We have people running around unable to praise God because they are not sanctified to their satisfaction.  

You cannot sanctify yourself.  Praise will go a long way toward getting you more sanctified because He works in us to will and to do His good pleasure.  It’s Him.  He is the source as we abide in Him, and His word abides in us.  He is the vine, and we are the branches; amen?  How about just being thankful for that abiding process?  Every time we approach Him, He is there.  His promises are sure to a thousand generations.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Although we war and battle at times through the forgiveness factor and many of the things that we’ve taught about so much, let me remind you of something.  Where you are struggling, God has already forgotten those things.  Before His throne, before His court, you are not guilty; amen?  That is something to be thankful for.  That will stop us every six paces and cause us to worship God.

“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.”  We see that we don’t keep it to ourselves.  You get other people around and say, “Come and magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:3)  “Let’s get together and talk about how good God is, not what He hasn’t done, why I’m so beat down, or why I’m full of self-pity.  Let’s get together, magnify the Lord, and exalt His name together.”  Philippians says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…” (Philippians 4:6-8).  “Well, it’s true.  They said ‘this.’  They did ‘that.’  No, what is true is that God’s forgiven you.  That may be what they did, but it’s not who they are.  Let’s think about what’s true.  Who they are is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.  Think about that; amen?

He goes on, “Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Pull down the evil thoughts that lie against God.  “God loves others more than you.  You are always getting the short end of the stick.  Nothing works out.  Woe is me!  Gloom, despair, and agony...”  Well, the last time I read it, we’re the head and not the tail.  We are above only and not beneath; amen?  What we touch prospers.  We are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.  That is what I remember.  Therefore, we pull down everything that will exalt itself against the knowledge of who God is.  And God has already purposed it.  Romans, Chapter 8, says He has already predestined you to be conformed to the image of God.  Let’s get together and make God big.  Hallelujah!

Father, we thank You for Your Word.  We want You to be exalted in our midst.  We want to make You big in our lives.  We want to boast about You in front of everybody else.  We want to gather together as Your people, lift up Your name, and praise You for You are worthy.  Hallelujah!  Let the fruit of our lips bring thanksgiving to Your name.  Even if I don’t feel like it, I’m going to do it because You are worthy.  I don’t feel like it because I don’t understand things from Your perspective, the omnipotent, omniscient, and immutable God.  But I choose to know this:  You are good, and Your mercies endure forever.  And so, I praise You!  Although I can’t see it now, this working of patience in my life will make me perfect, complete, steadfast, and lacking nothing.