Jani Norman's Blog

Daily Devotional

Trust In The Wisdom Of God
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In Genesis 37:18, the brothers of Joseph conspired to kill him and cast him into a pit. In an attempt to hide their evil scheme to get rid of Joseph, they sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites who pulled him out of the pit and carried him off into Egypt.

How many times have you found yourself in a deep pit of despair, feeling alone and facing problems too hard for you to resolve? A pit is a form of recession. You have more bills than income, or more bad news than good. The enemy uses the pit in your life to hold back your blessings, and he tries to kill your spirit, steal your joy, and destroy your faith.

While Joseph’s brothers were plotting to wipe him out, at that same time, by verse 25, God dispatched a team of deliverers, the Ishmaelites to come to his rescue. This is a great illustration of God’s sovereign wisdom and power over your life. He is a Keeper of your soul. He knows just what your pit looks like; the foreclosure, the doctor’s bad report, the loss of a loved one, a lengthy unemployment.

On the flip side, He also knows your purpose and destiny and the plans He has made for your life. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

At the same time you are applying for unemployment assistance, a future boss is reviewing your resume.
At the same time the bank pulls your credit report for a loan, a computer erases the bad information.
At the same time you see yourself skidding into on-coming traffic, God has prepared a guard rail in the road to protect you.

All through the bible God shows His sovereignty and wisdom to watch over us in the hard times. He is a Provider who sees far beyond our scope of vision as He prepares a way out of adversity for His children. The Bible says He will never leave you or forsake you and He will not put on you more than you can bear. In His infinite wisdom, while the devil is sending you a problem, at the same time, God is sending you divine sustaining provisions.

You may have to endure a season of struggle, but your pit is not too deep or too hard for God. Trust in His wisdom to foresee the circumstances of every pit and prepare a way to get out of it. At the same time Joseph’s brothers were throwing him into the pit, God sent the Ishmaelites to be the answer to his problem. God is in control, not man.

The bible says in Isaiah 54:17, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and in Psalm 121:12, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

Stop looking to the weapon that is formed against you. Look to the hills of heaven for God to make a way for you. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. It’s not a recession for you, God’s provisions are on the way.
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Scripture Of The Day: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1-2

 
Trust and Believe..................................................................

 

Where to Find Your Personal Info
Online:
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It is literally there for anyone to see just by going to one Website," Rachael says. "Phone number, your age, your address, occupation, relationship status ... right down to things like astrological signs!" Online expert Mario Armstrong says these sites pull together public information that you can use to search for old friends and family, and he’s giving us the scoop on how the sites work!

How do they get your info?
"It's all legal information, first and foremost, because they are using legal public data that already exists - so personal property records, business records," Mario explains. "It used to take private investigators months or years to compile all of this information and now you can get it in a couple of clicks."

Can you remove your information from these sites?
"You have to scroll down to the bottom [of the site] and find the little fine print and it will say privacy," Mario says. "You can click the privacy link and it will show you how you can remove your name from it. Here's the thing though, you're only removing your information from that one site; you're not removing it from all of those public records." Mario adds that if you really are fearful or worried and want to get a handle on your information, there are companies that charge for a service, like ReputationDefender.com, that can help clean it up.

Which sites are doing this?
Spokeo.com and ZabaSearch.com work like Google search engines for searching personal information. You can also share more details about your life with friends and family through location-based social networking sites like Loopt.com. "You take your mobile phone and you check in, whether it's at a restaurant or a movie theater," Mario explains. "When I came to New York, I checked in at the New York Sports Club. So I was working out, and that let people know where I was at that given time. Other people that are following me can find that out and also see what my pattern is."

Another popular site, FourSquare.com, uses such information for some friendly competition among friends - you check in from different locations and earn points for repeat visits to businesses and stores. "You can become the mayor of a location if you frequent that location quite often," Mario says. "You might get discounts or prizes - very clever marketing!"

