“What’s Hindering Your Financial Stability?”

Good financial planning is a part of Wise Stewardship! To be a truly effective steward, you must believe Unequivocally that the Money being Managed is Someone Else’s Money – GOD’S! You do remember that the Bible says, ‘The earth and all its fullness is the Lord’s’ (Psalm 24:1, “The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s. The world and all who live in it are His” GWT). Every resource, even money, is His, and you are simply stewards of His resources!

Having this perspective gives a person the freedom to use finances as a tool to accomplish God’s purposes, recognizing that no one comes into this world with any possessions, and certainly no one will leave with anything either (Ecclesiastes 5:15, “They came from their mother’s womb naked. They will leave as naked as they came. They won’t even be able to take a handful of their earnings with them from all their hard work” GWT). So be careful about trying to make yourself rich! Be careful about trying to increase your bank accounts for the sole purpose of saying “I have…” You cannot under any circumstances take one red cent with you when you go! Therefore, you have to save money, for the Right Motive!

God has entrusted each person with certain resources. And money is a resource that we must be trustworthy in managing. For instance, we cannot live in an apartment while driving a car that costs more than a mortgage! That’s Not Good Stewardship! We can’t have enough money to buy a new car, but have Nothing Saved For Our Children’s College Education! How do you expect them to reach higher education when you keep lowering the savings account that will help them attain it? You can’t have money to get your fingernails done, but have no food in the house! You have to Budget and Balance!

In addition, money is something that God uses to test your ability to handle properly the other gifts He desires to give you (Luke 16:11, “Therefore, if you can’t be trusted with wealth that is often used dishonestly, who will trust you with wealth that is real?” GWT). The Message Bible says it like this: “If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank”!

So if people were to look at your financial lifestyle, would they say you could be trusted with a full storehouse? Or would you be more likely to empty it out instead?

Listen, one day God will ask for an accounting of how you managed the resources He has given you. So, does your spending habits say you will pass the test or fail?

Luke 19:11-26, “While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:  “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, GAVE THEM EACH A SUM OF MONEY, and instructed them, ‘OPERATE WITH THIS UNTIL I RETURN.’  “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’  “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, HE CALLED THOSE TEN SERVANTS TO WHOM HE HAD GIVEN THE MONEY TO FIND OUT HOW THEY HAD DONE”.  “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’ “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been TRUSTWORTHY in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’ “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’ “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’ “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’ “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—AND YOU’VE ACTED THE FOOL! WHY DIDN’T YOU AT LEAST INVEST THE MONEY IN SECURITIES SO I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE INTEREST ON IT?’ “Then he said to those standing there, ‘TAKE THE MONEY FROM HIM AND GIVE IT TO THE SERVANT WHO DOUBLED MY STAKE.’ “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’ “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.” MSG).

So where have you invested the money God has given you? Who have you invested in? How much have you invested?

God has given you enough resources, so have you put money away for your children’s education? Have you put money away for retirement? Have you reexamined your finances and rid your budget of non-essential expenditures? Have you been faithful to give your tithe and offering? Have you sown finances in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and foreign missions? Have you funded orphans and widows as the Bible charges us to do? Have you put a plan in place to get yourself out of debt? Do you know what you’re credit score is? When is the last time you checked your credit reports? If in debt, what steps have you taken to repair your credit? Are you wearing more than you’re saving?  Do you even know what a stock, bond, 401k, IRA is?

Do you have a savings account for “just in case?” What’s that you ask? Well that’s money you put aside and save ‘just in case’ the car breaks down; the kids need braces; the plumbing has a leak; an unexpected lay-off takes place; you, your spouse or child becomes long-term sick, the rent goes up etc…You Need a “Just In Case” Fund!

And even things that may seem a little less important, but are not: Have you and your family gone on vacation together? Do you and your spouse have play money set aside for date night? Do you have change for the kids to go to summer camp instead of hanging out in front of the television all summer?

