Praise

I am convinced that there is a powerful connection between praise and petition as I continue to reflect on the Sunday evening service at New River Worship Center.  Throughout the day on Monday I sensed that the Spirit was reminding me that I need to consistently and constantly review my personal "praise meter" and make sure that I am offering praise and thanksgiving to God.  The control panel on many of the newer model of vehicles allow you to immediately review the air pressure in your tires; the amount of fuel in your tank as well as your miles per gallon; the direction in which your vehicle is headed, oil gauge, temperature, as well as many other things.  If these things are true concerning our vehicles how much more should we be concerned about the condition of our soul?  In which spiritual direction are headed?  Are we full of the Spirit of God or is our life running on empty?  What is the temperature of our soul?  Is our relationship with God hot, cold, or even luke-warm?  What is the level of our "praise meter?"  Yesterday I referred to Psalm 34 in my post but today I want to share some of those verses with you.  I encourage you to take the time the review these passages and see if they speak to your heart.  According to the Bible the Word of God is powerful and I believe that it will speak to your heart as you meditate and reflect on its words.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  5 They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.  8 O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.  9 O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. 10 The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.  (The Amplified Bible)