Get Your Praise on: Day 4

PRAISE
Praise doesn't start when an answer comes.   No, it starts when God first gives the promise and continues through the answer.  I love the story of David where He encouraged himself in the Lord. Take a look at 1 Samuel chapter 30  especially verse 6.  David's men were heartbroken over the capture of their wives and kids by the enemy and they were ready to stone David for it.  The Bible says,  "David encouraged in the Lord."  Wow, that takes fortitude.

Mindset
As the men marched each day around Jericho they each had their own thoughts.  Their wives who were going about their daily chores back at the camp had their own thoughts as well and this was a time to bring them in line with God. I'm sure as we think about this week of Getting Your Praise On you have your own thoughts and concerns as well.  Isreal had gone through a lot of hard times, their parents had made some mistakes and now they were facing a powerful enemy. They had just crossed the Jordon with a miracle and recommitted themselves to be a nation that loved and served the Lord and were promised that the reproach of Egypt was gone.  Each person marched around the city quietly with only their own thoughts to press them forward.

Stir-up
The apostle Paul in the New Testament advised young Timothy to stir himself up in the Lord with the word and the words of prophecy over him not allowing fear to dominate his life.  What we feed upon is very important.  We are not to put our heads in the sand, but we are to trust God to perform His word and then to go forth...keeping our mind stayed on Jesus depite circumstances.

Is there anything tripping you up?
Do you have a circumstance like David that keeps you up at night?  During this time of "marching around the city" encourage yourself in who God is in your life.  Remember that He will never leave or forsake you and that He sees everything.  Though the way has been long He is there.  Isreal was in the desert 40 years...and whether or not your time frame is your doing or simply an unknown don't give up.  Praise and Shout now...and when the answer comes.

Get Your Praise On: Day Three

Those of you that know me know that Proverbss 18;21 is one of my favorite verses.

Why does God have us Quiet in our March for a period of time?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  We have to be careful what we say because words can be destructive or bring healing.  However, if you are anything like me there are times like this week when God has us marching around our own Jerrico's of life where the temptation is everpresent to spout our disappointments, failures, and feelings without regard for what we are really saying.  

Sometimes it is hard to see all of the good things God has and is doing because of our hurts and fears. Maybe the promises of God seem far and removed and a feeling of hopelessness has settled in your heart.  Isreal would have understood  your feelings.  They had been wondering in the desert for 40 years and the new generation wanted to see the hand of God fulfill a long standing promise.  As they marched in silence they may have rehearsed some of these things. 

They had somethings to remember though to turn the tide of their thinking.  The Jordon River crossing (not to be confused witht he Red Sea crossing) was a resent event that God had used to show His commitment to His peaople and the promise He gave.  You may not such a dramatic event to inspire you, but take time today to remember both big and small things God has done to show His love.  Look up some Scriptures about his love.  Ponder these blessings as you march (go about your day) and be recharched in God's love and willingness to meet you where you are right now.

Sing the shout song I posted the first day.

Get the Shout on! Praise and Quiet!

Joshua gave the order from God.  The priest would carry the Ark of the Covenant with the trumpets and the soldiers would follow behind in silence.  Each day they would march around the city of Jericho. Rahab gave the spies some insight into the condition of the inhabitants of the city.  They knew God was with Israel and it terrified them.  However, when they saw the battle plan they may have become embolden thinking that surely the Israelites didn't have the experience they feared. . Truthfully, even God's people may  have wondered at the game plan.

The Presence of God.

The Ark of the Covenant represents the very presence of God with his people.  The priest carried it as they marched around the city.  The trumpets in their hand in preparation to sound the voice of Praise aloud for all to hear.  Praise led the way to victory. Praise often flies in the face of circumstances we face.  We are called kings and priest before the Lord.  Sometimes we'd rather curl up in a ball under a bed than lift our voice in praise because every predictor of what is going to happen gives a bad report.  We feel almost foolish  holding out hope and declaring the works of the LORD.!  Our spirit wants to yell in protest, yet we are drawn by His Spirit to believe His promise.  Praise fills our lips and faith fills our soul.  Fill your cup with Praise despite any dismay.  Let him lift your Spirit.

Quiet
God can work in the quietness of our heart.  He can heal the heart that is finding it hard to keep going.  It can help us mend a broken heart and forgive someone who has hurt us.  Quietness can aid us in hearing His voice to us. It gives us time to reflect and listen to Him gently say our name and give direction.  He comforts us in our weakness and disappointment.

 I challenge you to both worship and take time in quietness to hear His voice.

Getting Your Praise On

Living Waters Fellowship and Friends

This morning before song service and the preaching of the Word we discussed Joshua and Jericho. Some years ago our church was lead by Pastor John to have a Jerico drive around our city.  We drove in the van around the outskirts of the city and proclaimed God's Word over our city.  The results were unseen by the unknowing, but we understand that God broke down the plans of the enemy had to bring destruction.  God doesn't do things the same way each time he asks us to conquer new land or to hold our position in life, but He can use the same portion of Scripture to speak principles that will change our course if we will yield to Him in all that we do.  The challenge this week is to bring the praises of the Lord as the priest did as they circled the city of Jerico carrying the ark (The Presence of the Lord) and the rams horns because we are Kings and priest before the Lord (Revelation 1:6) and to be silent in the midst of storm and allow Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts concerning all He has to share with us about where we've been, where we are and where we are going.  

Understanding the Season

The book of Joshua opens with a change of season for the nation of Isreal.  Moses has died and Joshua is the new leader commissioned with the task of leading the children of Isreal into the promise land.  He is told to fear not, be courageous, put the Word in his mouth and heart and be prepared to see God's mighty hand.   

We are in a new season.  The season is a fresh page of God's anointing upon our lives and upon the plans and purposes of God for our church and families.  We are called to conquers in Christ and defeat the works of the enemy.  It is time to rise up in praise to our Lord and proclaim the goodness and blessing of the Lord for the body of Christ.

Sunday we will celebrate the Lord's victory with a shout.
Get your praise on...Shout