdied.Whoshouldhavediedfirst?Youoryourfather?Evenifthemanhadachoicewhilehewasalive,hewouldchoosetodiebeforeyou,sorejoice."

HannahwantedachildfromGod,butaslongasshewentaboutlookingsorrowful,Goddidnotanswerher.Sheevencalledherselfa"womanofasorrowfulspirit"(1Samuel.1:15).Butoneday,shemaderoomforjoyinherheart.TheBiblesayssheateandhercountenancewasnomoresad(1Samuel.1:18);thenGodvisitedher.

Goddoesnotvisitthesorrowful.HeonlyvisitsthosewhoknowhowtopleaseHim,inspiteoftheircircumstances.Josephwasaself–encouragedprisoner.Hewassofullofjoy,thathewentaboutencouragingotherprisonersandinterpretingtheirdreamsforthem.Hewastheonlyprisonerwhoneverknewthemeaningofdepression.Seehowhemarchedoutfromtheprisontothepalace!Thatiswhatjoycando.

Josephwastoofullofjoytofail.Joyfulpeopleneverfail,becausetheyalwaysseeafuturethatkeepsthemexcited.Thatiswhatlivingisallabout.Everythingthattiesyoudownindepression,sorrowofheartorbroken–heartedness,Icursethemnow,inJesus'name!

GuardYourJoy

ThesethingshaveIspokenuntoyou,thatmyjoymightremaininyou,andthatyourjoymightbefull.John15:11

Jesuswantsyoutoenjoyfullnessofjoy,andHewantsthatjoytoremaininyou.InJohn16:22,Hesaid,"…Yourheartshallrejoiceandyourjoynomantakethfromyou."

Youhavearesponsibilitytosteerclearofjoybreakers:peoplewhocarrytalesofwoesandtragedies,whodon’tseeanygoodinanythingaroundthem.Theyhavenotestimoniesofthepast,thepresentorthefuture.Don’trelatewiththem,don’twalkwiththem,don’tevenbidthemgoodbye;justavoidthem.Joybreakersaredestinydestroyers,youdon’tneedsuchpeoplearoundyou.

Toguardyourjoy,youneedtoavoidlisteningtoeviltidings,asmuchaspossible,asnothingbreakstheheartlikeeviltidings.Howmuchyouprotectyourheartagainstsuchwordsorthoughtsdeterminethesuccessofyourpraiselife.

Whenyourspiritisbroken,yourentirecountenancegoesdownandyourlifestartscrawling(Proverbs.18:14).ThatiswhytheBiblesays,"Keepthyheartwithalldiligence;foroutofitaretheissuesoflife."(Proverbs.4:23.)

Ifyouover–exposeyourselftoheart–breakingnews,youstoplifefromdeliveringitsgoodnesstoyou.Ifyouenjoytellingorhearingbadnews,youcannotmaintainjoy,therequirementforacceptablepraise.Thisisbecauseuntilyouaremakingmelodyinyourheart,Godisnotimpressedwithyoursinging.

Itisimpossibleforaspringtobringforthbothbitterandsweetwatersatthesametime.So,itisimpossibleforyourhearttoretainbadnewsandstillremainjoyful.ThereisenoughgoodnewsinChristtokeepyourejoicingallthedaysofyourlife.So,cultivatealifestyleofsharingtheWordofGodandtestimonies,toshieldyourheartfromeviltidings.

Don’tbecomeatrashcanforbadnews,becauseeverywordyouhearisaseedandsoonerorlater,yourlifewillbegintoreacttoit.Iamsobusytellingmytestimonies,thatIcan’tremembermytrials.Iamconvincedthatnomatterhowterribleanyincidentmaybe,God’sfaithfulnessisstillinplace;soIdon’ttalkproblems,Ionlytalkpromises.

Therewillneverbeatimeinyourlifewheneverythingisnotworking.Theremustbeatleastonegoodthinginyourlifeatanygivenpointintime,socelebratethatonethingandyouwillfindalltheothersfallingintoplace.Lifecanbeveryfulfilling.

KeepCompanyWithPraisingPeople

Anotherwaytocontinuallymakepraisehappenaroundyou,isbykeepingcompanywithpraisingpeople.

Blessedisthemanthatwalkethnotinthecounseloftheungodly,norstandethinthewayofsinners,norsittethintheseatofthescornful.ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLordandinhislawdothhemeditatedayandnight.Andheshallbelikeatreeplantedbytheriversofwater,thatbringethforthhisfruitinhisseason;hisleafalsoshallnotwither;andwhatsoeverhedoethshallprosper.Psalm1:1–3

Tomaintainalifestyleofpraise,youneedtokeepcompanywithpraisingpeople.Thereisnowayyoucanmaintainapraisefulllifeifyoukeepcompanywithadepressedsoul.Ifyoukeepcompanywiththosewhokeeplookingbackwardandalwaystalkaboutabrighteryesterday,youtoowilljointhemintalkingandthinkingthesameway.

Everybody'sdestinyisinfluencedbythecompanyhekeeps.Youcan'twalkwiththosewhodonotgivethanksandbethankful.Neithercanyouwalkwiththosewhodon'tpraiseorwhoaremockersandbefullofpraise.Godsaid:

Benotdeceived:evilcommunicationscorruptgoodmanners.1Corinthians15:33

Thepraisemanneriscorruptible;allyouneeddoistowalkwithsomebodywhoisnevergrateful.Thisisbecauseit'seasierforsomeonewhoisonthefloortopulldownthepersonatthetop.Ifyoudonotchoosethecompanyyoukeep,youmayloseyourdestiny.Someonerightlysaid,"Therelationshipyoukeepeithermakesorbreaksyou.Itneverleavesanymanneutral."

Knowthatwhereveryourtestimonyisnotreceivedisnotasafeplaceforyoutobe.Godwillnotaskanyonetostandwithyouonthedayofjudgement;weshallallappearbeforeHimonebyone.Sowhymustyouselloffyourbirthrightbykeepingcompanywithsomeonewhowillnotbepresentwhenyouarebeingcondemned.Godhasliftedyououtofthepit,don'tjoinyourhandagaintothatofsomeoneinthepit,forhecanpullyoubackthereveryfast.

Itisbettertobealonethantobeunequallyyokedtogetherwithsomeonewhoyoudon'tagreewithonanissue.TheBiblesays,"Ironsharpenethiron..."(Proverbs.27:17).Youshouldn'tkeepcompanywithanyonewhoisnotsharpeningyou.Ifheisnotmakingyourlifebrighter,heisgoingtodestroyyoueventually.Rather,lookoutforarelationshipthatsharpensyourlife.Thatway,youwon'tfailinlife.Matthew7:6says:

Givenotthatwhichisholyuntothedogs,neithercastye

yourpearlsbeforeswine,lesttheytramplethemundertheirfeet,andturnagainandrendyou.

Youcan'tbeinarelationshipwithoutsharing;youshareyourheartwithwhoeveryouareinarelationshipwith.Ifyoubotharenotthinkingandseeingthingsthesameway,youonlyendupdestroyingyourdestinywhenyoushareyoursecretswithhim.

Hethatwalkethwithwisemenshallbewise:butacompanionoffoolsshallbedestroyed.Proverbs13:20

Anyfriendwholeavesyourspirit–mandownaftereveryvisit,hastakensomethingpreciousfromyou.Don'tletanybodytakeyououtofyourinheritance.Choosewhoyourfriendsare,foritistheonlywaytomaintainalifestyleofhighpraise.Ifyoustillkeepthefriendsyouhadbeforeyouwerebornagain,youwillgobacktoyouroldlifestyle.

Chapter5:SourcesOfJoy

Thereisariver,thestreamswhereofshallmakegladthecityofGod,theholyplaceofthetabernaclesofthemostHigh.Psalm46:4

Joyisthespringboardforpraise.Youcansingwithoutactuallypraising,butittakesjoytogenuinelypraiseGod.Anunderstandingofwhatthefountainofjoyisandhowtoflowinit,willdelivertoyouwhatittakestoremainonthepraisefrequency,nomatteryoursituation.

Praise,likelaughter,isanoutburstofjoyandPsalm46:4makesitclearthatGodhasmadeprovisionsforafountainofendlessjoyinthemidstofHistabernacle.ThattabernacleisyouandI,because2Corinthians6:16says:

…YearethetempleofthelivingGod;asGodhathsaid,Iwilldwellinthem,andwalkinthem;andIwillbetheirGod,andtheyshallbemypeople.

Whatthenbringsaboutjoy?

TheHolySpirit

InJohn7:38–39,Jesussaid:

Hethatbelievethonme,asthescripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.(ButthisspakeheoftheSpirit,whichtheythatbelieveonhimshouldreceive…

So,theHolySpiritisGod’sgreatprovisionforalifeofendlessjoy.Heistheriverinthemidstofthetabernacle,releasingforcesofjoywhichkeepyourejoicinginspiteofcircumstancesorsituationsaroundyou.Heintoxicateswithjoy.

TheBiblelikensthedifferentdimensionsoftheHolyGhostencountersinthelifeofamantoincreasinglevelsoftheriveroflife,untilitbecomeswaterstoswimin,ariverthatcouldnotbepassedover(Ezekiel.47:1–5).Thatrevealstoyouwhattheflowofjoyinaman'slifeislike.IttakesbeingdrunkintheHolyGhosttoflowinthefountainofjoy,asHerepresentstheriverofjoythatflowsinthemidstofthetabernacle.TheoutpouringoftheSpiritofGod,amongotherthings,hasanintoxicatingeffectonthesaint.

InActs2,whentheHolyGhostcameuponthedisciplesintheupperroom,theyspokeinothertongues,declaringthemysteriesandwonderfulworksofGod.Somepeoplethoughttheyweredrunkenwithwine,butPeteransweredthem,saying:

Forthesearenotdrunken,asyesuppose...ButthisisthatwhichwasspokenbytheprophetJoel;Anditshallcometopassinthelastdays,saithGod,IwillpouroutofmySpirituponallflesh:andyoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,andyouryoungmenshallseevisions,andyouroldmenshalldreamdreams:Acts2:15–17

ThatintoxicatingfountainofjoywaswhatwasatworkinPaulandSilaswhentheywerethrownintotheprison.Thoughtheywereboundhandandfoot,theybegansingingpraisesaloudtoGod,untilHecamedowninanearthquakeandtheirchainswerebroken.

Romans14:17alsosays:

ForthekingdomofGodisnotmeatanddrink;butrighteousness,andpeace,andjoyintheHolyGhost.

TruejoyisguaranteedonlybytheHolyGhost.HeisalsocalledtheoilofgladnessinPsalm45:7andIsaiah61:3.Iseethatfreshoilcominguponyoufromnowon,tomakeyougladallthedaysofyourlife.

TheHolyGhostgivesthebelieverarefreshingthatcannotbe

dammed,byhelpinghimtoseethegoodnessofGod,eveninveryadversesituations.Heistothebelieverareservoirofjoy.ThatiswhytheBiblesays:

Andbenotdrunkwithwine,whereinisexcess;butbefilledwiththeSpirit;Speakingtoyourselvesinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelodyinyourhearttotheLord;GivingthanksalwaysforallthingsuntoGodandtheFatherinthenameofourLordJesusChrist;Ephesians5:18–20

BeingdrunkwiththeSpiritgeneratesaspecialorderofjoywhichspringsupendlessmelodiesinyourheart.TheBiblesays"winemakethmerry",thatisexactlyhowtheHolySpiritinjectstheoilofgladnessintoyourlifeandintoxicatesyouwithjoy.

Lifecanbeveryexciting,ifonlyyouwillallowtheHolySpiritcarryoutHissweeteningministryinyourlife.Hewillalwaysopenyoureyestoseethehumouroussideofeverysituationyouarefacedwith.

NotethatthefountainofjoyistheHolySpirit,butHehasstreamswhichareliketributariesoroffshootsofariver.TheyalsoareforcesthroughwhichtheSpiritgeneratesjoyinthelifeofthebeliever.

CelebrateTheWord

Irejoiceatthyword,asonethatfindethgreatspoil.Psalm119:162

OneofthegreatstreamsoftheriverofjoyistheWordofGod.TheHolySpiritreleasesandsustainsjoyinthelifeofthebelieverbyhelpinghimmakediscoveriesintheWordofGod,whichkeephimrejoicingallthetime.

Butasitiswritten,Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim.ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.1Corinthians2:9–10

TheBiblealsosays:

ThenPhilipwentdowntothecityofSamaria,andpreachedChristuntothem.Andtherewasgreatjoyinthatcity.Acts8:5,8

TheHolySpiritistheonlyOneauthorisedandlicensedtounfoldthesecretsofGod.JesussaidinJohn16:12–13:

Ihaveyetmanythingstosayuntoyou,butyecannotbearthemnow.Howbeitwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth,iscome,hewillguideyouintoalltruth:forheshallnotspeakofhimself;butwhatsoeverheshallhear,thatshallhespeak:andhewillshowyouthingstocome.

WhattheHolySpiritdoesistoopenyoureyestothethingsthatarefreelyyoursinChristJesus,causingyoutooverlookyourpresentsituation,andinsteadkeeprejoicingoverwhatissetbeforeyou.

SeventimesadaydoIpraisetheebecauseofthyrighteousjudgments.Greatpeacehavetheywhichlovethylaw:andnothingshalloffendthem.Lord,Ihavehopedforthysalvation,anddonethycommandments.Mysoulhathkeptthytestimonies;andIlovethemexceedingly.Ihavekeptthypreceptsandthytestimonies:forallmywaysarebeforethee.Psalm119:164–168

TheWordoflifeisthegreateststimulantforunendingpraise.God'sWordistheenergyrequiredforalifeofpraise.Justcatchit,celebrateit,andyouareonyourwayup!

