Praise Is Your Pathway
Praise is a pathway to God's direction and purpose in your life, helping you navigate through uncertain circumstances.
Jack Hayford emphasizes the importance of looking back at our journey to gain clarity on our current direction. He highlights the significance of praise in our lives, urging believers to make it a constant practice and to understand its role in their spiritual growth. By drawing insights from Acts 16, Psalms 26, and Job 38, he illustrates how praise can bring breakthroughs, pave the way for God's purpose, and align us with the heavenly worship. Hayford encourages the congregation to join in continuous praise, as it not only brings personal release but also impacts the world around them and leads many into the Kingdom of God.
Text
Many times the best way to be certain of the direction you're going is to look back and see where you've been.
Periodically, over the years, the Lord presses specific points upon us--points of truth He seeks us to acknowledge in the ongoing pattern of life. It is to these we turn, as to milestone markers.
Has praise been a hallmark of your life? Has praise been your constant practice? Has your understanding of praise and its role in your life been growing with the passing months and years?
A few basic reminders from Scripture can bring your life back on track....
From Acts 16:19-34: Darkness surrounds this hour as it did Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison. Their praise brought God's hand by an earthquake and out of the night a hopeless jailer was saved. Now, let your praises rise! As you praise continually, spiritual shock waves go out into the world around you. It will bring your release and the release of many into the Kingdom of God.
From Psalm 26: Praise is your pathway through the mired circumstances of the present world. Your step will be uncertain and slide unless you recognize that your praises form stepping-stones by which the Father paves your way into the future purpose He has for you.
From Job 38:4-7: As the morning stars sang His praise at creation, accompanying His great display of power with their worship, let your voices join with the heavenly song. Praise the Lord. Sing unto the Lord. Sing with your spirit and sing with your understanding, for as you sing praises unto Him, He continues His great creative working...and in your midst you shall see the marvelous works of God, the Lord of the new creation.
"Let's just praise the Lord." Some might suggest this as a rather closed view of things. I disagree. It's the open door to everything, and the pathway God directs us to walk.
Sermon Outline
- Praise Is Your Pathway
- Praise as a Hallmark of Life
- Praise as a Constant Practice
- Understanding Praise in Life
Key Quotes
“Praise is your pathway through the mired circumstances of the present world.” — Jack Hayford
“Let your praises rise! As you praise continually, spiritual shock waves go out into the world around you.” — Jack Hayford
“As the morning stars sang His praise at creation, accompanying His great display of power with their worship, let your voices join with the heavenly song.” — Jack Hayford
Application Points
- Make praise a constant practice in your life to stay on track with God's direction.
- Recognize that your praises form stepping-stones for God to pave your way into the future purpose He has for you.
- Sing praises with both spirit and understanding to fully engage with God's creative working in your life.