WHY PRAISE IS IMPORTANT
1.Praise fulfills the purpose for which I was created.
I Peter 2:9 — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Isaiah 43:21 — the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
2.Praise is my destiny.
Revelation 5:13 — Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!”
3.Praise releases the presence of God.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 — Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
4.Praise focuses my mind on God.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
5.Praise is obedience.
Psalm 22:23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”
6.Praise is one thing I can give God.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
I Peter 2:5 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus.
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7.Praise and thanksgiving pleases the Lord.
Proverbs 15:8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.
I Timothy 2:1,3 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
Key Principle:With God, it’s the heart, not the mouth that matters!
Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”
Matthew 15:8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Mark 7:6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
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