"Greatpeacehavetheywhichlovethylaw:andnothingshall

offendthem."ThatiswhythosewhoarehookeduptotheWordarenotedgyoreasilyprovoked,butarebalancedintheirapproachtothethingsoflife.Theyarenotcontrolledorruledbywhattheysee.Rather,theyareruledbywhatiswritten,whattheyhaveseenintheWordofGod.IneverysituationtheycanseeGodsaying,"Ihaveawayoutforyou."SotheykeepcelebratingthewaysofGod,beforeitbecomes"flesh".

YouraffectionfortheWordofGodiswhatdeterminesthequalityofyourpraise.ThisisbecauseyoupraiseHim,notforhappeningsinyourlife,butforwhatiswritten.YourconfidenceintheWordwillcommandrestinyourlife;andrestiswhatprovokespraise.

LongbeforeIgotmarried,IknewfromtheWordofGodthatIwouldhaveahitch–freemarriedlife.Icelebrateditthenanditissonow.Iknewmytomorrowwasbright,notbecauseIwasaseer,butbecauseIhadseenintheWordofGodwhatthefutureheldformeasacovenantchild,andthatkeptmerejoicing.

Iwasrestfulaboutprosperity,becauseHisWordtoldmeitexisted;itwasavailable,obtainable,andismyheritage.SoIkeptcelebratingitafterIfoundit.IwascelebratingtheWordofprosperitythatIfoundlongbeforeitwas"madeflesh"inmylife(John.1:14).AsyoucelebratetheWord,itbecomesflesh;andwhenitbecomesflesh,youcanseeHisglory.

InGodwillIpraisehisword:intheLordwillIpraisehisword.Psalm56:10

ThiswasthesecretbehindDavid'severjoyfulandpraisefulllife;everythinghefoundinScriptureswasasrealtohimastheday.Yougivethanksoverwhatisseen,whereaspraiseisrootedinwhatiswritten.ItisanexceedingloveforHistestimoniesthatprovokesexceedingpraisefromyou.

Thywordswerefound,andIdideatthem;andthywordwasuntomethejoyandrejoicingofmineheart...Jeremiah15:16

YouraffinityfortheWordenhancesthequalityofyourpraiselife.WatcheverycelebratingChristian,revelationandaffectionfortheWordoflifearethereasonsbehindhiscelebration.RevelationplusAffectionequalsCelebration.YoujustloveHim.YoutrustHimandHisWord.YouknowthatwhatHesaysiswhatHedoes,soyoucancountonHim.

David'sgreatnesscanbeequatedwiththequalityofhispraise.Hewassuchapraisinggiantthattilltoday,hehasanameinheaven.Notonlythat,GodalsoputakeyinJesus'handcalled"thekeyofDavid"!God'sWordwasthesecretbehindhislifeofpraise.

ThereasonwhymanyaretoooffendedtopraiseGodisbecausetheylackrevelationsinHisWord.InsightintheWordnaturally

stimulatespraise.ToenjoyallthatGodhasforyou,youneedtolookawayfromproblemsandlookuptoHim.LookatHisWord,believeandcelebrateit;thenwillitbecomeflesh,andalleyesshallseeHisgloryuponyourlife.WhenGod'sWordbecomesthejoyandrejoicingofyourheart,yourlifewillneverbepraise–dry;itwilleverremainpraise–full.

LetuscelebrateHisWord,foritisthecheapestwaytomakeitbecomeflesh.JustcelebrateGod,foritisthecheapestwaytogetthebestoutofheaven.EveryBible–believingChristianwillalwayshaveareasontopraiseandcelebrateJesus.

Donotletanynewsfromanysourcedisturbyou.AnythingoutsidetheWordofGodhasnofutureorlifeinit.Don'tbeworriedaboutthatdoctor'sreport,whichsaysyoucannotbepregnant.YouwillhaveyourownchildasyoucelebrateGod'sWordwhichhaspromisedthatyouwillbea"joyfulmotherofchildren."HisWordissettledinheavenforever!

So,wheneveryousitwiththeWord,consciouslyinvitetheHolySpirittoteachyouandrevealtoyouthedeepthingsofGod,becausethemoreWordyouacquire,themorejoyyouexperience.AndasyougothroughtheScriptureswithHim,someverseswillstandoutlikethevoiceofGodsayingtoyou,"Thatbattleisover!Itdoesn’tmatterhowlateitseems,I’malwaysontime!Thatproblemisapromiseindisguise,don’tbemoved,Iamincharge!"Thatisboundtokeepyoujumping.

RelatewitheverydiscoveryyoumakeintheWordasreality,andnothingcanstopyourjoyonceyourheartisestablishedontheintegrityoftheWordandthefaithfulnessofGod.

RejoiceinHope

Hopeisanotherstreaminthefountainofjoy.ItisaproductoftheWordofGod,whichisrevealedbytheHolySpirit.Itstabilizestheheartandimpartsjoyintheinnerman.

Forthereishopeofatree,ifitbecutdown,thatitwillsproutagain,andthatthetenderbranchthereofwillnotcease.Thoughtherootthereofwaxoldintheearth,andthestockthereofdieintheground;Yetthroughthescentofwateritwillbud,andbringforthboughslikeaplant.Job14:7–9

Abrahamcanbedescribedasanoldrootintheground.HiscaselookedlikeHewouldhavetolivewithchildlessnessallhislife,butGod’sWord,likethescentofwater,kepthishopealivetillthepromisebecameareality.

Whoagainsthopebelievedinhope,thathemightbecomethefatherofmanynations,accordingtothatwhichwasspoken,Soshallthyseedbe.Romans4:18

Evenagainstallodds,thatscentofwater–theWordofGodkeptAbraham’shopealive.

Somanypeoplemockedmeintheearlydaysofourministry,especiallyforpreachingprosperity.Oneparticularfriendmademethetopicofhispreachingonedayatameetingwebothattended.Heinvitedmetositinfrontandthenwentontopreachaboutme–mydress,car,everything,andeverybodyknewhewastalkingaboutme.HowIgothomeafterthatmeetingthatday,Idon’tknow.

Butnomatterwhatmycriticsdid,theycouldnottaketheWordofGodfromme.Theycouldnotstopmyhope,andthereforecouldnotstopmefromrejoicing.Myrejoicingthen,evenwhenthereseemedtobenothing,hasputatestimonyonmylipstoday.

Youcan’tbehopefulwithoutbeingjoyful.Youareonlydowncastwhenyoubecomehopeless.Hopesparksoffjoy,itreleasesanewlifeonyourinsidethatkeepsyousingingevenwhenpeoplethinkitiscrazytosing.TheBiblesays:

LookinguntoJesustheauthorandfinisherofourfaith;whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.Hebrews12:2

Jesuscouldseeatomorrowahead,sonothinginthepresentcouldcastHimdown.Hesawbeyondthecrosstothecrownandbeyondthegravetothethrone.Youcan’tseeabrighttomorrowand

notbeexcitedtoday.Youcan’tseeaglorioustomorrowandnotbeacelebrating,jumpingChristiantoday.Itisonlypeoplewhocan’tseeanythingintheirfuturethataredowncast.

Youhaveaglorioustomorrow,whichSatanisupsetabout;thatiswhyhewantstopunctureyourhope,soyoucanjoinhiminhisupsetstate.Refusetobeupset!AslongasGodisforyou,youhaveafutureandahope.Youshouldkeepcelebratingthathope!

Fortohimthatisjoinedtoallthelivingthereishope:foralivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion.Ecclesiastes9:4

WearejoinedtoChrist,wholivesforevermore.AslongasyouremaingraftedinHim,therecannotbeanyhopelesscasearoundyou.Itdoesn’tmatterhowanybodyelseviewsyourcase,youcanalwaystellyourself,"AslongasIaminChristandChristisinme,myfutureiscolourful,mytomorrowisbright."ThePsalmistsaid:

Whyartthoucastdown,Omysoul?andwhyartthoudisquietedwithinme?hopethouinGod:forIshallyetpraisehim,whoisthehealthofmycountenance,andmyGod.Psalm42:11

UntilyouputyourhopeinGodandpraiseHim,youarenotentitledtoHishelp.Hopeisthemotheroffaith.Ifthereisnohope,thenthereisnothingfaithcansubstantiate,becausefaithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor(Hebrew.11:1).

Praisefertilizesyourhopeandkeepsitgoingstrong.ThatiswhyIcan’timagineyoudanceonanyissuewithvibranthopeintheWordofGodandnotreceivetheansweryoudesire.

Youarebornintoakingdomofhope,youcan’taffordtoliveahopelesslife.Godhasguaranteedyouacolourfulfuture,butHehasleftyouwiththeresponsibilityofdancingyourwayintoit.

HopekeptJosephexcitedeveninprison.Hewastoosurethathisdreamswouldcometopass,soeventhoughhewasunjustlylockedup,hestillhadthehopethatsomeday,somehow,Godwouldbringhimoutandhewouldruleoverhisbrothersthatsoldhimintoslavery.Hishopeofgettingtothethronewasunshaken;andwhenitbecameareality,histestimonywas,"Godhasmademetoforgetallmytoils"(Genesis.41:51).

Itdoesn’tmatterwhereyouaretoday,Godhasmarkedoutacolourfulfutureforyou.Don’tsellofftosorrow,don’tgiveintobroken–heartedness.Everythingthatlookslikeadownwardtrendtodayisanupwardthrustindisguise.Thatsituationthatlookslikeastumblingblocktodayisonlyasteppingstonetoyournextphaseofglory.

Forthevisionisyetforanappointedtime,butattheenditshallspeak,andnotlie:thoughittarry,waitforit;becauseitwillsurelycome,itwillnottarry.Habakkuk

2:3

Don’tletanydeviltellyouthatGodhasforgottenwhatHepromisedyou.No,Heisnotunrighteoustoforget!Justholdon,attheenditshallspeak.Evenifittarries,waitforit.Andwhileyouwait,celebrateyourhope.

Amanwaswronglyretiredfromservicesometimeagoandsomeofhiscolleagueskeptmockinghim,saying,"Youwerealwaysdisturbinguswithyourprayers,didn’tGodshowyouthatyouweregoingtoberetired?"Hedidn’tmindthem,butkeptattendingservicesandpraisingGod.Andtwoyearslater,hewasrecalledandgivenbackhisjob!Thesamepeoplewhoweremockinghimcamebacktocongratulatehim."…Attheenditshallspeak."Peopleweremockinghim,butGodwasmakinghim.

ForwhenGodmadepromisetoAbraham,becausehecouldswearbynogreater,heswarebyhimself,Thatbytwoimmutablethings,inwhichitwasimpossibleforGodtolie,wemighthaveastrongconsolation,whohavefledforrefugetolayholduponthehopesetbeforeus:Whichhopewehaveasananchorofthesoul,bothsureandstedfast...Hebrews6:13,18,19

GodhasgivenyouHisWordandcannotwithdrawit.Buthopeistheanchorofthesoulandiswhatguaranteesourinheritanceattheendoftheday.Whenhopeislost,youkeepdriftingthroughlifeandcanbecomeavictimofthestorms.ButtheBiblesays,"Christinyouisthehopeofglory."(Colossians.1:27.)HeisthelivingWordofGod.

AsyoukeepcelebratingyourdiscoveriesintheWordofGod,hopeisreleased,whichfurtherstrengthensyourjoyandmakesyourpraiseacceptable.Iseeyougoinghigherandhigher,asyoukeeprejoicinginhope.

PraiseWithFaith

Anotherstreamofthefountainofjoyisfaith,alsoaproductoftheWordofGod(Romans.10:17).Faithtriggersoffjoy.ItstirsamanupontheinsidetobeginrejoicingandpraisingGodasonewhohasalreadyreceivedwhathehopedfor.Thatiswhyfaithiscalledtheevidenceofthingsnotseen(Hebrew.11:1).

Everymanthatisstronginfaithisnaturallystronginpraise,becauseasfarasheisconcerned,hiscaseissettledwithGodandisnotsubjecttoanydebatefromthedevil.

ThecelebrationoftheWordofGodwaswhatearnedAbrahamthename,"Fatheroffaith."HehadthisdialoguewithGodinGenesis15:3–6:

AndAbramsaid,Behold,tomethouhastgivennoseed:and,lo,oneborninmyhouseismineheir.And,behold,thewordoftheLordcameuntohim,saying,Thisshallnotbethineheir;buthethatshallcomeforthoutofthineownbowelsshallbethineheir.Andhebroughthimforthabroad,andsaid,Looknowtowardheaven,andtellthestars,ifthoubeabletonumberthem:andhesaiduntohim,Soshallthyseedbe.AndhebelievedintheLord...

AbrahambelievedintheLord,thatevenaftermanyyearshadpassedwithouthishavingseenthepromisedheir,theBiblerecordsthat:

HestaggerednotatthepromiseofGodthroughunbelief;butwasstronginfaith,givingglorytoGod;Romans4:20

ThisisthekindofassurancethatmadeapostlePaul,inthemidstofashipwreck,tosay:

Wherefore,sirs,beofgoodcheer:forIbelieveGod,thatitshallbeevenasitwastoldme.Acts27:25

Justlikehopeistheanchorofthesoul,faithistheassuranceofthesoul.Ittellsyou,"Nomatterthestorm,youcanbesureofwhatGodhaspromised."Itgivesyoutheassuranceofacolourfulfuture.

ThatiswhytheBiblesaysthatAbrahamwasfullypersuadedthatwhatGodhadpromised,Hewasablealsotoperform.

Thatthetrialofyourfaith,beingmuchmorepreciousthanofgoldthatperisheth,thoughitbetriedwithfire,mightbefounduntopraiseandhonourandgloryattheappearingofJesusChrist:Whomhavingnotseen,yelove;inwhom,thoughnowyeseehimnot,yetbelieving,yerejoicewithjoyunspeakableandfullofglory:1Peter1:7–8

Joyistheevidenceoffaith.Amanoffaithisjoyful,evenbeforetheWordspokenbecomesareality,becauseheknowsthathisrejoicingnowiswhatwillmakethepromisecometopass.Thatiswhythemostjoyfulpeopleontheeartharepeopleoffaith.

