In Psalm 147:1 we are instructed to praise the Lord and verse 2 tells us why!
1 PRAISE THE Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate. 2 The Lord is building up Jerusalem; He is gathering together the exiles of Israel.
Since 1948 the Lord has been bringing the Jewish people back to their God-given land from every part of the world! They continue to arrive yet today! Hallelujah! I LOVE watching the Word of God be fulfilled right before our eyes! Verses 11-12 give more reasons for praising Him and instructs Israel to do the same!
11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. 12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
God's people, who are called by his Name, both the Church of Jesus Christ and the Jewish people, have a multitude of reasons to praise Him! The Church is addressed specifically in Revelation as he speaks to the seven churches. Revelation 3:15-17 address a church that had grown fat, lazy and cold toward the things of God and His Word.
15 I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! 17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
If you find yourself in a church such as this, check yourself first of all to see that YOU are doing YOUR part! Then begin to pray and intercede for that church in the Spirit and according to the Word of God. Pray the Ephesians (1:17-21 and 3:16-21) and Colossians (1:9-14) prayers for the members and leadership. As you are doing this continue to listen to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit as He directs you to either stay or move on to a church that is on fire for the things of God and fully involved in fulfilling HIS plan and purpose! I invite you to check out our website through the link at the left and to visit us if you are in our area! We are, most definitely, a "Church On Fire" (Hillsong):
Shalom in Him!
