Shout Out Loud to the Lord

“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in Heaven, saying, ‘HalleluYah! Salvation, Glory, and Power belong to our God!’”—Revelation 19:1 NASB

What is Heaven like? According to the book of Revelation, it’s a place of praise and worship—and this praise is not quiet but loud. Heaven echoes with the continual sounds of praise! Not polite or hushed praise, but praise like a “mighty shout” (AMPC).

While this is a picture of Heaven, it also describes something that should be part of our daily lives. Many people seem reluctant to enter into praise. They may cheer at a sporting event or applaud at a concert, but somehow, they think it’s inappropriate to be loud in God’s Presence. Yet the Bible tells us that God doesn’t want us to be shy or hold back.

It’s time to offer loud praises to God for all He’s done for you!

For example, we read in Psalm 47:1, “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” And when some asked Yeshua to rebuke those who offered praises, He answered, “If these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40). In the same way, He wants us to cry out in exuberant praise! Praise is a powerful weapon too! Your shout will bring down the walls in your life and confuse your enemies. Your shouts of praise magnifies (increase and enlarge) the Lord.

Don’t hold back your enthusiasm for all God has done for you! Offer your loud praises to Him! Thank Him for salvation and life itself. Praise Him for the times He has answered prayers, guided, and protected you and your family. Thank Him for preparing an eternal home for you in Heaven. Praise Him for giving you His Joy, Peace, and Grace and for showing you His unconditional Love. Don’t allow nothing or no one to muzzle your praise!

Come on, Give God a mighty shout! He is worthy!

Father God, I lift my voice to praise You for all You have done for me. I am thankful for so many things, that I can never thank You enough! So, I will give you the praise that only You deserves. In Yeshua’s Name…Amen!

The Power of Praise

“Sing a new song to the LORD, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones – praise His Name with dancing - with tambourine and lyre - the high praises of God shall be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands.” - Psalm 149:1–6 NASB

Get ready to harness the power of praise in your life!

How many ways can we praise God? The psalmist writes that we can praise the Lord through our voices, speaking and singing, alone and “in the congregation.” But we also can express praise with our entire beings, “with dancing,” and by singing praises “with tambourine and lyre.” We even are to “sing for joy” on our beds (v. 5).

Instead of feeling inhibited or passive in our worship, we can be free! We can sing, dance, and shout. We also praise God with the offerings we bring before Him.

This psalm speaks about having our mouths filled with praise while we have “a two-edged sword” in our hands. Why? Because praise is central to a Believer’s victorious  life. Every day, we battle against demonic forces and face pressures, problems, and sin in the world. When we fill our lives with praise, we can go into battle, confident in the Lord and filled with His presence, joy, and triumph!

It’s all right to praise God silently, but don’t hesitate to praise Him aloud too. Today, don’t be apathetic or passive, but sing and shout praises to His Name!

Fill your entire life with praise to God. Praise Him when you are alone or with others. Allow your life to be filled with His presence and be overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy. Then go forward into battle. Almighty God is on your side!

Yeshua, thank You for all You’ve done for me. I praise Your Name with my whole being! You are worthy of praise! In Your Name…Amen.

Hannah's Anguish

Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:10, 17 NLT

Have you ever been in a situation where you have been in deep anguish and the only option you had was to fall to your knees and cry out to God? I believe we’ve all had these moments.

Even Yeshua had His moment of anguish. Then Yeshua went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:36-38 NLT

The Lord had shut up Hannah’ womb, and her adversary Peninnah provoked her sore and made her fret, that she cried and did not eat. So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 1 Samuel 1:6-7 NLT.

The constant taunts and provocation drove Hannah to her knees. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord - vs. 10. And if that was not bad enough, Hannah was accused of drunkenness by Eli, the priest because she prayed in silence and only her lips moved. “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” 1 Samuel 1:15-16 NLT.

Sometimes people will misunderstand you and judge you wrongfully. However, Eli’s response to Hannah did not deter her. Her mind was fixed on what she wanted from God. She had already made a vow to God with all her heart. After Hannah explained her situation to Eli, he said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” Eli in turn blessed her and we know that God granted her, her heart’s desire.

Don’t stop praying! There is still power in prayer! God still answers prayer! One day, you too will testify like Hannah!