Amanoffaithtalksofhistomorrowwithassuranceanddemonstrateshisconfidencebybeingjoyful.Youcan’tbesureandstillstaggerattheWord.Youcan’tbesureandnotbejoyful.Faithsparksoffjoyunspeakable,fullofgloryinsideyou.Thetypethatevenwhennobodyaroundyoucanseethereasonforyourjoy,it’sjustthere,oozingforthfromyou.

Thestrengthofyourfaithisexpressedthroughthestrengthofyourjoy;Abrahamwasstronginfaith,givingglorytoGod(Romans.4:20).WhenyoubelievetheWordofGod,youwillkeeponcelebratingituntilitmanifests.

Thevineisdriedup,andthefigtreelanguisheth;thepomegranatetree,thepalmtreealso,andtheappletree,evenallthetreesofthefield,arewithered:becausejoyiswitheredawayfromthesonsofmen.Joel1:12

Manypeoplehavewildernessexperiencesbecausetheirjoyiswitheredaway.Joywitherswhenfaithisabsentandoncethathappens,everythingbeginstofail.

Fromthisday,thejoyoftheLordwillneverwitherawayfromyourlife!WiththeHolySpirit,whoisthefountainofjoy,enablingyoutounderstandtheWord,whichestablishesyourhopeandignitesyourfaith,youaresuretoexplodeinjoyandtowalkuponyourhighplacesinlife.Aslongasyouareinpraise,yourthroneissure,andaslongasyourjoyisintact,yourpraisecan’trundry.Iseeyouenteringtherealmofjoyunspeakable,fullofglory.

Chapter6:IsAnyMerry?

YoucansingwithoutactuallypraisingGod.Manypeoplesingfordifferentreasonsandwithdifferentmotivesintheirhearts,whichmaketheirsongsofnoeffect.It'snotjustenoughtosingpraises,youmustalsoknowwhatittakestomakeyourpraiseacceptable.TheBiblesays:

...Isanymerry?lethimsing...James5:13

Ifyouarenotmerry,youarenotqualifiedtopraiseGod."Isanymerry?"Thisistheonlyconditionunderwhichyouarepermittedtopraise,anditistheonlytimeyourpraisewillbeacceptable.Whenyourpraisesareacceptable,yourlifebecomescolourful.

Godseesyoujumpingandsinging,butHeisasking,"IshereallypraisingMe?"Godisconcernedaboutwhatgoesononyourinside.Heislookingontheinsidetorewardeverymanaccordingtohisways.Whatyoubecomeinthekingdomisbasicallyafunctionofwhatgoesononyourinside.

ThestateofyourheartinpraiseiswhatdeterminestheresponsefromGod.WhenyoupraiseHimwithallyourheart,yourpraiseisacceptable.Manypeoplepraise,buttheirheartsarenotreallythere.

WhenIampraisingHim,IamlostinHim.Isingmanysongs(especiallyinmydialect)whenIamrecountingHisgoodness,faithfulnessandblessingsontome.Hehasneveroffendedme;rather,Hehasdoneallthingswell.

Andyeshallseekme,andfindme,whenyeshallsearchformewithallyourheart.Jeremiah29:13

...Teachingandadmonishingoneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingwithgraceinyourheartstotheLord.Colossians3:16

Yourheartmustalwayssingsongsofpraise,celebratingthegraceofGod.

Speakingtoyourselvesinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelodyinyourhearttotheLord;Ephesians5:19

Ifyouwanttoseesupernaturalresponsestoyourpraise,justmakesureyourheartisinit.EverytimeyoupraiseHimfromyourheart,youcompelHispresence.AndwhenHecomes,Hedoes

"fearful"things,becauseHeis"fearfulinpraises,doingwonders."

Isanymerry?lethimsing...Merrimentisafundamentalrequirementforacceptablepraise.Praiseisforonlythemerry–hearted,asnoteverysongisacceptableinheaven.OnlysongsemanatingfromamerryheartareacceptabletoGod.

Allthedaysoftheafflictedareevil:buthethatisofamerryhearthathacontinualfeast.Proverbs15:15

Ifthereisnojoyinyourheart,yoursongisanoiseuntoGod.Butwhenthereisgladnessofheart,yoursongascendsthethroneofGodasasweet–smellingsavour,commandingdivineattentionatalltimes.

Yeshallhaveasong,asinthenightwhenaholysolemnityiskept;andgladnessofheart,aswhenonegoethwithapipetocomeintothemountainoftheLord,tothemightyOneofIsrael.Isaiah30:29

ThefearfulactsofGodareprovokedinpraise,thatiswhytheenemydoeshisbesttostopyoufromengaginginit.WithoutGodyoucandonothingandwithoutpraise,Heisnotpermittedtoshowup,forHedwellsinthemidstofpraises.Youmustthereforeknowhowtocreateandmaintainanatmosphereofpraise,toguaranteeGod'spresencewithyoualways.

Don'tAllowSorrow

Sorrowisanenemyofpraise,andwhatsoeverstopsyourpraiseisanenemyofyourdestiny.Praisesinthemouthofanunhappymanarelikesongsinthemouthofapig;it'sanuisanceintheearsofGod.Sorrowdoesnotonlybreakthespirit,italsoblocksyouraccesstoGod.

Amerryheartdoethgoodlikeamedicine:butabrokenspiritdrieththebones.Proverbs17:22

Manyailmentspeoplesuffertodayareasaresultofbrokennessofheart.Idon'tgiveroomtothatinmylife;rather,Iamcontinuallyexcited,satisfiedandfulfilled.Thatway,sorrowofheartcan'tgettome;itisdrivenfarawayfrommyhabitation.

Therearetwobasiccausesofsorrowinpeople'slives:

Hopelessness

Hopelessnessisamajorsourceofsorrow.Whenyoubecomehopelessonanyissue,sorrowistherewardyouget,itistheprizeforhopelessness.Everytimeyoucometotheendoftheroadonanyissue(accordingtoyourownassessment),sorrowtakesover.

Butlistentothis:itisfoolishnesstobehopelessasaChristian!SeewhattheWordofGodsaysconcerningyou:

Fortohimthatisjoinedtoallthelivingthereishope:foralivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion.Ecclesiastes9:4

AslongastheVineisalive,thereishopeforthe"branches".Jesussaid:

Iamthevine,yearethebranches:Hethatabidethinme,andIinhim,thesamebringethforthmuchfruit:forwithoutmeyecandonothing.John15:5

HeistheVineandyouarethebranches.IfyouareinHim,thedevilcannotmakeyouhopeless.YoualsohavethisassurancefromGodinthebookofJeremiah:

IaloneknowtheplansIhaveforyou,planstobringyouprosperityandnotdisaster,planstobringaboutthefutureyouhopefor.Jeremiah29:11(GNB)

Recently,wewerethrilledinchurchbythetestimonyofamarriagethatwasrestoredafterfiftyyearsofseparation!Godre–unitedthecouple.Thedevilcannotcloseyourcase,aslongasyouremainconnectedtotheVine!ThatiswhyIsaiditisfoolishnessforaChristiantobehopeless.

Hearmeagain:thedevilcannotcloseyourcase,unlessyoudosoyourself!WhentheBiblesays,"Givenoplacetothedevil",itmeansthedevildoesnothavethepowertoforcehimselfuponyou,exceptbyyourpermission.TheBiblewarnsthat"...Whosobreakethanhedge,aserpentshallbitehim..."(Ecclesiastes.10:8).Thatis,untilthehedgeisbroken,theserpenthasnoaccess.Untilyoucallyourcaseclosed,itremainsopeninyourfavour.SomaintainyourhopeinGodonallissues.

SeewhatIsaiah51:11says:

ThereforetheredeemedoftheLordshallreturn,andcomewithsinginguntoZion;andeverlastingjoyshallbeupontheirhead:theyshallobtaingladnessandjoy;andsorrowandmourningshallfleeaway.

That'sanassurancethatnomatterwhereyouaretoday,thereisareturnprogrammeforyou,towhereyoushouldbe.That'swhyyoushouldhavehope.Hebroughtyouout,tobringyouin;nottobreakyou.

Haven'tyouheardthat"Betteristheendofathingthanthebeginningthereof"(Ecclesiastes.7:8)?Soyourtomorrowisbetterthanyourtoday.Haveyounotheardalso,that"Thepathofthejustislikeashininglight,thatshinesmoreandmoreuntotheperfectday"(Proverbs.4:18)?Sothedevilcannotstopyourtomorrowfrombeingbrighterandbetterthanyourtoday.Youcannotbeoppresseduntilyouaredepressed.

Wheneveryouareworriedorsorrowful,askyourself,"Whohasevergotasolutionthroughsorrow?"Youcan'tpraiseHimwithburdens.Untiltheburdensaredealtwith,yourpraiseisnotacceptable.Thequestionyouthenneedtoaskis:"HowdoImakemyselfjoyfulundersuchcircumstances?"HereisthePsalmist'sprescription:

BlesstheLord,Omysoul:andallthatiswithinme,blesshisholyname.BlesstheLord,Omysoul,andforgetnotallhisbenefits:Whoforgivethallthineiniquities;whohealethallthydiseases;Psalm103:1–3

Toremainjoyfulundersorrowfulcircumstances,youneedtoconstantlycelebrateHisredemptivebenefitsinyourlife.Thisway,youwillbeabletodealwithsorrowandburdensthatwanttocastyoudown.So,comeoutofyourshellofdepression!

PraiseisGod'snaturalhabitat;whereasthedevilnaturallyinhabitssorrow.So,givethedevilnoplaceinyourlifebygivingintosorrow.Theenemywon'ttakeyouforarideanymore!

FollowingOthergods

Thesecondsourceofsorrowinpeople'slivesisfollowingafterothergods.AnyothergodyouhavebesidestheAlmightyGodwilldefinitelyaddsorrowtoyourlife,foritistheblessingoftheLordalonethatmakethrich,andHeaddethnosorrowwithit.Haven'tyouheard?"Thoushalthavenoothergodbeforeme."ThatisGodspeakinginExodus20:3.

Oneofsuchgodsisthegodofgold.

Fortheloveofmoneyistherootofallevil:whichwhilesomecovetedafter,theyhaveerredfromthefaith,andpiercedthemselvesthroughwithmanysorrows.Butthou,OmanofGod,fleethesethings;andfollowafterrighteousness,godliness,faith,love,patience,meekness.1Timothy6:10–11

Whenmoneybecomesyourgod,sorrowbecomesyourheritage.Thisisbecausethatthingcalledmoneyisneverenough.Whenmoneybecomesyoursourceofjoyandexcitement,youneverhavestablejoy.Itwaxesstrongtoday,andwanestomorrow.

Moneycompelsspending,soeverytimeitreduces,one'sjoydrops.Whenitrises,afakeandephemeraljoyrisesinsidetheman.Andwhenhekeepshavingsuchhighandlowtemperatureconstantly,God'spromiseoflonglifeiscutshort.

Letusconsiderotherenemiesofpraise.

Don'tBeOffended

Offenceisthenaturaltendencyinthehourofdifficultyandpressure.Itisanegativereactiontounpleasantconditions.Unfortunately,it'sareactionagainstyourhelper,therebyrenderingyoucompletelyhelpless.Theoffendedmansays,"Whyme?WhereisGodnow?IsHisWordstillthere?CananyonereallycountonHim?"

Theanswertoalloffencesispatience.Intheparableofthesower,Jesussaid:

Butthatonthegoodgroundarethey,whichinanhonestandgoodheart,havingheardtheword,keepit,andbringforthfruitwithpatience.Luke8:15

Nomatterhowgoodyourheartis,patienceisneededtoenjoythefullnessofGod'splanforyourlife.Yougetoffendedeasily,that'swhyitlooksasifthingsarenotworkingforyou.

Ifthedeviltellsyou,"IfGodweregoingtoliftyou,Heshouldhavedoneitbynow."Tellhim,"Godisneverlate.Hecreatedtheentirewouldinsixdays,sowhateverdeadlineisbeforemenowistoomuchforHimtoperfectallthatconcernsme."Bedetermined,likeJob,towaittillthetimeofyourchangecomesfromtheLord,forthereisnoshametothemthatwaitforGod(Isaiah.49:23).

John,amanofgreatdestiny,diedinprisonbecauseofoffences.Jesustoldusthatofallbornofwomen,therewasnoneasgreatasJohntheBaptist.Prophetsofoldspokeabouthisgreatcoming,butoffencekilledhim.JohnsentamessagetoJesusfromtheprison,asking:

...Artthouhethatshouldcome,ordowelookforanother?Matthew11:3ThatwaslikedoubtingJesus'missiononearthandpointinganaccusingfingeratHim.

Jesusansweredandsaiduntothem,GoandshowJohnagainthosethingswhichyedohearandsee:Theblindreceivetheirsight,andthelamewalk,thelepersarecleansed,andthedeafhear,thedeadareraisedup,andthepoorhavethegospelpreachedtothem.Andblessedishe,whosoevershallnotbeoffendedinme.Matthew11:4–6

ThatwasacomprehensivediagnosisofJohn'sproblem–"Blessedishe,whosoevershallnotbeoffendedinme."Thatis,"Cursedishewhoisoffendedinme!"Johnwasoffendedandendedupbeingbeheaded!Youwillnotbebeheaded!

Jesussaiditisimpossibleforoffencenottocome,butwoeunto

himbywhomitwillcome(Matthew.11:6;18:7).Johnwasoffendedandhisgreatdestinywasshattered.

