Praising the Lord (Full Version)

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J_Michael80 -> Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 2:11:26 PM)

I believe it is easy for us to praise the Lord during the good times of our lives. For instance, when we get a promotion at work or meet that beautiful girl, we are quick to praise the Lord. But how about during the bad and ugly times of our lives? Are we able to praise the Lord during our trials and sufferings? I will be the first to admit that it is tough, as a matter of fact it is difficult to praise God when we are struggling. Nevertheless, I believe this is what God is expecting from us, to praise Him when we are laughing and grieving. In other words, the circumstances should not matter, we should always have a heart of praise for the Lord.



Lufia -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 5:58:23 PM)

For me it is hard to think about praising Him in those times.



J_Michael80 -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 6:12:53 PM)

Hi Lufia,

Indeed, it is difficult to praise God during our bad times. For example, I was praising God when I was accepted to my University. But I was struggling and no longer praising Him after I failed my science classes, was placed on academic disqualification, and forced to change my major which delayed my graduation. Nevertheless, I believe we are placed in these types of circumstances for a reason. And regardless of how good or bad the situation might be, we should continuously praised the Lord.

Likewise, I don't think Apostle Paul and Silas were too thrilled about being persecuted and thrown into prison. Nevertheless, even in the mist of their trials and sufferings, they decided to praise the Lord. "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). We call this the famous "Midnight Song" at our church, how awesome it is to praise the Lord at all times.



TrustingGod -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 9:52:53 PM)

Keep practicing. I lost my younger sister and my mother in 4 months time this year. Many times since then I have praised God through the tears and anquish. I praise Him for being my support and my Rock and for being faithful and loving and strong. I've also turned to Him and asked why, why, why.

My praise doesn't look the same in the good and in the bad. But I'm thankful I've learned to praise Him through both.

I still struggle at times. But keep practicing until you're perfect at it!!!!!!!



PeterD -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 10:28:09 PM)

Hello faithfulservant,

I work for a music store. I take care of the violin, viola, cello, and bass department. A customer came in today for a clarinet repair and I overheard her explaining how she couldn't find any other music stores in
the area that were open. She then said "thank heavens I found your store." Now for myself, when I hear people talk about heaven and hell, I usually pay closer attention. Some 15 minutes later this womans' clarinet was readjusted and during this time I was preparing my instruments for rental season. Then I heard this woman say "Hallelujah".

For some reason I remembered Heavendweller, a member on this forum. So I got up from my work bench and ventured over to the radio where I pretended like I was adjusting the station, and while this woman was standing nearby I congratulated her by saying "I'm glad that you're a satisfied customer." But I really came near to investigate why she said "Hallelujah."

Now, her reply was, "you heard me say Hallelujah" and I said yes. At that moment she asked me what I do. So I said, I'm the violin repairman at this store, but I was trained as a violin maker, and that's where my joy is, but for now, I prepare these thousand or so instruments for rental.

At that point she says, "my kids would love to see what you do in this store." And at that moment I asked her "are you a school teacher?" and she said yes.

After this part of the conversation she quickly explained how difficult it was for her to find a music store that was open for her to have her instrument repaired and ready for her daughters wedding. She explained she would be playing the instrument for her daughter's wedding. I congratulated her that she gets to be at her daughter's wedding. Oh, she was so happy. She then asked my name, I said Peter, she said her name was Doreene. Then she was called back to the woodwind department to pay for her repair bill.

She was overjoyed! And I heard her say to the counter people, "that my guardian angel is with me."

As she was moving on out of the store, she said good bye to everyone that was in the front of the store by name. So there were four of us starting with me, then the counter people Felix and Joanne. She left the store saying God Bless also.

I call this praising the Lord. But the story is not over, because then I had to explain to Felix and Joanne what just happened relating to this woman and what it means to say "Hallelujah!" Felix understood, I'm not sure about Joanne. Only time will tell.

PeterD



Liveloved -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/20/2008 11:52:55 PM)

That's why I read and pray a psalm each day. They naturally lead you into praise reminding you of our wonderworking God. Praise the Lord!

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Ps 113:3



Dubya -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/21/2008 10:35:33 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

That's why I read and pray a psalm each day. They naturally lead you into praise reminding you of our wonderworking God. Praise the Lord!

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Ps 113:3

That is great advice!

Many of the psalms are called psalms of lament which usually describe a tough situation where it looks like the psalmist has been abandoned by God. Psalm 13 is a good example. These psalms of lament always lead to praise for God in the end.

God is praised for who He is and what He does. Our individual circumstances should not keep us from praising Him.



Liveloved -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/21/2008 2:24:10 PM)

quote:

God is praised for who He is and what He does. Our individual circumstances should not keep us from praising Him.


Amen, Dubya! This morning's psalm reminded me that the dead don't praise God. So while we have breath, yes, everything that has breath is to praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!



J_Michael80 -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/21/2008 6:14:36 PM)

Peter,

It is good to hear from you again bro! I love hearing your inspiritional stories. Yes, I know Heavendweller as well. She and I had a short but meaningful discussion in one of these threads. I remember her asking me some tough theological questions, she is a smart woman and very down to earth. I haven't seen her in a while, hopefully we will run into her again. Thanks.



FuturePriest -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/22/2008 10:03:46 PM)

Hello faithfulservant,

I think you have quite good insight and I agree with what you are saying.
At the moment, I am in the process of reading the Bible in a year. Currently I am in the book of Job and it talks about just this: Praising God not only in the good times, but also in the bad. Job is an amazingly blessed man. God shows him favour in everything he does. He has a large family, a good livestock and an all around good life. Job is always praising the Lord for what he has and in return the Lord is granting him greatness among the nations.
But then, when God takes away Job's physical blessings - his sons, his cattle, his house - Job has trouble praising the Lord. He begins to wonder why. Then, as he begins to realize and count his blessings that he already has,he figures out that he has all that he needs and God is still blessing him, just not in the same way.
So, I think that this is how we have to see things. In the good times, we should be praising God for everything He gives us, but in the bad times, we too must praise Him, realizing that we still are blessed and that even if the physical blessings are no more, we are still blessed in the Spirit. We are alive, we have a loving God and we are children of the God who endures forever and whose compassion is steadfast and ongoing.
This is what we have to realize in the bad times.
Yes, I know it can take a long time to realize this. Believe me, I've had my fair share of grief and rough times. In the end, though, if we figure these things out, God will hear us and continue to bless us. All he wants is for us to know that we are still his blessed children and that we don't need physical or earthly things to know that. An eternity is a blink of an eye for God, so it doesn't matter how long it takes us to figure it out. Just as long as we do. That's all.

Peace and Blessings,

FuturePriest



mvic -> RE: Praising the Lord (8/23/2008 7:50:02 AM)

Why praise God when things are going bad or wrong?

Simply because when we praise Him we acknowledge that He is still in control. No matter what is happening to us right now, no matter how bad it is - He is still in control. He has allowed it to happen for reasons best known to Himself. And by praising Him, thanking Him even, we are saying that we trust Him to be in control. We trust Him that, having brought us to this situation, He will see us through it. We trust Him that our trials and tribulations will not be beyond what we can personally bear. He will see to that.

It's difficult to praise and thank Him when things go wrong. But by doing it, through gritted teeth even, we are accepting His will on earth and trusting Him to do what's best for us.



Theophile2 -> RE: Praising the Lord (9/8/2008 9:45:42 PM)

1Th 5:16-18 Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.



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