Six Spiritual Disciplines
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Praising of God
This aspect of our spiritual lives is a very in-depth and important one. This is the point of our lives where we publicly express what
we know of our God. Psalm 68:25-26 (AMP) 25 The singers go in front, the players on instruments last; between them the
maidens are playing on tambourines. 26 Bless, give thanks, and gratefully praise God in full congregations, even the Lord, O
you who are from [Jacob] the fountain of Israel.
This is part of our witness and testimony to His goodness, strength, power, and working in our life, and the lives of others. Psalm
150:1-6 (AMP) 1 PRAISE THE Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power! 2 Praise Him for His
mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute
and harp! 4 Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! 5
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath and every breath
of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Praise and worship are also very powerful when combined but need to be viewed as two distinct practices. Revelation 15:4
(AMP) 4 Who shall not reverence and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You only are
holy. All the nations shall come and pay homage and adoration to You, for Your just judgments (Your righteous sentences and
deeds) have been made known and displayed.
Praise, can be given to any one, worship is reserved for God alone. Now do not misunderstand, the praise for what God has done
should be given to Him as he deserves, but we are permitted to praise one another, and recognize each others achievements.
Praising God, should not only be done as in a song, or dance, but also as a way of life, when asked how something miraculous and
wonderful occurred in our lives, we as believers and servants of God, should automatically point to God and say He did it, and give
witness and testimony to that fact. Our praises of God's power, draw people to Christ and serve to protect us in tough times. When
the healed men of Jesus day, ran around praising Him, others came to see. Luke 5:25-26 (AMP) 25 And instantly [the man]
stood up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went away to his house, recognizing and praising and
thanking God. 26 And overwhelming astonishment and ecstasy seized them all, and they recognized and praised and thanked
God; and they were filled with and controlled by reverential fear and kept saying, We have seen wonderful and strange and
incredible and unthinkable things today!
If we search our lives and find those times when we shouldn't have made it, or just can't figure out how we accomplished something
that is when we see God moving in our lives. Praising Him when we are feeling lack, or suffering, for those past victories, current
condition, and future deliverance; helps us to protect our hearts from the enemy finding a way into our hearts.
Just like a general is recognized for his past military victories, our God needs to be recognized for His victories, forgetting what He
has done, is not only dangerous, but also presents us as ungrateful to God. Seeing in the past He got us through one situation,
gives Hope He can get us through another. Sharing what He has done for you in a particular way, can spread hope to someone
else struggling with something in the same area, Acts 4:19-21 (AMP) 19 But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right
in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). 20 But we [ourselves] cannot help
telling what we have seen and heard. 21 Then when [the rulers and council members] had further threatened them, they let them
go, not seeing how they could secure a conviction against them because of the people; for everybody was praising and
glorifying God for what had occurred.
The next aspect, Praising God for the current situation, takes a little more push. The ability to see and realize how much worse it
could be, and can be, helps. Seeing that God has buffeted the situation, so that although we go through, we can realize it is only a
certain portion of what was sent against us. Look here at how Job dealt with all the pain and loss that he faced, Job 1:21-22 (AMP)
21 And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions)
shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
22 In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.
Many times we must look at the lives of others and see how much worse they have it, and God reminds us in several scriptures that
this is temporary, and to look past it, Romans 8:17-18 (AMP) 17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of
God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
18 [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with
the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!
Sometimes our situation right now seems so big, we cannot look past it to see God on the other side, we need to stop and pray
and ask for God's view, so we can see, it is not bigger than God and in fact, in all situations, God stands mighty and powerful, over
the circumstances, to turn all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
(AMP) 28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan]
for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
Other Scriptures to Help us get through the NOW, James 1:2-13, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Psalms 23, 27, 40, 91, 139, Hebrews 12:1-13.
When we praise God for His hand still being with us, and praise Him that He is stronger, we are acting in Faith. Romans 8:24-26
(AMP) 24 For in [this] hope we were saved. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what he
already sees? 25 But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. 26 So too the [Holy]
Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings
too deep for utterance.
This is the time to combine the discipline of prayer and praise. When we stand up and say, “God is in control, so I thank God for
this time where He can be glorified,” we are walking in Faith. Remember the disciples asked Jesus, John 9:1-2 (AMP) 1 AS HE
passed along, He noticed a man blind from his birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he should be born blind?
