Transformative Power of Praise in Every Circumstance

Summary

### Summary

Praise the Lord, everyone! It's a joy to be in the house of the Lord today, surrounded by bright and smiling faces. Today, we are reminded of the power and importance of praise. Praise is not just a response to blessings but a proactive stance that can change our circumstances. We often come to church seeking blessings, but today, let's focus on being a blessing to receive a blessing.

We are reminded that God is a miracle-working God, and His presence is already here among us. We need to lift our hands and voices to magnify Him, not just for what He has done but for who He is. Our praise should not be limited to the sanctuary; it should extend to every part of our lives. Psalms 150 teaches us where and how to praise the Lord. David, despite his trials, found reasons to praise God, and so should we. Praise changes the atmosphere around us and can turn our trials into testimonies.

We also discussed the importance of avoiding negativity. Surrounding ourselves with positive, faith-filled people can uplift our spirits and strengthen our faith. Negativity is a spirit that can drag us down, but a positive attitude rooted in praise can lift us up.

Moreover, we should not settle for a "poor" spiritual life. God wants to bless us abundantly, but we need to elevate our praise and expectations. Just as we wouldn't settle for a beat-up old truck when we could have something better, we shouldn't settle for less in our spiritual lives.

Finally, we are reminded that praise is not dependent on our circumstances. Whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop, our praise should be consistent. Praise Him for His mighty acts, His excellent greatness, and for the breath in our bodies. Let's purpose in our hearts to praise God continually, for He is worthy of all our praise.

### Key Takeaways

1. Praise as a Proactive Stance: Praise is not just a reaction to blessings but a proactive stance that can change our circumstances. When we praise God, we invite His presence and power into our lives, transforming our trials into testimonies. [09:13]

2. Avoiding Negativity: Surrounding ourselves with positive, faith-filled people can uplift our spirits and strengthen our faith. Negativity is a spirit that can drag us down, but a positive attitude rooted in praise can lift us up. [45:59]

3. Elevating Our Spiritual Expectations: Just as we wouldn't settle for a beat-up old truck when we could have something better, we shouldn't settle for less in our spiritual lives. God wants to bless us abundantly, but we need to elevate our praise and expectations. [01:02:46]

4. Praise in All Circumstances: Whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop, our praise should be consistent. Praise Him for His mighty acts, His excellent greatness, and for the breath in our bodies. [55:16]

5. The Power of Small Praises: Sometimes we may feel like we have nothing big to praise God for, but even small praises can ignite a larger fire of gratitude and worship. Start with the little things, and soon you'll find greater reasons to praise Him. [01:13:44]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[07:10] - Personal Testimony
[07:55] - Light Spirit in the House
[08:33] - Feeling God's Presence
[09:13] - Call to Praise and Prayer
[22:43] - Conviction and Praise
[23:29] - Prayer for Healing
[33:10] - Lifting Holy Hands
[34:17] - Testimony of Healing
[36:08] - Psalms 150: The Power of Praise
[37:39] - Praise in the Sanctuary
[39:32] - Praising Through Trials
[42:27] - Living Epistles
[45:20] - Avoiding Negativity
[47:30] - Positive Spirit
[50:21] - Claiming God's Promises
[55:16] - Praise for His Mighty Acts
[58:27] - Testimonies of God's Goodness
[01:02:46] - Elevating Spiritual Expectations
[01:13:44] - The Power of Small Praises
[01:14:42] - Closing Prayer and Praise

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 150:1-6: "Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalms 150, where are we instructed to praise the Lord? ([36:08])
2. What are some of the instruments mentioned in Psalms 150 that are used to praise God? ([36:08])
3. How does the pastor describe the impact of praise on our circumstances? ([36:08])
4. What does the pastor say about the importance of avoiding negativity and surrounding ourselves with positive, faith-filled people? ([45:59])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor emphasize that praise should not be limited to the sanctuary but extend to every part of our lives? ([36:08])
2. How can praise change the atmosphere around us and turn our trials into testimonies, according to the sermon? ([36:08])
3. What does the pastor mean when he says we should not settle for a "poor" spiritual life, and how does this relate to our expectations of God's blessings? ([01:02:46])
4. How does the pastor suggest we handle negative influences in our lives, and what is the spiritual significance of this advice? ([45:59])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you praised God despite difficult circumstances. How did it change your perspective or situation? ([36:08])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive, faith-filled people. Who in your life uplifts your spirit and strengthens your faith? How can you spend more time with them? ([45:59])
3. Think about your current spiritual life. Are there areas where you have settled for less than what God wants for you? What steps can you take to elevate your praise and expectations? ([01:02:46])
4. How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine outside of church? Share specific ways you can praise God in your everyday activities. ([36:08])
5. Identify a negative influence in your life that you need to distance yourself from. What practical steps can you take to avoid this negativity and focus on a positive, praise-filled attitude? ([45:59])
6. The pastor talked about the power of small praises. What are some small things you can praise God for today? How can starting with small praises lead to a larger fire of gratitude and worship? ([01:13:44])
7. How can you remind yourself to praise God consistently, whether you are in the valley or on the mountaintop? Share a strategy or habit that can help you maintain a consistent attitude of praise. ([55:16])

