Praise!! Antoinette R. Banks, member of the Web Team

200-300 young adults religiously flock to West Angeles’ Theater every Tuesday night for bible study. In the theater, an intimate atmosphere is created specifically to worship and learn from Leaders Elder Manuel Thomas and Pastor Benjamin Stephens. Last night, Elder Manuel Thomas, affectionately called Elder Manny Fresh, ministered on the magnetic topic of praise.

The foundational scripture of the evening was: Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Praising God allows us as Christians to magnify God from the inside. We, children created in His own image and likeness, were specifically made to honor Him; therefore, we must know that the inner instruments of our beings were specifically wired to praise God.

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. A sacrifice means to give an offering. In the Old Testament when they gave their burnt offerings, the offering had to die. Its death was seen as a satisfactory gift and was acceptable to God. As Christians, in order for us to bring a sacrifice of praise our flesh has to die so that it may be suitable unto God. We must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24).

Versus the design of Lucifer who did not just sing a song—he was a song. From Lucifer’s very being he created music that praised God. Isaiah 14:12 how art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Psalm 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Magnify means to enlarge or to make bigger. Know that praise is a part of who you are! When you magnify God you are literally saying to God what he says about Himself. He becomes bigger than you! He becomes bigger than your circumstance!

It did not matter to David what the perception of him was in 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor. He praised God out of a special relationship, out of a special assignment.

The idea is this: praise is built in from the very side of us. When we praise God, we minister unto him. We must offer a true, and hope filled praise that comes from a place of honesty within us.

Praise is to the spirit what oxygen is to the body. When you praise Him, He reminds you of His promise. He reminds you of what you have cried for. He reminds you of what you were delivered from. He reminds you of what he will provide and restore for you!

Lean not to thine own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge Him!!!!! (Proverbs 3:5)