THE PRAISE SERIES (Part 7) - WHY WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD

"Praise is the greatest work God's children can ever do. It is the loftiest expression the saints can ever show. The highest manifestation of spiritual life is seen in men praising God" - Watchman Nee (Assembling Together)

When we contemplate the attributes of God, we can't help but thank and praise Him. Psalm 100:5 speaks of three of God's attributes that make Him worthy of our praise:
1) GOD'S GOODNESS
It's part of God's nature to be kind and benevolent. He is not frowning upon us; He's smiling on us through Jesus. We see His goodness in creation (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 33:5), even though man has wrecked it (Romans 8:19-23). God even shows His goodness to the unsaved nations of the world (Acts 14:17). His goodness keeps us from fainting (Psalm 27:13). He gives us courage (Psalm 27:14). God wants to guide us (Psalm 25:8-9) and protect us (Psalm 31:19-20). We should respond to His goodness in four ways:

- We should be giving thanks always (not complain)
- We should be repentant
- We should want to enjoy Him
- We should draw near to Him
2) GOD'S MERCY
Other Bible versions interpret the word "mercy" as "loving kindness" (Amplified Bible), "all-generous in love" (The Message) and "unfailing love" (New Living Translation).
When God is merciful, He does not give us what we deserve, which is eternal death for our sins. Mercy is forever a part of His nature (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 1:3; Psalm 107).
Isn't it good to know that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life?" (Psalm 23:6)
3) GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
This attribute speaks of God's reliability and stability. He is faithful to chasten us (Psalm 119:75). He is faithful to accept us (1 Corinthians 1:9). He is faithful to care for us and give us victory over temptation (1 Corinthians10:13). He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). God is not going to change (Hebrews 13:8). He is faithful to all He does.
GOD'S GOODNESS, MERCY, and FAITHFULNESS reveal much about Him. The more we contemplate His attributes, the more we can praise Him. Amen and amen and amen!

The Spirit of Thanksgiving - Part 1

"It Is Good To Give Thanks To The Lord,  

 And To Sing Praises To Your Name O Most High"

Psalm 92:1

Psalm 92 is a "Song for the Sabbath day," a resting place for those who are troubled.

The song begins with a commendation of praise: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord." It does us good to turn from our unsettling and anxious thoughts to declare God's loving kindness in the morning, and (His) faithfulness every night" (verse 2). God loves us and is always faithful! He makes us glad (verse 4).

Praise not only makes us glad, it makes us wise. We begin to understand something of God's greatness and creative designs in all that He does (verses 5 - 9). We gain a wisdom that is hidden from those who do not know God. The wicked may "flourish" and "spring up like grass" for a moment (verse 7), but ultimately they will wither away.

The righteous, however, are joined to the One who dwells in eternity (verse 8). They "flourish like a palm tree" and "like a cedar in Lebanon" (verse 12), symbols of graceful beauty and unbending strength. For they have been "planted in the house of the Lord" (verse 13). Their roots go down into the soil of God's faithfulness; they draw on His unquenchable love.

As we begin each day:
* When we wake up in the morning - remember His loving kindness. Wake up saying, "Today LORD loves me, and His loving kindness endures forever. God has my life in His hands. There's nothing to be afraid of.
* During the day - Offer Praise and Thanksgiving. "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name." Find every reason we can to praise Him - even for little thinks like parking places, phone calls that brings a blessing to us, or perhaps news of a friend.
* At the close of the day, remember God's faithfulness.
In the morning we look forward to loving kindness, During the day we experience that loving kindness. And at the end of the, we can look back and say, "God has been faithful." No matter how difficult the day may be for us, we we get to the end, we're going to be able to look back and say, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness!"
So Give Thanks And Praise To The Lord TODAY! 

A heart in tune with God can't help but sing His praises. 

Blessings

TPWC