Praise-The “Gate Pass” to Heaven
Psalm 100:1-4
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with
gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD
he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his
people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and
bless his name.”
Praise is the Gate Pass into the courts of God. God’s presence responds
when we are obedient and move upon HIM with worship! Worship
invokes the Lord’s presence and power to flow in our midst.
We often think that worship is a response only after the Holy Spirit
moves upon us; that is, when we are on our mountaintop. No! Actually,
it is the other way around!
The Word even goes further so say that God inhabits in the praises of His
people.
(Psalms 22:3)
Praise charges the human spirit…then the atmosphere of heaven
inhabits you and your spirit becomes filled with the presence of God.
Praise is a byproduct and outflow of faith, and a declaration of victory!
Praise is the language of faith!
Praise is the fruit of a genuine relationship with God. The religious wait
until they feel happy before they sing a new song to God, but Spirit led
believers praise Him at all times.
When we praise God, we become completely dominated and influenced
by God's power and Presence. Moreover, once you have tapped into the
atmosphere of heaven and the unending spring of joy —praise wells up
in your heart and you begin to manifest the Excellency of Jehovah.
Since praise manifests God’s presence, we must also understand that
praise repels the presence of the enemy. 2
When the children of Judah found themselves outnumbered by the
hostile armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, King Jehoshophat
and all the people sought the Lord for His help.
The Lord assured the people that this would be His battle.
He told them to go out against them, and He would do the fighting for
them. So what did the children of Judah do?
“Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever!” And the scripture says,
“...when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments
against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come
against Judah; and they were smitten” (2 Chronicles 20:22)
So on they went, praising God ahead of the army.
Praise is the Gate Pass to Victory!
When God’s people began to praise His name, it sent the enemy
running! I challenge you to become a person of praise, and you will
experience the release of the power of God!
Have you ever noticed when it is that the “gifts of the Spirit” operate in
a church service? The power and anointing of the Holy Spirit usually
become evident, subsequent to a time of worship and praise.
Praise means “to commend, to applaud or to magnify.” And Judah
means PRAISE.
However—as in every area---the enemy has done everything He could
do to sabotage music.
Satan knows the effect praise has on atmosphere better than anybody
else does. So why does He sabotage music? Because Satan hates God
and he knows that God loves to be praised.
In fact, Satan was the original praise leader in heaven before he was
fired (Eze 28:13-14). Satan loves it when he sees the children of God
restless and bored instead of praising Him.
“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O
LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalms 89:15)
Now is the time to make a joyful sound, whether you feel happy or not.
Do not wait until you feel happy before you sing a new song to God.
When you offer up the sacrifice of praise, you will watch yourself
overcome what you used to consider great challenges.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that
is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) 3
Love you,
Pastor Mike
