Praise Ye the Lord

Dread and Hope A personal reflection on mortality and faith. Expresses a fear of losing his wife of 40 years. Hopes to be taken first, acknowledging her strength. Affirms conviction in God’s unchanging nature and goodness. Finds specialization in God during times of heartbreak. Believes God helps during times of tears, heartbreak, compassion, concern, worry, or fear. Psalms 106:1 Focus on praising and thanking God for His goodness and enduring mercy. “Praise ye the Lord. Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” A prayer for God to bless the word, songs, and testimonies shared. Asks for guidance and for God to speak to hearts. Requests that the message be food for souls, salve for wounds, and a fix for what is broken. Prays for the lost to find repentance and recognize God as their Lord. Trusts God to do what is needed in the hearts of those present. God’s Unchanging Goodness God’s goodness is a constant reminder in the Word. Even when circumstances seem bad, God remains good. God knows exactly what is needed. Comfort in knowing God is faithful and unchanging. God is good to sinners, saints, those who trust Him, and even those who don’t. God’s goodness is irrespective of who you are. Salvation through being born again is necessary to enter heaven. God reigns on the just and the unjust. Gratitude for being safe in God’s hand and within the shepherd’s view. Even when wandering, God remains a good shepherd who saves, feeds, protects, and guides. Remembering God’s Goodness Times of uncertainty and not knowing what to do. Finding God to still be good, regardless of circumstances. The importance of remembering what God has done. Reflection on being lost and the gratitude for no longer being in that state. Regardless of past struggles, being able to thank God for the present state. God’s goodness is not just a little, but “real good.” A comment made in jest about the righteous being made fat, referencing scripture. God’s constant presence and unchanging nature. God will be there when no one else is. Thankfulness for not being raised in a Buddhist home or worshipping statues. Crying out to God for help in desperate times. Praising God and His Mercy Praising the Lord is a personal responsibility. “Praise ye the Lord… Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” Gratitude that God’s mercy has no expiration date. Acknowledging personal struggles and discouragement. Battling the devil’s lies and finding reassurance in God’s Word. Thanking God for His faithfulness in every step. God’s goodness during times of financial hardship, uncertainty, sickness, and seeking salvation. Good Family and Salvation Gratitude for a good family. Thankfulness for being raised in church. Saved at a young age. Testimony of Tracy, who believes God saved her from addiction. Recognizing tendencies towards addiction in her family. God did something she couldn’t do, organizing and creating something out of nothing. God is the author and finisher of faith. The first and the last, the beginning and the end, and good through it all. Having a good extended family. Rodney’s testimony of finding joy and a great big family after being brought back into the fold. The support and love received from the church family during surgery. Good Life and God’s Faithfulness Gladness for a good family in God and love for the church. God’s goodness in every circumstance. Faithfulness through sorrow, repentance, and all situations. Recommending God to others. God lifting from a horrible pit and setting feet on solid rock. Acknowledging troubles and God’s role in them. Growth through struggles. Like trees being stretched by the wind, hard things produce the greatest light. Good Book (The Bible) Thanking God for His Word. An anecdote about forgetting the Bible and the importance of keeping the “sword” in hand. The Bible can bring one to their knees and break their heart. It also reveals God’s enduring mercy and grace. God’s love even when living in sin or not following Him. Encouragement to read the Bible. The importance of investing in this “real good book.” The Bible is life, bread, sustenance, a lamp, and a light. Hiding God’s word in one’s heart to avoid sinning against Him. Jesus came in the volume of the book. If only one book could be kept, it would be the Bible. It has rescued countless times. The Bible speaks to the soul and lifts from dark places. Psalms 119:9: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” If unsure how to study, just start reading. The Holy Ghost will bear witness. Even if one gets nothing out of it one day, the next day, two words can be impactful. The Bible is alive, powerful, quick, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Sharing God’s Goodness with Others Wanting to share the good God with those stuck in addiction and sin. Gladness for Larry’s return and thanking God for it. God is not just a little good, but “real good” right now. God has done more than can be imagined. Wondering how one can get stuck in a place where they don’t praise and worship God. Good Spirit (The Holy Spirit) Thanking God for His Spirit. Considering the Holy Spirit a friend. It is expedient that Jesus went away to send the comforter. Needing comfort and the Holy Spirit’s help. The Holy Ghost has been a constant companion for nearly 50 years. Until the Holy Spirit comes, one is not happy. Loving when the Holy Spirit shows up and moves among believers. The Holy Spirit manifests in ways that bless everyone. The Holy Spirit has done things that no one else knew about. Sealed to the day of redemption by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit abides and lives within. Having a good friend in the third part of the Godhead. When crippled, a good crutch (the Holy Spirit) is handy. The Holy Ghost has never failed. It is a shame to quench or offend the Holy Spirit. He is a person, not an “it.” One can quench Him when He starts to move and work. One can offend Him. If the Spirit is beginning to move, grab hold of it and let Him have His way. Praying for the Holy Spirit to pray for when one doesn’t know what to do. The Holy Spirit makes intercession and utters groanings that cannot be uttered. Good Shepherd Having a real good shepherd. Sheep are dumb and need shepherding. Brad Hedrick’s story of the sheep stuck in the corner. The Holy Spirit saying, “Turn around and look up.” Without the Spirit, one would be lost. Psalms 23: The Lord is my shepherd. Goodness and mercy shall follow because of a good shepherd. Everything from verse 1 to 6 says He’s real good. The good shepherd leads beside still waters and makes one lie down in green pastures. Good Future Serving God even if there was no heaven. Having found the way. Abraham never made this world his home. He was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God. He was a sojourner and pilgrim. A real good future is ahead. Living in a time when everyone worked with is younger. The future has nothing to do with this earth. This place is simply a place to get ready for a better land. A longing in the heart for that better land. Witnessing grace and peace in Mary, who had received a terminal diagnosis. She had a real good future because she wasn’t concerned about what was left here. Perspective changes when realizing the future is not about what is gone through here. By faith, one can see the better land afar. Everything is about that place and the man in it. Live for Him so others know there’s nothing like what’s coming. Isaiah said, “The half has not yet been told.” The Holy Spirit has revealed more. Revelations of gates of pearl, streets of gold, and foundations of precious jewels. A land where there’s no need for a sun, where God shall wipe away all tears, and there’s no more death, dying, sorrow, heartache, or sin. There’s no reason to put tent stakes down too far because life is short. This world doesn’t offer much hope. Conclusion Praise ye the Lord. Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. There are days when a real good God is needed. Pour out everything to Him. Everything put in His hands is in a good place. God has always been real good. Praising Him. Multiple times in the Psalms, the same message is written. Throughout the ages, there have been glimpses of God’s people figuring out that He’s real good. A real good God deserves real good praise and worship all the time