The Effects of Praise Part 5

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1 Most people don't know what the word bless means when they see it in Scripture. It has become a religious word that they don't really think about. I've heard people say, "Bless the Lord, bless the Lord, bless the Lord." They think that by repeating those words they are blessing the Lord. Not necessarily.

When the Scripture says to bless the Lord, it isn't saying to recite those words. Expressing our love and wors.h.i.+p to G.o.d blesses Him. This is a radical concept to most people, because it doesn't involve any kind of service. We're so "works" oriented that we feel we must do something for G.o.d in order to please Him. We've become human doings instead of human beings.

We hear it preached so much: "Do a work for G.o.d! Do something for G.o.d! If you aren't doing something, you're worth nothing to G.o.d. Your net worth to G.o.d is directly proportional to how much you can do." This emphasis leaves an impression in people that G.o.d loves them only for what they can do. It reminds me of a milkshake: You stick the straw down in the cup and suck out everything that's in there. Finally, when you get to the end and hear it go shkkkkkkk, you throw it away. That's the way some of us are. We think, G.o.d, I've ceased to be able to bless people. I'm not doing anything. I know You couldn't love me. There's no point in me existing.

Many believers have a real sense of obligation to do something for G.o.d, but it's all exterior. It's all what they can do for G.o.d. It's not direct communication with G.o.d. I'm trying to emphasize this and say that one of the purposes of praise-actually, the number one purpose of praise-is to minister unto G.o.d. That has to be the priority in every believer's life. Sad to say, it isn't. We usually only come to G.o.d when we get into trouble, and when we're in trouble, usually the very first thing we quit doing is praising G.o.d.

I went through a time like that when I was in Vietnam. I just didn't feel very productive, and I thought, G.o.d, there's no point in me living. I knew that I was still saved and that I'd go to be with the Lord, but I asked the Lord to kill me and take me home because I felt like I was just occupying s.p.a.ce. I actually used those exact words. "G.o.d, I'm just not benefiting anybody. I have nothing to contribute-there's no point in me existing."

But G.o.d gets blessed by our personal love being expressed to Him. We need to recognize that. When my son Peter told me "Dad, you're a good dad," it made me want to get him out of bed, take him horseback riding, and go through the whole day all over again, just so I could hear, "Dad, you're a good dad."

That's the reason we do things for our children-we love them and want to see them blessed. I don't believe G.o.d is selfish. I don't believe He gave His Son for us only so we could give back to Him. If there was ever an example of unselfish love, it is G.o.d. So I'm not saying that G.o.d is only blessing us so He can be blessed in return.

When I give something to my children, I'm giving to bless them because I love them. I don't demand it, but I would love for them to love me in return and to be appreciative. That's part of us. We were made in G.o.d's image, and G.o.d feels that way. I believe that we have spirits that were created in His image. There are reflections of G.o.d's image in our personalities, and the desire that we have not only to give but to receive love is a G.o.dly trait. I believe it reflects the heart of G.o.d.

If you have had this mentality that all G.o.d wanted from you was doing this and doing that, I'm here to tell you that He would like you just to stop awhile every day and praise and wors.h.i.+p Him. Spend time with Him the way you would your closest friend-because that's what He wants!

CONCLUSION.

Praise ye the LORD. Praise G.o.d in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150 G.o.d deserves everything we have! Our goal should be to glorify G.o.d the way He deserves to be glorified. Every person reading this book has breath. As long as we have breath, we should be praising G.o.d, for if we don't, the very rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40).

When we move into the realm of praise, we move into the heavenly realm. We are operating in the same praise and wors.h.i.+p that is going on in heaven at this exact moment.

Make praise a part of your daily life. Keep your mind set on things above. Don't let the cares of this world pull you down, because "if G.o.d be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). When we praise G.o.d, we have every area covered-we are ministering directly unto G.o.d and pleasing Him, we are building ourselves up, we are tormenting the devil, and we are immunizing ourselves against all of the things Satan is bringing against us. That is exciting!

RECEIVING JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR.

Choosing to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you'll ever make!

G.o.d's Word promises "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that G.o.d hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).

By His grace, G.o.d has already done everything to provide salvation. Your part is simply to believe and receive.

Pray out loud, "Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that G.o.d raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!"

The very moment you commit your life to Jesus Christ, the truth of His Word instantly comes to pa.s.s in your spirit. Now that you're born again, there's a brand-new you!

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT.

As His child, your loving heavenly Father wants to give you the supernatural power you need to live this new life.

"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened...how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Luke 11:10 and 13 All you have to do is ask, believe, and receive!

Pray, "Father, I recognize my need for Your power to live this new life. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive it right now! Thank You for baptizing me! Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life!"

Congratulations-now you're filled with G.o.d's supernatural power!

Some syllables from a language you don't recognize will rise up from your heart to your mouth (1 Cor. 14:14). As you speak them out loud by faith, you're releasing G.o.d's power from within and building yourself up in the spirit (1 Cor. 14:4). You can do this whenever and wherever you like!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Andrew Wommack was brought up in a Christian home in Arlington, Texas, and made a total commitment of his life to the Lord at a very early age. But it was not until he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a teenager that he began to experience the power of G.o.d in his life.

For over three decades, he has traveled America and the world teaching the truth of the Gospel. His profound revelation of the Word of G.o.d is taught with clarity and simplicity, emphasizing G.o.d's unconditional love and the balance between grace and faith. He reaches millions of people through the daily Gospel Truth radio and television programs, broadcast both domestically and internationally. He founded Charis Bible College in 1994 and has since established CBC extension schools in other major cities of America and around the world. Andrew has produced a library of teaching materials, available in print, audio, and visual formats. And, as it has been from the beginning, his ministry continues to distribute free audio materials to those who cannot afford them.