This Transforms Men...
As you
may recall, the Jews called the Psalms, “The Book of Praises.” The word “praise”
is used in the Psalms 175 times and mentioned in most of the psalms. So it’s
fitting that we should feast on such Super Psalms. There are so many we could
choose. As we near the end of these 150 songs in the book of Psalms, it’s as if
there is a musical crescendo (an increasing volume) of praise. Psalm 146, 147,
148, 149 and 150 each begins and ends with the same celebration declaration, “Praise
the Lord!” (Remember, that’s what Hallelujah means.) Psalm 148 even calls upon
the animals to praise the Lord. Psalm 149 calls again on God’s people to praise
the Lord. Then finally in Psalm 150, 12 times in its six verses, the grand
conductor of this praise symphony calls every instrument and everything that
has breath to praise the Lord! Wow!
But we
are modern day men. We aren’t given to such emotional outbursts of praise. It’s not fitting.
Except when we are watching our favorite sports team pull off an amazing turn
around victory, then we get loud and celebrate. Yet how much greater of an amazing turn around victory has our Lord brought about for us. Also the sports teams don’t really win victories for you and me. But the Creator of
the universe came and won the greatest victory possible for you and me. He is worthy!
Praise the Lord!
God is our hero and thus He deserves all our praise. Yet here’s another good reason to sing praises to the Lord- it’s good for us.
God is our hero and thus He deserves all our praise. Yet here’s another good reason to sing praises to the Lord- it’s good for us.
Last
week we looked at great acts God has done for us. These demonstrate His wonderful love for us and for such we can PRAISE Him. Today, on this last day in our mini-series on the Psalms, let’s add to that list.
Here are some of God’s great emotions He has for you. (He is not emotionally flat!) These go along with what He
has already done for you. Yes, the Lord takes delight in you! You never had a father
like this. He’s the Father that can heal any father wound. How good and fitting
to PRAISE Him for such!
Purchased
by his blood and now you are Precious
to God!
Redeemed
and so now the Lord Rejoices over
you!
Access
to the holy King of the universe and now He sets His Affection on you!
Inheritance
is now secured and He is always Interested
in you!
Seated with
Christ in the heavenlies and He Sings
for joy that you are His!
Eternal life
is yours and He looks forward to Enjoying
your company forever!
God is so worthy of our praise! How often? "Every day I will praise you." Ps.145:2. Please join me in seeking to praise God daily. I don't want to add more to your "to do" list. Praising God or any of the GREAT things we do should not be allowed to degenerate into such. But we often need to be reminded to do the things that are GREAT in God's eyes which Satan so opposes. Let's pursue the things that God's word emphasizes so much. Let's seek to praise the Lord daily. It's so transforming. We are being transformed into people who will praise his name forever. Be on the look out for good praise songs and pass them along. We'll seek to post a great praise song on many of our Sunday's blogs. speaking of which, have you gone to this past Sunday's praise songs blog? Please do so by Saturday night.
1.-Read Ps.147:1 and then please share with us, or a pro you'd be seeking to coach, why praising God is such a good, pleasing, fitting or becoming practice.
2.-Read Psalm 149:1-5 and you’ll see there is quite a celebration getting started. Verse 4 reveals a delightful reason why. So write out 149:4 on your MP3 card (then do the “Did it”). Celebrate and share this great truth with others.
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Announcements
See you Sunday by 3:00 at Jack's (10749 Cherrywood Dr. Palos Park). It will be a great time welcoming our new proteges and honoring several of you. We have about half dozen new men joining us. Yes, we expected more, but "Do not despise the day of small beginnings." We ended December with 11 men. Today we have 16 and soon 6 more. That means we will be doubling our size from 11 to 22 in two and a half months. Don't you wish you had a financial investment that would grow that much that fast?! Also, I'm seeking to restructure things so that you can keep on recruiting men, rather than you and them having to wait a few months for our new proteges to finish their Basic Training. So keep on sowing to get your 2 men signed up and keep praying. I view our Attack prayers like water piling up against an earthen dam. Eventually, with enough, there will be a break through. We are from the nation of Determination. That is why you are destined to succeed. You are Unstoppable! Attack!
PS- Would you please help the cause with a free will offering. Jack has the receipts of our spending. (I thank you in advance:)
The technology hurdles to create mirror image blog sites for multiple teams has been far more challenging than we thought, but we're getting there. We also hope to create a spreadsheet scoreboard that you can fill in yourself. That will really streamline things. Thanks for your patience and flexibility as we grow.
High Fives most everybody! 10+ honors to Robert and Sam with 12 and Eddie with 13!
