broken yet beautiful

Earlier today, I was walking along a beach with my daughter gathering seashells. She was intent on finding certain kinds. While she was intently searching, I walked along and looked for some that matched her specifications. I found a shell that was lovely. It was iridescent on the inside and just shone when the light hit it just right. It was, however, flawed as a piece was broken out of it.  As I was holding it and admiring the pretty colors. God spoke to me. "You may be broken and have gone through things that intend to break you, but you are still beautiful to me. You mine and I love you. I see the beauty and find great joy in my child. I can also heal the brokenness."  I stood on that beach and cried. You see, the last few months have broken me. I have never felt so broken. I have struggled to bring praise in the circumstances. I have not lost my hope in Jesus and I know He is my answer. He is my provider, my shield and my comforter. I have run to him and told him of my pain and my needs. He knows what I have endured. God is so good to me. I know that beyond a shadow of doubt. BUT today, God reminded me that I am still beautiful to Him. He still heals the hurt and pain. He hears the cry of our heart.

 Psalm 43:5 says, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

David often wrote about the cry of his soul, of the pain, yet turned to praise every time. He still trusted in God. I know I can trust in God to heal the hurt and restore the broken. God has promised he will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is the God that does the impossible. It does not matter how impossible a situation may appear, God can perform miracles. He can do what we cannot. 

I am so grateful that God can still take an unexpected moment and remind me of his love for me. He knows what I need, and when I need it. God knows the broken, yet still sees the beauty. He heals the hurt. 

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

He give beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. He will give us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He takes what we carry and gives something better. He can take our cares because He cares for us. Lay it down at his feet and he will take over with his peace, joy, and praise shall come forth. He will be glorified through our story.

the good news

This Easter I was thinking about Nicodemus. That may seem strange but when we read about him in John chapter 3, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to find out who he was. He had questions. He wanted to know if Jesus was the promised Messiah. He asked questions. When Jesus responded "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  He was struggling to comprehend this message. He asked, "How can these things be?" Jesus gave him an explanation including the famous verse, John 3:16 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.  We need this message. This is the good news.  Jesus came to save this world. He came knowing the outcome of his life. He knew he would die on that cross in excruciating physical pain. He bore all our sins and suffered. We don't have an explanation of what Nicodemus thought about that message. He was so worried about his reputation in John chapter three that he came secretly and did not want anyone to know he was talking with Jesus.  We get to hear about Nicodemus once again in John chapter 19. Jesus had been crucified and had died.  Joseph of Arimathaea asked for his body and in verse 19 "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." Nicodemus does not seem embarrassed any longer to be of service to Jesus. I wonder if he believed in Jesus as the Messiah. I think about the fear and worry of Nicodemus and how often I have been fearful of sharing the gospel with someone. We allow fear to prevent our testimony. We allow fear to hinder us from sharing the good news of Jesus to someone who may really need to know Jesus.  Nicodemus was afraid at the beginning, but ended up appearing bold at a time that being a follower of Jesus could have meant death.  He became bold in his care and love of Jesus.  I would love to know more about Nicodemus and his life.  But I do know that God recorded his act of love after the cross. God intended for us to know that Nicodemus did not continue in fear.  We do not need to be afraid to share the gospel of Jesus.The good news that He came to save us! He loves us! He is with us and he empowers us to be the light to this world. Walk in boldness!  Walk in the power we receive from the message that Jesus died and he rose again!   He came to give us life and life more abundantly. What a great gift!  Easter is the time to know and understand the greatest gift given to this world. Jesus came, died, rose again and lives today to save us!

Angels We Have Heard On High

A wonderful part of the Christmas account is the angels arriving in the night sky to proclaim the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The shepherds were not considered great in the eyes of most people of the time. They worked and cared for the sheep day and night. These men were not men of authority, but regular, working men, yet God chose them to hear the greatest message the angels could proclaim.

Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

These men immediately ran into town to see the babe in the manger. They then spread the word about the child. They did not keep it hidden. They shared the great message, the gospel.  Did everyone believe them?  Maybe not. Did some believe? Probably so.  They were given a great gift. They were chosen to bear the message they heard the angels proclaim of the birth of Jesus. Their lives were forever changed by this message.

We too, have a great gift. We have received salvation from that same Jesus. He was born, lived, died and rose again just to give us the great gift of salvation. We are the reason he came. His greatest gift is salvation. We have received it through repentance and being baptized in His precious name. We heard his voice calling in our spirit, “Come to me and be saved.” We responded by running to the altar before him. We can now respond as the shepherds by sharing the message of salvation. We may not have heard it directly from an angel, but we were forever changed when we came to Jesus Christ ourselves. We are no longer the same and have been made new. What a blessed thing!  Luke 15:10 tells us “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Can you imagine the rejoicing that took place in heaven over your soul?  Rejoice for you are saved!!! Rejoice with the angels!!   

