Christian-Answers to Praise

I look out my window from where I am writing and I see the pear tree with the Spring leaves beginning to grow on it. It is no longer bare. Very promising and there is also a pink dogwood and it is showing a little less signs of spring; but does show improvement with the warm weather we have been having, and appears to be slightly growing a few leaves. I look at these two trees and I think about us Christians and those who call themselves followers or whatever you may consider yourself; and think about how we grow and flourish from one season in our Christian life to another.

It apears that some of us grow in our Christian path more slowly than others. Growth in God and growth in salvation comes in time and is something that depends upon how each person wants to grow and learn more about the path they have decided to accept and travel. Sometimes as a new Christian it is hard to grasp all of the benefits that comes with following the plan of Salvation. It is sometimes very hard to accept the help of this Almighty God and depend upon Him for all of our strength, even though He has said He would be there for us and all we have to do is ask. We go about our daily task; get into a bind and forget our benefits and then we get discouraged.

When we get to the discouragement stage, we have to almost pray through again...because we have not continued with constant prayer or worship as we should have on our walk with Him. I have learned the following: To keep our conversation going with the Lord, we should mediatate, pray, seeking His presence daily. I believe that our first voice to Him; should be the voice of praise. WE FORGET TO PRAISE HIM for all the things we take for granted. I don't know about you but I fully believe that it is by His mercy that I wake up each morning. It is by His mercy that I am healthy, it is by His mercy that I live a positive life with reassurance from Him in His word that all things work together to the good of those who love and obey His word.

There are so many things that are automatic in our life and yet sometimes it takes a bit of growing in our salvation to know that we should praise Him even when we do not "think" that we need Him. It is almost shameful to go to Him only when we get stressed out and do not have anyother alternative.  Yes, I have seen some people like this...it seemed they were embarrassed to go to God; it could have been there was iniquity in their heart. This is my theory;  it seems that if we only go to Him when we get to the end of our rope....we are saying that we can handle the everyday things; we just need you Lord for the big things. If we do not PRAISE HIM for the little things, how in the world can we ask Him to do something else for us?

"Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him." Psalms 22:23

"Let the heavens and earth praise Him, the seas and every thing that moveth therein." Psalms 69:34

"Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him accouding to His excellent greatness." Psalms 150:2

So we see from these scriptures give us admonition that we should praise Him and when we say the blessing over our food (which has left many households); it is a time of praise.

"By Him therefore, et us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. He. 13:15.

There are several things to ponder when we talk about prayer and praise...these are my perceptions and what I have learned from the word and my own life...

I do not feel comfortable going to God only when I need something...

I believe that any person who claims to be a christian, or a person of faith...whatever you call yourself...should have a time of worship to give thanks and praise for all that we have.

I do not believe that He is obligated to answer my prayers to my advantage....only He know what is best for me; especially if I have not taken the time to seek Him when I do not have a specific need.

When I go to God; if I have failed Him..I must remember what the scripture in Ps.66: 18 says: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." This scripture clarifies a lot to me..because it proves that we cannot do what we want to do and be justified and never have to ask His forgiveness.

I truly believe that we can get more answers to our prayers through "praise" and "thanksgiving." "ANSWERS TO PRAISE!" This is also an explanation of praying in a positive manner. Meaning...pray as though you have already received your blessing. Pray as though you know there is nothing that will hinder your request. "FAITH" ..Positive Prayer...but in so doing, we must remember that to get our answers; it must be that we fully submit to His will and it must be what stands for truth and righteousness. If we have never been thankful for what He has already done for us; how can we expect anything further from Him. We get in a hurry when we have a need yet we are slow sometimes to give Him, His honor and glory.

I am being critical; I am just reminding all of us Christians and those that believe in anything....we must praise the Lord and study His word as we have been given instructions; to have answers given in return. I do not mean that we are not receiving blessing everyday, because we are, but when it come times for something we need a decision on; we must make sure we have been on our pees and ques....

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Ti. 2:15....

All scripture from the KJV