Day 1 - The Priority of Praise

[fmckinnon]

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Today we begin Week 2 - Understanding Praise.

Monday's lesson (Day 1) is called "The Priority of Praise". There is a good bit of Scripture reading in today's post - so take the time to read, study, and take in God's Word.

What's been your attitude toward praise in the past?

[RuthABraun]

I bet you all are probably like me in that music can reach a place in my heart and my head that words alone can't reach, so after doing the reading this morning I listened to Gateway Church's "Revelation Song". I have been sitting in my chair crying, raising my hands, trying not to shout out as hubby and son are still in bed, worshipping God from a place within me that is almost visceral, like ripping my heart out and offering it to God (weird image, I know, but that's how it feels). Although I'm alone in my living room right now, all of heaven is joining with me right now in praising the King of Kings. What a great image from today's lesson! My attitude toward praise has been mostly thanksgiving up until this morning; now I realize that, even if I had nothing, not even salvation, He is still the only One who is worthy of any praise and I am to praise Him because of who He is, not for what He's done or what He's given me. Jesus, I can't wait to see you face-to-face and join with the millions that praise Your name now and forever!

[fmckinnon]

Ruth,
That's exactly the song I was singing - a powerful one, for sure.

[MandoRon]

I don't know Revelation Song... I'll check it out.

My praise is inconsistent. I occasionally remember to praise God when I'm blessed, and never in the storms...

God showed us today that He will be praised no matter what. And it's our job to take a part in praising Him. Not because He needs or praise - He has a backup plan ready that involves the stones - but because He deserves our praise.

[dwaynemoore]

Hey everyone, thanks again for the doing the study.

Wannabe a Worshiper had it right about last week:

"What I think of as I look at this study, is that we are being given a blueprint for building a temple of praise. First, the foundation has to be laid. Week 1 was about building the right foundation. In the coming weeks, we will see the floor go down, the walls go up, and the roof go on. We didn't start by building the roof; that will come later."

Couldn't have said it better myself! The first week was intentionally basic and foundational. Please keep in mind that I wrote this study, not so much for well-grounded leaders, but as a tool for those worship leaders to use with their layman worship teams, who may not be so grounded about Biblical worship.

Week 2 is still a part of the foundational stage as we sort out what worship and praise really means and how we are to express it on a daily basis. Please make the time needed to do the Daily Surrenders and Praises. And be sure to participate in every Daily Praise this week. Practicing praise in private is one of the most important and impacting elements of Pure Praise.

Blessings!
Dwayne

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Thanks, Dwayne, for your comment. Sometimes, God speaks in an almost audible voice...

Revelation song is all over Youtube. Just go there and search "Revelation Song". I listened to the version by Indiana Bible College Choir. Awe-inspiring.

I found a version on Youtube that has the words on the screen, so you can sing along and learn it.
Thanks for bringing this song to our attention.

[alangustin]

Revelation Song... awesome song! Just heard it for the first time. One to add to the list.

I lead chapel praise at a treatment facility for eating disordered women, and one of the ladies' favorite songs is "Ain't No Rock" by LaMarquis Jefferson. There are all kinds of arrangements for this song out there. The ladies have hand and body motions that go along with the verse and chorus, and it's cool to see them praising to this song. I often quote the scripture about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and about Jesus proclaiming that the stones would cry out if His people were kept from praising, to give real meaning to the song, instead of it just being a "fun song".

Learning and teaching about praise and worship is making my heart sing out to the One it is all about! I am totally enjoying this study and the awesome and inspiring participation by all of you.

My attitude toward praise in the past has not always been a good one. There was a period of time when I was in the desert and considered leading praise and worship merely to be a job. Staying in the Word and the counsel of my fellow believers brought me out of that funk and into a place where I got back to my true love of God Almighty - and all that His love inspires in me.
Since then, I am free again to worship the King in Spirit and in Truth! Praise Him!