ButherewasPaulandSilas.JustlikeJohn,theywereequallylockedupinprison.Besides,theywerealsobeaten,humiliatedandboundinstocks.Butbecausetheyrefusedtobeoffended,theyendedupbeingdignified!Theyprayed,sangpraisesalouduntoGod,andtheprisonersheardthem.Theymusthavebeenmocked,butGodloosedthem,andmadethem!Wearestilltalkingabouttheirtestimonytoday.MakeupyourmindnevertobeoffendedinGod.

IfyouhurtGod,whowillhelpyou?IfyoudespiseHim,whowillliftyou?IfyouraiseyourshouldersupinprideagainstHim,whoelsecandoforyouwhatHecan?

Manyarestrandedtodaybecausetheyareoffended.Everyoffendedmanendsupbeingbeheaded.Godisnotyourequal.YourvoteisnotwhatmadeHimGod.Hehasbeenbeforeyoueverwere.HeisyourCreator.ThatiswhyIsaiah45:9says,"WoeuntohimthatstrivethwithhisMaker!"

Thingsareworkingforme,becauseIrefusetobeoffended.Nomatterhowgreatyourdestiny,itwillbeterminated(withoutanyhelpfromthedevil)byreasonofoffence.Youhavebeenstrandedlongenough,nowgiveyourdestinymotion!

Andblessedishe,whosoevershallnotbeoffendedinme.Luke7:23

IhavemademychoicetoremaineternallyhappywithGodandnevertolookforafaultinHim.IchoosetotrustinHisgoodwillandloveforever.

Whenyouareoffended,yourdefencesarebrokendown,andtheserpentscanbite.God'smightyhanddepartedfromJohn,andalittlegirlsaid,"Fortheprizeofdancing,IwanttheheadofJohn."Andtheybroughtitforheronaplatter!

Refusetobeoffended,ifyoudonotwanttodieinprison.Inthemidnightofyourstruggles,don'tgiveintooffences,oryoumayneverbeoutofthem.Rather,likePaulandSilas,engageinseemingly"foolish"praise,andsingyourwayoutofprison.

WoeuntohimthatstrivethwithhisMaker!Letthepotsherdstrivewiththepotsherdsoftheearth.Shalltheclaysaytohimthatfashionethit,Whatmakestthou?orthywork,Hehathnohands?Woeuntohimthatsaithuntohisfather,

Whatbegettestthou?ortothewoman,Whathastthoubroughtforth?Isaiah45:9–10

EverytimeyouareoffendedinGod,youdestroyyourdestiny.Job9:4says,"Heiswiseinheartandmightyinstrength:whohathhardenedhimselfagainsthim,andhathprospered?"No

onehardenshimselfagainstGodandnotpayforit.

Onlypraisecanbringyououtofthattightcorneryouarein.ForhavingeverqueriedGodbefore,nowtellHim,"Lord,I'msorry.IcelebrateYounow,andwillcelebrateYouforever."DoyouknowwhattheBiblesays?

BecausethouservedstnottheLordthyGodwithjoyfulness,andwithgladnessofheart,fortheabundanceofallthings;ThereforeshaltthouservethineenemieswhichtheLordshallsendagainstthee,inhunger,andinthirst,andinnakedness,andinwantofallthings:andheshallputayokeofironuponthyneck,untilhehavedestroyedthee.Deuteronomy28:47–48

HowcanpeoplehaveabundanceandnotserveGodwithjoy?ItisbecausetheyareblindtotheabundanceofGodaroundthem.Theydonotseetheirgoodhealth,thefreesleeptheyenjoy,thehousetheylivein,theirchildrenwhohaveneverneededtobetakentothehospitalandthegoodnametheyhaveinthecommunityasabundance.

WhenyouarenotoffendedinGod,youareentitledtoblessings.AsyoufreeyourselffromeveryfoolishangeragainstGod,goandenjoyHisblessings,inJesus'name!Youcan'taffordtobebeheaded,soturnfromoffences!

IdiscoveredwhatJob'sproblemwas–healwaysjustifiedhimselfagainstGod.ThatwaswhyGodremovedhisdefences.ManyarejustifyingthemselvesagainstGodbysaying,"Lord,Ipaymytithe.EverythingYoucommanded,Ihavedone.You'retheonlyOnewhohasn'tdoneYourownpart."

Rejoiceevermore!Godisalwaysright.Bedeliveredfromalloffences,inJesus'name!

Greatpeacehavetheywhichlovethylaw:andnothingshalloffendthem.Psalm119:165

TheloveoftheWordofGoddeliversfromoffences.AlwaysfindsolaceinHisWord,nomatterthesituationyouareconfrontedwith.Ifyouhavelostanything,Heisthereasonwhyyouhavenotlosteverything.SopraiseHim!

Don'tBeCovetous!

Andhesaiduntothem,Takeheed,andbewareofcovetousness:foraman'slifeconsistethnotintheabundanceofthethingswhichhepossesseth.Luke12:15

Anotherobstacletoalifeofpraiseiscovetousness.Nothingiseverenoughforthecovetous.Peoplearerunninghelter–skelterdaily,becausetheyareundertheplagueofcovetousness.Ohyes,itisaplaguewhichwipessmilesoffitsvictim'sface.Theworthofamanisnotinwhathepossesses.

Butwhatisthecureforcovetousness?

Butgodlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain.Forwebroughtnothingintothisworld,anditiscertainwecancarrynothingout.Andhavingfoodandraiment,letusbetherewithcontent.1Timothy6:6–8

Contentmentistheanswertocovetousness.TheHolySpiritmakesusunderstandthateverybodyhaswhatittakestobecontented.Hesaid,"Andhavingfoodandraiment,letusbetherewithcontent."Notethatitsays,"havingfood",not"foods";"andraiment",not"raiments."Godlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain.Thatmeanscontentmentisyouropendoortogreatgainsinlife.Why?Withcontentment,youmaintainapraisefulllifestyle,whichwouldbringyououtstandingliftings.

Covetousnessisaplague!Itsendisalwaysbitterforitsvictim.ButthereisnoplaguetothemthatwaitfortheLord(Lamentations.3:25–26).Itismyopinionthatallrobbersandthievesarevictimsofcovetousness;theyaregreedyandareneversatisfied,likethehorseleach(Proverbs.30:15–16).I'veseenquitealotofpeopleinjurethemselvesthroughcovetousness.Manyhomesarebrokentodaybyit.

Forme,IbelievethatwhatIdon'thave,Idon'tneedandit'snotsafeformetodesireit.Ibelievethatthereasonyoudonothaveacarnowisbecauseitisnotsafeforyoutohaveonenow.Whenitissafeforyou,Hewon'tdepriveyouofit,fornogoodthingwouldHewithholdfromthemthatwalkuprightly.

Hearthisagain:covetousnessisanenemyofpraise;whereascontentmentisthegatewayfortheattainmenttogreaterheights.

LetGoOfThePast

Thehabitoflookingbackatpastfailuresisanenemyofpraise.Youcan'tlivealifeofpraiseuntilyouletgoofthenegativepast.

Forinstance,ifyouaredrivingacarforward,andratherthanfacingyourfront,youconcentrateonlookingbackward,youknowofcoursethatyouareheadingforaghastlymotoraccident.

Layallthetroublesofthepasttorest!Ifyouhavelostanything,Heisthereasonwhyyouhavenotlosteverything.Youcan'tpraiseHimwithburdens.Lookingatyournegativepastallthetimewillmakethingsnegativeinyourlife.Letthemgo!TheBiblesaysanyonewhoputshishandontheploughandlooksback,isnotworthyofthekingdom(Luke.9:62).Thatmeansheisnotfitfortheblessingsofthekingdom.

Itisimpossibletolivealifeofpraisewhenyouareattachedtoyournegativepast.Isaiah43:18says:

Rememberyenottheformerthings,neitherconsiderthethingsofold.

Ifyoudonotletthepastbepast,youmaypassonwithit!Godsays,instead:

Behold,Iwilldoanewthing;nowitshallspringforth;shallyenotknowit?Iwillevenmakeawayinthewilderness,andriversinthedesert.Isaiah43:19

Itmeans,ifyoumustknowthethingsGodisabouttodo,letgoofthenegativepastandremoveitfromyourmindandheart.Wearedefinitelyinthedaysofnewthings.So,wouldyouletgoofthepastnow?ApostlePaulhasthistosayaboutthepast:

Brethren,Icountnotmyselftohaveapprehended:butthisonethingIdo,forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind,andreachingforthuntothosethingswhicharebefore,IpresstowardthemarkfortheprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus.Philippians3:13–14

Hemeanstosay,"Iforgetthepast,Ipresstowardsthefuture."Lookingbackwardmakesyouafailureinthefaith.Youhavegonearoundthatmountainlongenough,nowgoforward!RememberLot'swife?AstheywereleavingSodomandGomorrah,shelookedbackward,andturnedtoapillarofsalt(Genesis.19:26),astatueofnovalue.

Letallthosetroublesofthepastrest.Theonlythingtoberememberedinyourpastshouldbetestimonies.Iftheyarenot

testimonies,Godcommands,"Remembernot..."Ideclareeverybitternessplantedbytheirreparablepastdeadinyourlifetoday,inJesus'name!Everydepressioncausedbytheirreparablepastisbrokenrightnow!Thereisjoybeforeyoutodayandnomanshalltakeitfromyou,inJesus'name.Saywithme,"Iamfreefromtheweightofthenegativepast!"

High–Mindedness

Lord,myheartisnothaughty,normineeyeslofty:neitherdoIexercisemyselfingreatmatters,orinthingstoohighforme.SurelyIhavebehavedandquietedmyself,asachildthatisweanedofhismother:mysoulisevenasaweanedchild.Psalm131:1–2

Highmindednessisoneofthegreatestenemiesofpraise.Itisaconditionwhereanindividualseeseverythingasbelowhisexpectation.HeseeshimselfastoomuchforwhereheisandhardlyappreciatestheactsofGodinhislife.Asamatteroffact,Godistooslowforhim.

ThisisnothingbutadeviceoftheenemytoturnoneagainstGod,byportrayingHimasunfaithfulandslow.TheBiblesaysthatinthelastdays,menshallbehigh–minded,loversofpleasuresandofselfmorethanloversofGod(2Timothy.3:2–5).TheyareneversatisfiedandtheycelebratetheirqualificationsandexpertiseattheexpenseoftheirrelationshipwithGod.Attheendoftheday,Godleavesthemtothemselves.But1Timothy6:17says:

Chargethemthatarerichinthisworld,thattheybenothighminded,nortrustinuncertainriches,butinthelivingGod,whogivethusrichlyallthingstoenjoy

Lifeisinphases!Untilyouaccepttherealityofthatstatement,youmaybephasedout.Youmustappreciatethefactthatyouarewhereyouarenow,bythefaithfulnessofGod.So,whateveryoupossessisnotasaresultofyourexpertise,butthehandofGoduponyourlife.

Thereisnothingwrongwithhavingadreamforyourfuture,butthetimingsofitsfulfilmentmustbeleftinthehandsofGod.

TheLordisnotslackconcerninghispromise,assomemencountslackness;butislongsufferingtous–ward...2Peter3:9

ThatiswhyIbelieveIcouldnothavebeenanywherebetterthanwhereIamnow,becauseIaminthehandsofafaithfulGodandnoonecouldhavehandledmylifebetterthanHim.

JesussaidinMatthew18:4,"Whosoeverthereforeshallhumblehimselfasthislittlechild,thesameisgreatestinthekingdomofheaven."InMatthew21:16Healsosaid,"…Haveyeneverread,Outofthemouthofbabesandsucklingsthouhastperfectedpraise?"

Ittakesbeing"child–like"mindedtoflowinperfectpraise.Everylittlechildbelievesabsolutelyinhismother.So,believeGod,

thatwhereyouarenowisyourbestestate,andasyoucelebrateHisfaithfulnessinyourlife,youwillfindyourselfinthenextphaseHehaspreparedforyou.

TheSpiritOfHeaviness

Thisisanotherenemyofpraise.Itisnotastateofthemind,neitherisitanattitude.Itisaspirit–aforceintherealmoftheunseen.Its'victimisnotdownbecauseofanynegativethingthathashappenedtohim;heisdepressedmosttimeswithoutevenknowingwhy!Hewonderswhatlifeisallabout.

IbelievethatwasthespiritthatcameuponElijahwhenhefledfromJezebel.Hesaid,"…Itisenough;now,OLord,takeawaymylife;forIamnotbetterthanmyfathers."(1Kings19:4.)

Untilthespiritofheavinessgoes,praise,whichisyourguaranteetothehighplacesinlife,cannotflow.ButIsaiah61:1,3says:

ThespiritoftheLordGodisuponme;becausetheLordhathanointedmeto…appointuntothemthatmourninZion,togiveuntothembeautyforashes,theoilofjoyformourning,thegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness...

Eventhoughheavinessisaspirit,theSpiritofGodissuperiortoit.Paulsaid:

Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.Ephesians6:12

Itisoneofthedevil’sactsofspiritualwickednesstoputthespiritofheavinessuponaman,sothateveninthemidstofhighpraiseshedoesnothaveareleasetopraiseGod.Thedevilknowsthatuntilyoupraise,youremainavictimoflife.

ButyoufightthatspiritofheavinessbycastingitoutinthenameofJesus,becauseHesaid,"Andthesesignsshallfollowthemthatbelieve;Inmynameshalltheycastoutdevils…"(Mark.16:17).

JoyisyourbirthrightandyoumaintainitbylettingtheWordofGoddwellrichlyinyourheart,tillthereisnoroomforthedevil.So,youcanriseupandsaytothatspiritofheaviness,"ThisisthedaytheLordhasmade,Imustrejoiceandbegladinit!ThereforeinthenameofJesusChrist,youspiritofheaviness,looseyourgripfrommeandgetoffmyabode",andyouwillbefree.

