The Heart of Praise

Psalm 100:1-5
1 Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
2  Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

What is praise?

• Expression of affirmation, adoration, or admiration
• The visible or vocal declaration of the value of who God is, what God has done, and what we are trusting Him to do.

The Call to Praise
Psalm 100:1-2 – Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.  

The Foundation of Praise
Psalm 100:3 – Acknowledge (know) that the LORD is God!  He made us, we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Knowledge of God leads to joy in God which leads to praise of God.

The Expression of Praise
Psalm 100:4 – Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise His name.

The Reasons for Praise
Psalm 100:5 - For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues (endures) forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
           
Application:

• I’m praying for the desire and drive to know God more intimately.
• I’m praying for more joy. 
• I’m praying for it to be ‘my pleasure’ to serve the Lord and others.
• I will honestly evaluate what I praise.
• I commit to praising the Lord based on His unchanging character NOT on my ever-changing circumstances or feelings.
• God wants me to bring my praise and worship with me to church rather than bring myself to church to praise and worship.
• I am praying that thanksgiving would permeate my life.