What Praise Can Do

Hello People!!!!!

I apologise for not dropping a post earlier on this week. So many unexpected things came up this week but I thank God cos in all things I am more than a conqueror through Christ who dwells in me. Somebody shout Hallelujah!!!!!

On this glorious Saturday morning I just want to drop a few lines to give you my first hand experience on what PRAISE can do.

I noticed a lot of visitors who come to my blog usually visit my post 'The Importance of Prayer' and I believe it has blessed them so I will give my experience also on praise.

Recently, a lot has been going on around me. There are some prayer requests I have and also partnership prayers that concern me that I pray about as well. Sometimes its hard to get into that zone when you want to really go all deep. In those situations I just tell myself to PRAISE God.

Now most of us (I included) have confused Praise to be that part of the singing, clapping and fast beat phase while worship is the more solemn phase. Due to my experience I beg to differ.

There are times when no song comes to your mind but you remember the goodness of God, His awesome power,His majesty and you begin to Praise Him. You Praising Him is an ACT of Worship in itself. The two are one and the same. It's more than the singing, its more than the clapping. It's more of a lifestyle of always having a reason to appreciate God for what He has done, what he is doing and what He will do. Most times Simply for who He is.

On Tuesday I had an awesome experience. At first the spirit was willing to pray but the flesh was weak because I had a somewhat nasty episode at work. All I wanted to do was follow my usual routine prayer and get it over and done with. Little did I know that God had a different plan for me.

So here I was about to go on my knees but while standing in my little room I just began to sing praises to God. Thinking back on it all those songs had one thing in common: They all had the theme of THANKFULNESS. Now at the time I didn't think of what I was being thankful for considering the fact that I didn't exactly have the best day. However that went on for about 20-25 mins. It came so easy that when I thought I was finally released and got on my knees to get my so called 'worship Phase' started all I could do was minister to God with words. His faithfulness, His kindness, His ability to always show up.

People I am glad I was not released early that night to go ahead with a routine prayer just cos I felt I had to. I am glad I was able to submit to His will and Praise Him the way I did. In Praising Him I worshipped His Majesty and the extent of His love for me.

On Wednesday morning all invigorated after such a powerful night session the day was worse than the last. I am sure you were expecting me to say all will be fine. Nope Worse I tell you. Right until getting home.

But People when you praise and worship God in the midst of your circumstances and you surrender everything to Him: I tell you THINGS HAPPEN!!!

Nothing happened on Thursday. All I was lead to do was read some Psalms for encouragement (Psalms 56: 3-4 and Psalm 144: 7 and 11.)

But people on Friday my God showed up for me in a wonderful way. How it came about I do not know all I know is that it has to be God only God. And I attribute it to the day I submitted to His will to Praise Him.

I can not begin to explain to you the level of joy I feel. God is taking me through something and after the first stage of manifestation on Friday I thanked and praised Him some more because I know He who began a GREAT work in me will be Faithful and more than Able to complete it.

People Watch This Space. More is about to come. Because when the Praises Go up, the Blessings come down.

This is my experience. Prayer is important but do not forget the importance of Praise as well.

Please share your experience with me and with visitors on this blog. You do not know who may need encouragement from your experience(s).

Stay Blessed and with an attitude of Praise

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Outcomes!!!

Life has a way of dishing out circumstances and situations to you that you never bargained for. Everyone of us or at least most of us have had our lives mapped out one way or the other till a certain point but have had to re-adjust our settings to fit circumstances that may have altered them. Some of these circumstances are good while some are rather unfortunately, bad and may throw you into a state of dis-array, hurt and much more. However, sometimes circumstances which are thrown at us are backdrops to places and spheres we actually ought to be in life. This is what I have termed as OUTCOMES.

As Christians, we are taught and led by the spirit to leave everything to God and also involve Him in our plans. This is ultimately true as my motto in life is: Let Go and Let God as really there is nothing much more we can really do than that which we have already tried to do. Also how we react to this circumstances and situations thrown to us by life's winds which alters things in our lives is very important. As a daughter/Son of zion, your attitude, behaviour and reaction to such situations are being watched by all. So how then are we to carry ourselves into the OUTCOMES which are to propel us to our pre-destined positions in this life? Here are a few tips the holy spirit laid on my heart a few moments ago.

1. Learn to love yourself the way you and at the point you are at:

This is the problem a lot of us are facing at this present time. The high to always want to be at a stage where our other peers are at can hinder or distort the course our OUTCOMES are supposed to take. Just because one person has walked a thousand miles and you have walked five hundred does not make you a lesser person. The bible says: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. [Ecclesiastes 9:11] . I can't begin to count how many times I recite this verse in a day. I have felt confused and very much upset at times when I feel I deserve something and it has been handed over to another who I know did not go through half of what I went through. This verse was laid on my spirit and has taught me that each and everyone is running a different race: hence the race not being for the swift. It is how well you run your race that matters not how fast.