NowthatGodhasdeliveredyoufromeverysorrowandweight,Hewillalsokeepyoufreeforever!Goandstayhappy!Goandstaymerry!Sorrowshallnolongerfindaplaceinyourheartforevermore!

Icurseeverythingthatbringssorrowonyourpath!Gooncelebratingforever,inJesus'preciousname!

Chapter7:WhenYouPraiseHim...

Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;letallthepeoplepraisethee.Oletthenationsbegladandsingforjoy:forthoushaltjudgethepeoplerighteously,andgovernthenationsuponearth.Selah.Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;letallthepeoplepraisethee.Thenshalltheearthyieldherincrease;andGod,evenourownGod,shallblessus.Godshallblessus;andalltheendsoftheearthshallfearhim.Psalm67:3–7

PraisingGod,likeeveryotherScripturalprincipleisdesignedtoprofitthosewhocomplywithit.Whenyouengageinceaselesspraises,youpositionyourselfpermanentlyforGod’sblessings.

Whoislikeuntothee,OLord,amongthegods?whoislikethee,gloriousinholiness,fearfulinpraises,doingwonders?Exodus15:11

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksandtosingpraisestotheLord.Aswedo,Heinturndoesfearfulthingsforus.Praiseisadivinesecretforall–roundprofitinginthekingdom.Agoodunderstandingofitsbenefitswillkeepyouonthepraisetrackallthedaysofyourlife.

First,let'sconsiderJudah.Hisnamemeanspraiseandhereistheheritagehisfatherblessedhimwith:

Judahisalion'swhelp:fromtheprey,myson,thouartgoneup:hestoopeddown,hecouchedasalion,andasanoldlion;whoshallrousehimup?ThesceptreshallnotdepartfromJudah,noralawgiverfrombetweenhisfeet,untilShilohcome;anduntohimshallthegatheringofthepeoplebe.Bindinghisfoaluntothevine,andhisass'scoltuntothechoicevine;hewashedhisgarmentsinwine,andhisclothesinthebloodofgrapes:Hiseyesshallberedwithwineandhisteethwhitewithmilk.Genesis49:9–12

"Fromtheprey...thouartgoneup..."ThatmeansapraisefullChristianwillneverbeacaptive,butalwaysaconqueror.Hisenemieswillbehispreyandhewillhavethemundertotalsubjection.

ThesceptreshallnotdepartfromJudah...Thatistalkingaboutenthronement.EverypraisingsaintendsupbeingenthronedbyGod....Noralawgiverfrombetweenhisfeet...Thatmeansauthority!

...Hewashedhisgarmentsinwine,andhisclothesinthebloodofgrapes:Affluence!That'sbeingincommandofwealthandriches.

Hiseyesshallberedwithwineandhisteethwhitewithmilk.Thatisunction–theanointingandcomfort!Supernaturallycomfortable!Moneycan'tbuyanyofthesebenefits,neithercanfasting;onlypraisecan.

Whatotherthingshappenwhenyoupraise?

God'sPresenceIsGuaranteed

Praisecommandsandguaranteesdivinepresence.

Butthouartholy,OthouthatinhabitestthepraisesofIsrael.

GodinhabitsthepraisesofHispeople,andthatistheultimateinvictory.Hispresenceisourgreatestspiritualassetasbelievers,andpraiseisthepriceyoupaytogetit.God'spresenceisourguaranteeformaximumsecurityagainstallthewoesoflife.

Whatshallwethensaytothesethings?IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?Romans8:31

NooppositionorobstaclecanwithstandHispresence.God'spresencemocksbarriersandputsyouabovecircumstances;itconfersonyoumorehonouranddignitythananyearthlystatuscan,sothatdoorsopenbeforeyoujustliketheywouldbeforeHim.

WithoutGodyoucandonothing;andifyoudon'tknowhowtosecureHispresence,youwillendupasnothing.Mosesknewthissecret,sowhenheandthechildrenofIsraelwereontheirwaytoCanaanfromEgypt,hesaidtoGod,"Ifthypresencegonotwithme,carryusnotuphence"(Exodus.33:15).

UntiltheymurmuredagainstHiminthewilderness,thechildrenofIsraelcarriedHispresence.TheBiblerecordstheirmajesticjourneythroughthewildernessthisway:

WhenIsraelwentoutofEgypt,thehouseofJacobfromapeopleofstrangelanguage;Judahwashissanctuary,andIsraelhisdominion.Theseasawit,andfled:Jordanwasdrivenback.Themountainsskippedlikerams,andthelittlehillslikelambs.Whatailedthee,Othousea,thatthoufleddest?thouJordan,thatthouwastdrivenback?Yemountains,thatyeskippedlikerams;andyelittlehills,likelambs?Tremble,thouearth,atthepresenceoftheLord,atthepresenceoftheGodofJacob;Whichturnedtherockintoastandingwater,theflintintoafountainofwaters.Psalm114:1–8

God'spresenceleveledeverymountain.TheRedSeacouldnotstandeither.PraisegivesyoutheultimatevictorythatGod'spresenceguarantees.

HowdoyougetintoGod'spresence?Itisverysimple.ThreegatesleadtoHishouse–themaingate(thatbringsyouintotheoutercourt),themiddlegate(whichbringsyouintotheholyplace)andthefinalgate(thatbringsyouintotheholiestofall,intothepresenceof

theAlmightyHimself).

Enterintohisgateswiththanksgiving,andintohiscourtswithpraise:bethankfuluntohim,andblesshisname.Psalm100:4

Thanksgivinggivesbirthtopraiseandpraisestimulatesworship.PraiseinstantlybringsdownthepresenceofGod.PaulandSilasbroughtHimdownintotheprison!Manyarestilloppressedtodaybecausetheyhavenotyetdiscoveredthiskey.

God'spresencemakesthedifferenceanyday!Itwillmakeageniusoutofadullard.Watchthelifeofeverycomplainer,heisalwaysfrustrated.Butmarkanyweakling,whoiseverleaping,jumpingandpraisingGod,hekeepsgoingup!

Why?NowallofJerichocanstandGod'spresence.WhentheIsraelitesmadethatlongblastwithagreatshout,thegreatGodcamedownandthewallofJerichofelldownflat!Thewalldidn'tjustfall,itwasutterlycrushed!AndtheBiblesaid,"...Sothatthepeoplewentupintothecity,everymanstraightbeforehim..."(Joshua.6:20).Noobstaclecanstandinthewayofpraise.

Andhethatsentmeiswithme:theFatherhathnotleftmealone;forIdoalwaysthosethingsthatpleasehim.John8:29

PraiseyetheLord:foritisgoodtosingpraisesuntoourGod;foritispleasant;andpraiseiscomely.

NothingismorepleasingtoGodthanpraises.Unfortunately,however,manythinkit'stoosimpletobereal,becausemannaturallydoesn'tplacemuchvalueonanythingthatdoesn'tcosthimaprice.So,manymissoutontheimmeasurablevirtuesinpraise,becausetheywouldratherdosomethingmorerigorousandtaskingtogetacrosstoGod.ButyoucanfastformorethanfortydayswithoutseeingGod;butyoucan'tpraiseHimintruthandindeedforonlyonedayandstillmissHim.

Hispresencemakescrookedthingsstraight;soIseeeverycrookednessthattheenemyhasplantedonyourlife,Family,destiny,businessandcareerfalldownflatnow,inJesus'name!

GodTakesOverYourbattles

Andwhentheybegantosingandtopraise,theLordsetambushmentsagainstthechildrenofAmmon,Moab,andmountSeir,whichwerecomeagainstJudah;andtheyweresmitten.ForthechildrenofAmmonandMoabstoodupagainsttheinhabitantsofmountSeir,utterlytoslayanddestroythem:andwhentheyhadmadeanendoftheinhabitantsofSeir,everyonehelpedtodestroyanother.2Chronicles20:22–23

Whatevercan'tstandGodcan'tstandpraise.Thatiswhythegreatestbattlesinyourlifewillalwaysbowtopraise.Whenyoubecome"alionofpraise,"youcannotbestopped!Whenyoubecomevaliantinpraise,youbecomemorethanaconquerorinlife.

Youmaynothavemightagainstyourenemies,likethechildrenofIsraelbeforetheirenemies(2Chronicles.20:12),butyoucaninvokethemightandomnipotenceofGodagainstthemthroughpraise.Nomatterhowgreatyourenemies,youcanputanendtotheiroppressionsandharassmentnow,byhandingoverthebattletotheLord.

AndallJudahstoodbeforetheLord...ThenuponJahazielthesonofZechariah...cametheSpiritoftheLord...Andhesaid,Hearkenye...ThussaiththeLorduntoyou,Benotafraidnordismayedbyreasonofthisgreatmultitude;forthebattleisnotyours,butGod's.Yeshallnotneedtofightinthisbattle:setyourselves,standyestill,andseethesalvationoftheLordwithyou,OJudahandJerusalem:fearnot,norbedismayed;tomorrowgooutagainstthem:fortheLordwillbewithyou.

AndJehoshaphatbowedhisheadwithhisfacetotheground:andallJudahandtheinhabitantsofJerusalemfellbeforetheLord,worshippingtheLord.Andwhenhehadconsultedwiththepeople,heappointedsingersuntotheLord,andthatshouldpraisethebeautyofholiness,astheywentoutbeforethearmy,andtosay,PraisetheLord;forhismercyendurethforever.

Andwhentheybegantosingandtopraise,theLordsetambushmentsagainstthechildrenofAmmon,Moab,andmountSeir,whichwerecomeagainstJudah;andtheyweresmitten.2Chronicles20:13–22

ThatishowtohandoveryourbattlestoGod–praiseHim!AsyoupraiseHimwithaloudvoice,Hesetsambushmentagainstyourenemies.Wheneveryouareconfrontedwithsomethingthatappearsstrongerthanyou,praiseHim!StirGodupinpraise,andnoneofyourenemieswillescape.Notonlythat,yourfearandyourdread

willcomeuponallyourenemies.

Lookatthistestimony:"IwashereonWednesdayforthemiraclepraiseservice.WhentheBishopsaidweshouldpraisewithourmight,thatwemustpraiseGod‘inthedance’,IpraisedandknewthatwastheonlypraiseIhadreallygivenGodsinceIwasborn.

OnTuesdaynight(thedaybefore),thieveshadvisitedourcompound.Theywenttoanotherflatandstolesomethingsthere.WhenIgotbackhome,theothertenantssaidtherewasaneedtoraisethefenceinfrontofmyflat.Isaidtothem,'Well,youcandothat,butallIknowisthattheBishopofthechurchIattendhasalreadysaidnotragedyisgoingtobefallanychurchmember.SoGodismysecurity.'

ThethievesreturnedthatWednesdaynight.Butthemostamazingthingaboutitallwasthattheyonlywenttotheotherfiveflats!Theonlyonethatcametomyflat,unknowntous,wascutintheleg!Itwaswhenwewokeupinthemorningthatwesawbloodinfrontofmyflat.

WhenIreturnedfromworkintheevening,mywifetoldmethattheycaughtthefourthieves,andthatthethighofoneofthemwascut;asifaknifewasusedtocuttheflesh.Thethiefhadbandageditandwhenhewasasked,‘Wheredidyougetthiswoundfrom?’hesaid,‘Iwenttothatflatwheretheypasted"I'maWinner"sticker’.Thatwaswherehisthighgotripped!’"

Ajomale,A.

Truly,GodtakesoveryourbattleswhenyoupraiseHim!AsyougiveGodmightypraises,HereleasesHisAlmightinessandOmnipotenceintothecampofyourenemiesandtearsdowntheirthrones!FillyourlifeandhomewiththecloudofheavenbythehighpraisesofGod.InvokeHispresenceandHewillstepinandtakeoveryourbattles;andwhenGodtakesover,thenyoucanaffordtotakeyourrest.

Danceagainsteveryoperationofarmedrobbers,assassinsandeverythingthattamperswithyourdestiny.PraiseHim,soHecansweepyourlifecleanofeveryevilthatisagainstyourwell–being.

LetthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouth,andatwoedgedswordintheirhand;Toexecutevengeanceupontheheathen,andpunishmentsuponthepeople;Tobindtheirkingswithchains,andtheirnobleswithfettersofiron;Toexecuteuponthemthejudgmentwritten:thishonourhaveallhissaints.PraiseyetheLord.Psalm149:6–9

Praiseisaveryeffectivetoolinbattle;itisaweaponofvengeance.Whenyouareinhighpraises,allyouaredoingisprovokingGod'shighvengeance.WhateverisagainstyourdestinyinGodgoesdownflattoday!Allthedaysofyourlife,nooneshallfaceyoutodoyouevil!Whereveryouare,thesafetysealofheavenwillbeuponyourforehead,inthenameofJesus!

DiverseMiraclestakePlace!

HemadeknownhiswaysuntoMoses,hisactsuntothechildrenofIsrael.Psalm103:7

Whenyouletpraisehappen,GodmakesknownHiswaystoyou,givingyoudirection.Mostofthetime,Hespeakstoyouintheheatofpraise;thenHisacts(diversemiracles)takeplace!

WewerebusypraisingGodinaservicerecently,andthelumponalittlegirl'sheaddisappeared!ThatistheactofGod.Atanothertime,wewereinamiracleserviceandIchallengedthepeople,saying,"Youhavemiraclehands!"Aladyreceivedthat,andintheheatofthepraisesession,shedancedherwaytothechildren'schurch,whereherdaughterwas,laidherhandsonherandthelumpsbehindherearsvanished!ThewaysofGodexplodedinsideherandshetooksteps,becauseshewasonthehighwaysofGod!

Ateenageboycametochurchinthepainfulthroesofbloodcancer.WhilethehighpraisesofGodwasgoingon,hecouldnotsitstillanylonger.Heaskedhisparentstohelphimgetup.Withgreatandpainfuleffort,hebegantodance,andthatwasit!Allthedevilsthatwantedtodestroyhislifeweredestroyedandhewasmadewhole!Hewasupontheplatformthatsamedaytotestifyofhishealing.