How do these sites affect the workplace? "Getunvarnished.com is a new site that really allows you to spill the beans on your co-workers, your employers," Mario explains. "It's an anonymous posting, you can't take it down, so if someone starts to type something about me ... it's going online about my professional experience." These comments could help you get a better idea of your reputation at work and could be used by potential employers. "Recruiters are also looking at it like, 'Maybe this person isn't the right fit for this organization.' If you see 20 reviews and they all are from different people and they kind of skew a certain way, maybe they are telling you something that is legit about that person." Still, Mario says it's another example of why everyone should be vigilant about their information online. "It's yours; it's who you are!"
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For More Information...
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 FourSquare.com
 GetUnVarnished.com
 Loopt.com
 ReputationDefender.com
 Spokeo.com
 ZabaSearch.com
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Faith Vs. Control
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When you obsess over problems instead of looking to God for solutions, the enemy will magnify your fears. If he can’t get you to worry about the present he’ll remind you of everything that could go wrong in the future! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “All I have seen, has taught me to trust God for all I haven’t seen.”
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The last time you checked, wasn’t God still bigger than any terrorist attack, financial disaster, illness, accusation, or mess you found yourself in? Well, He hasn’t changed! David said, “He won’t go to sleep…The Lord is…at your right side…[He] will…keep you safe…wherever you go” (Ps 121:3-8 CEV); plus His angels are watching over you 24/7.
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It all comes down to faith vs. control. You can struggle to handle things on your own – or trust your Heavenly Father. That’s the choice! It’s not about ‘blind faith,’ it’s about believing that God is who He says He is. And it’s an issue you need to settle in your mind once and for all, because if you don’t believe He wants only the best for you, you’ll keep trying to run the show. Control isn’t responsibility. Responsibility is doing your part by praying, obeying, and trusting God. Control is manipulating the circumstances to engineer the outcome you want.

Jesus knows how we like holding on to things we’re not wise enough to control, so He said, “If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give [it] up…for me, you will save it” (Lk 9:24 CEV). Bottom line – you either trust God or you don’t!

Scripture Of The Day: "If you give up your life for me, you will save it.” - Luke 9:24 (CEV)
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National Day of Prayer
59th Annual Observance
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 "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him"
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*Statement of Faith>>>>
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I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of The Living God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only One by which I can obtain salvation and have an ongoing relationship with God. I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, the atoning work of his shed blood, his resurrection and ascension, his intercession and his coming return to power and glory. I believe that those who follow Jesus are family and there should be unity among all who claim his name.
He saw the best in me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgwt-UhPhhs
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COPYRIGHT © 2010 National Day of Prayer Task Force  Site by:Thirdfloor Media, Inc.
 
http://nationaldayofprayer.org/
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Today's Verse

— Romans 12:12(NIV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw" and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the apparent and outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer are all decisions of the will trusting that the God who raised Jesus from the dead can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice.

My Prayer...

Create in me, O Mighty God, a resolute and steadfast heart so that I might persevere with joy no matter what the difficulty. This I ask in the name of your faithful Son. Amen.

Spiritual Quotes:

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Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
Thomas a Kempis

Life is a pilgrimage. The wise man does not rest by the roadside inns. He marches direct to the illimitable domain of eternal bliss, his ultimate destination.
Swami Sivananda

In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.
Mahatma Gandhi

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Harmony
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Unity In The Body Of Christ
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   When we hear the word "harmony" the first thing that usually comes to mind is music and singing, but it's not for only that. It could be used for more than just in a musical format. As the body of Christ, it's what we need to get along! To be in harmony is to come together in agreement, in one accord, a pleasing arrangement and combination of God's people bonded together.

Just like voices blending for harmony in a song, we have to do the same. As brothers and sisters in the body, it should be present among us, exist in our relationships, and prevalent in our churches.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9).

For a long time, we have witnessed and experienced very little of this kind of unity and harmony among the body. But we have experienced the disunity and disharmony that does exist among us. The only way we as God's people are going to fully experience and walk in His blessings is by coming to a place of real, true humility in the Lord, esteeming others higher than ourselves, and moving the harmony beyond our song that we sing on a Sunday morning!

Let's walk together in "harmony" which is also unity!

Scripture Of The Day: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)

 

The Four Things That Matter Most
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Please forgive me.
I forgive you.
Thank you.
I love you.
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These four simple statements are powerful tools for improving your relationships and your life.

The word “good-bye” derives from “God be with you,” a blessing that was traditionally given at parting and, in some churches, still is.  The protection and God’s help of presence and guidance can be requested whether two people expect to be separated a few hours or forever. In leaving nothing unsaid, we can recapture this original meaning, so that, in saying good-bye, we are actually blessing one another in our daily interactions as well as when we face major life challenges or crises. It only takes a moment to shift the way you say good-bye from a reflex to a conscious practice. Your good-bye and your blessing can become treasured gifts to other people as you part.

The Four Things are powerful tools for reconciling the rifts that divide us and restoring the closeness we innately desire.  When bad feelings occur in our close relationships, we tend to put off the work required to make things right. We always assume we’ll have another chance…later. That’s understandable, but it’s a mistake. Feeling resentful toward the people we love, or once loved, feeling distant from them, erodes our own happiness.

