Well, go ahead and do it.
Some folks wonder why we engage in some activities in a Pentecostal church. Our exuberance is visible, and our praise very audible. Or at least it should be.
Let me share a scripture with you. Psalm 115:17::
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
At one time I had a gospel band travel with me as part of our ministry. The leader of the group also happened to be the Deputy Fire Marshall of the city he resided in. At times we would be ministering in a church where the people did not appreciate the power of praise. I would introduce the Deputy and tell the folk I was going to send him into the audience to check the pulse of some and if necessary apply some CPR to them because according to the praise meter they were dead. Usually the folks would laugh but they got the message. It wasn’t long before they would begin to liven up and enter into praise. At times I think I have to do something similar in areas where we minister.
Praise comes in different forms. The form in our title is a basic one.
The Bible declares in Psalm 47:1:
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Here we see two forms of praise. We are commanded to clap our hands. Give applause to God and shout out his praises with a voice of triumph. For in Him we are victorious.
We clap and shout for people on earth, how much more for the great King over all the earth. Verse 2.
Say Amen and Hallelujah! (Alleluia) Revelation 19:1,4,6
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
These praises are continuous in heaven. When we express a hearty Hallelujah or an Amen we are joining in the heavenly celebration.
You will often hear me say, Raise your hands and praise Him.
Psalm 63:3,4: Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
And Psalm 134:1,2: Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
Paul says: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8.
Then there is the one reserved for really saved, happy, alive people.
Psalm 150:4a: Praise him with the timbrel and dance.
Dancing before the Lord is allowed at Purpose! Ministries.
Praise is not just for Sundays either.
Psalm 146:1,2: Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
Nor is it just for a select few.
Psalm 150:6: Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
So go ahead. Give God a handclap of praise, shout a good Amen, Hallelujah, or Praise the Lord, raise your hands to Him, or dance before Him. We will know you are alive! -PJF-
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
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