Singing His Praise

From the beginning of the Old Testament to the book of Revelations at the end of the New Testament, God’s people have been commanded to worship him and have been Singing His Praise since creation. The song of Deborah recorded in Judges 5:3 is a declaration of praise: “Hear this, you kings! Listen you rulers! I will sing to the Lord, I will sing: I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.” This intent to honor the name of the Lord God Almighty has been held sacred by God’s people who continue to worship through heart-felt, spirit-filled singing.

King David, a prestigious ruler whom God proclaimed to be “a man after my own heart” spent hours of his days composing, playing and singing music to the Most High. Many of David’s recorded Psalms explain the reason that he and other men and women of God through the ages, have reason to be continuously Singing His Praise. In Psalms 59:16, David writes, “For I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuse in times of trouble.” Other verses throughout the Psalms give these reasons for Singing His Praise: “for all thy marvelous works (9:1), for turning “wailing into dancing” (30:11), for being “our maker” (95:6), and for “His holiness”(99:5). The list of God’s praise worthy attributes and kindnesses are endless, and His people should be in continuous joyful adoration.

Through Singing His Praise, churches receive spiritual renewal. As God’s people worship by Singing His Praise, the Lord responds by sending a spiritual enlightenment and revival. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, their worshipful singing brought miraculous salvation. The power in Singing His Praise is still felt by the modern church. Whether Singing His Praise as a form of personal adoration or Singing His Praise through corporate worship in a choir or chorus, Christian people can grow closer to God through dwelling on His magnificence.

According to Isaiah 44:23, all of creation has reason to Sing His Praise: “Sing for Joy, O Heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O Earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forest and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays His glory in Israel.” Even at the end of time, the people of God will be privileged to Sing His Praise forever. Revelation 5:13 states that Paul heard “every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!"

As long as the church recognizes that God is worthy of its songs of praise and remains in continual submission to him, it will prosper and grow. God has ordained music as an appropriate way to Sing His Praise, and obedient children should strive to please Him. Sincere musical praise will bring blessing raining from Heaven and will keep God’s church reaching forward as it awaits His return.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

How to Forgive

Learn how to forgive from this Genesis Bible study

You never know how forgiving a person you really are until someone wrongs you. Can you relate? It seems that in my life something happens almost every week that begs for forgiveness. I thought I was making progress until I found myself repeating a story about someone who had wronged me years ago. I realized that I had not fully let it go.

Learning how to forgive is hard

The Bible teaches that God has totally forgiven us. He is willing to let the past be past. Believing this truth is the only way you will have the ability to forgive others and yourself. Learning to forgive is probably the most difficult lesson for a follower of Jesus to grasp.

Joseph and his brothers

The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 is a classic story about forgiveness. At age seventeen, Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave into Egypt. In Egypt Joseph was unfairly sent to prison for several years. But God protected Joseph and enabled him to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him Prime Minister of Egypt right on the spot.

Joseph learned how to forgive

After twenty-two years had passed, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt looking for grain. When the time was right, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and forgave them. He held no grudges. He told them that what they intended for evil, God meant for good. In his excellent book Total Forgiveness, R. T. Kendall teaches us Here are several lessons from the life of Joseph and his brothers that you need to implement:

Keep quiet

To ensure privacy, Joseph had everyone leave the room (Genesis 45:1). Why? No one in Egypt needed to know what happened. It isn't necessary to tell people who aren't a part of either the problem or the solution. People often tell negative things about others only to punish and get even with their offenders. When you've been wronged, you have to decide who to tell. Tell the people that can help with the problem or solution.

Put them at ease

Joseph could have made his brothers acknowledge his power. He could have reminded them of his dreams and their disbelief. But Joseph did not want them to be afraid of him (Genesis 45:3).

Allow them to save face

Saving face means preserving one's dignity. To ease their minds, Joseph gave an explanation for his suffering. It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. . .so then it was not you that sent me here, but God. (Genesis 45:5-8).

Continue the commitment to forgive year after year After Jacob died Joseph reassured his brothers of his kindness (Genesis 50:19-21). The commitment to forgive is a choice that we will have to renew tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. Satan's favorite strategy is to get into our thought life and tempt us to be bitter. Love pursues a lifestyle of forgiveness.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

God's Cure For Depression

Depression is without a doubt one of the most common problems in our time. Due to the fact depression is so common, it has been called the common cold of emotional diseases. According to Everett Worthington, “depression is a downward spiral begun by loss of control and made worse by lack of energy and negative thinking”. The dictionary defines depression as “a feeling of extreme hopelessness”. This emotion manifests itself in the seeming reactions of: All is lost, I want to quit, I can’t make it.

Unfortunately Christians, even great spiritual leaders, are not exempt from depression. The psalmist David experienced it: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalms 42:5). Moses cried out, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now.” (Numbers 11:14-15). Elijah, the great prophet, battled depression just one day after his great triumph on Mount Carmel when he challenged the prophets of Baal, and he saw God answer his prayer in a mighty way.

When we look at these biblical heroes we realize that depression is no respector of persons. Everyone gets depressed at times. The question thus becomes, what is God’s remedy to cure depression? Let us look at the remedy God provided Elijah for it is one we can all use.

Step 1. Realize that depression is not a sin but a symptom. The way we respond to depression may be sinful, but the emotion itself is not. Sin may lead to depression, but all depression does not come from sin. Depression is like a warning light on a vehicle. The way to turn off the warning light is not to smash it out, but to find the problem. When depression sets in, something deep inside is usually wrong.

Step 2. Restore your physical body. “Then he (Elijah) lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat’ “ (I Kings 19:5). God’s remedy involves rest, food, and relaxation. We must never forget the role our bodies play in our emotions. Some people consistently neglect themselves physically. You should get sufficient rest, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.

Step 3. Relinquish your frustration to God. The Lord asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with a sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too’ “ (I Kings 19:9-10). Elijah blew off steam to God and poured out his inner feelings. God allowed Elijah to vent his frustrations without condemning or criticizing him. Regardless how bad our circumstances seem, we should never stop communicating with God. Share your heart. You don’t have to be eloquent or creative; just let God know how you feel. Relinquishing your frustration brings a cleansing of all that has been pushed down inside of you and created these negative emotions.

Step 4. Refresh your awareness of God’s presence. “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord’ “(I Kings 19:11). Nothing will refresh you like coming into the presence of God and realizing he loves and cares for you regardless of how you feel. God never promised this life would be happy, but he did promise to go with us through all our pain. If you are depressed, spend time alone with your Bible and God. As you read, allow God to speak to you and love you. There is no greater antidepressant than communication and fellowship with God.

Step 5. Redirect your life. God gave Elijah a new assignment. “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram” (I Kings 19:15). The fastest way to defeat depression is to quit drowning in self-pity. Take your eyes off yourself and start looking at the needs of others. Find people who are less fortunate and invest your life in them. When you give yourself to others, God will give to you. Jesus said, “Whosoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Step 6. Renew a friendship. “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat” (I Kings 19:19). Depressed people need true friends. Don’t battle depression alone. Find a friend who will provide support and encouragement; someone who will help you see circumstances as they are, not as you perceive them. Eugene Kennedy said, “The main business of friendship is to sustain and make bearable each other’s burdens.” Christ can lift you out of depression. He can help you. He can heal you. You don’t have to stumble through life depressed!

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"