A brush with death often instills in us a new found appreciation for the gift of life. Simple pleasures – a cup of tea, sunshine on one’s face, the voices of our children – feel like miracles. When we’ve had a close call that shakes us up, the anger we’ve felt toward people closest to us no longer seems significant. Ill will dissolves in love, appreciation, and affection, and we recognize the urgency of mending, tending, and celebrating our relationships.

Because accidents and sudden illness do happen, it is never too soon to express forgiveness, to say thank you and I love you to the people who have been an integral or intimate part of our lives, and say good-bye as a blessing. These simple words hold essential wisdom for transforming that which matters most in our lives – our relationships with the people we love.

Good Bye.....

And Always Remember To Be A Blessing To Someone..

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The Twenty Third Psalm The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.   He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Meditation Thoughts on the Twenty Third Psalm.

The Twenty-third Psalm is one of the most powerful pieces of writing in existence, and it can do marvelous things for any person. Charles Allen, author of 'God's Psychiatry' says that he has suggested this psalm to many people and, in every instance in which he know of it being tried, it has produced results. He says that this psalm can change your life very quickly.

Allen suggests that you read this psalm 5 time a day for one week. Read it the first thing when you wake up in the morning. Read it carefully, meditatively, and prayerfully. Read it again immediately after breakfast. Do exactly the same thing, immediately after lunch, again after dinner, and, finally, the last thing before you go to bed.

Don't just go through the motions and chant it quickly. Instead, think about each phrase, giving your mind-time to soak up as much of their meaning as possible. At the end of just one week, things would be different, he says.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A man is what he thinks about all day long." Norman Vincent Peale says, "Change your thoughts and you change your world." The Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

The Twenty-third Psalm is a pattern of thinking, and. when the mind becomes saturated with it, a new way of thinking and a new life results.

Twenty-third psalm represents a positive, hopeful, faith approach to life. It is believed to have been written by David, who had a black chapter of sin and failure in his life. But David chose not to dwell on his past mistakes. He chose to look forward.

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  Allen talked about a story about an old man and a young man on the same platform before a vast audience of people.

  A special program was being presented. As a part of the program each was to repeat from memory the words of the Twenty-third Psalm.

  The young man, trained in the best speech technique and drama, gave, in the language of the ancient silver-tongued orator, the, words of the Psalm.

  "The Lord is my shepherd ..." When he finished, the audience clapped their hands and cheered, asking him for an encore so that they might hear again his wonderful voice.

  Then the old gentleman, leaning heavily on his cane, stepped to the front of the same platform, and in a feeble, shaking voice, repeated the same words-"Lord is my shepherd. . ."

  But when he was seated -no sound came from the listeners. Folks seemed to pray. In the silence the young man stood to make the following statement:

  "Friends," he said, "I wish to make an explanation. You asked me to come back and repeat the Psalm, but you remained silent when my friend here was seated. The difference? I shall tell you. I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd"

Psalm of David has sung its way across the barriers of time, race, and language. For twenty-five centuries it has been treasured in the hearts of people. Today it is more beloved than ever before. Why? Because it tells that above all the strife and fears, the hungers and weaknesses of mankind, there is a Shepherd.

A Shepherd who knows his sheep one by one, who is abundantly able to provide, who guides and protects and at the close of the day opens the door to the sheepfold-the house not made with hands.

The Twenty-third Psalm gives men the assurance that we are not "alone". That is why it lives in the hearts of men, regardless of race or creed.

Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough!
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The Power of Praise
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Do you need God to make a way out of no way? The swiftness and surety of your deliverance starts with how you respond to hard times and difficult situations. Hear me when I say that it is not just enough to thank God and honor Him only when you've received a blessing. God wants you to show the extent of your faithfulness and trust in Him even in the midst of going through a challenge. The power of your praise will determine the magnitude of your breakthrough.

Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired.

Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"

Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what.

Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.

When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.

The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.

Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing.

The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).

When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God

When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined.

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“God, I Believe!”

 

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20

Positive prayer starts with two life-changing words - I BELIEVE.

O God, You’ve said that even a little bit of faith can make BIG things happen. So today I am believing You for this BIG thing [fill in the blank] in my life.

                                         

 

Mar 25 - Obey Today
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"He who being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
(Proverbs 29:1)
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Some people have the mistaken idea that when the direction of the Holy Spirit comes to them, they can just ignore it for a while if they want to and then obey Him later in their own good time. They think to themselves, "I know what I'm doing is wrong. I know my lifestyle isn't right, but I'm just going to do it a while longer. Then I'll get things straightened out with the Lord."

Let me warn you, that is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Because God says that when you refuse His guidance, your heart grows hard. It's not that God's grace doesn't extend to you anymore. It's not that He wouldn't forgive you if you turned to Him. It's just that sin will callous your heart to the point where you can't hear Him calling.

