The Praise Antidote

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).

The Father moved in a sovereign way in our praise and worship last night with His wonderful refreshing presence! The end result was a time of refreshing for those in attendance. I do believe that here until the rapture of the church we’re going to see the Lord break out among us in this way on a frequent basis! It’s His way of ministering life to frazzled minds and emotions and it’s His way of giving us a quick spiritual charge!

The Father’s antidote for stress and potential worry is so different than what the world offers. Problems worldwide are increasing on an ever-widening scale. Politicians and financial gurus have no answers to the present overwhelming financial concerns worldwide. Society has fallen into moral depravity. And natural disasters are a dime a dozen.

We are living in the time just prior to the tribulation Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24. Folks, it’s not going to get any better in the world. It will be a continual downward spiral from here on out. Buckle up and get ready for the bumpy ride.

The fight we’re in is not against flesh and blood. It’s a fight between two kingdoms; the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. It’s light versus darkness. Darkness appeals to the lust of the flesh and to human pride. The Father appeals to the spirit of man through His Word and by the moving of His Spirit. He has given us His indwelling presence and His peace that passes ability to quantify. But we must avail ourselves to what He offers.

Praise and worship is the Father’s antidote to stress and pressure. According to Psalm 22:3, He enthrones Himself in the praises of His people! The word enthroned here means to sit down, to dwell, or to remain. Praise and worship enables His kingdom to manifest in a fallen world and particularly in your personal specific situation of life!

Listen to the notes that I’ve taken from the Spirit Filled Life Bible on Psalm 22:3: Since God is enthroned in the praises, worship is the key to entering fully into His presence. The concept here is that praise releases God’s glory, thus bringing to the worshippers actualized responses to His kingly reign. His enthroned responses through the Holy Spirit can take many forms, such as prophecy, healings, miracles, affirmation to individual hearts, a call to reverential silence and awe, conviction of sin and salvation of sinners. This verse should be a guiding goal for all personal and cooperate worship times.

When you come to a church service, prepare yourself to worship with abandon. Expect the Lord to show up in with His glory. He wants to relieve stress and give rest and refreshing each time we meet! Expect Him to do it and participate in the worship so He will be free to manifest!

Take some time during your hectic day and worship the Father. Allow Him to minister life to you in real time as He enthrones Himself in your personal praise!