Empowered by Praise: Clothed in God's Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Praise

Description: Praise is a powerful spiritual tool that aligns our spirit with God's Spirit, bringing freedom and liberty. It is not just an act of worship but a means to overcome spiritual and emotional bondage. The story of David and King Saul illustrates this vividly. When Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, David's playing of the harp and his songs of praise brought relief to Saul. This shows that praise can change the atmosphere and bring God's presence into our situations. By engaging in praise, we invite God's power to work in our lives, breaking chains and setting us free. [01:38]

Psalm 22:3 (ESV): "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you incorporate praise into your response to this situation today?

Day 2: Strength in the Lord

Description: Our strength comes from being infused with God's power, known as "dunamis." This divine strength enables us to stand firm against spiritual battles. David's victory over Goliath was not due to physical armor but his reliance on God's power. He refused to wear Saul's armor, choosing instead to trust in the Lord's might. This teaches us that true strength is found in our union with God, not in human methods or resources. By drawing our strength from God, we can face any challenge with confidence and assurance. [03:02]

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you begin to rely on God's strength instead?

Day 3: Kratos Power

Description: Kratos is the tangible, demonstrable power of God that can be seen and experienced. This power was evident in the lives of biblical figures like Moses, Elijah, and Samson, and it continues to be available to us today. Personal testimonies and historical examples show that God's kratos power is active and transformative. This power is not just for biblical times but is meant to be experienced in our daily lives. By seeking and embracing God's kratos power, we can witness His miraculous works and be a testimony to others. [15:23]

Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power in a tangible way. How can you seek to experience His kratos power more in your daily life?

Day 4: Clothed in Righteousness

Description: Being clothed in the righteousness of God is essential for spiritual victory. This garment of righteousness, combined with the garment of praise, empowers us to break strongholds and live a life of thriving. David's understanding of his divine anointing enabled him to face Goliath with confidence. When we are clothed in God's righteousness, we are protected and empowered to stand against the enemy. This righteousness is not our own but is given to us through Christ, enabling us to walk in victory and freedom. [11:59]

Isaiah 61:10 (ESV): "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Reflection: Consider how you view yourself in light of God's righteousness. How can you remind yourself daily that you are clothed in His righteousness?

Day 5: Continuous Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Description: The Holy Spirit's power is a continuous, guiding force in our lives. We must be continually filled with the Spirit to experience God's power and guidance. This ongoing infilling enables us to live a life of victory and to demonstrate God's power in tangible ways. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith boldly and to be effective witnesses for Christ. By seeking a continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit, we can walk in the fullness of God's power and purpose for our lives. [12:44]

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit? How can you make space in your daily routine to seek His presence and guidance?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound power of praise and the significance of being clothed in the righteousness of God. We began by acknowledging that we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. This understanding leads us to a life of praise, which aligns our spirit with God's Spirit, bringing freedom and liberty. We delved into the story of King Saul and David, highlighting the power of praise in overcoming spiritual and emotional bondage. David's reliance on God's strength rather than Saul's armor exemplifies the importance of trusting in God's power over human methods.

We continued our series on the Armor of God, emphasizing the need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This strength, or "dunamis," is an infusion of God's power that enables us to stand against spiritual battles. We discussed the importance of preparation through praise, as it brings us into God's presence and empowers us for the battles ahead. The story of David and Goliath was revisited to illustrate how David's confidence in God's power led to his victory.

We also examined the concept of "kratos," the tangible, demonstrable power of God that can be seen and experienced. This power was evident in the lives of biblical figures like Moses, Elijah, and Samson, and continues to be available to us today. We shared personal testimonies and historical examples of God's kratos power at work, demonstrating that this power is not just for biblical times but is active in our lives today.

Finally, we were reminded that our strength and victory come from being clothed in the righteousness of God and putting on the garment of praise. This garment empowers us to break strongholds and live a life of thriving, not just surviving. We concluded with a call to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a life of continuous praise, and to walk in the victory that God has already secured for us.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Praise: Praise aligns our spirit with God's Spirit, bringing freedom and liberty. It is a powerful tool to overcome spiritual and emotional bondage. Just as David used praise to soothe King Saul and to prepare for battle, we too can use praise to enter God's presence and receive His strength. [01:38]
2. Strength in the Lord: Our strength comes from being infused with God's power, or "dunamis." This divine strength enables us to stand firm against spiritual battles. David's victory over Goliath was not due to physical armor but his reliance on God's power. We must draw our strength from our union with God. [03:02]
3. Kratos Power: Kratos is the tangible, demonstrable power of God that can be seen and experienced. This power was evident in the lives of biblical figures and continues to be available to us today. Personal testimonies and historical examples show that God's kratos power is active and transformative. [15:23]
4. Clothed in Righteousness: Being clothed in the righteousness of God is essential for spiritual victory. This garment of righteousness, combined with the garment of praise, empowers us to break strongholds and live a life of thriving. David's understanding of his divine anointing enabled him to face Goliath with confidence. [11:59]
5. Continuous Infilling of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's power is a continuous, guiding force in our lives. We must be continually filled with the Spirit to experience God's power and guidance. This ongoing infilling enables us to live a life of victory and to demonstrate God's power in tangible ways. [12:44]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - Overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb
[01:38] - The Power of Praise
[02:25] - Importance of the Garment of Praise
[03:02] - Strength in the Lord
[03:42] - Spiritual Battles and Preparation
[04:35] - Entering God's Presence with Praise
[05:17] - The Undergarment of Righteousness
[06:08] - David's Confidence in God's Power
[07:46] - David's Victory Over Goliath
[09:45] - Boldness in Speech and Actions
[11:17] - Trusting God's Way
[11:59] - Clothed in Righteousness
[12:44] - Continuous Infilling of the Holy Spirit
[15:23] - Kratos Power: Tangible and Demonstrable
[21:50] - Demonstrating the Power of God
[28:02] - The Battle is Already Won
[33:38] - The Power of Judah and Samson
[35:33] - Staying in the Anointing
[37:53] - Jesus Wearing the Armor
[39:31] - Clothed with Power from on High
[41:13] - The Lord's Prayer and Praise
[46:23] - The Suit that Makes the Man
[50:29] - The Power of the Tongue
[55:34] - Peter and the Holy Spirit
[57:41] - Personal Relationship with God
[59:21] - Walking in God's Power and Victory