Devotional

Day 1: Praise as a Proactive Stance
Description: Praise is not merely a reaction to blessings but a proactive stance that can change our circumstances. When we praise God, we invite His presence and power into our lives, transforming our trials into testimonies. This proactive praise is a declaration of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness regardless of our current situation. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness, creating an atmosphere where miracles can happen.

In Psalms 150, David exemplifies this by praising God in every situation, whether in the sanctuary or in the midst of trials. His life teaches us that praise is a powerful tool that can alter the spiritual atmosphere around us. By lifting our hands and voices in praise, we not only honor God but also open the door for His intervention in our lives. [09:13]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you proactively praise God in this situation, trusting Him to transform your trial into a testimony?

Day 2: Avoiding Negativity
Description: Surrounding ourselves with positive, faith-filled people can uplift our spirits and strengthen our faith. Negativity is a spirit that can drag us down, but a positive attitude rooted in praise can lift us up. The company we keep significantly influences our mindset and spiritual health. By choosing to be around those who speak life and faith, we create an environment conducive to spiritual growth and encouragement.

Negativity can be pervasive and insidious, affecting our outlook and diminishing our faith. However, by intentionally surrounding ourselves with positive influences and maintaining a spirit of praise, we can counteract this negativity. This proactive approach helps us to stay focused on God's promises and maintain a hopeful, faith-filled perspective. [45:59]

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV): "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who consistently brings negativity. How can you limit their influence and instead surround yourself with more positive, faith-filled individuals?

Day 3: Elevating Our Spiritual Expectations
Description: Just as we wouldn't settle for a beat-up old truck when we could have something better, we shouldn't settle for less in our spiritual lives. God wants to bless us abundantly, but we need to elevate our praise and expectations. Often, we limit what God can do in our lives by our low expectations and lack of faith. By raising our spiritual expectations, we open ourselves up to the fullness of God's blessings.

God's desire is to bless us beyond our wildest dreams, but this requires us to believe and expect great things from Him. Elevating our praise and expectations means trusting God for more and not settling for a mediocre spiritual life. It involves actively seeking His presence and believing that He can and will do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. [01:02:46]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you have settled for less? How can you elevate your expectations and trust God for greater things?

Day 4: Praise in All Circumstances
Description: Whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop, our praise should be consistent. Praise Him for His mighty acts, His excellent greatness, and for the breath in our bodies. Consistent praise is a testament to our unwavering faith in God's goodness and sovereignty. It is easy to praise God when things are going well, but true faith is demonstrated when we can praise Him even in the midst of trials.

Praising God in all circumstances is a powerful declaration of trust and faith. It acknowledges that God is in control and that His plans for us are good, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. This kind of praise not only honors God but also strengthens our faith and brings peace to our hearts. [55:16]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Think of a recent difficult situation you faced. How did you respond? How can you practice praising God consistently, regardless of your circumstances?

Day 5: The Power of Small Praises
Description: Sometimes we may feel like we have nothing big to praise God for, but even small praises can ignite a larger fire of gratitude and worship. Start with the little things, and soon you'll find greater reasons to praise Him. Small praises are like kindling that can start a larger fire of worship and gratitude. They help us to focus on the positive and recognize God's hand in the everyday moments of our lives.

By starting with small praises, we cultivate a habit of gratitude and worship that can grow into a deeper, more profound appreciation for God's goodness. This practice helps us to see God's blessings in every aspect of our lives, no matter how small, and fosters a heart of continual praise. [01:13:44]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What are three small things you can praise God for today? How can acknowledging these small blessings help you develop a habit of continual praise?

