Bible Study started last night and I always get just about double the benefit if I type of a recap. It gives me a chance to reflect and try and organize what was discussed.
We are going through the devotional book "Whispers of Hope" by Beth Moore. As part of this study, she asks us to pray a certain acrostic: PRAISE. (Praise, Repentance, Acknowledgement, Intercession, Supplication, and Equipping). She's not saying we have to pray this way forever, just asks we would do it for the duration of this study.
If I were going to show what my prayer life looks like, I would have to honestly say it looks like this:
p.aise
Get the picture???
So, we are going to take one of these letters each week for awhile and discuss it. Last night was Praise.
Back, probably 20-25 years ago, we used to play a game with our good friends: True Colors. In this game there would be a random statement and the group would vote on who this statement fit the best. For example, one might say "Who would be most likely to push all the elevator buttons on the way out?" and we would all put a little vote card in an envelope. We later went on to make our own version of the game and we just call it "The Envelope Game." (BTW--teens love this once they agree to play.) (And getting them to agree is tough!)
When I try to praise, is God feeling like this? That my praises are backhanded insults? Are my praises not honoring Him like they should?
What is praise? A definition of Christian praise is the joyful thanking and adoring of God, the celebration of His goodness and grace. -or- Praise: 1. the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation. 2.the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship.
What is the purpose? Worship, acknowledgement of who God is, admiration, honor, gratitude...we thought it should be ALL ABOUT GOD, not saying we praise Him because He did _____ for me. God knows who and what He is. Praise makes sure we realize who/what He is!!
Why should we praise?
1. He deserves it/He is worthy: Revelation 4:11; Psalm 145:3; Revelation 5:12
2. It Gives Him Glory
3. It takes my eyes off of me.
4. He made us--we just should! Psalm 139; Genesis
5. He tells us to: Revelation 5:12; Revelation 14:7; Psalm 103
What are some ways to praise?
Singing/Music
Prayer
Sharing the Word
Dancing
Using our Gifts
Live the Life--we are an example
All of the above can be done in a non-praiseful way or a praiseful way. It's all about our heart as we do them!
We came up with the Praise Alphabet, just for those times when you're in bed, awake, unable to go to sleep!!
A
|
Almighty
Abba Father
|
Revelation 11:17
Romans 8:15
|
B
|
Bread of Life
Bright Morning Star
|
John 6:35
Revelation 22:16
|
C
|
Creator
|
Genesis
Isaiah 40:28
|
D
|
Defender
Deliverer
|
Psalm 68:5
Isaiah 51:22
Psalm 18:2
|
E
|
Ever Present
Everlasting
|
Psalm 139:7-12
Psalm 106:1
|
F
|
Faithful
|
1 Corinthians 10:13
Lamentations 3:23
2 Chron 20:20
|
G
|
Good
|
Psalm 119:65-72
Psalm 25:8
|
H
|
Holy
Healer
|
1 Peter 1:14-16
Revelation 4:8-11
Psalm 30:2
|
I
|
Infinite
I AM
|
Genesis 1:1
John 1:1
Revelation 4:8
Exodus 3:14
|
J
|
Just
Judge
|
Deuteronomy 32:4
2 Corinthians 5:10
Psalm 9:8
|
K
|
Kind
Keeper
|
1 Corinthians 13:4
Jude 24
|
L
|
Love
Light
|
Romans
8:35, 37-39
I John
4:7-10
John 8:12
|
M
|
Merciful
Mediator
|
1 John 1:9
Psalm 51
1 Timothy 2:5
|
N
|
Never Changing
|
Isaiah 41:4
Hebrews 13:8
|
O
|
Omniscient
Owner
|
Daniel 2:21
Job 41:11
|
P
|
Powerful
Pure
|
Jeremiah 32:17
Psalm 12:6
|
Q
|
uniQue
Quickened (Alive)
|
Job 23:13
John 1:18
John 3:16
1 John 4:9
Revelation 1:18
|
R
|
Righteous
Rock
|
Psalm 145:17
Ephesians 4:22-24
Psalm 28:1
|
S
|
Sovereign
Strength
|
Daniel 4:35
Psalm 59:9
|
T
|
Truthful
Teacher
|
John 8:31-32
Luke 11:1
|
U
|
Unique
Upright
|
Exodus 15:11
Deuteronomy 32:4
|
V
|
Very Present Help
Vine
|
Psalm 46:1
John 15:5
|
W
|
Wise
Way
|
Romans 11:33
John 14:6
|
X
|
eXcellent
eXalted
|
Psalm 36:7
2 Peter 1:17
Psalm 97:9
|
Y
|
Yahweh
Yes
|
Psalm 18:31
2 Corinthians 1:20
|
Z
|
Zealous
|
Exodus 34:14
Deuteronomy 5:9
Nahum 1:2
Zachariah 8:2
|
Cool, huh?? What a wonderful God we have!!
And I'm not even going to charge you extra for this list...it's a free gift to you!!