That's what happened to the children of Israel. God would tell them what to do and they wouldn't do it. When He was trying to bring them into the Promised Land and He told them to go in and possess it, they flatly refused.

Of course, they thought they had good reasons for refusing. They were so full of fear and unbelief that they actually thought if they did what God said, they'd be destroyed. But, you know, it doesn't matter how good your reasons are for disobeying God. That disobedience will still cost you. It will still harden your heart.

The children of Israel ignored God's leading so often that He finally just sent them into the wilderness. They were so stiff-necked, He couldn't lead them into the blessings He'd planned for them, and He had to just let them wander around until all but two of them had died off. He had to raise up a whole new generation of softer hearted people before He could take them into the land.

Take a lesson from that and don't play around with sin. When God tells you what you need to do, don't put Him off thinking it will be easier to do it later. It won't be. It will be harder!
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When the Spirit of God comes to correct you, follow His instructions and follow them quickly. Keep your heart tender. Obey the Lord!
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

 
The Secret Ingredient

People of God, adversity comes in many shapes, forms and fashions. Everyone will face adversity, but not everyone will conquer it. The difference between facing and conquering adversity is knowing the secret ingredient. The secret ingredient is powerful; it's a weapon; it's articulate; and it's a producer of victory. This ingredient is called "praise".

For some of us our life is missing the secret ingredient. It is not necessarily because we do not have it, but because we really don't know how powerful it is in making us more than conquers. One of the strangest things about this season of your life is that it seems like it lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our praise to Him. I believe that God is trying to get His people to a level of praise where we won't question His doing, but will praise Him regardless of the present. That's why many of us can't sleep at night because God is disturbing your spirit and saying praise Him right in the middle of the situation.

This is why you sit in the car and just go to crying and you don't know why you're crying. God is pressing you. When God calls you to greatness He disturbs your spirit; He disturbs your surroundings; He shakes the very foundation that you stand on and presses you and develops you. However, what He is inserting you into a place where all you can do is pray and praise.

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" Psalms 34:1 (NKJV)

Praise will allow you to see breakthrough in many areas of your life. Having praise in your mouth not only confuses the enemy, but also confuses people around you who know what you are going through. This secret ingredient is so powerful that it becomes a weapon and pulls down strongholds; it casts down arguments; it casts down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and it brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. When you add praise you go from facing adversity to conquering adversity.

Today, add the secret ingredient of praise to every area of your life, continually. No matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Remember, praise will help you become more than a conquerer. Start praising and watch the Lord be magnified in your life. (Psalms 35:27-28)

 

 

 

Sunday, March 21, 2010
 
Praise The Lord, Saints!
 
There are many ways to Praise our Lord.

We can praise Him with a hand clap, by kneeling, lifting up our hands, crying or dancing, etc. Praise sets the stage for the spirit of the Lord to be manifested. When we praise we are letting God know that we trust, honor, appreciate and love Him. God loves when we praise Him and loves a sacrificial praise even more so. A sacrificial praise is when we praise Him when we do not feel like it and in spite of our circumstances.

Praise is one of our major weapons in order to live a victorious life. When we refuse to worry or complain and rejoice instead we are positioning ourselves to defeat the enemy. It is easy to give God praise when things are going well, but it takes strong faith to praise in the difficult times.

In most Churches when the Pastor asks for a hand clap of praise, everyone readily offers their hand clap of praise or when the church is in agreement with what the Pastor is saying there is a thunderous applause. Yet, there are many who do not verbally praise God. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess His name.

The bible is specifically telling us to open up our mouths and Praise the Lord. In perilous times as these we have to step up our game a notch or two and tap into every resource we have available to break through the strong holds in our lives. God is very pleased with our hand claps of praise, our tears and all the other ways we Worship Him.

I believe that God also expects His children to open up their mouths and verbally praise Him as well. Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When God's people cry out to Him it gets His immediate attention. Isn't there something about when our children cry out to us that always get our immediate attention? It is all the more with our Heavenly Father.

I can remember at one point when I thought praising God was solely a private matter. I thought, Praise God, out loud, in front of everyone in church, who me? But now that I know the Power of praise, I can no longer "hold my mule", if I may. I can no longer sit back and be a spectator, I must be a participator. Although I believe that praise is a personal matter I also know that there are times when we should shout to the Lord personally and collectively.

As we allow the Spirit to guide us, the voice of praise will rise up from the depth of our soul and pour out of us like a mighty river. And when the spirit of the Lord is manifested we shall receive power that will strengthen us and allow us to overcome all of our circumstances.

Let us open up our mouths and Praise the Lord, Saints!