God has given you money, therefore He’s given you resource! How are you managing His Resources?

Also it’s important Ladies, to note, that a Wife who manages resources wisely is a blessing to her husband and family:

“A GOOD WOMAN is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. HER HUSBAND TRUSTS HER WITHOUT RESERVE, AND NEVER HAS REASON TO REGRET IT. Never spiteful, she treats him GENEROUSLY all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. SHE LOOKS OVER A FIELD AND BUYS IT, THEN, WITH MONEY SHE’S PUT ASIDE, PLANTS A GARDEN. First thing in the morning, she dresses for WORK, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. SHE’S QUICK TO ASSIST ANYONE IN NEED, REACHES OUT TO HELP THE POOR. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and SELLS THEM, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” Proverbs 31:10-31 MSG).

Ladies, did you catch some of those highlights? Her husband trusts her without reserve and has no regret! Why? Because she knows how to manage her household…and that includes Managing Money! The Scripture says she “…shops around…” sounds like bargain hunting to me! A good woman who is a good steward shops around for the best bargain for her families’ budget! She also “…looks for a field and buys it…with money she’s put aside…” Sounds like a savings account to me! For instance, you may come across a foreclosed house or a car for little of nothing, but if you’ve not put aside some money…someone else will enjoy that blessing! Then she also “…plants a garden”…with the “…money she’s put aside” You take seed to plant, and then you wait, and then you reap, then you sow, then you wait, then you reap, then you sow, then you wait, then you reap…are you getting this?! She makes sure that her harvest always comes around again because she’s smart enough, diligent enough…to keep putting money aside! And she’s not selfish either because “…She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor…” Would people agree or disagree that that’s your testimony?

Remember this: “And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]” 2 Corinthians 9:10 AMP) In other words, He Only Gives Seed To Those Who Have Sown! Maybe that explains why your barn is always empty! Proverbs 3:5-12, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! HONOR GOD WITH EVERYTHING YOU OWN; GIVE HIM THE FIRST AND THE BEST. YOUR BARNS WILL BURST, YOUR WINE VATS WILL BRIM OVER. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under His loving correction. It’s the child He loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” (MSG)

In conclusion, People of God, avoid an overly consumptive lifestyle! The Bible teaches us to be temperate in all things:  (1 Corinthians 9:25, “Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself TEMPERATELY and RESTRICTS HIMSELF IN ALL THINGS…AMP). “Temperate” means “Showing Moderation or Self-Restraint”. Ladies, Good Stewards Exercise Moderation and Self-Restraint even when the shoes are buy one get one free; the dress is 50% off or the pocketbook is 2 for the price of 1! Listen, you don’t got to Like me, but make sure you Learn from me!

Good Stewards, even know how to pass up a good thing for a better one. For example: Yes you’ve saved enough for a new car, but your son graduates high school this year, so is this really the right time or not? Good stewards walk in wisdom and discernment!

And Whatever You Do, Avoid Debt! (Proverbs 22:7, “The poor are always ruled over by the rich, SO DON’T BORROW AND PUT YOURSELF UNDER THEIR POWER” (MSG); Romans 13:8, “DON’T RUN UP DEBTS, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other… MSG).

Grab hold of the Wisdom of the Proverbs: Proverbs 12:11, “Those who work their land will have plenty to eat, but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense” CEB). Surely You Don’t Want To Be Known As A Saint With No Sense?

Personal Experience: One of the things I do all the time is drop lose change in a jar I keep at work and one I keep at home. Recently, both jars became too full to add anything else to them. So, I took a Saturday and just sat on the floor in my living-room rolling up the coins. All I kept saying was, ‘how much can this really be? It’s just a bunch of quarters, dimes, nickles and pennies.’ Well, once I was finished with my little weekend project, the total amounted to $540! I was amazed! Just saving a few coins amounted to that much of an unexpected blessing! Now, that may not be much to some, but that was a pretty penny in my book! In a nutshell, you don’t have to do anything drastic to start saving, you just need to start saving! It takes 100 pennies to get one dollar bill, so every penny is of value! Therefore, if you have to start with a penny, it’s a good place to start!