2. Attitude:

Your attitude speaks before you and says a lot about you. Please darlings lay aside the jealousy, envy and hate. It doesn't look good on a child of the kingdom or anyone for that matter. Stop holding on to grudges and letting them rule you. Have a forgiving spirit. Its not easy to forgive not to talk of forgetting. I have currently gone through a phase whereby I feel that holding on to certain hurts are not worth it. I tell myself, no matter how painful or upsetting the situation may be, that there was a reason for God allowing the hurt to happen. It sounds a bit out of place but it has totally worked for me. Its not easy to release grudges but the thing folks fail to realise about grudges is that it eats into you and hinders you from receiving pure happiness you are entitled to. I mean who doesn't want to be happy. I'll rather let you go than allow you still ruin my happiness. I mean its like loosing both ways which is extremely unnecessary. Let your attitude speak well for you and you will see it makes a whole lot of difference having an enchanting and acceptable attitude while journeying into your OUTCOME.

3. Pray:

I can not over-emphasise this enough. I have currently gone through a serious prayer rejuvenation that it feels as if when I don't pray I'm not complete. How do I explain this? It feels like when you are in love and the other party does not share the same sentiments any more and you feel like a part of you has been cut off, that's how I feel when I don't pray. The wonderful thing about prayer is the peace it brings. I am amazed as to how quickly this peace comes. When I have a problem the first thing I say sub-consciously is 'Holy Spirit, Help me!'. Its as simple as that and I feel a sudden re-assurance that I am not alone. Phillipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.. This verse is absolutely powerful and so true. If Christ has made such an offer why not make the most of it. I'm tired of hearing people complain about one thing or the other and when I ask 'have you prayed?' silence takes the order of the day. Trust me sometimes it is hard to pray especially if the pain is so much that it seems prayer is not enough. I have recently realised that that is a lie of the devil. There is nothing prayer can not solve. You may not get an answer immediately, or the answer you want but an answer will come all the same. So in getting to that OUTCOME I encourage you to pray.

4. Speak words of life and strength into your life: BE POSITIVE:

I can understand that sometimes being positive is hard. I used to be formally known as the QUEEN LADY OF PESSIMISM but I thank God that I am being delivered from it all. The problem with negativity is that it makes you one sided and this can be very frustrating and I mean very very frustrating. You do not give a chance to see the other side of things which is truly a better side of things. You lock yourself up in a mental battle as if to obliterate any manner of good happening in a situation. Please with all things being well and good, try and look at the other side of the coin. Not all things are as they seem. Try and believe that there is still some good in this world and once you believe it you will see it.

Stop downing yourself. You are not the first person to go through that bump in the road. I believe I am as organised as it gets.A while back I had drafted a perfect plan for myself. Education, career and relationship wise. All of a sudden of late everything seems to be going into utter dis-array. At first when I noticed it, I began to hyper-ventilate, then I began to crash like a computer system. Then thankfully God restored my prayer routine/mode and everything began to seem a little bit brighter. It became much better when I began to speak to myself and encourage myself. I usually say this: I reject depression, inferiority complex and self pity. I uproot sorrow and heaviness now in the name of Jesus. I accept congratulations and reject sorry for my day and my life. There is sooooo much power in the tongue it is unbelievable. And in saying it you have to believe it. Its not going to be if you only say it. Speak it into existence by believing it already exists. That's why Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

These are just a few things I can right down at the moment. Work with it and let me know how it works. I believe by God's grace everything which occurs to push you to your OUTCOME will be a stepping stone to propel you to your destiny and would be a journey that will draw you closer to Him who knows all and permits all.

Keep holding on to his word

Yours sincerely

Patience Virtue.

The Importance of Prayer

A short Prayer:

Thank you Jesus for such an opportunity to share what you have laid on my heart with your people. I thank you because as they are ministered to, you will show up strong and mighty in every situation they may be facing. Show them Lord that you are the mighty God who fetches water with a basket to disgrace the bucket...Thank you Jesus...

Over the past month I have been re-introduced into a whole new dimension on what prayer can do in a believers life. Therefore you can take my account as first hand gist and experience or better still using the well known expression: this account is gotten from the Horse's mouth.