Quotes

1. "I know this, every time that we have church, there is an opportunity to receive a blessing from the Lord. But I don't want to be cheap today. I want to be a blessing to get a blessing. How about you? Amen. I want to be a blessing to get a blessing." [07:10] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I just. I know there's a light spirit in the house of the Lord right now. But I feel something. I feel something that God is about to pour something out upon somebody today. Amen. I know God is a miracle working God. Amen. How many of you need a blessing? That's a great question. How many of you need a blessing?" [08:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I would dare say that if we matched how much we praised our team yesterday, God had come into this room. God had come into this room. Amen. I love sports and I'm very competitive myself. But I have just dared myself not to out-praise myself. My God, with anything else of this world." [22:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Every once in a while, God needs to know that you're still serving him. Every once in a while, God needs to know that you still love him. Every once in a while, God needs to know that you're still praising him. It doesn't matter my problem, my trial, my trouble. It doesn't matter who's in my circle of friends that's just trying to uproot everything that God's trying to do in my life. The voice that's against me, the enemy that's come against my mind, the emotions that's come against my heart. It doesn't matter in the middle of it all. Every once in a while, you just need to pause and say, I praise the Lord anyhow. I praise him through all my trouble, through my circumstance, through my loss. I praise the Lord anyhow." [39:32] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you can't praise me in the sanctuary, around God's people, you can't praise me anywhere. Come on, somebody. If you come in here and sit in here like something's wrong in your life, and you can't lift a hand, you can't lift a voice, he said first and foremost in the sanctuary. We have a purpose when we come into this room. Look, so many times we come into this room, and we give all of our time to our problems. And to our worries. And we come in here, and we can't praise God because our mind is consumed on our worries. Our mind is consumed on our problems. It's what the doctor said, what I say about myself in my mind. But listen, can I say it like this? We're not here on our own time. We're here on God's time." [40:55] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Because your praise determines your outcome. Amen. Your attitude determines your outcome. I'm not going down in this. I'm going through this. I'm not going down. I'm going to heaven one day. Somebody said you said that on live stream. Amen. I'm not, I'm not bashful. That's one thing you got in a pastor. He ain't bashful. Amen. He ain't bashful. bashful and I'll tell you what when it concerns me and it concerns you we'll stand toe-to-toe to the devil any day and I'll tell you what I've seen Moses said God let's change this testimony here and God said for you Moses I'll change the testimony come on anybody got a bad problem right now in your life you need a testimony change you need to lift up some praise and say God I need a better report than this." [51:56] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "God didn't say praise Him for what you're going through. He said praise Him for who He is and what you're going through. He said, look, in the middle of your trouble, don't get your mind on yourself. Get your mind on your God. Amen. He said, in the middle of your trouble, praise me for my mighty acts. Somebody needs to look back over your past and get a testimony of what God has done in your life, what He's kept you from, what He's brought you, what He's brought you out of, and what He's delivered you from, and begin to praise Him for His mighty acts." [55:16] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Some of you got a reason to praise the Lord right now because there was circumstances in your life that came that you thought you was gonna lose your ever loving mind you thought you was just gonna go nuts you thought this thing was gonna divide you you thought this thing was going to destroy you but God kept you God brought you through the trial you need to look back over your life you need to look back over your life you're not so you wasn't supposed to come out of this but friend here you are come on somebody here you are you made it when my one my friend said I wasn't gonna make it when my family said you just need to to walk away and just shove it all in. I begin to praise and magnify the Lord and I want to have my testimony today. I'm still standing devil. I'm still standing and can I say this? I'm not where I want to be but I'm in my right mind because I got my mind on Jesus." [56:52] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Some of you poor mouth God so much that you chose just to live an old, beat up, battered, poor life. And I'm not talking about finances. I'm talking about spiritually right now. Because of your circumstances, because of the things that have happened to you, you've decided to settle at a low point in life. And God says, no. If you can give me some praise, if you can begin to magnify me, if you can begin to glorify me, I'll give you so much better than you ever dreamed or you ever imagined. But you've got to decide that you're going to live a first-class life for God and quit giving Him second-hand stuff." [01:02:46] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Some of you have come in here this morning and you can't find nothing big to praise God about. So you just decided to be a bunch of wet wood that wouldn't burn. But if you'll find you some little wood, if you'll find you some little reasons to praise God, before you know it, you'll have some big reasons to praise God. Oh, hallelujah. So if you're here this morning, and I'm not trying to be sarcastic. Well, I'm right there with you. I've come through three weeks of a wet spell. Can I say it like that? But I'm stacking up some little wood this morning. How many of you can just gather around the altar right now and say, God, I'm going to purpose in my heart before I come and get this dinner plate. I'm going to find something. I'm going to find something to praise you for. And eventually, I'm going to see something greater to praise you for. And then I'm going to see something great until I can't stand the blessings of the Lord." [01:14:42] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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