An Important Scripture I Want to Leave With You Is: Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” The Amplified Bible says it like this: “A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up”

Two things I want you to take note of:

1) The Inheritance That’s Left Is “…moral stability and goodness…” the Inheritance that you leave them has nothing to do with money! Does that mean you shouldn’t have life insurance? No! Don’t be stupid! Take care of your family! But note that the Biblical Inheritance Is “…Moral Stability and Goodness” that’s Real Wealth! and;

2) You Don’t Have to be Wicked to Attain Wealth! You do not need schemes and under-handed tricks! The Bible says: “…the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous…” Why? Because it’s “…for whom it was laid up”. In other words, God already has a plan in place for your prosperity! No matter how much Wealth the Wicked has, it will eventually flow our way! It has no choice but to, because it was already intended for us to have! It was already laid up for us!

So bear in mind: you need to get out of debt, save, budge and balance wisely and most important leave an inheritance to your future family generations of moral stability and goodness and get rid of your stress because the wealth of the wicked has to eventually be deposited in your bank account!

Today, determine to start putting a plan in place so your financial stability can stop staggering and stagnating! Your present and future self (and generations) will thank you for it!

“Without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” (Warren Buffett)

“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” (Dave Ramsey)

“Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I’m not there, I go to work.” (Robert Orben)

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” (Benjamin Franklin)

“Don’t go broke trying to look rich, act your wage.”

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” (Albert Einstein)

“The goal isn’t more money. The goal is living life on your terms.” (Will Rogers)

“If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know and start charging for it.” (Kim Garst)

“Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” (Joe Biden)

“The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.” (Frank Hubbard)

“Budgeting has only one rule: Do Not Go Over Budget!” (Leslie Tayne)

“Never spend your money before you’ve earned it.” (Thomas Jefferson)

“It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” (Robert Kioysaki)

“Wealth is not about having a lot of money it is about having a lot of options.” (Chris Rock)

“When you’re having money problems the first thing to do is quit spending on all things that don’t produce money.”

“If you want to reap financial blessings, you have to sow financially.” (Joel Osteen)

“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.” (Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe)

“You might get 85 years on this planet – don’t spend 65 of them paying off a lifestyle you can’t afford.” (Cait Flanders)

“Money Looks Better in the Bank Than On Your Back!”

“Only a fool invests all his money into debt!”

“Realize that you’ll go broke trying to fix everyone else’s financial problems.” (Sonya Parker)

“Too Many Have Residual Bills, Too Few Have Residual Income.”

“Hope is not a financial plan.”

“Money without brains is always dangerous.” (Napoleon Hill)

“I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race.” (Madam C.J. Walker)

“One of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is to prepare them to be responsible, empowered adults around money.”

“Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” (Andrew Carnegie)

“Love is worth so much more than money. There are so many people who are filthy rich, but have nobody to genuinely love them. Unconditional love is priceless.” (Suzy Kassem)

“To understand someone, find out how he spends his money.”

“The best thing money can buy is financial freedom.”

“It’s good to have money and the things that money Can buy. But it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money Can’t buy.” (George Lorimer)

“Money can buy some things to create happiness, but it can never buy happiness.” (Ellen J. Barrier)

“By definition, saving for anything – requires us to not get things Now, so we can get bigger ones Later.” (Jean Chatzsky)

“It is better to be a Lender than a Spender.” (Jim Rohn)

“Too many people spend money that they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people that they don’t like.” (Will Rogers)

“The number one problem in today’s generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.” (Alan Greespan)

“No one’s ever achieved financial fitness with a January resolution that’s abandoned by February.” (Suze Orman)

“Never work just for money or for power. They won’t save your soul or help you sleep at night.” (Marian Wright Edelman)

“You must gain control over money, or the lack of it will forever control you.” (Dave Ramsey)

“Money is usually attracted, not pursued.” (Jim Rohn)

“Being in control of your finances is a great stress reliever.”

