The importance of Praise (1Thessalonians 5:18)

Via dolarossa

Via dolarossa

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What can we say about Praise?
is it just an attitude of gratitude and appreciation? does it differ from worship?
What does it look like in our everyday lives and how do we do it?
is Praise all that we really have to do? the bible does say...its Gods Will to give thanks. So its Vital we practice this in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ...

I only notice an attitude of gratitude when when things are going well.. And its easy, when we are having things easy. When things are going our way. its then that praise seems easy and like a breath of fresh air. But then, we are only praising the fact we are happy or we are experiencing happy feelings. we can forget flesh comes and goes. judgement comes and goes. A good judgement may seem better than a bad one, but its still a judgement.
We can sense that, no matter what happens, He is here, always ready to guide us and lead us without worrying or being heedlessly oblivious that we may mess up again. But sometimes I see only half a picture... I know Jesus says don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry for itself, but He only said 'don't worry about it' not that there will not be a tomorrow.

So, praise is passive when we are having happy feelings ..so is there an active part of praise? Yes! what does that look like?. .

My practice lately, is that, there is also a sense of knowing, that any 'good feelings' associated with what's happening now may pass and 'the hard times' will come knocking again. I call this the 'cloud moment'. Seeing that the clouds will form and return, possibly darken, I have started to welcome them. its sobering...and Like that annoying fly, or that aggravated ' ticking noise' of the Peter Pan crocodile ....... its gonna come back, possibly bigger and if you can't kill them, Jesus will show us a way out when we Trust Him to.

to be continued...
 
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Via dolarossa said:
So its Vital we practice this in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ...

I only notice an attitude of gratitude when when things are going well..
Click to expand...
I think prepositions are pretty important in handling this.

The notion used to be 'give thanks FOR all things'. (even evil that came our way).
The ESV has it better..'give thanks IN all things'. (even evil that came our way).
I prefer (my personal preference 'give praise THROUGH all things'. (even evil that came our way).

All in all our praise and thanks ought to be TO the Lord and no other.
 
For me, I like to remember the many thing each day that I am thankful for.

God's calling, love, mercy and the grace he gives.
The access to God at all times 24/7.
God's gentle approach to teaching us.
God's forgiveness.
This wonderful creation that God has given us to use and live in.
The real hope of a wonderful world to come free of pain and suffering, filled with joy and gladness.

And so many other things as well.
 
Via dolarossa said:
What can we say about Praise?
is it just an attitude of gratitude and appreciation? does it differ from worship?
What does it look like in our everyday lives and how do we do it?
is Praise all that we really have to do? the bible does say...its Gods Will to give thanks. So its Vital we practice this in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ...

I only notice an attitude of gratitude when when things are going well.. And its easy, when we are having things easy. When things are going our way. its then that praise seems easy and like a breath of fresh air. But then, we are only praising the fact we are happy or we are experiencing happy feelings. we can forget flesh comes and goes. judgement comes and goes. A good judgement may seem better than a bad one, but its still a judgement.
We can sense that, no matter what happens, He is here, always ready to guide us and lead us without worrying or being heedlessly oblivious that we may mess up again. But sometimes I see only half a picture... I know Jesus says don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry for itself, but He only said 'don't worry about it' not that there will not be a tomorrow.

So, praise is passive when we are having happy feelings ..so is there an active part of praise? Yes! what does that look like?. .

My practice lately, is that, there is also a sense of knowing, that any 'good feelings' associated with what's happening now may pass and 'the hard times' will come knocking again. I call this the 'cloud moment'. Seeing that the clouds will form and return, possibly darken, I have started to welcome them. its sobering...and Like that annoying fly, or that aggravated ' ticking noise' of the Peter Pan crocodile ....... its gonna come back, possibly bigger and if you can't kill them, Jesus will show us a way out when we Trust Him to.

to be continued...
Click to expand...
PSALMS 22:3......
"But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel."
 