We are also chosen to bear the message of Jesus. We can proclaim the gospel. We can tell others about Jesus’ greatest gift. May we be as excited and changed by this gift that we cannot hide it or hold it back. May it be evident in the life we live and in the words we speak. May we be the bearers of the greatest message mankind has ever been given. Jesus is here to save us from our sins. We are called to His Kingdom. We are called to be messengers of the gospel to others who also need to hear that Jesus loves them!  May the message of the angels be heard not only at Christmas time, but each and every day from the lips and lives of those of us who have accepted the greatest gift of all. Proclaim the message of the angels: I bring good tidings of great joy!  Jesus the Savior is here for you!

what once was dead

 

About four years ago, we bought two small sapling apple trees and planted them.  They grew leaves and looked good all that year. The next year, they began to put on leaves and started off looking good, but then a late frost hit, and all the leaves withered and died. That year, those tiny trees stood bare. We figured they were dead but left them in the ground. Then the next spring we went out to dig them up so we could replace them, and when I got down to dig them up, I realized there were buds on the branches. Those two trees were not dead after all, and both came back that year and grew. This spring they grew again. And got much taller this year. One of them isn’t doing as well. But God showed me something. Sometimes we write things off as dead when there is actually life. And not only life, but eventually, fruit will come forth.

Let’s take a look at Sarah. Abraham was given a promise in Genesis 17. Verse 15-19

¹⁵ And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

¹⁶ And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

¹⁷ Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

¹⁸ And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

¹⁹ And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

 

We see God change her name Sarai -my princess to Sarah -mother of nations. She was barren. Abraham laughed at the idea of her bearing a child. How could it happen? He knew her womb was not only barren, but she was past the age of bearing a child. Her womb was considered dead. She was beyond the physical ability to bear a child. But God had a miracle ready.

In Genesis 18 we see the visit of the two angels who reminded Abraha of the promise.

Genesis 18:11-14

¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

¹² Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

¹³ And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

¹⁴ Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

 

Sarah heard this for herself, from the tent and laughed as well. How would this even be possible? The angels quickly pointed out that nothing is too hard for the Lord. The promise was real to her at last. Did hope spring up in her heart at that moment? Did faith arise and grow? There are other examples of barren women given a child when it looked impossible.  Rachel, Hannah, the widow who helped Elijah, and Elizabeth.  Each of these women should not have been able to have a child. In each of these we see they bore a child. And there was a restoration of life and bringing forth fruit. In most of these cases, that womb that was dead, brought forth life and that life bore fruit beyond expectation.

Sarah was truly blessed. She is the only women in the Bible whose age was mentioned and she was listed as a hero of faith. She became an example of what God can do with impossible situations.

Genesis 23:1

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Hebrews 11:11-12

¹¹ Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

¹² Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

 

Sarah bore Isaac because she chose to believe in the Word of the Lord. I think in that moment, God had strengthened her, and a spark of hope became real faith. She knew Abraham had been told she would have a child, but when the angels spoke it and reminded her that nothing was impossible for God, Hope became faith. Not only did she bear Isaac, but she also became the mother of nations. Her child became the many nations.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 

Faith in God for what seems impossible. That is what is needed. We all have situations or things that seem dead. It may be someone who has lost their way, a job or financial situation. It may be spiritual. It may even be a church. But what may appear dead and impossible to me and you, God says will be alive and bear fruit.  God has a promise for what many would see as dead.

In Ezekiel chapter 37 God lead Ezekiel into a valley of dry bones and told him to speak and prophesy over these bones. What happened?  Life came back into these dry bones. God used Ezekiel to speak life into the dry bones and declare prophesy over the people of Israel. Read those last verses again.

 

Ezekiel 37:11-14

¹¹ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

¹² Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

¹³ And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

¹⁴ And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.

 

God told Ezekiel to speak his word over the things that appear dead. We too need to speak the Word over what may appear dead. Call forth the life and spirit to revive in those lost souls and situations that only God can solve. I know a great example of a family member that most had written off. He was addicted to drugs for years and headed to an early grave. He literally died on an emergency room table in one of his worst moments. But God answered his parents’ prayers and called him forth. He was set free by the blood of Jesus, life restored and he became a worker for the kingdom. What was dead came to life and bore fruit in the Kingdom of God.

Proverbs 18:21

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

What we speak matters. When we speak the word of the Lord, it matters. God has a plan for all things. We can read many instances of God’s word being spoken and things change. When the disciples stood and spoke the word of the Lord, lives were changed, people were delivered and healed. Souls were saved. And yes, the enemy was angered. But God says power of death and life is in our tongue.

Isaiah spoke about speaking a word in season. We have the ability to speak Word to those in need and in the right season.

