Praise works wonders! (Part 3)
Subtopic: Understanding the the power of praise.

Please I’d like you to understand that Joy is the foundation of praise. Without Joy, there is no praise.
Joy is the springboard for praise. You can sing without actually praising but it takes joy to genuinely praise God. Praise like laughter, is an outburst of Joy. When you’re joyless, you’re helpless. No matter how bad things get, to secure God’s attention for a change, you need to rejoice and praise him!
For example, when David came to Zigklag only to witness its complete wipe out by the Amalakites, the Bible records that he and the men that were with him wept until they could weep no more BUT David encouraged himself in the lord and until his counter acne changed could he hear from the lord and secured his victory (1 Sam 30:1-8)

“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
‭ And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

Do you want victory over the challenges you’re currently facing? Be of a cheerful countenance and encourage yourself in the Lord.

How do I encourage myself in the lord, you may ask? Psalm 56:10 tells us how.

“In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”
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This means praise God for what is written in his word about you, and disregard what is happening around you. Locate God’s written promise in his word about the situation you’re currently facing and praise him for that promise!

Below are some truths that helps me get through difficult times
(1) God has a good plan for me and this is a part of his good plan (Jer 29:11). I may not understand his plan, but I Trust his plan.

“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.”
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(2) God loves me and he can never mismanage my life. John 3:16, Jer 31:3

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
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“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
‭‭Jeremiah 31:3

(3) God is not my problem; God is THE (only) Solution to my problems. If God can’t help me, nobody else can.

God does not visit the sorrowful; he only visits those who know how to please him, in spite of their circumstances. E.g Hannah (1 Sam 1:18).

“And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.”
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Until Hannah was no more sad, Samuel didn’t come.

Rejoice!

Sources of Joy;
(1) The Holyspirit (Acts 13:52).

“And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”

The Holyghost is God’s great provision for a life of endless joy. He is the river in the midst of the tabernacle, releasing forces of joy which keep you rejoicing in spite of circumstances or situations around you. The Holyghost intoxicates with joy and keeps our joy level maintained.

(2) The word of God (Ps 119:162).

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”

When you catch a picture of your glorious future in scriptures, your past or your present won’t matter! You will be forced to rejoice!

Jer 15:16- “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”

The word of life is the greatest stimulant for un-ending praise.

Psalm 56:10- “In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”

(3) The impartation of the Spirit of Joy. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and when deposited and nurtured, will grow into a garden that can not be taken over. But it must first be deposited!

Finally, How to keep your Joy

(1) It is important to note that in order to keep your joy, keep company with praising people. Iron sharpeneth iron (Prov 27:17)
(2) Stay in the word. If you hide in between these two covers, you’re secured for life!
(3) Focus on what’s working! Be Optimistic
(4) Watch your environment. Stay away from moody environment
(5) Pray in the Holyghost to destroy the spirit of depression. Jude vs 20.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”

I see every air of depression over your life removes right now in Jesus name!

Receive an impartation of the Spirit of Joy now in the name of Jesus Christ!

@God’sLoveIsReal