I was in one of those moods whereby you think of everything going on around you. The busyness of it all and you are searching for some peace and tranquillity. Have you ever wondered like me why everything seems to go on well for others around you even though most of the time the others around you don't have the same faith or moral standing as you? Yes I know what just popped into your minds: Don't compare yourself to others...True, word!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However that's where we ought to call the spirit in. This is because fleshy thinking can lead us to depression, self pity and also a hint of inferiority complex may set in. In order to tap into the spirit and be set aside from fleshy thinking the bible encourages us in Phillipians 4 v 6: not to fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Now what say you my learned friends: when such an offer has been made to you why not make the most use of it. This verse was given to us by El Shaddai specifically because Ephesians 6 v 12:For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Of late I have experienced first hand that before things happen in the physical they have usually already taken place in the spirit. That is why it seems everything goes well for a long while and then at a point BOOM everything then seems to start going down hill. Whatever happened, happened in the spirit first before revealing itself in the physical. That is why we have been ordered in 1st Thessalonians 5:17 to: Pray without CEASING.

Now let me take you through my journey with my greatest and 'bestest' lover: The Ancient of days, The lily of the Valley and The rose of Sharon: God Almighty.

Morning Prayer: I have a new devotional I have been using for the past few months and to God be the Glory it has blessed me tremendously: Our Daily Manna by Rev. (Dr) Chris Kwakpovwe. It also has an accompanying prayer book: Prayer Bullets for Winners (War Against Haman)by the same author.

Prior to my newly revived love for prayer,my morning prayer used to be very serene. Up from bed I quickly mumble through my 'thank you Jesus for another day' routine. It became one of the things I had to do everyday as part of my to do list. I can't really remember adding any sort of great importance to it. Don't get me wrong I meant every word in my prayer but it just didn't feel easy. I thank God for where I am now because all that has changed. I wake up in the morning and I can't wait to start my prayers. I don't rush I just have a long talk with my father who sits on the throne and watches over my affairs. Psalm 88v13:But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

I have observed that committing your day into the hands of the One who created it works wonders...really I am not exaggerating. When we wake up every morning it is a gift and not something we are freely entitled to by right. So why not dedicate it to Him. Many things had happened the night before in the spirit which ought to be counteracted in the first few minutes or hours of rising. Usually I commit my day into God's hands. My life, family, career, academics and relationships into His hands. I prophesy blessings into my life and family. I ask for me to meet Godly individuals and pray against wasters, blockers, suckers, emptier's and users of my destiny. This prayer is specifically important because not everyone you meet with or smile with is interested in your progress or happy with your present position. Therefore it is important to fortify yourself spiritually.

Also loosing productivity, fruitfulness and uncommon wisdom into my life and my family for the day is very important. This is because everyday is a day which ought to be enjoyed to the fullest. God has so much blessings in store for us to enjoy in each day so we have to make the most of it.

Afternoon Prayers: These are more subtle as I usually meditate on the Psalms and prophesy the verses into my day, life and family. Some Psalms I pray with are: Psalm 133, 84, 71,20,25,91,126,141,93,5,27,59,121,140

Night Prayers: I remember when I was younger, my family used to have evening devotions as opposed to morning devotions most of my friends at school had. This taught me that in ending your day, you always have to thank your creator, the one who gave you the day and in thanking Him for the day you are surrendering it back to Him.

Psalm 74v16:Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun.

Night prayers are usually more intense than morning or afternoon prayers. This is because it is in the night that most spiritual battles are fought Judges 7v19: So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands.

Commit your day to Him and ask Him to correct any errors you might have made that may hinder the blessings He has in store for you. Ask for your night to be covered by the blood and that angels on assignment go out and fight for you and on your behalf. Wherever any evil has been or will be discussed concerning you must be disgraced and brought to fruitlessness. Ask Him to show up in those areas of you life that need strengthening and peace.

Question: Has this worked?
Answer: 100%.

I am a true testimony that praying continuously and at every opportunity works. First you feel lighter like all the weight has been lifted off. Secondly, you have this peace in you that everything is going to work out irrespective of things that are happening around you. Thirdly, you fill fulfilled and protected.

I can not begin to explain the miracles I have received. My faith has been revived and I have experienced the presence of God in a whole new dimension. Its like one minute I'm down the next minute I feel great because the Holy Spirit has ministered to me in one way or the other. It's amazing.

Faith is also very necessary as well when it comes to prayer. Remember
Hebrews 11v1:Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see

Hebrews 11v6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.


Give prayer a chance in your life. You will definitely experience what I feel on a regular basis. I will advise that as part of your daily prayer plan you get yourself a good devotional. There are lots out there so take time to check out for one that you feel you can understand well enough.

Ok then I've given you my experience: Go find out about it.And congratulations in advance because your life is about to experience a change like never before.

Love you darlings,

Yours Truly,

Patience Virtue