“If you are born poor it’s not your fault. But if you die poor it’s your fault.” (Bill Gates)

“Money speaks only one language. If you save me today, I will save your tomorrow.”

“Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” (Nathan W. Morris)

“Hustle isn’t just working on the things you like. It means doing the things you don’t enjoy so you can do the things you love.”

“How important are money management and finances in marriage and family affairs? Tremendously. The American Bar Association recently indicated that 89% of all divorces could be traced to quarrels and accusations over money. Another study estimated that 75% of all divorces result from clashes over finances. Some professional counselors indicated that four out of every five families wrestle with serious money problems.” (Jeffrey R. Holland)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #BeFinanciallyFree
Feel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “15 Numbers That Matter as Much as Your Weight”

“Unrestricted Praise!”

Hebrews 13:15, “By Him therefore LET US OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD CONTINUALLY, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”

Now, I’m not a huge fan of all animals, but anyone who knows me knows I love dogs. However, I ran into an old high school friend and we had a chance to reminisce about the ‘good ole days’. And one of her favorite memories was when her parents bought her a canary. Well, me and Monica hung out a lot, particularly at her house since she had no little siblings to harass her, and I had 2! And since I always had my dog with me, I would often walk to her house with my dog Smokey.

BUT, Monica neglected to tell me she received a canary from her parents as a gift. So when me and Smokey walked into the house, we were all in for a bit of a surprise!

We entered the house, and Immediately, the first thing we heard was singing! Somewhat of a whistling I guess, but it sounded pretty melodic. Then she made the introductions and me and Smokey officially met Goldie, her new bright yellow canary friend. Now, this little yellow cheerleader was great for when you were in a bad mood, because she never was! Monica said, as soon as you uncover her cage in the morning, she starts warbling (which is defined as, ‘to sing softly and with a succession of constantly changing notes’) her repertoire of happy tunes.

If it was a sunny day, you had happy singing from her all day long. If it was a miserable day. Guess what? You had happy singing all day long! Goldie didn’t care whether it was rain, sleet, snow, ice, blizzard, storm, hail, winds, hurricane or tornado, she was going to sing! It didn’t matter if it was morning, noon, night, or midnight, she was going to sing. Neither the type of weather, nor the time of day, was her preference. She had no preference, but she always had a song. It didn’t matter whether she was bound in her cage, or flying around the house freely, neither circumstance mattered to her, she was going to sing. It didn’t matter if she was in the room alone, or if it was family and friends, or even foes (which Smokey was, because he did not like Goldie one bit)! However, I reiterate, Goldie didn’t care, she had a song, and she was going to sing. It didn’t even matter how the people around her felt; happy, stressed, sad, noisy, quiet, depressed, angry, frustrated, lonely, or down. It just didn’t matter. No matter what, she was always singing! Whether there was money in the house or not, she sung. Goldie had no concerns about food in the fridge or not, she sung. Clothes or not, she sung. Bills paid or not, she sung. There was absolutely nothing that hindered Goldie from singing!

It may sound just a tad bit on the crazy side, but the thought of Goldie and her Relentless Singing, made me wonder if as Christians, we would be able to out Sing…or out Praise… Goldie?!

Sounds comical, but truth be told, we’ve got a lot to learn from Goldie the Persistently Singing Canary!

You know, I love that word “persistent”, because it’s defined as “continuing or recurring; to prolong; remaining attached instead of falling off in the normal manner; to persist, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement; persevering; lasting; enduring tenaciously; constantly repeated.” Which reminds me of the Scripture found in Luke 18:1-8: “Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that AT ALL TIMES they ought to pray and NOT GIVE UP and lose heart,  saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man.  There was a [desperate] widow in that city and SHE KEPT COMING TO HIM and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’  For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow CONTINUES to bother me, I will give her justice and legal protection; otherwise BY CONTINUALLY COMING she [will be an intolerable annoyance and she] will wear me out.’”  Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says!  And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] WHO CRY OUT TO HIM DAY AND NIGHT? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?  I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [THIS KIND OF PERSISTENT] faith on the earth?” (MSG).

