Matt Richards
Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe GOD; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.(MSG)
Bible says rejoice always and again I say rejoice. Bible says to bless the LORD at all times. Not just when we feel like, not just in a building, not just on a Sunday...at all times.
You know if Paul and Silas can get their praise on in prison, you can. They had been thrown into prison at no fault of their own.
At midnight when they were tired, when they were confined, locked down, and chained, they refused to feel sorry for themselves. They praised.
And as they did, an earthquake shook the place and set them free. Not only did it free them, but it set free the other prisoners who were watching. Some were probably even mocking. That's grace.
You know today other people are watching you how you respond to bad stuff. It's a choice. You can have a pity party or a praise party.
"Wherever I am I'll praise Him, whenever I can I'll praise Him, for His love surrounds me like the sea. I'll praise the name of Jesus, lift up the name of Jesus for the name of Jesus lifted me."
Love this old, old chorus. You know there's such truth in it.
Over the last few months as a fellowship, we've praised God in a church building but more than that: also on a bus, on a beach, on the Haymarket city centre, in cars, on mousehold heath, at a biker cafe, in houses, under a pier and much more.
Don't let your praise be limited to a building, or Sundays, or in good times.
Praise God on walks, in car journeys, in the bath, in the shower, when you're washing up, cooking dinner, on your bed even on the loo. Just praise Him.
There's power in Praise.
You don't need a building to praise. You are the building. Praise in the prison. For God inhabits the praises of His people. So when you praise God visits and brings freedom. Put on a garment of praise today.
Prayer:
Father forgive me for having a pity party. I choose today to praise You .
I praise You for I am alive, I praise You that I am Saved, I praise You because You have been good and faithful to me. I praise You, because You have things in control. I praise You because You are worthy to be praised.
In Jesus' name amen.