AG

[sblawrence]

I really liked the idea that when we are worshiping, we are joining in something that is already going on. We're not starting this thing from scratch, but joining an ongoing chorus of praise to our king. I also really appreciated the airplane analogy...how praise extends as far as the eye can see.

[MandoRon]

I really liked the idea that when we are worshiping, we are joining in something that is already going on. We're not starting this thing from scratch, but joining an ongoing chorus of praise to our king.

Excellent observation!

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

On Friday, we were asked to pray that God would "show up and show out." I'm not sure that God showed out, but He did show up. But it wasn't because of the music. During the medley (song set) we sang, the computer froze up, and the words didn't change. By the time it unfroze, we were on the next song, and the video guy had trouble finding where we were. Part of the time I was, as the book said today, "the only one in the congregation who [was] paricipating."
How good to know that, though our praise was imperfect, the praise surrounding the throne in Heaven did not get messed up, and was sung perfectly!

Now about today's study.
I loved the word picture of being in an airplane looking out and seeing the vastness of praise. I had never thought of it like that. And the two chapters in Revelation that show us the magnificent, never-ending praise that surrounds God's throne, Wow! God doesn't need our praise; there is plenty of praise going on around Him all the time. The fact that he desires and enjoys our imperfect praise is a testament to His amazing love for us.
One part that stood out to me was the statement, "Throughout Israel's history, the people's most shining moments- those most pleasing to God- were times they lifted God up in praise." Our poor, bungled, sometimes miserable attempts to praise God are the finest moments of our lives!

What an amazing, awesome ,beautiful, loving God we serve!

Thank You Lord God, that my imperfect praise brings You pleasure. And thank You for letting us know that You are being praised, even when we aren't the ones doing the praising.

[RuthABraun]

"I'm not sure that God showed out, but He did show up. But it wasn't because of the music. During the medley (song set) we sang, the computer froze up, and the words didn't change. By the time it unfroze, we were on the next song, and the video guy had trouble finding where we were. Part of the time I was, as the book said today, "the only one in the congregation who [was] paricipating."

I'm glad (I guess) that I'm not the only one that is having some "technical" difficulties in worship since starting this study. We had a major blowout between personnel in the worship team Sunday morning in practice, which ended up in the acoustic player (the pastor) and the drummer (his daughter) walking out in opposite directions, both swearing they would not return. Lots of tears and crying out to God for healing from the rest of us who got caught between "the rock and the hard place" of their conflict, and none of us really felt like leading worship, but the keyboard player (a teenager!) reminded us that it was our job and that we would be letting a lot of people down AND letting God down if we didn't proceed. God met us in a big, intimate, emotional way that morning during worship, and we felt sorry for the two that had left because they missed out on the blessing God had for us that day. God WILL be praised, regardless of what we do! Loved what someone posted about God having an alternate plan involving stones -- LOL!

[robert.adams]

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

God "shows out" every time His Spirit moves within us and we follow and obey. Jesus told his disciples to sit tight and wait for the Spirit to come. To not go anywhere without it. Once it came, greater things than the miracles Jesus did during His ministry on earth became possible. Greater, because they could now reach the "remotest part of the earth."

Praise of God is not born of a sinful nature. It cannot be done apart from the Holy Spirit abiding in a heart, soul and mind cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The power that is in the Spirit's praise and which flows through God's worshippers is unstoppable in two ways. It goes on eternally, and it overcomes hopelessness and sin. Wannabe A Worshipper mentioned that "God doesn't need our praise," and he's right. The truth is, we need our praise of God, because it keeps us in that critical relationship with our Lord on which life itself depends. That makes it very vast indeed.

[cynthiacullen]

For me, being a musician can be a good thing and a bad thing when to comes to praising God through the vehicle of music. I will be honest...I praise God from the bottom of my toes when I am listening to music that is well-written, melodic, and sounds good. I get SO distracted praising God through the vehicle of music (especially in a live setting) when it doesn't sound good and it is not done well. I CANNOT wait to get to Heaven and hear words and music that I could not possibly imagine performed in a way I cannot conceive. Reading Revelation 4 got me stoked!!!! I praise God in my personal time quite often without music so I will not be distracted and will give my TOTAL attention to who He is and not this " musician-thing" that sometimes is a road block for me in praising God.

