WONDERS OF PRAISE

So I worshiped with Winners Chapel in Dartford today, and I had a great time! I haven’t been there in a while so it felt great to be back among my own! The praise sessions were great, God confirmed His Word as evidenced by the precious testimonies, and the choir ministration was great! Had everyone on their feet before they’d gone through half the song.

Pastor David Oyedepo Jnr gave the sermon, titled, ‘Wonders of Praise’. He started by saying that there is nothing natural about the believer, and because of the rich deposits God has placed in us, it would be unnatural to be natural. Isaiah 8:18 says “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” Zechariah 3:8 comes close with “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.”

We must note though, that one of the forces that will enable me to flow in the realm of the supernatural and provoke God to action is my praise. Psalm 47:5 says “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet”, while chapter 68 verse 24-25 reads ” They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.  ²⁵The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.”

Isaiah 54:1-4

Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!! Yes! Including you!

* Anywhere you see praise going, there becomes an alteration of natural limitations.

Very important for us to note is the fact that anytime man withholds God praise, blessings are turned into curses. Psalm 69:22 says “²²Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.”

Praise is the supernatural preservative that gives any blessing you receive an extended life span. Don’t you ever stop praising! Acts 12:20 – 23.

HINDRANCES TO PRAISE

1. Comparison. Psalm 73:12-17

There is no ungodly man who is worth my envy. Even in the house of God, never envy another man’s blessing, your stories are not the same! 2 Corinthians 10:12 says “¹²For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

Comparison will do two things to a man:

a.  make him disregard the input of God in his life.  says “Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.”  Psalm 103:2.

b. make him offended, in God and in man. Genesis 4:3 – 16. Remember the story of Cain and Abel? Wouldn’t have ended that way if Cain had not become envious of the reception Abel’s offering God before God.

Bottom line? Never compare your race with anybody else’s. Never allow offences too, it stops you from praising and attracts curses.

WONDERS THAT PRAISE PROVOKE

1. Divine judgement. Psalm 92: 1-3 says ” it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, o Most High; ²To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,  ³Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

Verse 11 and 12 of the same scripture say, ” Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.  ¹²The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

2. Supernatural harvest – Psalm 67: 5 – 7. Harvest is secured on the platform of praise. Amos 9:11 – 13.

The verdict therefore, my dear brothers and sisters is, never stop praising! The fact that you’re alive and sane to read this is enough reason to praise the Lord so regardless of what challenges you might be facing now, start from there! And have a fabulous week!

@chiomachuka

Related articles

• Don’t Just Thank God, but Praise Him Also (mujrdblog.wordpress.com)
• Praise..Even In The Storm.. (jantzika.wordpress.com)