Persistent Praise, Persistent Prayer, Persistent Faith…Sounds as if This Whole PERSISTENT Thing Really Means Something to God…I Wonder if it Means as Much to Us?

Honestly, can you imagine having an Unbeliever be favorable towards a Believer just because of their Persistence? The judge in the parable had no fear of God or faith in God, but he could not take this woman PERSISTING that he do something on her behalf, and yes indeed he did! I wonder if her nickname is “Goldie”? Because she sure sounds a lot like her! Despite the ‘NO, despite the discouragement, despite the obstacle, despite the opposition, the widow PERSISTED, a lot like Goldie, not allowing situations and circumstances to stop her! Are you that focused? Are you that forceful? Is your follow-through that consistent?

Let’s revisit our text: Hebrews chapter 13, verse 15, it says, “Through Jesus, let us CONTINUALLY offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Let’s take a peek at this verse in a few translations:

“Through Him, therefore, LET US AT ALL TIMES OFFER up to God a sacrifice of praise…” (AMP);

“Our sacrifice is to KEEP OFFERING praise to God in the name of Jesus.” (CEV);

“So through Jesus WE SHOULD NEVER STOP OFFERING our sacrifice to God. That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak His name.” (ERV);

“Through Jesus WE SHOULD ALWAYS bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, words that acknowledge Him.” (GWT);

“LET US GIVE THANKS ALL THE TIME to God through Jesus Christ. Our gift to Him is to give thanks. Our lips should always give thanks to His name.” (NLV)

Did you catch all of that? We are to offer God our Praise of Thanksgiving: “AT ALL TIMES…TO KEEP OFFERING IT…TO NEVER STOP OFFERING IT…TO ALWAYS OFFER IT…TO OFFER IT ALL THE TIME”!

“Through Jesus, let us CONTINUALLY offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.“

Notice how frequently we’re called to be praising God – “CONTINUALLY”! I love that word “continual” because it’s defined as, “constantly or frequently occurring; having no interruptions.” This right here is a good spot to tell somebody, I’m warning you, don’t interrupt my praise! This is the definition of your praise of thanksgiving, it should be constantly, frequently and have no interruptions! Meaning, just like Goldie and the Widow, you need to develop some Persistence that Perseveres, Regardless of Circumstance! Is that easy? Absolutely not! If it were, the Praise and Worship Leaders and Choir wouldn’t look like they’re about to pass out every Sunday trying to push and propel you into praise, you would just… “ENTER into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4) Can I tell you what I learned about the word “enter”? Well, it’s defined as, “to come or go into; to begin to be involved in or do; to join; to register; to participate.” But what caught my attention is its Old French Origin “entrer,” from Latin ‘intra’ which literally means “within.” If I was preaching this, this would be the part where I would tell you to “turn to your neighbor and tell them, you don’t get it when you get here, you bring it WITH you!” Praise isn’t something you walk into, it’s something you bring out from WITHIN you! Goldie sang all the time because that’s what was IN her, you should enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise for no other reason than that’s what’s IN you! Like Goldie, you need no coach, no cheerleader, to pom-poms lifted in the air telling you, you can do it, no keyboard, no drums, no organs, no preacher, no praise break, just the praise from WITHIN! When your praise comes from WITHIN, nothing on the OUTSIDE hinders it or helps it, because it’s self-sufficient in and of itself! It doesn’t need prompting, pushing, propelling and it’s not stopped by problems or panic! We are commanded to “ENTER IN…” WITH IT ALREADY! Why? Because it’s what we do, “AT ALL TIMES…WE KEEP OFFERING IT…WE NEVER STOP OFFERING IT…WE ALWAYS OFFER IT…WE OFFER IT ALL THE TIME”! WE CONTINUALLY PRAISE OUR GOD, NO MATTER WHAT!