Isaiah 50:4

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

He has given us a tongue to use to speak encouragement and life into the weary soul. We need to know His word and be ready to speak into the brokenhearted, the lost and the hurt. We need to be ready in season with the Word of the Lord.

Peter and John had been questioned and threatened after healing the man at the gate of the temple. The high priests and threatened them not to speak of Jesus and let them go. They went back to the people and told them what had happened. This is their response.

Acts 4:24-29

²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

²⁷ For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

²⁸ For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

 

The people prayed over Peter and John to be given boldness to speak the word of God in the face of every threat and attack. They went forth and reached souls for the kingdom of God. They boldly proclaimed Jesus into the dead lives around them. Those souls came to life and bore fruit. May we understand that we can speak life into situations. When we pray and speak the word of God into and over the situations, God will bring forth life and bring forth fruit. What once was dead, will be made alive and fruitful.

Psalm 119:172

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

When we pray over what seems dead, let us speak life. Let us have hope that grows into faith. And see what God will do. I pray that my tongue will speak His word boldly into the situations that most would proclaim as dead. I pray to honor the commandments of God because they are righteousness. What may appear dead will come to life and bring forth good fruit. Speak life.

 

ministry matters

 When we hear the word ministry, we immediately think of a preacher, someone standing before a congregation sharing the Word of God. But ministry is more than preaching. Ministry should be a part of our everyday lives as a Christians.  Jesus spoke to the crowd in Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Then he ascended.  The disciples went and preached the gospel to the world. But was it just preaching?  In Acts we see that there was also other types of ministry. There was daily prayer, daily sharing of meals. In Acts chapter 7, we can read that the twelve chose seven men to minister to the needs of people, serving tables in the daily ministration so they could just pray and minister the word. They appointed those men to minister to needs.

We walk daily among people who have needs. We can daily be a light and meet a need. We can be the one to minister to those needs. We can be used to meet the needs of people one on one. Do you know a family who needs prayer or a meal?  Do you know of a senior who just needs someone to check on them or talk with them? Do you know a young mother that may need reassurance that she is doing a good job or someone to hold her baby for a moment so she can eat and shower? These are all moments of ministry. When often think of ministry as big acts that have immediate results of souls being saved, but there are also small acts of ministry that are often overlooked. We cannot overlook those small things that minister to people and often show them that God loves them even in the mundane and overwhelming parts of life. I know for myself, I remember those small things people have spoken to me or have done for me that really mattered in the moment. As a young mom, I needed to hear that lady in the store who came by and gently said, “You are doing a great job. You got this.” That meant the world to me. I also remember those who have called or prayed with me when I needed it. It may have been a small thing, but it mattered to me.

John 15:12 says “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”  We are commanded to love one another. That includes caring about each other enough to notice we need encouragement, we need support, we need to hear about God’s love for us and feel his love from one another. There is a saying that no one will care what you have to say until they know you care about them. If we are to reach a soul, we need to care for them and show them the love of God in action. Souls are won by caring for them. Souls are kept by continual care. 

Jesus often used shepherds to show and describe ministry. A shepherd continually watches and cares for the herd. He doesn’t just see a lamb born and then leave it to figure out how to survive. He cares for it. He makes sure it is in the right places to eat, and ensures it’s safety. There is a daily, continual interaction between the shepherd and the sheep that provides for the sheep. The sheep are protected, provided for and cared for. We need to consider that as part of ministry. We are  called into the body. We are all a part of the Body of Christ. Each member with a purpose. Each of us have a calling to unity in the body. We are all able to care for one another, pray for one another, and reach out to one another.

Ministry should be our lifestyle.  In this world, we have distractions. Even good things can distract us from opportunities to minister. We need to be diligent to be ready always in season and out of season, to minister to a needy soul. It may be praying for someone or bringing a meal. It may be a phone call to check on their wellbeing. It may be visiting someone in the hospital. It may be sitting with someone and just being there. It is all ministry. That is the gospel being lived out. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Let us walk in the good works he has for us. Don’t be afraid to care and share. Be willing to minister to the needs of those around you. It doesn’t have to be big, it will matter to the one who needs it.

I am a Part of the Kingdom of God

 

Kingdom is defined as the spiritual reign or authority of God. God has all authority to give orders, make decisions, and exercise his power. 

 

In the study of biology, there are rules that govern classification. These rules are used to determine what kingdom plants and animals are a part of. There have been several theories and ideas in biology that now have five kingdoms of classification. This classification was based upon certain characteristics like mode of nutrition, cell structure, relationships and reproduction. These rules are the determining factor. 

