Sacrifice of Praise

I'm going to take you back a few years to a trip with Donald, Gina, Rhonda, and Brooke.  These were friends of mine and we still keep in touch via Facebook.  In 1996 we went on a trip to South Padre Island for Beach Reach in an attempt to reach people on Spring Break for Christ.  We partnered with local churches and the Baptist Student Union.  There was one night we went down on the beach apart from one another to pray.  I can tell you more than once in my life God has said these words to me.  I was on my knees praying and I clearly said "Lord I don't know what you want me to do I don't understand."  I understood two words as clear as could be.  "Praise me."  I've heard at church Pastor Micah mention that some people show up only for the sermon just to avoid the music.  Got a problem with singing because you shouldn't because God does it.  In Zephaniah 3:17 God sings over his people.  "For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty Savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness with his love, he will calm your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."  Also if you don't like praising God you really need to check your Bible because the Angels are continually doing so and we will be when we get to Heaven.  I can tell you this God wants us to praise him.  He deserves the Glory.  Look around you all that you see in creation he made that.  He chose to make you!  Think of Jesus death on the cross.  God did that because he loved you.  It's not always easy to praise God either.  Sometimes in scripture it's referred to as a sacrifice of praise.  Psalm 116:17 "I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord."  Psalm 107:22 "Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts."  Psalm 50:14 "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High."  Sacrifice implies giving up something.  There's a game I love to play called Justice League Heroes and Wonder Woman has this phrase that has been coming back to me all week.  "In order to pick something up; you have to put something down."  If you don't catch what this means let me be more specific.  Sacrifice of praise or thanksgiving requires you to surrender part or all of yourself and admit that God is more important than you are.  You have to put down your pride, selfishness and desire to be important.  Think of it in terms of a police officer arresting someone.  The officer gives you a series of commands "Step away from the gun"  Step away from what is drawing you away from God.  Put it down.  

Sometimes you're having a bad day and you don't want to praise God or be thankful or joyful.  Do you know why you should?  Hey a question from the audience good that means someone is paying attention.  The reason you should praise God is you get your mind off of your frustration and back on God where it needs to be.  

Another fact.  We're commanded to praise God. Check out Ephesians 5:15-20.  "So be careful how you live.  Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God, the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  

O Praise The Name (Anastasis) - Jeremy Riddle // Sunday Morning Worship April 16, 2017

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Petra - I Love You Lord

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Kim Walker Smith - 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

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Casting Crowns - Great Are You Lord 

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casting crowns here at your feet

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History of Hope

Last week I shared a verse and I'm going to post it again.  "This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope."  To some this blog or weekly email is known as a Weekly Dose of Hope.  It wasn't always known by that name it is still when I post it on Facebook known as the Batcave blog and there's history behind that name.  I'm not going to bore you with the details.  I shared that verse above in 1 Timothy 1:1 for a reason.  It is God who gives us hope.  He is the source of our reason as Christians to even have hope.  See at one point Aaron was asking me if I wanted to change the name for the blog in any way and if there were any ideas I had.  We tossed some ideas around and I wanted it to come back to the word hope.  You can watch the news at anytime and something bad is always on.  We need more hope.  My friend Chris had once told me when he gets the emails to him it's "like a weekly shot of spiritual vitamins."  So we went with a weekly dose of hope.  "Never give up hope at least not so early in the game."  So let me give you some good news.  We win in the end. John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."  God's not done with you!  Philippians 1:6. "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."  

Romans 5:3-5 "We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."  Remember people "The God of the past is still God today."  When you need hope listen to what God calls us to in Jeremiah 6:16 "Stop at the crossroads and look around.  Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it.  Travel it's path, and you will find rest for your souls."  The Source of Hope calls you and me to seek him for hope.  

If you want some extra passages about hope found in God here are a few you can read.  Psalms 71, Psalms 55:22, and Psalms 37:24.

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Walking thoughts stress and trapezes

Wednesday night at work I was a bit stressed out.  I had been walking a lot at work and the issue bothering me I kept trying to pray and leave in God's capable hands.  Often when we get stressed out we need to get our eyes off ourselves and back on God.  I want to share some verses that got my attention.  1 Timothy 1:1 "This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus who gives us hope."  That last word there is hope.  God gives us that and we often need to be reminded. The battle whatever you're facing it's not over yet but God can give you hope.  I want to share with you 8 more verses to adjust your focus back on God.  "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!  I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.  You will satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise you with songs of joy.  I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.  Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely."  Psalms 63:1-8

Shadow of Your Wings

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