photo #3557453

Acts 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: The man who was healed was happy! He wasn't just thankful in his heart; he praised God! I want you to think with me about the importance of praising God, including HOW we praise Him. HOW we praise Him is important because GOD is paying attention; our praise is primarily to HIM. HOW we praise God is also important because PEOPLE are paying attention. ALL THE PEOPLE saw him walking and praising God. Here are several things that the Bible gives as appropriate in our praise to the Lord.First, PRAISE GOD WITH SPEECH. The Psalmist said:Psalms 109:30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.In that verse we are encouraged to praise God with our mouths and to praise Him among the multitude. Speak up! Second, PRAISE GOD WITH SONG AND MUSIC (Ps. 28:7; 69:30; 47:6). Songs of praise promote a proper spirit (1 Sam. 16:23), and they promote a perfect Savior!Third, PRAISE GOD WITH SENSE.Psalms 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. As you praise God, be aware of your speech. Say "amen" to TRUTH, not volume, humor, or acrobatics. And be ACCURATE in your speech. Songs of praise, for instance, should be doctrinally correct.Fourth, PRAISE GOD WITH A SHOUT (Ezra 3:11). Show your excitement in the Lord and your enjoyment OF the Lord. Jehu said, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD" (2 Ki. 10:16).Next, PRAISE GOD WITH A SMILE (2 Chron. 29:30; Ps. 100:1-2). A smile shows gladness and gratitude!Next, PRAISE GOD WITH STEADFASTNESS (Ps. 71:8). Praise Him in victory (don't forget God when you're on top), and praise Him in the valleys (He's the lily of the valleys, and He'll be with you!).Finally, PRAISE GOD WITH A SWORD IN YOUR HAND (Ps. 149:6). Our sword is the word of God. Stay in the BOOK, and stay in the BATTLE while you praise the Lord!