Now, can I share a little secret with you? Now we know that we are to praise God CONTINUALLY, BUT we are also to praise Him SACRIFICIALLY. Did you notice that a lot of times praising God is a sacrifice? “THROUGH JESUS WE SHOULD ALWAYS BRING GOD A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE…” (GWT) And no offense to anyone in the congregation, but I don’t have time to worry about a “group praise project”! In other words, my sacrifice is personal! I feel like David, “MY [ONLY] SACRIFICE [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 AMP) My Sacrifice and My Praise are PERSONAL! See, what He means to you, because of what He’s done for you, will not move me as much as what He means to Me for what He’s done for Me! My praise is a sacrifice, it’s painful because its price was hefty to attain. My praise comes from the depth of my hurt, turmoil, abandonment, betrayal by others, but never by God. And my praise doesn’t need an organ, because it has a memory! And every time I don’t ‘feel’ like praising God, my praise has a memory of its own. It recalls the last time we didn’t think healing and deliverance would come (but it did); it recalls the last time we didn’t think food would go on the table, or the bills would be paid (but it did, and they were); it recalls the last time we didn’t think the marriage would come off life-support (but it did); it recalls the last time the children were in trouble and we thought they’d never get back to God again (but they did); it recalls the last time we were down to our last cent, and didn’t think another nickel would be found (but it was). My praise is sacrificial and personal because it has a memory! It remembers the price paid to attain it. And then it reminds me what I owe God for it! That’s why I don’t need outside assistance to praise God, nor do I need a group effort, nor do I allow circumstances to stop me, I give God what I owe Him, and I owe Him my personal, sacrificial, continual praise!

Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating ALL OF YOURSELF, set apart] as a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” (AMP). I don’t have to offer a sacrifice for ‘Us’, I have to offer MY Sacrifice of ALL of ME! My sacrifice of praise is personal and unstoppable! Even when my sacrifice is painful! Truth is that’s what sacrifice means “an act of giving up something one values for the sake of something that is of greater importance.” My personal, sacrificial praise to God is of greater importance than my mood, attitude, feelings, or surroundings. Does your praise mean that much to you?

However, can we be honest? Because truth is, sometimes we really don’t feel like praising. There’s a lot of unpleasant stuff going on. We’ve been praying, and we haven’t gotten any answers that we can recognize. We’re still struggling with habits, addictions, pain, our past, our health, our finances, our families, our jobs (or lack thereof), our churches etc…And truth is, when we’re in the midst of such hardship, lifting holy hands in praise, is not exactly the first thing on our to-do-list. Can we be real about it? But, when times are tough and God seems largely silent, praise is not just the overflow of some gushy spiritual high, “Hey, praise the Lord!” No, it’s a choice! A deliberate, painfully, sacrificial choice. God’s command for our continual praise is not conditioned on our circumstances. He says “continually” and He means, “continually”!

Listen to 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Be joyful always. Pray CONTINUALLY. Give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.” This sounds like the lifestyle of a certain yellow bird (Goldie). “…ALWAYS…CONTINUALLY…IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES…” No matter what, Goldie was singing. Her script for the day was already written. Everyone was going to hear positive sounds from her, regardless of any outside negativity surrounding her. Can you imagine how much our daily disposition would change for the better if we would give God continual, personal, sacrificial praise and thanksgiving; learning to be joyful (no matter what); to pray continually; and to give thanks in all circumstances?” In doing all of that, I don’t think we’d have any space or time left to worry, fret, or be pessimistic, fearful, doubtful, negative or complaining!

