Verse Of The Week (11/27/15)

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                                Bless the LORD, O my soul, 
                                   and all that is within me, 
                                      bless His holy name.
                                             (Psa. 103:1)

My Prayer (11/25/15)

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I'm thinking about -- of all things, right? -- Thanksgiving.  I can't count my blessings.  What if I forget one?  What if I forget a hundred or more?  That's  quite likely.  While I can't count my blessings, I can begin to count.  My conclusion?  I'm more blessed than I can ever realize.  There are blessings of which I have no awareness or little recollection.

Thank You, Father of Lights, for every good and perfect gift You send (Jam. 1:17) -- those past, present and future.  You don't bless me because You have to.  You bless me because you want to. Keep me looking at You, not looking for the next blessing.  Today, I bless You (Psa. 103:1; 134:2). May Your Name be praised in each breath I take.

The Prepositions of Praise (Psa. 150, NASB)

1. IN - the preposition of location (v. 1).  His sanctuary is below and His firmament is above.  It only makes sense that everything in between is also acceptable.There is no wrong place to praise the Lord!
2. FOR - the preposition of reason (v. 2a).  As if you need a reason to praise the Lord!  Well, if you do, this verse gives you a launch pad.  God's deeds are many and mighty.  You are a recipient of them. Be more than thankful.  Be verbal.  Tell Him.
3. ACCORDING TO - the preposition of evaluation (v. 2b). (Yes, I know "according to" doesn't seem like a preposition, but I'm a preacher and I need desperately for things to be symmetrical.  Click here to verify this two-word preposition.) This is the preposition of evaluation.  How do you know if your praise "measures up"?  Well, are you praising Him "according to His excellent greatness"?  Your excellently great God deserves excellently great praise.  It is best to serve His praise hot.  No leftovers.
4. WITH - the preposition of accompaniment (vv. 3-6).  Praise is a compliment or fact expressed.  Use musical instruments of every kind. Utilize movement.  Use your voice.

What Can We Do? (Psa. 116)

You wish you could repay God for all His goodness (Psa. 116:12; 103:1-5, 10-12), but you know you cannot.  Is there anything you can do?  Yes!  God doesn't take cash, but He will consider MasterCard or Visa.

1.  MasterCard:  You can continue to acknowledge and praise Him.

2.  Visa:  You can continue to call on Him and remain dependent.

Observations:

• You are more blessed than you realize.
• You are blessed more often than you realize.
• The more you realize how much you are blessed, the more you need to give thanks and remain dependent. With blessing comes responsibility.  

Blessing God's Name (Neh. 9:4-38)

Read Nehemiah 9:4-38.

1. What does this passage tell you about blessing God's name?  (Hint:  What did the Levites focus upon?)
2. Finish this sentence:  To "bless God's name" is to .... (Give your own answer before going to number three.)
3. To "bless God's name" is to remind ourselves aloud about God's promises and His track record of fulfilling them.  You cannot bless God's name while speaking or thinking lowly of Him.
4. According to verse 8, why does God keep His promises? (Hint:  It has to do with His identity, not His activity.)

Praise the Lord! (Psa. 150:1-6)

Outline:

• Where to praise the Lord (v. 1).  In the close, restricted place (sanctuary).  In the open, unrestricted place (mighty expanse).  In other words, everywhere.
• Why to praise the Lord (v. 2).  For what He does ("His mighty deeds").  For Who He is ("His excellent greatness").
• How to praise the Lord (vv. 3-6).  With every instrument (vv. 3-5).  With every breath (v. 6).

Thesis:  

• Because we are commanded to praise the Lord, we must praise Him.

Helps:

• Each point should begin with "We must praise Him".  Example 1:  We must praise Him in the close, restricted places of life.  Example 2:  We must praise Him in the open, unrestricted places of life.
• Do a word study on "praise."  What does that mean?