WhenGodstepsin(asyoupraiseHim),everynegativethingstepsout.Aladygaveatestimonyofhowsheandherchildrengothomeonenightfromservice,andhadnothingtoeat.SosheservedeveryonewaterandtheyjustsangpraisestoGod,drankthewaterandwenttobed.Thefollowingmorning,someoneknockedontheirdoorandgaveher4,000naira!

Friend,yoursurestaccesstomiraclesisknowingwhattodotohavethem.Praiseisacommonfactorinworkingallmannerofmiracles.

PrideIsDestroyed

Prideisatrapoftheenemy;ithasdestroyedmanydestinies.Mostunusualliftingsleadtopride;buttheanswertoprideispraise.Ifyoumustescapethetrapofpride,thenyoumustunderstandthemysteryofpraise.Apersonallifestyleofcontinuouspraiseisabletodestroythepoisonofpride.

TherewasamancalledAhithophel.HewasDavid'scounsellor.Whenhegavecounsel,itwaslikehearingfromGod.Buthesawthisasapersonalachievementandbecamepuffedup.So,whenhiscounselwasrejected,hehangedhimself(2Samuel.17:23).Hewascutdownbecauseofpride.

Rememberalsothestoryoftherichfool?Hesaid,"Ihavemadeenoughwealth,Iwillpulldownthesebarns,Iwillbuildbiggerones,andIwillsaytomysoul..."(Luke.12:16–19).Hewastoofullofhimself,thinkingthathisrichharvestwasasaresultofhisexpertise.ButGodsaidtohiminverse20:

...Thoufool,thisnightthysoulshallberequiredofthee:thenwhoseshallthosethingsbe,whichthouhastprovided?

Pridecuthimdown!Thereisaneedtobecarefulhere.Manyofuswillbeenteringintopositionsofauthority,asGodbeginstoglorifytheChurch.Butlet'srememberNebuchadnezzar,sowewouldnotfallintothesamepithefellintoinDaniel4:30.KingHerodwasalsoavictimofpride(Acts12:21–23).

Theend–timeChurchwillenjoyGod'ssupernaturalliftings,thatitwilltakeanunderstandingofthemysteryofpraisenottobecomeavictimofpride.Weareintheageofgiftsandcallings,intheageofamazingdivinedepositsinthelivesofmen.Soweneedtoexercisecaution,inordernottobedestroyed.WemustknowhowtoalwaysreturnalltheglorybacktoGod.

Everygoodthingyouhaveeverseeninyourlifeisnotbymerit,butbyHisgrace.You'llagreewithmethatifayoungmanbecomesamillionaireattheageof23,hewillneedtheHolySpirittostillbeworshippingGodat40!Let'sbeverycareful,becauseprideisabletoturnblessingstocursesovernight.RememberGodsays:

Andnow,Oyepriests,thiscommandmentisforyou.Ifyewillnothear,andifyewillnotlayittoheart,togivegloryuntomyname,saiththeLordofhosts,Iwillevensendacurseuponyou,andIwillcurseyourblessings:yea,Ihavecursedthemalready,becauseyedonotlayittoheart.Malachi2:1–2

WhengloryshiftsfromGodtoself,destructionisontheway.NowthatgloryhascometotheChurch,letuslearnhowtodirecttheglorybacktoitsowner.Ifanangelcouldfalltopride,youhadbetter

watchit.Thereisnoanointingthatpridecannotdestroy.Thereisnoempirethatpridecannotdevastate.Praiseistheanswertopride.

ThussaiththeLord,Letnotthewisemangloryinhiswisdom,neitherletthemightymangloryinhismight,letnottherichmangloryinhisriches:Butlethimthatgloriethgloryinthis,thatheunderstandethandknowethme,thatIamtheLordwhichexerciselovingkindness,judgment,andrighteousness,intheearth:forinthesethingsIdelight,saiththeLord.Jeremiah9:23–24

WatchwhatthesonsofGodwillbedoingintherealmofacademicsthisendtime.ThestoryofBenCarsonthrillsme.Heisayoungblackneuro–surgeon,wholedateamof77doctorstoperforma20–houroperationthatseparatedasetofsiamesetwinsjoinedattheskull.BenCarsonwasadullardinhighschool,butGod'shandtouchedhim,andsuchgreatwisdomcameuponhim.HeisacelebrityalloverAmericatoday,butheacknowledgesGodasHissource.

Thisend–time,wemustwatchthesethreeareaswhereGodhaspurposedtoliftHispeople–wisdom,might(prominence)andriches.HedemandsthatyourecognizeHimasthesource.Hecommands:"...LayittohearttogivegloryuntoMyname..."

Paultheapostle,amanofsuchgreatheightsinministry,said,"IamwhatIambythegraceofGod."JesusalsoinHistimeacknowledgedGod.Hesaid,"Icanofmineownselfdonothing..."So,everygraceinyourlifemustbeacknowledged,oritwillbeconvertedtograss.ReturneverycreditthatmanhasgivenyoubacktoGod,foritbelongstoHim.

Foryeseeyourcalling,brethren,howthatnotmanywisemenaftertheflesh,notmanymighty,notmanynoble,arecalled:ButGodhathchosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise;andGodhathchosentheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty;

Andbasethingsoftheworld,andthingswhicharedespised,hathGodchosen,yea,andthingswhicharenot,tobringtonoughtthingsthatare:Thatnofleshshouldgloryinhispresence.ButofhimareyeinChristJesus,whoofGodismadeuntouswisdom,andrighteousness,andsanctification,andredemption:That,accordingasitiswritten,Hethatglorieth,lethimgloryintheLord.1Corinthians1:26–31

So,whateveryouarenowisthemakingofHismightyhandandlovingkindness.Itisneitherbymightnorbypower,butbyHisSpirit.Therefore,letusgivealltheglorybacktoHim.

PreservedBlessing

Iknowthat,whatsoeverGoddoeth,itshallbeforever:nothingcanbeputtoit,noranythingtakenfromit:andGoddoethit,thatmenshouldfearbeforehim.Ecclesiastes3:14

Theblessingssomepeopleenjoyarenotsustainedforeverbecausetheydonotknowhowtopreservethem.Praiseisthesecretforpreservingourblessings.GodsaidinMalachi2:2:

Ifyewillnothear,andifyewillnotlayittoheart,togivegloryuntomyname,saiththeLordofhosts,Iwillevensendacurseuponyou,andIwillcurseyourblessings:yea,Ihavecursedthemalready,becauseyedonotlayittoheart.

Psalm50:23alsosays,"Whosoofferethpraiseglorifiethme..."GivingglorytoGodisthecovenantdeviceforthepreservationofblessings.GodexpectsyoutogiveHimgloryforHishandonyourlife;whenyoudon’t,Heiscompelledtocursethatblessingorwithdrawit.Whenyouhitajackpotinbusinessoryouaresingledoutamongathousandpeopleforhonour,don’tkissyourhandandcongratulateyourselfasanintelligent,energeticandunbeatableguy.GiveGodtheglory,becausewithoutHimyoucandonothing.

Somepeoplelayit"tomouth"topraiseGod,insteadoflayingittoheart.Theysingbecauseeverybodyissinging,butintheirheartstheysay,"WhathasGoddone?IsthisallHecando?"SeehowGodreactstoingratitudeinDeuteronomy28:47–48:

BecausethouservedstnottheLordthyGodwithjoyfulness,andwithgladnessofheart,fortheabundanceofallthings.ThereforeshaltthouservethineenemieswhichtheLordshallsendagainstthee,inhunger,andinthirst,andinnakedness,andinwantofallthings:andheshallputayokeofironuponthyneck,untilhehavedestroyedthee.

So,whenyoudon’tacknowledgeandglorifyHimforHishanduponyourlife,youarecallingforafightthatyoucan’thandle,becauseGodHimselfwillsenddevourerstodevourtheblessings.

Stoplosinggroundtothedevil.EachtimeyouacknowledgeGodforablessing,youhavecommittedHimtopreservethatblessingandtoopennewdoorstoyou.Don’tposetobetheonebehindtheblessingsorsuccessyouenjoy,becauseifGodwithdrawsHishand,thewholeworldwillknowhowworthlessyouare.Rather,gloryinGod(Jeremiah.9:23–24).

YouRise

Whenyouarepraisefull,youenjoybeingraised.Goddesignedpraiseforyoursupernaturallifting,buthowmuchlightyouhaveonitdetermineshowmuchraiseyouenjoybyit.NoChristianwilleverbeathisbestwithoutanunderstandingofpraise.

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord,andtosingpraisesuntothyname,OmostHigh:Therighteousshallflourishlikethepalmtree:heshallgrowlikeacedarinLebanon.Psalm92:1,12

"...HeshallgrowlikeacedarinLebanon",thattalksaboutyoubeingoutstanding.Thecedartreegrowsfaraboveallothertrees.

Inverse14,Godsaysyouwillnotonlybeoutstandingforaseason,butyouwillalsobringforthfruitinoldage!Thatmeansyouwillkeepproducingresults,untilwhenyouleavethisearth.

PraiseyetheLord.Praise,OyeservantsoftheLord,praisethenameoftheLord.Heraisethupthepooroutofthedust,andlifteththeneedyoutofthedunghill;Thathemaysethimwithprinces,evenwiththeprincesofhispeople.Psalm113:1,7–8

WhenyoupraisetheLord,youbecomeoutstandingandremainresourceful.AslongasyoustaycommittedtoHispraises,Hetoowillbecommittedtoraisingyou.Davidwasapraisegiantandhereignedforfortycolourfulyearsasking.Hisenemiescouldn'tgethimandallIsraellovedandfollowedhim.Hewasapraise–crazyking!

AndDaviddancedbeforetheLordwithallhismight...AndDavidsaiduntoMichal,ItwasbeforetheLord,whichchosemebeforethyfather,andbeforeallhishouse,toappointmeruleroverthepeopleoftheLord,overIsrael:thereforewillIplaybeforetheLord.AndIwillyetbemorevilethanthus,andwillbebaseinmineownsight:andofthemaidservantswhichthouhastspokenof,ofthemshallIbehadinhonour.2Samuel6:14,21–22

Nowonderhislifewassummarizedthisway:

ThusDavidthesonofJessereignedoverallIsrael.AndthetimethathereignedoverIsraelwasfortyyears;sevenyearsreignedheinHebron,andthirtyandthreeyearsreignedheinJerusalem.Andhediedinagoodoldage,fullofdays,riches,andhonour:andSolomonhissonreignedinhisstead.1Chronicles29:26–28

HewaspraisingGodseventimesaday(Psalm.119:164),soGodhadnochoice,buttolifthimseventimesaday!Hispraiseoutweighedhisprayers,whichhedidonlythreetimesaday(Psalm.55:17).NowonderheenjoyedverystrangeliftingsfromGod.In1Chronicles29,whathegaveforthebuildingofthetempleisestimatedinpresentdayvalueas567milliondollarsworthofgold!Thisisapartfromthebuildingmaterialshealsogave.Godraisedhimandblessedhimwithsomuchwealth.

LetuspraisethisGodfromthedepthofourhearts!WhenyouarepraisingGod,youareexaltingHim,andHewillinturnexaltyou;ifyouhonourHim,Hewillhonouryou.UntilyougiveGodHisplace,yourplaceisnotsecured.Thatiswhyeverypraisingsaintisarisingandflourishingsaint.

WhenyoupraiseGod,youcheerHimuptoproveHimselfagainandagaininyourlife.Itisjustthesamewaytheclappingofhandsbyfansatafootballmatchgettheplayersexcitedtodomorevaliantly.YouwillgrowhigherasyourpraisesrisehigherandhighertoHim.

It'sagoodthingtoacknowledgeGodandgiveHimthanksforHisgoodhanduponyourlife.TotakeGodforgrantedistobegrounded!OnlythosewhopraiseHimenjoyHisliftings.

Althoughthefigtreeshallnotblossom,neithershallfruitbeinthevines;thelabouroftheoliveshallfail,andthefieldsshallyieldnomeat;theflockshallbecutofffromthefold,andthereshallbenoherdinthestalls:YetIwillrejoiceintheLord,IwilljoyintheGodofmysalvation.TheLordGodismystrength,andhewillmakemyfeetlikehinds'feet,andhewillmakemetowalkuponminehighplaces.Habakkuk3:17–19

HighpraisesarethehighwaysofGodtothehighplacesoflife.Forgetaboutwhatisnotworking,lookonHimandexaltHim,thenHewilltakeyoutoyourhighplacesinlife.Whenyougetintotherealmofpraise,heavenstepsininyourfavour.WhenyoupraiseHiminthemorning,afternoonandnight,Hehasnochoicebuttoraiseyou.

YouEnterIntoYourInheritance

AfterthedeathofJoshua,thechildrenofIsraelweretoenter"everymanuntohisinheritance"(Joshua.24:28).Todothis,theyenquiredoftheLord:...WhoshallgoupforusagainsttheCanaanitesfirst,tofightagainstthem?AndtheLordsaid,Judahshallgoup:behold,Ihavedeliveredthelandintohishand.Judges1:1–2

YoursurestaccessintoyourinheritanceinGodispraise.Judahmeanspraise.Judahcannotbuthavebreakthroughs,becausetheLordofbreakthroughlivesinsidehim;that'swhyGodsaidheshouldleadthepeopletowar.

WhenIsraelwentoutofEgypt,thehouseofJacobfromapeopleofstrangelanguage;Judahwashissanctuary,andIsraelhisdominion.Psalm114:1–2

WhenJudahappears,theRedSeagivesway,themountainsskiplikerams,thehillsskiplikeyounglambsandJordanisdrivenback!AnytimeJudahappears,thefinalwhistleisblown,becausehehaswon!