Now check out what our Lord and Savior had to say, John 9:3 (AMP) 3 Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents
sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him.
We will be used for God's glory, we can participate with joy, or sit back in mourning, but God will have His name praised. Romans
14:11 (AMP) 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God
[acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise].
Glorifying God in the midst isn't easy, but it deepens your faith, your resolve, and your relationship with Him. God does not need us
to praise Him, but He is worthy, and He desires it. Even if we decide not to do it, God will receive it, Luke 19:37-40 (AMP) 37 As
He was approaching [the city], at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to rejoice and to
praise God [extolling Him exultantly and] loudly for all the mighty miracles and works of power that they had witnessed, 38
Crying, Blessed (celebrated with praises) is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven [freedom there from
all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin] and glory (majesty and splendor) in the highest [heaven]! 39 And
some of the Pharisees from the throng said to Jesus, Teacher, reprove Your disciples! 40 He replied, I tell you that if these keep
silent, the very stones will cry out.
Moving to the next step in faith, we praise God for the victorious outcome. Knowing that God has promised to bring a resolve to all
situations, we can in Faith praise Him for future actions. We can praise God saying, I know God will get me through, I know my God
delivers, I know that sorrow lasts the night but joy comes in the morning. Job 19:25-26 (AMP) 25 For I know that my Redeemer
and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin, even this body, has been
destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God,
Psalm 30:4-5 (AMP) 4 Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His
anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in
the morning.
Instead of belittling yourself, saying that God must be mad, God is punishing me, look to Job, who did no wrong, but in the end
Glorified God by his faithfulness to God. The strongest assurance any Christian Disciple has is this, one day it will be all over one
way or the other, and we have the promise that we will be with God on earth and in heaven, Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) 38 For I am
persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers,39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So no matter what, we are blessed. We can walk with God here in victory or go to live with Him in eternity, we have a great future.
God promised in the book of Jeremiah,Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you
look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
God has promised to never lie or to change his mind, He said he would always deliver on His promises, Psalm 89:33-34 (NLT) 33
But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. 34 No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a
single word I said.
So as we grow deeper in the Word, reading the bible and learn of His biblical promises for the future we can praise Him, as we
grow deeper in our personal communications praying to Him and hearing His voice and His plans for us, we can praise Him.
Malachi 1:11 (NLT) 11 But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they
offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’
s Armies.
A Christian Disciple without praise is like a bow with no arrows, we become useless in the kingdom of God, and Jesus said that a
tree will be judged by its fruit, those who do not bear fruit will be cast into the fire, and we are told by the fruit of our lips, to praise
God. James 3:9-12 (AMP) 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness! 10
Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. 11 Does a fountain
send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a
grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.
Our very mouths are designed to utter the praises of God, the witness of Christ, and the confession of His love and power.
One last aspect I would like to mention is praise music. I am of the firm belief that Music was designed by God to be universal, no
matter what land or people you go to, there is music. I personally believe there are no evil sounds or music, while yes, there are
lyrics that are inappropriate and glorify evil things; the same can not be said of instruments or styles of music. God is the designer
and giver of inspiration, so if He inspires a man to make praise in rap, so be it, if He inspires another to praise him in hard core
rock, so be it, John 1:3-4 (NIV) 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In
him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The praises of God are to be lifted up and announced before the multitudes, in the book of psalms especially 146-150 we see so
much about praise, shouting, dancing, singing, playing, God wants us to be 100% into His praise, that is why when He says, Love
God with all your strength, this is a great opportunity to do so. Let us examine the first verse of the 3rd chapter of the prophet
Habakkuk, Habakkuk 3:1 (AMP) 1 A PRAYER of Habakkuk the prophet, set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music.
Look at the adjectives used, WILD, ENTHUSIASTIC, TRIUMPHAL, God wants us to rock the foundations of the earth with His
praise. Limiting God's praises to a particular sound, or genre limits the outreach of God to take back the gifts and talents He has
placed in people to lift up His name and to edify us. I would encourage every one to try new praise music, and what ever moves
your spirit, use it, but don't knock another type if it blesses someone else. Like the other disciplines there is group and private
aspects to praise, it needs to be done in both to be 100% effective in your life.