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did David rely on for his strength and confidence when facing Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:37-40)
According to Ephesians 6:10-11, what are believers instructed to do to stand against the devil's schemes?
How does Isaiah 61:10 describe the way God clothes His people?

Interpretation Questions

Why did David refuse to wear Saul's armor, and what does this decision teach us about relying on God's power versus human methods? [07:46]
How does the concept of "dunamis" power in Ephesians 6:10-11 relate to the idea of being infused with God's strength? [03:02]
In what ways does the "garment of praise" mentioned in Isaiah 61:10 empower believers to overcome spiritual and emotional bondage? [01:38]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. Did you rely more on your own abilities or on God's strength? How did that impact the outcome? [07:46]
How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine to align your spirit with God's Spirit and experience freedom and liberty? [01:38]
What are some practical ways you can "put on the whole armor of God" in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual battles? [03:42]
Think of a situation where you might be tempted to use human methods instead of trusting in God's power. How can you shift your focus to rely on God's strength? [07:46]
How can you ensure that you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit to experience God's power and guidance in your life? [12:44]
Identify a stronghold in your life that you need to break. How can being clothed in the righteousness of God and putting on the garment of praise help you overcome it? [11:59]
Share a personal testimony or an example from history where you have seen God's "kratos" power at work. How did this experience strengthen your faith? [15:23]

Sermon Clips

1. "My testimony is I serve a God that loves me unconditionally. I serve a God that died on the cross for me. I serve a God that was rose in three days. I know he's come to love the world and not to condemn the world. And so that's how I can say we are more than overcomers. And so when I think about that, I think about his goodness and what it's done for me." [00:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sometimes you just got to literally get up and start dancing. And it's telling your flesh and your body to line up with your spirit. And so where the spirit of the Lord is, there is what? Freedom. There's a liberty. And sometimes we put ourself in own bondage of our thoughts, our mind, and our emotions. And how you get that out of there is what Jenny was saying is by the garment of praise." [01:38] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You win your battles in the preparation. If you fail to prepare, you're preparing to fail. And so your preparation starts in your praise. Because the Bible says you enter the gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. And so if I'm going to be in the presence of God, I have to continue. Praise God." [04:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "People are going to try to put on their armor on you. You got to do what God's called you to do. God has called you to fight. You got to fight the battle this way. People are going to try to tell you how you got to do it this way. No, you do it how God intended you to do it. You got to speak the way God says to speak. You got to do what God says to do. And here's the other thing is God's going to get all the praise. God's going to get all the glory." [11:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The word in Ephesians 518 says be filled with the Holy Spirit and can constantly be guided by him. The Greek says on being filled with the Spirit, it's a continuous action. That's why the Bible says you're going to be a drink from a well that never runs dry. It's a well that is always flowing. The Holy Spirit has to be flowing continually in your life because it's a continual guidance." [12:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Kratos is a power that can be seen. Yes, we walk by faith and not by sight. But you know what? You got people, they're not going to believe until they see. But then at the same time, when it really happens, you cannot deny the power that Goliath is now dead and his head was cut off. That is what? Kratos. That is a power that I saw this big guy standing, and then I saw this little shepherd boy knock him down. Then I saw him take his sword. He cut his head off. That is kratos." [15:23] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "God has called you to a life of thriving, not surviving. Because I'm telling you, I'm not going to try to survive. No, I'm going to thrive. Why? Because I have a life better than ever. God came so I can have a life and a life more abundantly. Why? Because I'm going to have a life that I am walking in prosperity, walking in blessing, walking in the mind of God, the peace of God, the power of the Kratos of God." [33:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You need to be careful of who you speak to on how you stay in the anointing. Because the people that are close to you may try to cut your hair and get you out of the anointing. You don't battle against flesh and blood, but rulers and principalities of the air. You need to know who you're surrounding yourself with." [35:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, it says the Holy Spirit came upon you, came inside of you. You have that kratos. Kratos. It's also that power that causes the earthquake. Paul and Silas were in the bottom of a pit. They are in the prison, in jail, and the earthquake started rattling. That was what? Seen. It was a demonstrating power of the Holy Spirit. Because Paul and Silas, you go read the scriptures, they were what, God? Praising God. They won their battle before it even happened. It all starts by putting on the garment of praise." [28:02] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God has his way of doing upside. I call it the upside way of God. God does everything totally backwards than the earth does. You know, the world says, well, it's not the suit that makes the man. It's the man that makes the suit. No, I disagree because I live in this world. I'm not of this world. It's not this man that makes his suit. It's the suit that makes this man. You know why? Because I know I can't do anything through my power. I know this man cannot do anything. The only thing that I can do is I can praise the Lord God Almighty. All I know how to do is put on the garment of praise. All I know how to do is put on the be clothed in righteousness. And that's how this suit of righteousness, the suit of righteousness, the suit of righteousness, the suit of righteousness, the suit of righteousness, the suit of praise will make this man." [46:23] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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