[Rogenia]

Growing up in church is one of the first things, I think we learn is doing, and that is to thank God. And it becomes a part of our daily language. What is different now is that I have learned “how to praise and thank God” and the true meaning of “Praising Him.”
Past praising was whenever something good would happen in my life, I could not praise Him enough. But it was wonderful, when I learned to praise Him, even when going through the storm.
Past Praising verses Today’s praising

 In the past my attitude was not always one that a child of God should show. Now I thank God for helping me to develop a positive spiritual attitude in praising him and rejoicing regardless of my situations. (Ps. 34:1; Phil. 4:4-7)
 In the past, I have not always praise God from the bottom of my soul - it was sometimes an emotional roller coaster. I thank God today, that I praise Him from the depth of my heart. I know that it is right and I feel right because of the level of praise that I am able to give him. (Ps. 34:2)
 In the past, I spent so much times telling others what was wrong, instead of praising God for what was about to take place. I am sure that I dampen their spirit as well as mine. I thank God now, which I am able to spread the joy and will of God to others. No matter what is taking place now (good or bad) I continue to give God the glory. I believe that it is important not to infect others but to affect others. (Ps. 34:2-3)
 In the past, I did not realize that praise opens our spirit to the will of God and in return He opens His provision to us. “When the praises goes up - the blessings comes down.” His provisions are our blessings. Thank God (Ps. 34:8-10)
 In the past, I was always praising God for delivering me and now my praises are give God thanks: for giving me life in the first place, placing me among Godly people, giving me grace and power to overcome the enemies, for all the threats of the year(s) gone past that did not consume me and my family, and HIS faithfulness and grace beyond my understanding.
 I even thank Him now for my enemies helping me to discover the spirit of God in me; and know how to “Just say yes to Him.”

[Rogenia]

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

God "shows out" every time His Spirit moves within us and we follow and obey. Jesus told his disciples to sit tight and wait for the Spirit to come. To not go anywhere without it. Once it came, greater things than the miracles Jesus did during His ministry on earth became possible. Greater, because they could now reach the "remotest part of the earth."

Praise of God is not born of a sinful nature. It cannot be done apart from the Holy Spirit abiding in a heart, soul and mind cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The power that is in the Spirit's praise and which flows through God's worshippers is unstoppable in two ways. It goes on eternally, and it overcomes hopelessness and sin. Wannabe A Worshipper mentioned that "God doesn't need our praise," and he's right. The truth is, we need our praise of God, because it keeps us in that critical relationship with our Lord on which life itself depends. That makes it very vast indeed.
Robert, you said a mouth full this time. "Praise cannot be done apart from the Holy Spirit abiding in a heart, soul and mind cleansed by the blood of Jesus." "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. " My Sacred Heart is calling all nations to hear My Voice: That you may be converted and be able to praise and extol and glorify Me your God. Thank you. God Bless! Rogenia

[Rogenia]

For me, being a musician can be a good thing and a bad thing when to comes to praising God through the vehicle of music. I will be honest...I praise God from the bottom of my toes when I am listening to music that is well-written, melodic, and sounds good. I get SO distracted praising God through the vehicle of music (especially in a live setting) when it doesn't sound good and it is not done well. I CANNOT wait to get to Heaven and hear words and music that I could not possibly imagine performed in a way I cannot conceive. Reading Revelation 4 got me stoked!!!! I praise God in my personal time quite often without music so I will not be distracted and will give my TOTAL attention to who He is and not this " musician-thing" that sometimes is a road block for me in praising God.
Cynkeys, I am not a musician and do not sing in the choir. However, I do understand what you are saying. At one time, I was so focus on the choir and praise team, until I was not hearing what God had for me. I talked with my pastor and went on a fast. Believe it or not - then the focus began God and (smile) the music started sounding pretty good all the time - even when they were off. I am sure that it was God doing something in my life - to get me back focus on Him. It is not about nothing but "Jesus" and I must keep that in my mind and soul at all times. Rogenia

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Thanks, Robert for pointing out what I already knew, but was overlooking:
The reason God wants us to worship Him is not because He needs it; it is because He knows how much good praising Him does us. We are the ones who benefit from praise.