InGenesis49:3–12,weseeJacobpronouncingpropheticblessingsuponhissons.Reuben,SimeonandLeviwerethefirstthreesonsboretohimbyLeah.Theywerebornunderstrife,contentionandallmannerofevilworks.ButJudahcameintheseasonofpraise,henceJacobcouldpronouncetheseblessingsuponhim:

Judah,thouarthewhomthybrethrenshallpraise:thyhandshallbeintheneckofthineenemies;thyfather'schildrenshallbowdownbeforethee.Genesis49:8

Praisemakesyouamanofexploits.Somuchsothatevenwhenyouaredead,menstillgatheraroundtoblessyou.Youcan'tpraiseGodandloseyourplaceontheearth.It'simpossible!ThreethousandyearsafterDavid'sdeath,heisstillbeingcelebratedinJerusalemtoday.In1997,Israelcelebratedthe3,000thyearthatDavidnamedJerusalemthecityofDavid,thecityofthegreatking.

SinceyoubelongtothetribeofJudah,triumphisyourheritage.

AndJudahwentup;andtheLorddeliveredtheCanaanitesandthePerizzitesintotheirhand:andtheyslewoftheminBezektenthousandmen.NowthechildrenofJudahhadfoughtagainstJerusalem,andhadtakenit,andsmittenitwiththeedgeofthesword,andsetthecityonfire.AndtheLordwaswithJudah;andhedraveouttheinhabitantsofthemountain...Judges1:4,8,19

Whenpraisebecomesyourlifestyle,triumphbecomesyourheritage,andyouareabletoenterintoyourinheritance.

ItProvokesHarvest

Praiseprovokesthereleaseofyourharvest.Evenwhenyouareacheerfulandconsistentgiver,youstillneedpraisetoturnyourseedintoharvest.Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;letallthepeoplepraisethee.Thenshalltheearthyieldherincrease;andGod,evenourownGod,shallblessus.Godshallblessus;andalltheendsoftheearthshallfearhim.Psalm67:5–7

WhenyoupraiseGod,Hisblessingsuponyourlifebecomeinexhaustible.NomatterwhatyoudointhekingdomofGod,untilyouhavepraisedHim,youcannotbefruitful.Behindeveryprosperouslifeisthemysteryofpraise.Thisisbecausepraiseeffectivelywaterstheseedsyousow–yourservicesandofferingsinthekingdom.

Davidwasamightyseedsowerandwasalsoapraisingking.Asaresult,hebecameamightymanontheearth!ThemoreyoupraiseHim,themoremeaningfulyourlifebecomes!Thequalityofyourlifeisdeterminedbythequalityofyourpraise.Let'sgiveittoHim!

I'dlikeyoutoknowthis:Godowesyounothing,forHehasdoneallthingswell.Rather,youoweHimpraise.AndasyoupraiseHim,youwon'tneedtostruggleforyourneedstobemetanymore;theywillbemetoftheirownaccord.

Intheyearofthisjubileyeshallreturneverymanuntohispossession.Leviticus25:13

"Yeshallreturneverymanontohispossession."Thiscanonlybepossibleinpraise.Jesusdiedforyourrelease.Hewasmadepoor,sothatwethroughHispovertymightberich.Hecametoenrichus,nottomakeuspoor.Hecameasoursupplierandprovider;andHehasdoneallthingswell.ThatiswhyHesaid,"Itisfinished!"

So,fromnowon,asyoupraiseHim,youwon'tbefoundwhereverevilismentioned,butonlyinplaceswherepleasureisfound–godlypleasure,heavensentpleasure,all–roundcomfortandrest!

YouAreInPower

AsyoupraiseGod,youprovokethereleaseofunctionfromHim.

Yeshallhaveasong,asinthenightwhenaholysolemnityiskept;andgladnessofheart,aswhenonegoethwithapipetocomeintothemountainoftheLord,tothemightyOneofIsrael.AndtheLordshallcausehisgloriousvoicetobeheard,andshallshowthelightingdownofhisarm,withtheindignationofhisanger,andwiththeflameofadevouringfire,withscattering,andtempest,andhailstones.Isaiah30:29–30

UnctionthathelpsyouappreciatethevoiceofGodisreleaseduntoyouasyouareengulfedinpraise.AsyouactinobediencetoHisvoice,divineguidancecomesyourway,therebyprovokingHisacts.

Whenyouarenotinpraise,youarenotinGod.ThemomentGodisnotforyou,Hecan'thelpyou.Whenyouareinpraise,youareinpower,andthereforeinGod.Youarenotjustinpower,butinunlimitedpower!Ifondlysay,"Tobepraisefullistobe‘win–full’!"

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord,andtosingpraisesuntothyname,OmostHigh:Toshowforththylovingkindnessinthemorning,andthyfaithfulnesseverynight,Uponaninstrumentoftenstrings,anduponthepsaltery;upontheharpwithasolemnsound.Forthou,Lord,hastmademegladthroughthywork:Iwilltriumphintheworksofthyhands.Butmyhornshaltthouexaltlikethehornofanunicorn:Ishallbeanointedwithfreshoil.Psalm92:1–4,10

PraisebringsdownthepowerofGodintoaman’slife,becauseitprovokesthereleaseoffreshoilwhichendueswithpower.Nothingforcesyourenemytosurrenderlikepower.Psalm66:3says,"…Throughthegreatnessofthypowershallthineenemiessubmitthemselvesuntothee."

Whenyouengageingenuinepraise,youareanointedwithfreshoilandendowedwithpower;thatiswhenyoubegintoseeyourdesiresuponyourenemies(Psalm.92:11).

IfthroughthepraisesofDavidtheevilspiritthattormentedSaulwascastout,itmeansevilspiritcannotattemptDavidhimself.So,whenyouareinpraise,nodevilcaninterferewiththeissuesofyourlife,becausepraiseputsyouincommandoveryourenemies.

Freshoilcommandsfreshvictories.WhileDavidwasdancingandpraisingtheLordwithallhismight,Michal(hiswife)lookedathimanddespisedhim.AndbecauseGoddoesfearfulthingsinpraises,eventhoughshewashiswife,Michalwasstruckwith

barrenness!Nothingcanstandinthewayofpraise.AsyoupraiseHimtherefore,everythingthatmocksyourdestinyinGodwillbemadetopayforit.

WhenyoupraiseHim,unctionmultiplies,andmanifestsinrevelationandpower,bringingaboutGod'snumerousacts.Myoilcanneverbestale,becauseIcelebrateHimdayandnight.Asaresult,thenewoilkeepsdroppinguponme.Ican'tunderstandthestrengthIenjoynorthewayHeworkswithme;butIseeHishandinmylifeallthetime.

Fromnowon,asyoupraiseGod,HisfearfulactswilltakeplaceinyourlifeandHisnewoilwilldroponyou,causingyoutowalkinpower!

You'reDeckedWithBeautifulGarments!

PraiseyetheLord.SinguntotheLordanewsong,andhispraiseinthecongregationofsaints.LetIsraelrejoiceinhimthatmadehim:letthechildrenofZionbejoyfulintheirKing.Letthempraisehisnameinthedance:letthemsingpraisesuntohimwiththetimbrelandharp.FortheLordtakethpleasureinhispeople:hewillbeautifythemeekwithsalvation.Psalm149:1–4

Praisebeautifies!WhenyoupraiseGod,Hebeautifiesyou.PraisedeliversbeautifulgarmentstothesaintsofGod,thatiswhytheBibletalksabout"thegarmentofpraise"(Isaiah.61:3).Maythatbeautifulgarmentbevisibleuponyourlifefromnow!AsyoucelebrateJesus,mayHemakeyouacovenantcelebrity!

YouEnjoyProtection

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord,andtosingpraisesuntothyname,OmostHigh:Psalm92:1

Andwhoishethatwillharmyou,ifyebefollowersofthatwhichisgood?1Peter3:13

Praiseguaranteesprotection.Nobodycanharmyouwhenyouareinpraise,becausefollowersofgoodcan'tbetouched.Whenyouareinpraise,youaresupernaturallyprotected,aspraisetakesyouintothesecretplaceofGod,wherenodevilcangetto.

AfterDavid’svictoryoverGoliath,Saulbecameenviousofhim.Oneday,whileDavidwasplayingmusictorelieveSauloftheevilspiritthatwastormentinghim,hetriedtopinDavidtothewallwiththejavelininhishand,butDavidescapedfromhispresencetwice(1Samuel.18:9–12).AslongasDavidwasinpraise,hewassupernaturallyprotected.

Praiseis,therefore,aprotectivedeviceavailabletoallsaints.DavidsaidinPsalm23:4,"Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil:forthouartwithme;thyrodandthystafftheycomfortme."

Praiseisabletoarrestallyourenemiesandputthemunderyourfeet,becauseGod’spresence,whichisinvokedinpraise,becomesyourweaponofdefenceandoffence.Theenemyisnotyourproblem;ifyouareinpraise,youwilldisarmhim,nomatterhowfiercehisattackmaybe.

AsyoupraiseGod,seeHimasyourcovering,shieldofprotection,rock,refugeandtheGodwhoneithersleepsnorslumbers,toensureyoursafety.Thatisthewaytomaintainacomprehensiveinsuranceofsupernaturalprotection.AsyougiveHimqualitypraise,mayyourlifebegintoenjoythethingsthatattendtopraise!Astherainfallofpraisebeginstofallonthefieldofyourdestiny,mayitcauseyourdestinytogerminateandbringforthfruits,inJesus'preciousname!

YourMentalityIsCharged

Godisgoneupwithashout,theLordwiththesoundofatrumpet.

SingpraisestoGod,singpraises:singpraisesuntoourKing,singpraises.ForGodistheKingofalltheearth:singyepraiseswithunderstanding.Psalm47:5–7

Theemphasishereisontheword,"understanding."IdiscoveredfromScripturesthatthewisestmenweremengiventopraise,revealingthatpraisehasthepowertochargeyourmentalityforgreaterresults.

Solomon,oneofthewisestmenthatlived,wasamanofgreatinspiration.Hissoulwasfiredup,andasaresult,theBiblesays,"Andhespakethreethousandproverbs:andhissongswereathousandandfive."(1Kings.4:32.)Thatmeanseachsongdeliveredtwoproverbstohim.

Whenyouareinpraise,youtapintoheavenlyinspirationforheavenlyinsight.Godenlargesyourunderstandingandgivesyounewideaswithwhichyouexcelinallyourendeavours.

Everygeniusisaproductofinspiration.Thereisachangingupintheirmentalregionthathelpsthemtobesmarterthantheirpeers.

Yeshallhaveasong,asinthenightwhenaholysolemnityiskept;andgladnessofheart,aswhenonegoethwithapipetocomeintothemountainoftheLord,tothemightyOneofIsrael.AndtheLordshallcausehisgloriousvoicetobeheard,andshallshowthelightingdownofhisarm...Isaiah30:29–30

TheonlywiseGod,whoisalsotheall–knowingGod,causesHisgloriousvoicetobeheardconcerninganyissueathand,whenyouapproachHimwithasong.Hespeaksawordintoyourspirit–man,andgivesyouinspiration,whichenhancesyourintelligenceandmentalprowess.Job32:8says:

Butthereisaspiritinman:andtheinspirationoftheAlmightygiveththemunderstanding.

Youcansingyourwayup;youcansingyourwayintothesolutionsforthoselongstandingquestionsinyourlife.ThatiswhythePsalmistsaid,"singyepraiseswithunderstanding."Thatmeansyoushouldpraisewithexpectationandfocusyourmindonreceivingdirectionandinstructions.

God’swaysarehigherthanourways.Hiswaysarechannelledthroughthemind,butittakespraisetogetonthatchannel.So,tobemindlessistobeworthless.So,chargeupyourmentalitywithpraise,

andyourmindwillkeepoperatingatalevelthatwillmaketheworldtomindyou.

AnotherverywisemaninScripturesisapostlePaul.In2Peter3:15–16,apostlePeter,talkingabouttheweightofwisdomthatwasoperationalinPaul,said:

...EvenasourbelovedbrotherPaulalsoaccordingtothewisdomgivenuntohimhathwrittenuntoyou;Asalsoinallhisepistles,speakinginthemofthesethings;inwhicharesomethingshardtobeunderstood,whichtheythatareunlearnedandunstablewrest,astheydoalsotheotherscriptures,untotheirowndestruction.

Paulwasamanofdepth,whooperatedinastrangerealmofwisdom.HewrotemorethanhalfoftheNewTestamentbooks.Buthetellsusthesecretofthisgreatwisdom:

Whatisitthen?Iwillpraywiththespirit,andIwillpraywiththeunderstandingalso:Iwillsingwiththespirit,andIwillsingwiththeunderstandingalso.1Corinthians14:15

Thatwashissecret–singingpraises,bothinthespiritandinhisunderstanding.So,letyourthinkingtimealsobeyoursingingtime,becauseitconnectsyouforadivineenlargementofyourmentalfaculty.Letyourplanningseasonbeajoyfulsingingseasonalso,forthatiswhenyouwillreceivedivineinsightonwhattodoandhowbesttogetresultsinyourendeavours.

IseeGodvisitingyouwithHiswisdomasyoubegintosingandpraiseHim.Hewillshowyouhowtomultiplythatmoneyinyourhand.Hewillshowyouhowtoexpandyourbusiness,andtakeyoutohigherplacesinnotime.

Wecan’toverlooktheplaceofinspirationinaman’slife.Itisthefireofthesoulthatgeneratesexcellence.Everymanofwisdomisamanofinspiration;whichcanbeconnectedthroughpraise.NowondermanyscientistsandinventorswereBible–believingChristians,whowereeverjoyful,singingpraisestoGod.

