In this lesson, we will refer to praise as “thanksgiving, praise and worship.” They are not the same thing, but there is an overlap.
The emphasis will be on developing a lifestyle of praise.
Psalm 34:1-3 (Amplified)
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
In the Message Bible these verses say:
I bless God every chance I get;
My lungs expand 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.
We read “I will bless the Lord at ALL times”. How often should be bless the Lord? All the time.
Praise should be habitual.
Not to be on Sunday only, but your life should be one of habitually praising God.
I Where are we suppose to praise the Lord?
a. Privately
Psalm 149:5 - Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty which God confers upon them; let them sing for joy upon their beds.
Job 35:10 - Who gives songs of rejoicing in the night.
Psalm 78:4 - We will not hide them from their children, but we will tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed.
b. Publicly
Psalm 22:22 - I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise You.
Psalm 35:18 - I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among a mighty throng.
Psalm 149:1 - Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, praise Him in the assembly of His saints!
If people are usually grumbling about short praise at church, they usually are not praising God before they come to church (or a lack of praise life).
Every service is not to be a praise and worship service. Each service has its purpose.
Your freedom in public worship can help others.
c. Among the heathen.
We should praise the Lord everywhere we go.
II When are you to praise the Lord?
a. Every morning/all day/at midnight
Psalm 113:3 “rising of the sun”
Psalm 119:164 “seven times a day”
Psalm 35:28 “all day long”
Psalm 71:8 “all the day”
Psalm 119:62 “at midnight”
If you don’t have the habit of praise, then you have a bad habit. That means you are grumbling, complaining, judging, etc.
To get in the habit of something, do it continually.
Psalm 71:15
Psalm 146:2
Praising God is not fanatical. Don’t make apologies.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
Thanksgiving
Psalm 30:14 “give thanks and remembrance of the holiness”
Psalm 75:1 declare wondrous works”
Psalm 79:13 “thanks forever”
Psalm 92:1 “good thing to give thanks and sing praises”
If it is a good thing to give thanks, it’s a bad thing to grip.
If you happen to wake up at night to pray, and you are not sure what to pray about – then give thanks.
I Cor. 14 - “my spirit prayeth when I speak in tongues; he will help you when you yield”.
Hebrews 13:15
One of the biggest weaknesses we have as human beings is forgetfulness.
Faith and thanksgiving go hand and hand. (e.g. If you are gripping and complaining then you are not in faith).
Psalm 78:4
Never forget what God has done for you.
Sometimes when we act as though God has never done anything for us, we have forgotten what he did for us.
The devil wants you to remember everything he has done to you and forget what God has done for you! Because if you remember, the devil knows your faith will be stirred up.
That is why when Israeli4es were discovered, the priests would get out the scrolls and remember what God has done by reading them.
You need to be thankful for all He has done. If you forget, then you are unthankful and faithless.
If you don’t remember, you are faithless.
Isaiah 51:12-13 “Forgettest the Lord”. Who Are we? Born again, blood washed, overcomer. Who is our enemy? Defeated, created being, under my feet, lesser one. Who is our God? Creator, sustainer, maker of all, good gifts giver, omnipotent, omnipresence, omniscience.
Devil – under my feet, lesser one!
Not to forget, praise God everyday, always.
Heb. 13:15
Thanksgiving – to extend the hands; to express gratitude; to acknowledge.
Being thankful means:
1. Being grateful
2. Remembrance
3. Express (or acknowledge)
If people don’t express thankfulness then most likely they are not thankful.
You need to acknowledge, express and confess your thankfulness.
I Corinthians 14:15-18
Stir yourself up in remembrance.
II Chron. 32:24,25
Rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him – Hezekiah did not remember to give thanks; so what happened was he got into pride and judgement came upon him.
If you don’t act thankful or express it, then it will be withheld from you.
If you want more, exercise yourself in thanksgiving.
Mark 4:24,25
If someone is not thankful, stop giving them something. That’s the only way they can learn thankfulness.