Via dolarossa said:
What can we say about Praise?
is it just an attitude of gratitude and appreciation? does it differ from worship?
What does it look like in our everyday lives and how do we do it?
is Praise all that we really have to do? the bible does say...its Gods Will to give thanks. So its Vital we practice this in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ...
Click to expand...
It's not just an attitude of gratitude & appreciation. As to what it looks like, read Psalms 130, 131, 133 and my favorite 134. Originally these were songs so they were supposed to be sung.
There is power in praise, and 40 yrs ago there was a book called the Power in Praise. I recommend it. Back then the ideas of singing to God and that He likes it seemed silly to me. But I was a new Christian and I understand it now. Although there's power in praise don't do it because you want power.
I said it's not about gratitude or appreciation because very often when I start praising God I'm not feeling that way at all. But if I keep it up long enough my mood usually changes. I don't ask how or why I'm just glad it does. That's powerful in my opinion.
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts/ experiences and biblical scriptures.

I have to complete this study with a verse from John.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

I think the above verse has it all wrapped up why we ought to Praise Him.
Yes, it’s not just about gratitude, it’s about His Love, Mercy and Grace. He takes away the sins of the world. I believe That’s the best reason why we should Praise Him!

In Faith, of course.0129FA62-8D6A-4F03-82E2-2BAB91227255.jpeg
 
Via dolarossa said:
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts/ experiences and biblical scriptures.

I have to complete this study with a verse from John.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

I think the above verse has it all wrapped up why we ought to Praise Him.
Yes, it’s not just about gratitude, it’s about His Love, Mercy and Grace. He takes away the sins of the world. I believe That’s the best reason why we should Praise Him!

In Faith, of course.View attachment 5788
Click to expand...
A bit of a supplemental verse...

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12

oo, ooo, ahh, Handel's Messiah is penetrating my dumbskull right now. lol.
 
crossnote said:
A bit of a supplemental verse...

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12

oo, ooo, ahh, Handel's Messiah is penetrating my dumbskull right now. lol.
Click to expand...
😊

I know this may sound silly, but most if not all revelation makes absolute no sense to me at all😂
all this Jesus being slain business on a cross is beyond my little mind to understand. All I know is He is takes away sin on the understanding that I have experienced which was miraculous at first, but now the rest of the sins I struggle with are annoying and He dosent seem to be doing anything g about or I am annoyed I find them enjoyable and I am confused as to why He just won’t take them quickly since He abhors them...
So I am at that place now where I fully trust He will take them, but I know I must recognise the struggle is good for me and the Promised Land is not an actual end to arrive at but a journey of Faith and revelation ( lol there’s that scary word again) which He will use to transform me.
 
Via dolarossa said:
😊

I know this may sound silly, but most if not all revelation makes absolute no sense to me at all😂
all this Jesus being slain business on a cross is beyond my little mind to understand. All I know is He is takes away sin on the understanding that I have experienced which was miraculous at first, but now the rest of the sins I struggle with are annoying and He dosent seem to be doing anything g about or I am annoyed I find them enjoyable and I am confused as to why He just won’t take them quickly since He abhors them...
So I am at that place now where I fully trust He will take them, but I know I must recognise the struggle is good for me and the Promised Land is not an actual end to arrive at but a journey of Faith and revelation ( lol there’s that scary word again) which He will use to transform me.
Click to expand...

You have done a fine job of describing what it is to be human and called by God. Thankfully, God knows our physical state and helps us as we struggle in this flesh to live and walk in the Spirit.
 
CPerkins said:
You have done a fine job of describing what it is to be human and called by God. Thankfully, God knows our physical state and helps us as we struggle in this flesh to live and walk in the Spirit.
Click to expand...
Thanks cp.

It’s only because I have trusted people here who seem really genuinely humble and honest even through trials I have stuck to this path.
It seems worthwhile and encouraging and I at least recognise a future of clear skies ahead even among hurricane season lol
 
Via dolarossa said:
😊

I know this may sound silly, but most if not all revelation makes absolute no sense to me at all😂
all this Jesus being slain business on a cross is beyond my little mind to understand. All I know is He is takes away sin on the understanding that I have experienced which was miraculous at first, but now the rest of the sins I struggle with are annoying and He dosent seem to be doing anything g about or I am annoyed I find them enjoyable and I am confused as to why He just won’t take them quickly since He abhors them...
So I am at that place now where I fully trust He will take them, but I know I must recognise the struggle is good for me and the Promised Land is not an actual end to arrive at but a journey of Faith and revelation ( lol there’s that scary word again) which He will use to transform me.
Click to expand...
I take it this is your summary for clarification for the ? on post #7.
I don't claim to have full knowledge of Revelation either, but I do know the Lamb Slain (Redemption) is the central theme of Scripture, and the redemption He wrought (which includes our forgiveness/New Life/sanctification and glorification) is more than enough to praise and worship Him through every circumstance and situation.
IOW, I don't see this so much as a 'journey of faith' (Emergent Church language), but more from the vantage point, that IN HIM we are already there. A few verses of support...