Listen: That’s a CHOICE we are all called to make each new day to determine to give God what we owe Him, regardless to anybody, anything or anyplace. With the mindset of a continual “praiser”, you go into the day aggressively looking for the marks of God on that day, the subtle activity of God, the dramatic activity of God, the little things, the big things, the little surprises, the little encouragements. Because, believe it or not, there’s not a day in your life that doesn’t have the fingerprints of God all over it. But you have to go looking for them. And that’s what “praisers” do. They don’t get stuck in a moment, they move past the moment in the vehicle of praise!

You may be in a sick bed, an unemployment line, a lonely time, a time of loss, or a time of overwhelming stress. But is that what’s going to determine your attitude or your talk? Are you going to let that stop your song or pause your praise? No, it needs to be the Christ in you, not the circumstances around you that push your praise forward, even when all of life is trying to knock you backwards.

In fact, praise is also an awesome weapon when life hits you over the head like a hammer. Psalm 8:1-2, “Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful in all the earth! It brings you praise everywhere in heaven. From the mouths of children and babies come songs of praise to you. THEY SING OF YOUR POWER TO SILENCE YOUR ENEMIES WHO WERE SEEKING REVENGE.” (ERV) And yet, you allow the broken washer, car, or plumbing to steal your praise and song! But it’s a weapon that silences the enemies of God! You can’t afford to be mute! Open your mouth, sing your songs of praise, let God feast on the fruit of your lips giving Him praise!

Lastly, continual, personal, sacrificial praise is the best weapon to help you Circumvent the enemy! You see, the word “Circumvent” is defined as, “to find a way around (particularly an obstacle); to avoid; to get around; to get past; to evade; bypass; sidestep; dodge; overcome  a problem or difficulty (typically in a clever or surreptitious way); to outwit; to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness); to avoid being stopped by something. Its’ Latin Origin ‘circumventus’ literally means to ‘come around; escape; elude’. Did you know your praise held so much strategic power? No matter how many traps the enemy sets for you, your praise causes you to circumvent every last one of them! Your praise causes you to escape the entrapment’s of the devil!

So Church, are you going to out-praise Goldie, or is Goldie going to out-praise you? My Suggestion? LET NOTHING AND NO ONE INTERRUPT YOUR PERSONAL, CONTINUAL, SACRIFICIAL, PERSISTENT, UNRESTRICTED PRAISE!

The word ‘unrestricted’ is defined as, ‘not having limits’. And that’s just how your praise to God ought to be, having NO limits! Meaning, you’re free to praise God in the car, in traffic, at the doctor’s office, in line at the bank, grocery shopping, at the book store, walking along the street, in your home, in the church, even in the bathroom shower (where some of us get in our best singing!) Listen, when you realize all that the Lord has done for you to be set free, you refuse to allow anyone or anything to bind you ever again! Jesus Himself sits on the right hand of the Father ever living to make intercession for us, so with Jesus speaking to the Father on our behalf in the Heavenlies, how dare we keep silent about Him in the Earth! Jesus destroyed your every yoke, bondage, and constraint! Now praise Him continually like you know you’re free! Your praise is Unrestricted, it has No Limits! So you don’t ever let anyone Shhh you! Let no one silence you! Let no one tell you it doesn’t take all of that! They have no idea of all that you’ve made it through and made it over, they have no idea of all the Lord did for you, they have no idea the praise you owe God for the debt He paid on your behalf! This day, open your mouth, and give God a persistent, continual, sacrificial, limitless praise!

2 Chronicles 20:22, “As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further confused, they went at each other, and all ended up killed.” (MSG)

Psalm 34:1” I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise.” (MSG)

Acts 16:25-26, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.” (CEV)

Psalm 98:4, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” (NKJV)

Psalm 113:3, “Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God! Just to speak His name is praise! Just to remember God is a blessing—now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!” (MSG)

Psalm 150, “Hallelujah! Praise God in His holy house of worship, praise Him under the open skies; Praise Him for His acts of power, praise Him for His magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise Him with castanets and dance, praise Him with banjo and flute; Praise Him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise Him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah! (MSG)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #BeAPraiser
Feel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “15 Ways to Stay Healthy in Retirement”