THE PRAISE SERIES (Part 8) - Ceaseless Praise

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalms 103:1-5 NKJV)

Psalm 103 has no request. It is nothing but praises; David is blessing The Lord.

What are some of the benefits David sings about? David's praise focussed on the good things God was doing for him. it is easy to complain about life, but David's list gives us plenty for which to praise God - He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult our lives' journey, we can always count our blessings - past, present, and future. 
These are blessings we may have often forgotten or that we may be taking for granted:

1) The Lord Saves! 

"Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases"(verse 3) 

The last part of that statement is an illustration of the first part. He forgives all our iniquities in the same way He heals the human body. Often in the Bible, sin is compared to sickness, and salvation is compared to health. God bring health to our souls.

2) He Keeps. 

"Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies"(verse 4)

He keeps us and protects us from the destruction around us. In His pleasure He puts a crown on our heads and make us princes and princesses. He surrounds us with His lovingkindness and tender mercies.

3) He Satisfies.

"Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like eagle's." (verse 5)

As in Isaiah 40:31, the eagle is used as a symbol of youth and strength. The eagle moults, loses its old feathers, gets a new coat, and soars again.

Do we pray to God for the sole purpose of praising Him? We have much for which to praise Him, for His love and care never cease. He saves, keeps, and satisfies us. Never take God for granted; always take time to praise Him.

Be blessed!

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 ESSENCE OF WORSHIP - MARTHA KNOWS HOW - MARY KNOWS HIM (PART 1)

"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

I would like to approach this passage of scripture in the perspective of a worshiper ...


(1)Martha Served But Mary Sat At The Feet Of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42):

We are all familiar with this one story when Jesus visited the home of the two sisters. Martha came to Him to complain about her sister, Mary. God used the story of two well-known women in the Bible to demonstrate to us the type of relationship He wants with each of us.
I get the image of a house busy with people engaged in numerous conversations around the house. Martha is running about trying to figure out how everybody is going to get fed and coordinating the logistics of cooking for all the people. Somewhere in a secluded corner the Lord Jesus Christ is calmly teaching a handful of people who are intently listening to His every word. Mary is sitting at His feet, very content and very settled.
Martha frantically rushes over to interrupt the intimate gathering. Everyone casually looks up at her as the Lord easily sets the record straight. Feeling compassion for Martha, He reassuringly says, “Martha, Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE THING is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." After all, if Jesus could feed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39) and the 5,000 (Matthew 14:14-21), then certainly He could handle supper for a house full of people.


Jesus said:
"ONE THING is needed ..." As worshipers, especially if you are in the ministry of worship (i.e worship minister, worship leaders, musicians, singers); RELATIONSHIP with Jesus is the foundation for worship.


King David said:
"ONE THING I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). David's primary occupation was to seek God and His beauty. God declared David to be a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Imagine that? Wouldn't you love for God to say that about you? I know I would.


(2)Martha's Emotion vs Mary's Comfort (John 11:32)
In another story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the two sisters had different reactions to the news that Jesus was coming to see them after their brother Lazarus had died. There are many lessons that Jesus prepared us to see in this whole scenario. Herein we focus on the differences between the two sisters’ approaches to Jesus before He brought Lazarus back to life (kindly read John 11:17-40)


In verse 20 - Jesus was coming
- Martha took off quickly to find Jesus (impatient and anxious)
- Mary stay at home (probably waiting for Jesus)
In verse 25 and 26 - Jesus spoke to Martha but
- Martha did not really hear Jesus(verse 21-22). She was focused on what she had to say to Him. - Mary only went to see Jesus after Jesus called her (verse 28). She went without delay (at the right time).
In Verse 30 - Jesus met Mary in the same place as Martha
- Mary said the same thing as Martha, but unlike Martha complaining to Jesus, Mary worshipped at Jesus' feet(verse 32). Consequently Mary got a different response from Jesus(verse 33).
- Martha had not spent the time in God’s presence (just as in Luke 10) was overcome by her feelings did not believe. Her faith was not at a high level. Even when Jesus was ready to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha was filled with unbelief(verse 39). Our unbelief can block God's miracles in our lives but, again Jesus lovingly corrected the situation (just as in Luke 10), when He said, “if you believed, you would see the glory of God ” (verse 40).


Both Mary and Martha were believers in the one true God. But, their walk were not the same. Martha knows how ... whereas Mary knows HIM ...

Martha's Syndrome:                   Mary's Solution:           

Fret & Worry                      Quiet 

Complain                                      Peaceful

Focus on feelings                       Prayerful

Anxious                                        At Jesus' feet

Unbelief                                        Faith