Praise in private, praise in public, praise in Church, praise on the street corner, Jesus said if you are embarrassed of me I will be
embarrassed of you. The praise that truly glorifies God, and exalts Jesus, is the praise of His work in our life, to a unbeliever, when
was the last time you praised like that?
we know of our God. Psalm 68:25-26 (AMP) 25 The singers go in front, the players on instruments last; between them the
maidens are playing on tambourines. 26 Bless, give thanks, and gratefully praise God in full congregations, even the Lord, O
you who are from [Jacob] the fountain of Israel.
This is part of our witness and testimony to His goodness, strength, power, and working in our life, and the lives of others. Psalm
150:1-6 (AMP) 1 PRAISE THE Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power! 2 Praise Him for His
mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute
and harp! 4 Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! 5
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath and every breath
of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Praise and worship are also very powerful when combined but need to be viewed as two distinct practices. Revelation 15:4
(AMP) 4 Who shall not reverence and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You only are
holy. All the nations shall come and pay homage and adoration to You, for Your just judgments (Your righteous sentences and
deeds) have been made known and displayed.
Praise, can be given to any one, worship is reserved for God alone. Now do not misunderstand, the praise for what God has done
should be given to Him as he deserves, but we are permitted to praise one another, and recognize each others achievements.
Praising God, should not only be done as in a song, or dance, but also as a way of life, when asked how something miraculous and
wonderful occurred in our lives, we as believers and servants of God, should automatically point to God and say He did it, and give
witness and testimony to that fact. Our praises of God's power, draw people to Christ and serve to protect us in tough times. When
the healed men of Jesus day, ran around praising Him, others came to see. Luke 5:25-26 (AMP) 25 And instantly [the man]
stood up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went away to his house, recognizing and praising and
thanking God. 26 And overwhelming astonishment and ecstasy seized them all, and they recognized and praised and thanked
God; and they were filled with and controlled by reverential fear and kept saying, We have seen wonderful and strange and
incredible and unthinkable things today!
If we search our lives and find those times when we shouldn't have made it, or just can't figure out how we accomplished something
that is when we see God moving in our lives. Praising Him when we are feeling lack, or suffering, for those past victories, current
condition, and future deliverance; helps us to protect our hearts from the enemy finding a way into our hearts.
Just like a general is recognized for his past military victories, our God needs to be recognized for His victories, forgetting what He
has done, is not only dangerous, but also presents us as ungrateful to God. Seeing in the past He got us through one situation,
gives Hope He can get us through another. Sharing what He has done for you in a particular way, can spread hope to someone
else struggling with something in the same area, Acts 4:19-21 (AMP) 19 But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right
in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). 20 But we [ourselves] cannot help
telling what we have seen and heard. 21 Then when [the rulers and council members] had further threatened them, they let them
go, not seeing how they could secure a conviction against them because of the people; for everybody was praising and
glorifying God for what had occurred.
The next aspect, Praising God for the current situation, takes a little more push. The ability to see and realize how much worse it
could be, and can be, helps. Seeing that God has buffeted the situation, so that although we go through, we can realize it is only a
certain portion of what was sent against us. Look here at how Job dealt with all the pain and loss that he faced, Job 1:21-22 (AMP)
21 And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions)
shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
22 In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.
Many times we must look at the lives of others and see how much worse they have it, and God reminds us in several scriptures that
this is temporary, and to look past it, Romans 8:17-18 (AMP) 17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of
God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
18 [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with
the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!
Sometimes our situation right now seems so big, we cannot look past it to see God on the other side, we need to stop and pray
and ask for God's view, so we can see, it is not bigger than God and in fact, in all situations, God stands mighty and powerful, over
the circumstances, to turn all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
(AMP) 28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan]
for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
Other Scriptures to Help us get through the NOW, James 1:2-13, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Psalms 23, 27, 40, 91, 139, Hebrews 12:1-13.
When we praise God for His hand still being with us, and praise Him that He is stronger, we are acting in Faith. Romans 8:24-26
(AMP) 24 For in [this] hope we were saved. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what he
already sees? 25 But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. 26 So too the [Holy]
Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings
too deep for utterance.
This is the time to combine the discipline of prayer and praise. When we stand up and say, “God is in control, so I thank God for
this time where He can be glorified,” we are walking in Faith. Remember the disciples asked Jesus, John 9:1-2 (AMP) 1 AS HE
passed along, He noticed a man blind from his birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he should be born blind?
Now check out what our Lord and Savior had to say, John 9:3 (AMP) 3 Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents
sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him.