Please look over the scoreboard and see whom you might want to encourage.
| 1 Tim.4:15 | G=God's Word | G MP3 sharing | Right Wrongs | Encouragement | A= Attack Prayers | T | Totals |
| For Wed.3.11.15 | |||||||
| Alpha Force | |||||||
| Fire Team 1 | |||||||
| Jack Rogers U.3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Roger Vinlasaca U.3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Fire Team 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Mike Pagan U.3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
| George Rabiela U.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Fire Team 3 | 0 | ||||||
| Sam Vargas U.3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | |
| Gary Remson U.3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Fire Team 4 | 0 | ||||||
| Robert Roman U.2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 12 | ||
| Vince Diaz U.2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 0 | |||||||
| Delta Force | 0% | ||||||
| Fire Team 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Alvin James U.2 | 0 | ||||||
| Kentrayle Adams U.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Fire Team 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Dave Heidekruger U.3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Israel Fuentes U.3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| Fire Team 3 | 0 | ||||||
| Daniel Contreras U.2 | 0 | ||||||
| Antonio Palomar | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Fire Team 4 | 0 | ||||||
| Eddie Morales U.3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 | ||
| Ismael Andrade U.2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-
Ask questions!
Give careful consideration to what you read.
The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.
The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.
Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.
It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.
Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.
Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.
The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.
Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.
“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.
Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.
Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.
The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.
Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.
Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.
The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.
Words also need to be understood in their historical context.
Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.Look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing.
Look for major Bible themes as you read.
God is the true hero of the book.
1.- Psalm 147:1 "Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting."
ReplyDeleteIt is such a great practice to praise God because it fills our hearts with joy to be able to acknowledge Him for who He is and for the gift of salvation that none of us deserve. I praise you Lord and thank you for your love and grace.
2.- Did it
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Roger, always on target and focused on the prize. Thanks for being so humble and dedicated Bro
DeleteAmen Roger! Praise be to God in the highest and Peace to his people on earth. He is so worthy of it all. May he fill your heart today as you worship Him with your life.
DeleteGreat words Roger! I'm listening as I type to the praise songs that you recommended on Sunday's blog. Thank you!
Delete1. I praise our Almighty God every day for everything as he gives us comfort and security--as he is inside us. I praise him as he guides my every move, protects me from evil, and fills me with Love. Praise him for his Love never fails and never gives up on me.
ReplyDeleteI will praise him every day of my life for these things, but most of all for rescuing me and my Brothers.
2." For The Lord takes delight in his people, he crowns the humble with victory
G. 4
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A. Yes
Yes, how merciful of God to rescue us Jack. So glad we will be His together forever.
Delete2. Did it
ReplyDeleteJack, the Lord delights in you! How awesome is that!?
Delete1. "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." Psalm 147:1
ReplyDeleteWorship and praise is a response. It's a response to what He has done for us, it's a response to how he loves us, to what He gets us through, what He blesses us with, and everything in between. But it's a response to an Almighty God, who made an adjustment and put down His crown and His scepter to live among the poor and broken to be our hero when we were (and continue to be) in the most desperate need for one.
2.Did it.
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A. Yes.
Thank you Eddie, seeing worship as a response. It is! An old hymn comes to mind- O worship the King all glorious above, and gratefully sing His power and His love. Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise!
Delete1. Jeremiah 20:9 "But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."
ReplyDeleteWe were created to glorify God, to praise and worship Him! As new creations we can't hold back our gratitude, admiration and voices. When I think about the LORD song= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFOoBMs_4g
Worship is a tangible physical act such as the lifting of our hands, playing instruments, bending the knees, prostrating ourselves before our LORD!
Praise is audible, singing, shouting, speaking, whistling to the glory of God!
2. Did it :-)
G. 5
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A. Yes
Amen
DeleteO Robert, now I'm listening to the song you recommended- "When I Think about the Lord!" I remember the first time I heard this by a youth choir just before I was about to speak. I had them sing it again!
Delete1.-Shared
ReplyDelete2.-Did it. Shared. Also shared PRAISE. Thanks Dave!
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He is worthy of all PRAISE!
Delete1) from the stand point of obligation, we owe praise to God, from the stand point of gratitude the only way to fail to praise Him is to ignore all he has done and is constantly doing for us. We must ignore His promises and over look his resources, which give us breath, thought and life. Praising God is good because it release's the finest pleasure, joy and peace purse it, it tramples fear, and stirs the Holy fire within us. Praise is the honest response to eyes that see. When we praise the heavenly atmosphere captures us and we become what we were intended to be captivated by His splendor.
ReplyDelete2) Did it.
