TOPIC: PRAYER, PRAISE AND WORSHIP.
MEMORISE:
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
READ: Acts 16:25-34.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
MESSAGE:
God’s desire for all His children is greatness. He wishes that they proper, be in health even as their souls prosper (3 John 2). However, a study of the word of God reveals that there are certain requirements for greatness, three of which are prayers, praises and worship. John 4:24 says:
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Prayer is category communication with God in line with His will. In praises we thank God for what He has done, what He is doing and what He is yet to do. In worship, we appreciate God for who He is. God expects all of creation to worship Him; however, there are various categories of worshippers.
One category of worshippers comprises those who, at one time or the other, received a blessing from God (Psalm 150:6). No matter how little you think the goodness of the Lord in your life may be, it is imperative that you praise Him.
The next category of worshippers are the afflicted ones. These include the bereaved, the sorrowful, the disappointed and the discouraged in our midst. A classic example is job. Job was a man who worshipped God in prosperity (Job 1:1-5), in the midst of satanic afflictions (Job 1:15 to 2:9) and at the point of his turnaround (Job 42:1-6).
The third category of worshippers are the vessels unto honor (1 Timothy 2:19-21). Vessels unto dishonor are those used by devil to change joy to sorrow. There are the agents of the devil. A vessel unto honor however, is someone God can use anytime, anyway and anywhere He wants to. Worship characterizes vessels unto honor. In addition, vessels unto honor are chosen by God (John 15:16). Such people are willing to be chosen and ready to live holy all the time.
Are you a vessel unto honor? If yes, go ahead and give high praise to God. If not, repent and cry unto God for mercy.
May the Lord make and keep you as a vessel unto honor in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me a grateful heart and the grace to praise and worship You always, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 78-80.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 19: PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM, JESUS OUR BLESSED REDEEMER.
1. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.
o Refrain:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
2. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
3. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.
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