We will be used for God's glory, we can participate with joy, or sit back in mourning, but God will have His name praised. Romans
14:11 (AMP) 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God
[acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise].
Glorifying God in the midst isn't easy, but it deepens your faith, your resolve, and your relationship with Him. God does not need us
to praise Him, but He is worthy, and He desires it. Even if we decide not to do it, God will receive it, Luke 19:37-40 (AMP) 37 As
He was approaching [the city], at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to rejoice and to
praise God [extolling Him exultantly and] loudly for all the mighty miracles and works of power that they had witnessed, 38
Crying, Blessed (celebrated with praises) is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven [freedom there from
all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin] and glory (majesty and splendor) in the highest [heaven]! 39 And
some of the Pharisees from the throng said to Jesus, Teacher, reprove Your disciples! 40 He replied, I tell you that if these keep
silent, the very stones will cry out.
Moving to the next step in faith, we praise God for the victorious outcome. Knowing that God has promised to bring a resolve to all
situations, we can in Faith praise Him for future actions. We can praise God saying, I know God will get me through, I know my God
delivers, I know that sorrow lasts the night but joy comes in the morning. Job 19:25-26 (AMP) 25 For I know that my Redeemer
and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin, even this body, has been
destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God,
Psalm 30:4-5 (AMP) 4 Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His
anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in
the morning.
Instead of belittling yourself, saying that God must be mad, God is punishing me, look to Job, who did no wrong, but in the end
Glorified God by his faithfulness to God. The strongest assurance any Christian Disciple has is this, one day it will be all over one
way or the other, and we have the promise that we will be with God on earth and in heaven, Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) 38 For I am
persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers,39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So no matter what, we are blessed. We can walk with God here in victory or go to live with Him in eternity, we have a great future.
God promised in the book of Jeremiah,Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you
look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
God has promised to never lie or to change his mind, He said he would always deliver on His promises, Psalm 89:33-34 (NLT) 33
But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. 34 No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a
single word I said.
So as we grow deeper in the Word, reading the bible and learn of His biblical promises for the future we can praise Him, as we
grow deeper in our personal communications praying to Him and hearing His voice and His plans for us, we can praise Him.
Malachi 1:11 (NLT) 11 But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they
offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’
s Armies.
A Christian Disciple without praise is like a bow with no arrows, we become useless in the kingdom of God, and Jesus said that a
tree will be judged by its fruit, those who do not bear fruit will be cast into the fire, and we are told by the fruit of our lips, to praise
God. James 3:9-12 (AMP) 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness! 10
Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. 11 Does a fountain
send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a
grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.
Our very mouths are designed to utter the praises of God, the witness of Christ, and the confession of His love and power.
One last aspect I would like to mention is praise music. I am of the firm belief that Music was designed by God to be universal, no
matter what land or people you go to, there is music. I personally believe there are no evil sounds or music, while yes, there are
lyrics that are inappropriate and glorify evil things; the same can not be said of instruments or styles of music. God is the designer
and giver of inspiration, so if He inspires a man to make praise in rap, so be it, if He inspires another to praise him in hard core
rock, so be it, John 1:3-4 (NIV) 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In
him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The praises of God are to be lifted up and announced before the multitudes, in the book of psalms especially 146-150 we see so
much about praise, shouting, dancing, singing, playing, God wants us to be 100% into His praise, that is why when He says, Love
God with all your strength, this is a great opportunity to do so. Let us examine the first verse of the 3rd chapter of the prophet
Habakkuk, Habakkuk 3:1 (AMP) 1 A PRAYER of Habakkuk the prophet, set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music.
Look at the adjectives used, WILD, ENTHUSIASTIC, TRIUMPHAL, God wants us to rock the foundations of the earth with His
praise. Limiting God's praises to a particular sound, or genre limits the outreach of God to take back the gifts and talents He has
placed in people to lift up His name and to edify us. I would encourage every one to try new praise music, and what ever moves
your spirit, use it, but don't knock another type if it blesses someone else. Like the other disciplines there is group and private
aspects to praise, it needs to be done in both to be 100% effective in your life.
Praise in private, praise in public, praise in Church, praise on the street corner, Jesus said if you are embarrassed of me I will be
embarrassed of you. The praise that truly glorifies God, and exalts Jesus, is the praise of His work in our life, to a unbeliever, when
was the last time you praised like that?
Prayer Can Help Ministries
Six Christian Disciplines Continued here
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