Archive for category Praise

I Don’t Care What I Look Like (What About You?)

We should praise the Lord with our whole heart. Do we truly praise the Lord without shame and are able to say,”I don’t care what I look like”? Are we afraid of appearing undignified? Well, I have learned to praise the Lord with all of my heart. I listened to  the following song:

 

UNDIGNIFIED PRAISE

I will dance, I will sing to be mad for my King
Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul
I will dance, I will sing to be mad for my King
Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul

And I’ll become even more undignified than this
Some would say it’s foolishness
But I’ll become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by the side

Songwriter – Matt Redman

 

You know how when you first hear a song you jump to a conclusion and say “I don’t like that song?” Well, undignified praise was not for me, until . . .

 

I was intrigued as I read the story of King David “dancing in the street.”  In 2 Samuel, we have a king, “dancing in the street” and not caring or worrying about what others thought. The King had overseen the return of the Ark, and as it returned he couldn’t contain his joy. I’m sure joy bells were ringing in his soul. The joy in his heart and soul made him “dance with all his might,” leaping and dancing. I’m sure if they would have had break dancing back in the day, he would have been spinning around on the ground. It had to be a sight to see because as his wife, Michal, King Saul’s daughter, watched from her window, she didn’t care for her husband’s, the king, behavior. She was so disgusted, she despised him in her heart.

 

After celebrating with Israel and returning home to rejoice with Michal, she met him at the door with a rolling-head attitude, and sarcastically mocked him: “How glorious the King of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert” (2 Samuel 6:20). King David didn’t let that steal his joy. He responded by saying, “It was before the LORD, who chose me, who appointed me ruler over the LORD’S people, Israel – I will celebrate before the Lord – I will become even more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6: 21,22a).

 

The definition of undignified is “appearing foolish, lacking in dignity, demeaning, unworthy and unbefitting. David, the man after God’s own heart, was so in tune with God’s heart that he was unconcerned with the thoughts of the one who should have known his love for his God. He did not mind looking “undignified” for the Lord. His focus was on glorifying the true and living God and proclaiming, “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens” (Psalms 113: 2-4).

 

His anointed words are prayers for my life – “becoming more undignified” in my celebration for the goodness and greatness of the LORD. I pray that I completely release my fears and worship with great joy and expectation, inside and outside of the walls of the sanctuary. Oh to have the courage of David, to be willing to look foolish in the eyes of people in order to worship God truly and honestly.

“Song of Joy”

Prayer:

Gracious LORD God, You are worthy of all worship and adoration. The times I need to worship You with all my might isn’t just in the good times, but also more when I’m facing something completely out of my control. I’m understanding even more now it’s when l speak or sing of God’s wonderful power and majesty that You bring wisdom and peace. Forgive me for letting others’ opinions influence how I worship and praise You. Holy Spirit, please help me to focus more on your majesty and less on myself. I Love You, Lord! In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Carol Turnbough aka “Song of Joy” – Song of Joy teaches and ministers to children and youth. She loves to praise God with her whole heart. She writes songs and skits to the glory of God and serves on the Music Ministry of Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. She also serves on the Christian Education Administrative Team and teaches Sunday School.

 

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Brag on God and Say Thank You!

“O give thanks unto the Lord! Call upon His name; make known his deeds among the people!(1 Chronicle16:8-10) No matter what the circumstance give thanks that you have a prayer hearing God, that has unfamthonable love for and that you are more than a conqueror.

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God’s command is “In every thing give thanks”; and the command is emphasized by the declaration, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18, KJV). It is an actual positive command. If we want to obey God, we have simply got to give thanks in everything. There is no getting around it.

So Brag on the King of Kings and the one who loves you unconditionally. Brag on God this month and really everyday give thanks to the Lord. Whatever you can say about Him -Tell Him how He is better than that….. Give a word of thanks and/ or praise.

“Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! Ps. 107:21

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“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing! Ps 107:22.

Sometimes we are so busy looking at our problems or situations and what is wrong in the world and our lives, we forget to remember to be thankful. The people of Israel demonstrated this time and time again. How many times God delivered Israel and protected them time and time again and they would forget His deliverance and blessings and complain. Jesus also illustrates this in the story of the 10 lepers (Lk 17:11-19). God answered a prayer and only the Samaritan returned to give thanks, for he knew what it was like to be cut off from God’s blessings and fellowship.

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Brag on God with thanksgiving and Praise. What are you specifically thankful for?
Thank Him for all He has done!

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This week each day I challenge each of us to brag on God and specifically think about, and thank the Lover of Your soul for all His blessings to you. Then open your mouth with the sacrifice of praise and Tell God and others how thankful and grateful you are. Below is an example of how each day we can Brag on God and give Him thanks.

Day 18- Brag on God and be Grateful. Tell Him how grateful and thankful you are.

Walter Hawkins Lyrics from Be Grateful
(Be-e-e-e-e-e Grateful) Grateful
(Be-e-e-e-e-e Grateful) Be Grateful
Because there’s someone else who’s worse off than you
Be Grateful (Be Grateful)
Because there’s someone else who’d love to be in your shoes
Be Grateful ( Be Grateful)
Oh yeah!
My God said he’d never, never foresake you!
Be Grateful (Be Grateful)oh yeah!
God said he would, he would never, never forsake you!
Be Grateful (Be Grateful)oh yeah!
Be Grateful Hallelujah!
Oh! Be Grateful
The Lord is the light!

Be Grateful (Be Grateful)Yeah, Yeah
Be Grateful
For everything you got!
Be Grateful (Be Grateful)Yeah, Yeah

Day 19 – Brag on God– Think thankfully. How has God been so good to you? – Thankfully count the ways and say it , TELL it, and post it below.

– O give thanks unto the Lord! Call upon His name; make known his deeds among the people!(1 Chronicle16:8-10)

Day 20 Brag on God and “Think Thankfully”. How many specific thank you’s can you give Him for all His blessings , benefits, and love? Post some of them.

I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and TALK of thy doings. Psalm 77:11-12

Day 21– Brag on God. Praise Him for His mighty works. Thank Him for everything He has done and DOES for you on a daily basis even in the midst of our mess ups.

It is good to remember that the tea kettle although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing. ( God’s Instruction Book)

Rejoice evermore… In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18

Day 22 Brag on God. Praise Him for His mighty works. Thank Him for all His daily benefits. Tell Him as great as you think – He is better than that. See the blessings of your life and Think, Thank and Tell that below and else where.

Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among the thorns.(God’s Instruction Book)

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report;if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians.4:8

Day 23 Brag on God and thank Him for his goodness and mercy. Think, thank and tell of His goodness.

I praise you old God for you are a loving God whose very nature is love. (1 John 4:16)

Thank God for His abundant goodness that overflows into our lives.
Thank the Lord that He never slumbers and sleeps and He constantly watches over you. Tell Him …..

When we live everyday with a thankful attitude, our spiritual lives grow, we become more intimate with God and we please the Lord.

Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader, Nov. 2013

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