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Great words Antonio! He is worthy of all the glory and all the honor and all the praise!
DeleteAmen Antonio, keep up the good works for the Lord. People will fail you but God never will.
Delete1.-The faithful praise our Lord not as a obligation but for the love of God. We honor Him with our praises and we show love for Him because of our praises.
ReplyDelete2.-Did it
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Love the way you grab opportuniTees Mike!
ReplyDelete1.-There are many benefits to praising God! Praise helps us honor, worship, and give glory to the One who deserves it (Eph. 1:1). Praise helps us complete God’s primary purpose for creating us. (Eph.1:3). It is impossible to know the will of God without true praise. (John 4:24). Praise helps us understand our own identity, privileges, and responsibilities. (Eph.1:1). Praise helps us fully appreciate and appropriate God’s grace and goodness of peace. (Eph.1:2). Praise helps us gain a richer sense of spiritual, mental, emotional, social, and physical tranquility. Praise helps us gain a greater awareness of how enriched we are through God’s blessings. (Eph.1:3). Praise helps us feel greater security in His everlasting love that chose us from creation (Eph.1:4). Praise opens us up to all that God has in store for his children and His Kingdom on earth and heaven!
ReplyDelete2. Did it!
A-Doing it!
Amen brother Alvin, praise ushers us into His presence!
DeleteThanks Alvin for sharing. Do you like sermon central too? http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/fifty-benefits-derived-from-praising-god-paul-fritz-sermon-on-worship-benefits-58388.asp
DeleteI liked the one you added one from John 4:24. How good to give praise to whom praise is due.
1) Psalm 147:3 (NIV) "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
ReplyDeleteI believe Praising God is important. There have been times when I just don't feel good and after I praise God and give him thanks I feel better. I like to says it energy or a boost. God has done so much for me not to give him Praise. "I am a friend of God" is great song to praise God.
2) DID IT
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You made a very good point Vince. It's when we don't feel like praising God that we probably most need to praise Him. As we look up to Him, He will raise us up out of the our slump.
DeleteAmen brother Vince, offering God the "the sacrifice of praise"
DeletePraising God lifts my spirit as well Vince. Great encouraging too!
Delete1. Share why praising God is so good, pleasing and fitting.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many reasons to be praising God. The foremost reason is that God is the most worthy and deserves to receive honor and glory and praise from all relational creatures and certainly men. God delights in and is blessed by our praises. Our love for God strengthens as we get to know Him and praise Him for His perfect attributes and character. Our trust and dependence increases as we praise Him for His mighty acts and works. And we should praise God because it is for our good and our benefit. This is what we were re-created to do with our free will. And it results in our greatest joy and deepest pleasure in God.
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He is truly worthy to be praised! Dave you hit it right on.
Delete"It results in our greatest joy and deepest pleasure in God. " Amen brother!
DeletePsalm 147:1
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord . How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
Our Heavenly Father the creator of the heavens and the earth. When I look at the sky and see his marvelous works I cannot help but praise Him.
2.Did it.Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
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A.let us all praise the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever. if we don't praise him the rocks will cry out in praise.
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Yes George! Looking at His creation prompts praise in me as well.
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ReplyDeleteDid it
Praise is declaring who God is as redeemer justifier and father for example. Its the declaring of God's essence and his identity using the limited speech and words to declare such things. Praise is also in the thankful heart proclaiming we are grateful for servanthood and for sacrifice to name a couple.
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"Its the declaring of God's essence and his identity using the limited speech and words to declare such things."
DeleteAmen brother Gary, God Cannot Be Described Or Contained by mere Words!
Yes, I agree. We are so limited, like infants in our knowledge and ability to properly express ourselves.
Delete1. Praising God is a good practice because I acknowledge God is at the source of the blessings I have rather than being arrogant, prideful, or boastful of what I think I've done on my own. It also shows gratitude to God for how great he is and has been.
ReplyDelete2.) Did it
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That's right Kentrayle.
Delete1. Hallelujah! It’s a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. (Psalm 147:1 MSG) . Like Vince, I have also been in a place of not feeling close to God and praise and worship moved me to being in a place where God is moving.
ReplyDelete2. Did it
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Yes Daniel, I think the quickest way to be renewed and draw near to God is praising God.
DeleteI am so glad to hear you giving God a sacrifice of Praise my brother :)
Delete1. Wow, praising God is a great practice, especially since it is God who draws us to Himself! I would read Ephesians 1:11-14 that states, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory." This sums it up, eternal life and a guarantee that our names are written in the Lamb's book of life :)
ReplyDelete2. did it
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1. Done
ReplyDelete2. Done