Power of Praise
I've been reading, "The Shack," by William P. Young. I have heard people talk about this book and how good it is. I thought it would be an "easy" read. I was wrong. I had to look more than once at the back cover to make sure it is fiction. It is. Mr. Young is right on target with some of the feelings and emotions surrounding tragedy with your child. I have found that after a few pages I have to close the book, put it down and wait until later to read more.One thing that I thought was pretty interesting was an interaction with God and Jesus in the shack. It was a few sentences just telling God how wonderful He is. I realize this is not real and there are many more examples of praise in the bible which is so real, but this personal side by side relationship got me thinking.
After reading that chapter I listened to a speaker talk about the importance of praise and our purpose during praise and worship. We are praising God. It doesn't have to be at church, with a leader or a praise team... I can praise God anywhere with words, with song, with my heart, with actions. I can praise God with my obedience.
When I'm at home there are a couple of songs that I listen to to create an atmosphere of praise. Lord, You're Holy by Karen Wheaton is such an awesome praise song. I know we all have our favorites that we sing at church that seem to stick with us all week long.
I guess I had never considered praise to be such a powerful spiritual weapon before. Praise is more than an uplifting song, or words spoken to lift God up in praise. Praise does something. It releases the very presence of God Himself. And when the presence of God enters, your enemies are turned away!
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune "Death of the Son." I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. My enemies turn away in retreat; they are overthrown and destroyed before you. Psalms 9:1-3 NLT
The next time the devil tries to stifle your effectiveness, or to drain you of the strength and victory that's yours in Jesus, turn him back with the powerful weapon of PRAISE.
What is your favorite praise song?
Do you have other ways to offer up praise to God?
Labels: praise
posted by Annie @ 12:35 AM
9 Comments:
Thank you for reminding me to praise today.
Praise is a very powerful weapon indeed. Oddly enough, I posted about it on my blog today as well. Important message here. Thank you. ;)
I read the book and I LOVED IT! I laughed out loud and I cried out loud. You are right what I come back to and think about a lot is how he spoke to them in the cabin while they were doing every day things like easting together and it just made the relationship seem so much more personal and it outlined how easy it is to talk to God just as you would your best friend.
This may be the next book on my list... I've been wanting to read it...
Thank you for this reminder... sometimes, in the midst of the fire of my own pain, I find it hard to praise the Lord... hard to believe that He is still there with me... but I should praise Him, that He is using these trials to brin me closer to Him...
Annie,
Great post. I was going to say that I was praising this morning to "Revelation" by Third Day...but thanks to Facebook, you already know that! :)
Much love,
Sue Cramer
Be blessed sweetie.
Annie,
I too loved the book The Shack. It also brought the intimacy of the relationship up to the surface to see.
I loved the picture of intimacy it showed.
Favorite praise song, Wow, that's a hard one cause i have so many.
Right now I am loving Brian Doerksen's "Holy God", but I also love "My Beloved" by Kari Jobe of Gateway Worship.. and how can I not love "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe...
So you see, it's hard to pick just one!
Thanks for sharing your heart,
Julie
Hey Annie,
This was so good, what an awesome reminder. One thing that really stood out to me in this book was the fact that GOD WAS ALWAYS GOOD, no matter what happened in our lives.
Blessings to you♥
Thank you so much for your insight and encouragement re: Praise. I have not read The Shack, however I have a very real understanding of the power of praise and forgiveness. My mom always signs off notes with this little diddy "keep a song in your heart, a dance on your feet, a smile on your face because You make this world a better place. Be blessed knowing God Made you and He loves you!" In saying that she would always remind us of what we have to be thankful for even on the "yuck" days and to give praise to the Father of Light as He casts out the darkness. There is something so beautiful about the gift of intimacy we have with Him and that he longs for with every moment.... how can we not sing His praise. I have been going through some "growing pains" this season... It is always easy to sing praise when things are happy... but the first place the Lord leads my heart when i am hurting is in His Lap and singing His praise. The peace that covers my whole being is confirmation enough for me. I'm speaking Truth into the battle field and there is no ground for the enemy to gain when I seek God's face even when I don't "feel him there". Praise... something so sweet and so powerful in the spiritual battle field we walk everyday. Thank you so much and may you be blessed beyond measure as you keep that song in your heart and He brings that dance to your feet. ;) Thank you again.
Under and joyful in His Amazing Grace :)
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