EXPRESS IMAGE GLORY MINISTRIES
THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 2, No. 43 – Monday, 23rd October, 2017
(Psalm 92)
‘A GOOD THING’
If ever the knowledge of such unimaginable power and limitless miracles ignited by praises to God has been tapped into by man, man should never have been in his present situation. Unarguably, emotion is the catalyst of most reactions whether towards spiritual or towards physical issues. This is the reason most prayers seem to be most fervent but far less effective. Why?
The potency and effectiveness of prayers is in the state of the heart expressing the prayers which must be a heart of righteousness and faith, not necessarily an emotion-laden heart. This same rule applies to praises. It is equally the state of the heart.
Unarguably still, whilst emotions can be both positive and negative, however in the instance of praises, the emotions must be such that has been preconditioned by certain other factors. Foremost of these factors are joyfulness and conscious choice. Unsurprisingly, the first of these two conditions is further preconditioned by the second.
The implication of the aforesaid is that even joyfulness is a matter of choice. Indeed, without being unnecessarily verbose, choice itself is a matter of choice. Why? The choice to do anything is a right, not a binding obligation. Which then means that as a right, one can elect to exercise it or not.
But how so good it would have been if the right of the choice to praise is a choice without a choice. Again, the question is: why? The reason is not far fetched. It is a good thing to praise. If the prayers and requests to God are the aeroplanes conveying men to their constituent destinations, praises are the engines and wings that assist in the taking-off of the aeroplanes and equally sustaining such aeroplanes in flight.
This definitely means a number of truths.
First, prayers cannot exist independent of praises but praises can.
Second, there are no successes for prayers without praises.
Third, great scholars of the Holy Scriptures who know a million times about the Bible more than me, have you ever read that prayers have ever moved God’s hands into action? Yes, by reason of His compassion, prayers are answered. But praises not only move the hands of divinity to descend into the situations of humanity, praises steer the Almighty to do the incredible and the impossible.
Fourth, most times, much prayers offered by man is nothing other than much words. But at all times much praises is much food pleasantly presented to the Almighty.
Understand therefore the following spiritual truths that:
(1) not offering praises to God brings curses not blessings (Malachi 2:2, Psalm 50:22-23).
(2) not giving primacy to praises delays answers to prayers and makes prayers craw not fly.
(3) He that is most fervent in prayers but unmindful of praises in gratitude to God is arguably the most ungrateful spiritual monster and sinner because such a person does the exact opposite of the ‘good thing’.
There is the story of a transnational servant of God: Baba Apostle Enoch Adejare Adeboye (the worldwide General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God) who visited the headquarters of the C.A.C. Ministries in Ikeji Arakeji in Oshun state Nigeria. On arrival, Baba swung into ceaseless praises to God without the mention of a single request.
Following this uncommon spiritual attitude, something happened in the spirit realm. What! It is a spiritual fact that whilst Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola (an uncommon God’s general and General Overseer and founder of the C.A.C. Ministries) was alive, he had three angels working with him.
On his departure to glory, one of the angels left with with him, leaving behind the other two at C.A.C. headquarters. As the uncommon praises by Baba Adeboye began, the attention of these two angels were sustained. Finally, as this Baba rose up from the ground about to return to his base in Lagos, one of those two angels left his post and followed him, thereby leaving one in Ikeji Arakeji till this day.
I find great lesson of concern for me and for Christians in this story. Consider where the Redeemed Christian Church of God is on earth today. It is the largest and the most blessed ministry on earth. Would I be wrong if I conclude that one of the reasons for their success is their heart and attitude of praise and worship onto God?
Apart from this, personally to Baba Adeboye, there is more. How? If Baba had three angels at the start of his ministry, with this addition, then he has four. If he had two, then there is now an additional one more. Of course, if Baba Adeboye had four, then he has five angels at his beck and call. Tell me: does this not inform us the reason for his uncommon feat of success?
If you doubt the foregoing story, I believe that you don’t doubt the Lord Jesus and the Bible. Did you notice that each time the Lord is about to perform an outstanding miracle, He begins by offering ‘thanks’ to God? Then there must be something uncommonly unusual about praises.
IN THE END, YOU ARE THE ALMIGHTY’S RIGHT-HAND MAN WHEN YOUR HEART IS OF FAITH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, JOYFULNESS AND CONSISTENT CHOICE OF PRAISES.
Altar call: Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Psalm 54 in closing and pray more).
Hymn: Praise The King Of Glory, He Is God Alone
Pray now:
1. Repent for failing to praise the Lord.
2. Burst into ceaseless quality worship and praises over all of your situations now.
Pastor Mike
