My favorite scripture states "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity"
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Worship invites God's presence, and that's where deliverance happens. Two men in prison were singing praises to God when suddenly the prison doors flew open and their chains fell off (Acts 16:26). In the spirit realm when we praise the Lord, the prison doors of our lives are opened, our bonds are broken, and we are set free. Praising God opens you to experience His love, and it will liberate you.
So many times we want to marinate in our pitty but I can honestly say that praising Him not matter what makes a difference.
The more time I spend praising the Lord, the more I see myself and my circumstances grow in wholeness. That's because praise softens my heart an makes it pliable. It also covers me protectively. The more the pliability and covering are maintained, the more quickly our hearts can be molded and healed. When I praise negative attitudes melt away and positive thoughts flow....I am able to have FAITH and know that He is working it out for me.
In 2009, let's not allow the burdens we carry to choke out our good intentions...regardless of how hard it maybe...make PRAISE your first reaction to whatever you face and not a last resort.
NOW is the time to lift up a prayer of praise to God for everything in your life...NOW and ALWAYS.
Thank Him for His Word, His faithfulness, His love, His grace, His healing. Thank Him for what He has done for you personally. Keep in mind that whatever you thank the Lord for-peace, financial blessing, health, a new job, an end to depression-will start the process of its being released to you at that time. So what if you can't see it YET...thank Him...PRAISE Him in advance.
In the Old Testament, the people who carried the Ark of the Covenant stopped every six steps to worship. We also have to remind ourselves not to go very far without stopping to praise and worship. For emotional healing and restoration, we have to be six-step persons and continually invite the presence of the Lord to rule in our situations.
2009 is my Year of Praise...make it yours too.