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (Joh 5:24)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Rom 5:1)

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.(Rom 6:5)

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
(Eph 2:6)

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(1Co 1:30-31)


The rest gets into views on sanctification which I don't care to get into, as it would derail a 'Praise thread' elsewhere.
 
Well, I learned that when things are rotten and not going well, to be thankful that I'm still alive, it hasn't killed me, whatever it is, and that I have Gods grace to endure whatever the hardship or trial that I'm going through.

It's not that it might make US happy though we do get happy feelings, but for the one who provides us with whatever the circumstances is.

For example, say I have a real crummy job and its almost like being a slave and I get paid under minimum wage. But I can be thankful I'm getting paid SOMETHING and I am gaining experience, even though its not something I would want to do again when I quit that job lol.

Those 3 guys in the fiery furnace sure weren't having a great time but they praised God through it.
Jonah was stuck inside the whale, but he thanked God.

Whatever they went through, God was with them anyway. And it made them stronger in faith. Well, maybe not Jonah. He had to go through a bit more trials lol
 
Via dolarossa
This account pretty much demonstrates all that you mentioned in your question...

1 It came to pass after this also, [that] the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them [other] beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they [be] in Hazazontamar, which [is] Engedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask [help] of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, [art] not thou God in heaven? and rulest [not] thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand [is there not] power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7 [Art] not thou our God, [who] didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, [when] evil cometh upon us, [as] the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name [is] in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 Behold, [I say, how] they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes [are] upon thee. 13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's. 16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy [them]: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they [were] dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. 25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. 26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. 29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of [those] countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

[2Ch 20:1-30 KJV]
 
On the other hand praise can easily be turned into a form of works.
Instead of it coming out of a heart of appreciation and thanks for what God has done in His Son,
it becomes a matter of `if only I would praise Him enough in order to get the victory`.
 
crossnote said:
On the other hand praise can easily be turned into a form of works.
Instead of it coming out of a heart of appreciation and thanks for what God has done in His Son,
it becomes a matter of `if only I would praise Him enough in order to get the victory`.
Click to expand...
Could you explain this like I’m 5!
I don’t think I get it.
Thankyou🙏
 
Via dolarossa said:
😊

I know this may sound silly, but most if not all revelation makes absolute no sense to me at all😂
all this Jesus being slain business on a cross is beyond my little mind to understand. All I know is He is takes away sin on the understanding that I have experienced which was miraculous at first, but now the rest of the sins I struggle with are annoying and He dosent seem to be doing anything g about or I am annoyed I find them enjoyable and I am confused as to why He just won’t take them quickly since He abhors them...
So I am at that place now where I fully trust He will take them, but I know I must recognise the struggle is good for me and the Promised Land is not an actual end to arrive at but a journey of Faith and revelation ( lol there’s that scary word again) which He will use to transform me.
Click to expand...
We were all exactly like what you described. All we knew when we got saved was that were were sinners headed from hell and God loved us so much that He died to allow us to go to heaven.

Everything else that we know is what we have taken the time and effort to search out and learn.

Every single person who has an understanding of the Revelation has put in a LOT of time to get it right!

So the........be happy with what you know and live in the joy of today because God has saved you and sat you free!
 
Via dolarossa said:
hey thanks ....is this based on colossians 3;17 I have just found?
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.?
Click to expand...
That could apply, I think it's closer to...

2 Corinthians 9:11 (KJV) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
or...
2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV) Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift..

because even what we do (Col 3:17) is the result of gifts given to serve others and/or glorify Him.
(ex. our eyesight, motor dexterity, health, intelligence etc.)
 
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