What does this have to do with the Kingdom of God? We are supposed to be a part of the kingdom of God when take on His name. We are to fit within the rules that govern the Kingdom of God. We are given the characteristics of His Kingdom. We are to have a mode of nutrition. We are to take in His Word, His spirit, prayer life. We are to have a cell structure or make up that reflects God. We are to be filled with his spirit. We are made new creatures. We become spiritual beings reflective of God's authority over us. We are to have relationships that reflect God. We become part of his family. part of the body of Christ. We are to relate to the body, care for the body, be a part of the body. We are to have reproduction. We produce the fruit of the spirit as He works in us and through us. We are to share the gospel and bring others into the Kingdom of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

 

Do I carry the characteristics of the Kingdom of God?  Does God rule and reign over me and my life?  Would I be classified as a member of His Kingdom? Am I a representative of His Kingdom?

. Do others recognize my citizenship of the Kingdom?  My life should reflect the characteristics of the Kingdom of God. I am no longer of this world, I am now a representative of the Kingdom of God. A representative is defined as typical of a class, group, or body of opinion; an example of a class or group; a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others. I have been bought by the blood of Jesus. I have been made a new creature in Christ. I am no longer my own. I am His.

 

 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

 

 I find my nutrition in his Word. I feast on HIs Word and am fed by the Word. I have a prayer life that is effective and fervent. I reflect Jesus Christ in how I live, act, respond and treat others. My relationships are fruitful. The Spirit should produce life around me. My life should be fruitful and produce the fruit of the spirit so that others can taste and see that God is good. New creatures are produced because God works through me to reach others. 

 

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We are to walk worthy of the Kingdom of God, seeking God first and pursuing the righteousness of God. When we focus on living in the Kingdom of God, rather than the nature of this world, Our characteristics will reflect Jesus to those around us. We will walk and talk like him. We will act like him. Those around us will feel His presence, see him actively working through us, and will want to be like Him as well. Represent the Kingdom of God. That is who you are supposed to be and who you are called to be. He has chosen us. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

 

Know who you are. Know the Kingdom to which you belong. Live as a citizen of this Kingdom representing the King of Kings. He is Lord of all. He is in complete authority and we have access the King.

The is Power in Praise

 There is power in praise. Praise is defined as 1.  to express a favorable judgment of : Commend; 2.  to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections (Merriam Webster)

 

Praise invites the presence of God into your life. Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  He comes and lives in our praise. He hears our worship. He is pleased when we praise. He responds to praise.  God's presence will change the atmosphere and change you. He is able to give us a peace and a joy that the world cannot understand.  I know God works through our praise. He deserves all praise. He is worthy of all praise. He has praise woven throughout the Word.  When we go to the temple built by Moses, we see that God wanted to dwell with his people. The temple was there not only for worship, but as a way for God to dwell with his people. In Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. This verse explains that he wanted to be with them. He travelled with them when they moved and had a place to dwell. He wants to be with his people. He now comes in and fills each of us with his Spirit. We are now the temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? We are now the vessel meant for him to live and be praised. The temple had the outer court, the inner court and the holy of holies. When Jesus became the sacrifice, the veil was torn so we have access to the Lord himself. We go to the holy of holies. He wants relationship with each and every one of us. We enter the holy of holies by proceeding from the outer courts of praise to the inner court of consecration, to the very throne room of righteousness. There is one gate to enter.  Psalm 11:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Praise ushers in the peace and joy in his presence.

Praise can change our mindset. Part of praise is being thankful. Thankfulness is very powerful in how we view our lives and our situations.  Being thankful will change a mindset, change your hope, change how you handle the situation in which you find yourself. When I begin to recount the goodness of God, the blessings, and thank him, I stop dwelling on the problem and give him the glory and worship.  He deserves all our praise. If we focus on the problem, the storm, we get our eyes off of Jesus. We begin to sink, just as Peter did.  We can keep our eyes on Jesus by praising him. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Praise brings joy.  Even when I do not feel like praising God, I can start with that sacrifice of praise. Just take that step to worship God. His presence enters and he can work on our hearts and minds. He can take what we worry about and turn it to praise. His peace can wipe our the worry, His joy can heal the hurting.  Isaiah 61:3 O appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.  Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Praise is also a way of defeating the enemy.  When we praise God, The enemy cannot stand. He may try to imitate God by posing as a lion.   1Peter 5:8  ]Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  But God is the Lion of Judah. Judah means 'praise'  Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah. He is the Lion of Judah. Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Jesus is the One with the power we need to defeat the enemy.  Praise ushers in our victory.  The enemy cannot win if we are praising God through all circumstances. He cannot gain a foothold as we worship God Almighty. In 2 Chronicle 20 we can read about King Jehoshaphat leading the tribe of Judah (praise) to send the praise up first. The singers entered the battle field first.  They found the enemy already defeated.  v. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. If you need victory, start praising God. He will fight the battle for you and bring the victory you need. 

Praise is powerful. Praise brings his presence. Praise changes you inside out. Praise brings you victory. Praise brings us before the feet of Jesus. Praise Him!

Psalm 150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.