Iseeyouswimminginthatlevelofdivineinspirationfromhenceforth.Asyouengageineffectualandheartypraise,exaltingtheKingofheaven,worshippingandbowingbeforeHim,thelightyouneedtodissolveeveryconcerninyourbusiness,career,Familyorministrywilldawnuponyoufromheaven.Remainexcitedandyouwillneverbestrandedanymore!

Chapter8:YouNeedGraceForPraise

EverybenefitwereceivefromGodisbygrace;andyoucan'tseegraceandnotpraiseHim.ButthereissomethingthatstopstheflowofGod'sgracetoyou–Sin!

Whatshallwesaythen?Shallwecontinueinsin,thatgracemayabound?Romans6:1

Paul'squickresponsetothisquestionwas,"Godforbid."ThegraceofGodismadeavailable,tohelpyououtofsin.YouneedtobefreefromsinforyourpraisetobeacceptabletoGod,becausethepraiseof"thewicked"(sinner)isnoiseintheearsofGod.TheBibletellsusinPsalm7:11thatGodisangrywiththewickedeveryday.Praisingsomeonewhoisangrywithyougetshimevenmoreangry.

Nowthatyouhaveencounteredagreatinsightonpraise,toenjoythebenefitsitcarries,youmustfirstdealwitheveryenmitybetweenyouandGod.ThesameGodthatrespondstoprayeristhesameOnethatrespondstopraise.Ifwhenyouhideiniquityinyourheart,Hedoesnothearyourprayers,willHenowcelebrateyouinpraise?

TheBibledescribesGodthus:

Thouartofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcanstnotlookoniniquity...Habakkuk1:13

ThisattributeofGodiswhatprovokedthePsalmisttoask:

Lord,whoshallabideinthytabernacle?whoshalldwellinthyholyhill?Hethatwalkethuprightly,andworkethrighteousness,andspeakeththetruthinhisheart.Hethatbackbitethnotwithhistongue,nordoetheviltohisneighbour,nortakethupareproachagainsthisneighbour.Psalm15:1–3

RighteousnessisyourgatewaytoenjoyinganybenefitfromGod.SinceHewon'tbeholdiniquity,yourpraisestoHimininiquitywon'tbeacceptablebeforeHim.Hecouldn'tevenbeholdHisonlybegottenSononthecrosswhenHeborethesinsofthewholeworlduponHimself,howthenwouldHelistentoyouwhenyoupraiseHiminsin?

EverygraceofGodthrivesonrighteousness.PraiseprovidesanaccessintothepresenceandblessingsofGod;butitisrighteousnessthatsecuresit.EveryblessingfromGodrequiresrighteousnesstobereleased.Similarly,everyprincipleofGodproducesontheplatform

ofrighteousness,whichisGod'sfoundation(2Timothy2:19).

Jesuscametothisearth,fullofunctionandwonders;andHiscardinalmissionwascontainedinHisname–tosaveHispeoplefromtheirsins(Matthew.1:21).Redemptionisprincipallythehealingofthesin–sickness.So,thepriceforrighteousnesshasbeenfullypaid.Everyslaverytosinnowisbytheindividual'schoice.

ThereasonwhyGodwillpunishanyChristianthatcontinuesinsinisbecauseitishischoicetosin.Jesusalreadyfullypaidthepriceforsin,hencetheBibletellsus:

Forsinshallnothavedominionoveryou:foryearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace.Romans6:14

Ifyouwerehelplessagainstsin,itwouldbewickedforGodtopunishyouforwhatyouarenotcapableofcontrolling.ButthevictoryoversinwasaccomplishedtwothousandyearsagoonCalvary!So,ifyouareinadulterytoday,itisbecauseyouchoosetoremaininit.Youarenothelplessagainstsin.Itisyourchoicetosteal,thatiswhyyoustole.

Iwouldlikeyoutoseethesubjectofsinasachoice.Onlythencanyouexercisedominionoverit.EverysinyoucommitafteryouhaveacceptedChristispurelybychoice.Satanisnottobeblamedandneitheristhecircumstanceyoufindyourself.Jamessaid:

Letnomansaywhenheistempted,IamtemptedofGod:forGodcannotbetemptedwithevil,neithertemptethheanyman:Buteverymanistempted,whenheisdrawnawayofhisownlust,andenticed.Thenwhenlusthathconceived,itbringethforthsin:andsin,whenitisfinished,bringethforthdeath.James1:13–15

SolookatthatthingthatistryingtolureyouawayfromyourFather'shouseandsaytoit,"Ihavethefinalsay,Satanshutup!"

Newbirthturnsyourhelplessnessintohelpfulness.Itmakesyouamanofchoice.Newcreationmakesyouacreatureofchoice.YouhaveescapedthekingdomofdarknessandarenowresidentinthekingdomofHisowndearSon(Colossians.1:13),thekingdomofchoice,whereeverythingthathappenstoyouisbyyourchoice(Deuteronomy.30:19).

Aslongasyouliveinsin,yourpraisehasnoaccesstoGod.ThemelodythereinisnothingbutacroakingnoiseintheearsofGod.Butwhenyousigninforrighteousness,yourpraisewilldeliveramazingresultstoyouanyday!

ThefoundationofGodforprosperityis,"Departfrominiquity"(2Timothy.2:19).

Hethatcoverethhissinsshallnotprosper...Proverbs28:13

ThefoundationofGodforansweredprayersis,"Departfrominiquity."

IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme:Psalm66:18

ThefoundationofGodforpeaceis,"Departfrominiquity."

Thereisnopeace,saithmyGod,tothewicked.Isaiah57:21

ThefoundationofGodforsuccessis,"Departfrominiquity."

Blessedisthemanthatwalkethnotinthecounseloftheungodly,norstandethinthewayofsinners,norsittethintheseatofthescornful.ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLord;andinhislawdothhemeditatedayandnight.Andheshallbelikeatreeplantedbytheriversofwater,thatbringethforthhisfruitinhisseason;hisleafalsoshallnotwither;andwhatsoeverhedoethshallprosper.Psalm1:1–3

ThefoundationofGodforeveryformofgraceavailabletousinredemptionisthesame–"Departfrominiquity."Icursewhateveritisthatisdeceivingyouandmakingyouthinkthatyouarehelplessagainstsinandthatdeadlyhabit,inJesus'name!

ThemomentJesussaid,"Itisfinished"onthecross,sinlostitsdominionoverhumanity.So,whenamangiveshislifetoChrist,sinbecomeshelpless,andhebecomesamanofauthority,walkinginabsolutedominionoversin!

Everysinisachoice,everyhabitisachoice.Mayyoumaketherightchoice!Whenyourchoiceismade,Satanisfinished.Maketherightchoice,andyou'lllivetherightlife.

YouneedgracetopraiseGodacceptably.Youcannotseegraceandnotpraise.Butyoucannotseegrace,ifyoucontinueinsin.Andthelessgraceyousee,thelesspraiseyoucanoffer,andafflictionssoontakesover.

Graceisthestimulantforpraise;andsinistheenemyofgrace.So,ifyoumustcontinueinpraise,thenyoumustcontinuallyembracerighteousness.

Youwon'tmissGodanymore!Iseesinlooseitsgripoffyourdestiny!Youwon'tsufferafflictionsinlifeanymore!

Chapter9:Now,TurnToTheStrongholdOfPraise!

Turnyoutothestronghold,yeprisonersofhope:eventodaydoIdeclarethatIwillrenderdoubleuntothee;Zechariah9:12

Praiseisoneofourstrongholdsinredemption.

SingpraisestoGod,singpraises:singpraisesuntoourKing,singpraises.ForGodistheKingofalltheearth:singyepraiseswithunderstanding.Psalm47:6–7

"Singpraiseswithunderstanding."Withallyouhavelearntaboutpraise,Ibelieveyoucandothiseasilynow.IseeGodbaptisingyouwiththespiritofpraise,sothatitwillneverdepartfromyouforever!

NowthatyouknowwhyGodshouldbepraised,Ibelieveyouwillnolongerrelegateittoamerechurchprogramme,somethingyoudotowarmyouupforthepreacher'smessage,somethingtomakeyoufeelgoodorjustareligiousobligation.

WiththetabernacleofDavidnowapartofyou,Godwillalwaysabidewithyou;andasaresult,everyseabeforeyouwillflee!Makepraisehappenaroundyouallthetime.Asforme,Ihavemademychoicetostayontopeveryday.Remember,praisingGodisnotjusthavingfun,butobeyingaheavenlycommandment(Malachi.2:1–4).Praisemakesyoualionthatcannotbestoppedinspiritualcombats.MayGodreleaseyouasalionofpraisetoyourgeneration!

Godisinsidepraise,soeverythingthatbowstoGodwillbowtopraise.Whenfacedwithanyconflictoflife,destroytheobstaclesbyswitchingtopraise;andwatchallthewallsofJericho(hedgingyouin)broughtdown!

Inasituationwhereyoudonotknowwhatelsetodo,justsingpraisesuntotheLord,fixingyoureyesonHim.Thenyouwillnotneedtofightanymore,becauseHewillstepdown,andallyourenemieswillbescattered!

Everydestinyisperfectedinpraise.YouwerecreatedtopraiseGod;soyouwillnotcommandattentionontheearthuntilyoustepintothatpurpose.Howmuchenergyyouputintolifedoesnotmatter.UntilGod'spurposeisallowedtohaveitsway,yourbestneveremerges.YouarecreatedasaninstrumentofpraiseuntoGod,andHewillalwaysattendtoyouwhenthatpurposeisinplaceinyourlife.

AsyoubegintogiveGodwhatisdueuntoHim,Hewillinturndelivertoyouwhatisduetoyou.Thingsbegintotakeshapeinyour

lifeasthepowerofGodbeginstoanswertoyouinpraise.

Thereisnoweeping,sicknessandlackinheaven.Whatpraisedoesistoputyouintheheavenlyplaces,whereyouwillnotseesorrowanymoreinyourlife.Itistimetoenterintoeverythingthatpraisehastooffer.ItistimetomovefromthesuperficialtothedeepthingsofGod.WhenyoubegintopraiseHim,tothepointoftremblingonyourinside,withtearsrunningdownyourchecksinadorationandlove,thenyouhavegotit!

Butthehourcometh,andnowis,whenthetrueworshippersshallworshiptheFatherinspiritandintruth:fortheFatherseekethsuchtoworshiphim.GodisaSpirit:andtheythatworshiphimmustworshiphiminspiritandintruth.John4:23–24

Wearenowinthathour,whereonlyheartfeltworshipiswhatwillgrantanyoneaccesstoGod.Programmeyourselfforalifestyleofworship,praiseandthanksgivingtoGodfromthedepthofyourheart.

TostayinpraiseistostayinGodasyoursanctuary.ThosewhopraiseGoddonotknowpressures,becausepraiseguaranteesGod'spresence;iteliminatesallpressuresandestablishesallkindsofpleasures.

Praiseisthecheapestwaytolive.Ithasnothingtodowithmelodyorinstruments;butthemelodyofyourheart.Whenyouarefilledwithjoy,youjustdiscoverthatyouhavetherightmelodywithwhichtopraiseHim.Nooneelsemayunderstandyou,buttheGodofpraiseunderstandswhatyouaresaying.

Praiseisit!Youalwaysenjoydramatictriumphsinpraise,becauseGodisthere.Youalsoexecutejudgement,wroughtvengeanceanderadicatemourning.Itisanend–timepreserveandmystery(Isaiah.61:1–3),whichdeliversintoourhandsend–timevictories.

I'dlikeyou,therefore,toputonthegarmentofpraise.Youhaveprayedenough,nowpraiseHim!Don'tyouknowthatGoddoesn'thearyourprayersuntilyougiveHimthanks(Philippians4:6)?ManyhaveprayedandeveryoneexceptGodhasheardthem.Praisewillbringanythingthatisdeadbacktolife.Allyouneeddoistosay,"Father,IthankYou!"

Ihavestoppedknowinghowthingshappen;Ionlyseethemhappen."Father,IthankYou!"ismylifestyle;Idon'thaveanyprayerrequestandhavenotsentanytoHimformanyyearsnow.IjustgiveHimpraiseanditworks!

Youcanbecomeamemorialontheearth,ifonlyyouwillletGodbecomeyourfocus.Youdon'tneedanythingmorethanGod,andGod'spresenceissecuredinpraise.IfyoucancatchupwithGod,youwillfortifyyourselfagainstthefierydartsofthewicked.

WhateverJesusdiedforandyouareyettoexperience,youare

returningtoitfromnow!Hediedforyourpeace,soitistimeforyoutoliveatrouble–freelife.Hewasbruised,soyoucanenjoysoundhealth;soitistimeforyoutoforgetthatsicknessstillexists.Hediedforyourenthronement(Hewasgivenacrownofmockery,soyoucanwearacrownofglory);soitistimeforyoutobedeliveredfromeveryformofslavery!

NowaskGodtoshowyouhowtostayinpraise.UntilyoustopquestioningGod,youdon'thaveyouranswers.BegintothankHimforwhateverusedtomakeyouquestionHiminthepast.Heisworthy!ThereisnonelikeHim!Heisfearfulinpraises,doingwonders!DoyouwanttoseeHiswonders?Thenengageinpraise!Praisealwaysgetthingsdonebetterandfaster.Itworksanywhere,anytimeandanyday!

Asyoubegintolivealifestyleofpraise,thehonourthatGodhaspackagedforyouwillbegintoreflectinyourlife!Nowputonyourgarmentofpraise,goandcelebratelife!It'sanewday!

Welcometoaworldoftriumph–theworldofPRAISE!!!

TableofContentsContentsIntroductionChapter1:HaveYouPraisedHim?Chapter2:PrayerAndPraiseChapter3:PraiseWarfareChapter4:MakePraiseHappen!Chapter5:SourcesOfJoyChapter6:IsAnyMerry?Chapter7:WhenYouPraiseHim...Chapter8:YouNeedGraceForPraiseChapter9:Now,TurnToTheStrongholdOfPraise!