[efrisch]

It can be easy to forget the ways that creation praises God. To think that all of the heavens and the earths are constantly glorifying Him, how could we not be inspired to join in?! I also agree with what I've read above about the benefit of praise for ourselves... I suspect that one of the things that makes our praise most pleasing to God's ears is the motivation behind it. There are plenty of people who go to church and sing "because I should", or worse: "because I have to". If we can come to a place where we are praising God because it is all we want to do in that moment, because we are part of that creation that simply can't help ourselves... wouldn't that bring an incredible amount of glory to our Lord?

[MidlandFlute]

Day 1 pointed out for me how [I]Glorious[B] He is and was and is to come. There are at least 10 or 12 renditions on U Tube of "Revelation Song". I got caught up for most of today listening and praising God for each and every one! It was just an Awesome time for me! The first song that I heard about last Friday was "Face Down" by Matt Redman Thank God for these times of just "Getting Lost" in Him and His Glory. I am so thankful tonight for the Pure Praise study and your insights about really Understanding Worship, and making God my first Priority each day. He really did a work in my heart today! I was so touched by what He did and how He did it!
I have been praising the Lord while listening to two of His Spirit annointed songs, that I didn't even know before I started the Pure Praise study. Can you believe? I didn't even have CD's of either song until I was able to pick them up this afternoon from Mardel's, our local Christian bookstore. Thank God they had both CD's in stock! I haven't had time but to listen to 1 Praise Song from each disk, but I have listened to enough to say I really recommend both albums to all of you! Just awesome!
1. 'Blessed Be Your Name' The Songs Of Matt Redman Vol. 1, esp. track 9
2. 'Living For You' gateway worship, esp. track 7
Can't wait until Worship practice Wednesday evening to share these choruses with our Worship team at Church!
God Bless You All and have a great week as we study these Lessons each day!:o

Don

[hisfirewithin]

I think I needed the encouragement about joining the host of Heaven in praise every time we sing to God. I've been using "Revelation Song" for a couple of months now. I think it's this generation's "Agnus Dei"

[TruePraise]

this past week, as we began our "singing" part of the service, our pastor reminded the congregation that we were joining a great choir of worshipers that had already been worshiping God, all around the world, in different languages and styles and how were simply joining that choir and adding our voices to it....

That is what I thought of when I was reading the part about ongoing praise in heaven...when we open our voices to praise God, we are joining the ongoing heavenly choir that is going on all the time...i think that is just neat....the praise is always going on...and I am just joining in....

[christyg]

When I read today's reading at the end of it, the song "Let Every Thing that has Breathe Praise the Lord." We were put on this Earth to praise and honor God.

[Wrapped in Jesus Love!]

Being a choir director I often have some people who tell me they can't sing on the choir because they can't carry a tune. That becomes a very touchy subject and sometimes is difficult to deal with. But I am positive that in God's eyes they have an absolutely beautiful voice. I was talking with one of those people recently. She doesn't sing on the choir. She said she has a terrible voice. She will probably never sing on the choir but I did tell her that I bet when she sings, God looks down at her with much happiness and love. She has a passionate heart and I am sure that God hears her voice in a totally different way than any human will ever hear her voice. Psalm 33 starts with the following words: "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting fo the upright to praise him."

As a few others mentioned in their posts to this reading, music also touches me in a way that nothing else does. I am passionate about music and it helps me to enter into a worshipful attitude. I thank God for all the praise and worship songs that are available to allow us to sing his praises.