Brethren we are still in the season of thanksgiving and praises to God.

You may want to say, why should I begin the year with praises and thanksgiving?

The answer is not far fetched. Being alive is a great testimony but reflecting on what God has done is a greater reason to thank God.

In the Yoruba culture it is said that those that appreciate the goodness of yesterday, are sure to receive more.

Even in the Holy Bible, the only leper that returned to give thanks to Christ for healing was “ made whole”.   In other words, while others were healed of leprosy, he got immunity against other deadly and shameful diseases.

Going by this account, we’ll see that whereas   healing is desirable, it is better to be made whole.

At a time like this, many churches have declared fasting essentially to be spiritual empowered and for a closer relationship with the Lord.

Other churches have opted for Praises and Thanksgiving.

Brethren, both assignments are spiritually rewarding.

 To pray fervently wee need the power of the Holy Spirit.  May God release it upon you today in Jesus name.

The Holy Spirit also guides praise worship but it is an act that may not be done silently unlike prayer.

When you praise God, others will hear you sing.   If you choose to call his many names in your closet, it is also a way of praising him.

What is important is not the method you chose to Praise God but the result of praises and thanksgiving to God.

Let’s look at Psalm 67 vs. 5-7 ( KJV) : “ Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him”.

Brethren, a study of the Bible passage, reveal  King David’s confidence that Praises  makes the difference in one’s life.

It also means that Praises makes the Lord to bless us in a manner that would shut the mouth of our enemies completely.

To yield her increase could also mean to bear children.  

Make up your mind to dedicate the beginning of this year to  giving praises to God and watch the Lord surprise you.

When Hannah had Samuel and other children, the mouth of Peninnah  was shut up.   The Bible made no mention of her again.

In the same way, if a woman that has been considered barren praises God continuously,  and God blesses her with a set of triplets, what else would her mockers say? .  They would have no option but to join her to thank God.

That is the kind of miracle you will receive as you dedicate  the beginning of the year to praises and thanksgiving to God. 

One person that dedicated a good part of his life to praising God was King David.  What followed?. God not only blessed him, he gave him total victory over all challenges.

Brethren, King Jehoshaphat was  confronted with  three armies and he knew that physically, he could never win the battle.

He consulted the man of God  and took certain steps.

Let’s refer to 2nd Chronicles 20 vs. 21 & 22: “  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.

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambusments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Sier, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten”.

This Bible passage simply tells us that singing praises to God as simply as it is seems, provokes the mercy of God and once God shows mercy, an end would come to all challenges.

May the Lord open your mouth to  praise God  with all your heart  in Jesus name.

Brethren,  on  our own, we are unable to overcome challenges.  We need the help of God.

To appreciate how  seriously God takes praises , the story of  David and his mocker that happened to be his wife tells it all.

David had just gotten the Ark of the Lord returned from the house of Obededom that God  had blessed because of the presence of the Ark in his house.

As recorded in 2nd Samuel 6 vs. 14-16:  And David danced before the LORD with all his might;  and David was girded with a linen ephod.

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of trumpet.

And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart”.

The dialogue of David and his wife, Michal is stated in verses 20&21: “ Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel  today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one  of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself !

And David said unto Michal, it was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and  before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD”.

Michal not only angered David with her  comments, she also drew the wrath of God unto herself.

What followed? Verse 23 tells us “ Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death”.

The lesson of  us is that we should never feel too big to thank God for what he has done.

If you are shy, sing and dance in your room where no one would monitor your voice or dance steps.

Actually, it’s the best way to praise the LORD when you are outside the church premises.

Didn’t the Bible tell us  in Psalm 22 vs. 3 “ But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel”.

A writer said, “ Our praise is irresistible to God”.

When we praise God , we acknowledge  his holiness and awesome powers.  

As you praise the Lord in this New Year, may you testify to the awesome powers of God in Jesus name.

However, only Believers can praise the Lord.     

Praising the Lord with all your heart  goes along with your belief that the Lord is  to bring that challenge to an end.

Even  if the challenge still persists, praise him for what he has done for others.

When you do this, you are indirectly calling on the LORD to remember you and the merciful God will remember you.

Many people have given testimonies of healing while praising the Lord.

Our God can open a closed womb while we are praising God. 

The Lord can boost low sperm count during  praise worship.   

Praise worship isn’t for women alone, men that desire miracles should pray and worship the Lord.

David was a man  that danced to God with all his heart and the got total victory.

Even when he erred, God still showed him mercy.

Brethren what are you waiting for?  If you cannot sing, play gospel music tapes and  praise the Lord.

May God show up for you in Jesus name.

While praising the Lord, remember to thank Him for what you are expecting.

It isn’t out of place for a woman waiting on the Lord to thank Him for making her a mother.

May your praises open heavens for you in Jesus name.