Beloved in Christ,

 

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Welcome to the month of July, a month in which we celebrate God's faithfulness and continue our journey through the second half of the year. As we reflect on the goodness of God over the past six months and look ahead with hope, our hearts are filled with gratitude for His unfailing love, protection, and provision.

 

Our theme for this month is "Reaping in Joy Through Praise and Worship."  The Psalmist exhorts us in Psalm 100:1-5 to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, serve Him with gladness, and enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise. These verses remind us that praise and worship are not merely activities we engage in during church services; they are expressions of a grateful heart that recognizes the goodness and faithfulness of God.

 

As I reflected on this theme, a familiar hymn came to mind: "When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all He has done for me, my very soul shall shout Hallelujah! Praise God for saving me."  Indeed, when we consider all that the Lord has done for us, our hearts cannot help but overflow with thanksgiving. He has saved our souls through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He has preserved our lives, protected us from dangers seen and unseen, delivered us from the hands of our enemies, and sustained us through every season. Truly, He deserves our highest praise.

 

However, there are two common obstacles that often hinder believers from fully engaging in praise and worship.

 

First, many believers allow circumstances to determine their praise. It is easy to praise God when prayers are answered, when doors are opening, and when life is going well. But true worship goes beyond favorable circumstances. The Bible teaches us that praise is a sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). Like Paul and Silas, who sang praises to God while imprisoned, we must learn to worship God not only for what He does but for who He is. When praise becomes our lifestyle, we discover joy even in difficult seasons and strength in times of weakness.

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Second, many believers become so focused on their needs that they forget God's past faithfulness.

 

The pressures of daily life can cause us to overlook the countless blessings God has already bestowed upon us. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember His benefits (Psalm 103:2). Gratitude fuels worship. When we intentionally reflect on God's goodness, our complaints diminish, our faith grows stronger, and our hearts become filled with joy.

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Praise and worship are powerful spiritual weapons. They lift our focus from our problems to God's power. They invite God's presence into our lives and situations. They renew our strength, encourage our faith, and position us to experience His continued blessings. As we praise God, we declare our confidence in His ability to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

 

As we journey through this month, I encourage you to cultivate a lifestyle of praise and worship. Praise God in your home. Worship Him in your private devotion. Join the fellowship of believers with a heart of thanksgiving. Let your words, actions, and attitude reflect gratitude to the One who has been faithful to you.

 

I pray that this month will be filled with songs of rejoicing and testimonies of God's goodness. As you praise and worship the Lord, He fill your heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Every burden be lifted, every fear be removed, and every blessing ordained for your life be released in due season. The Lord will cause you to reap in joy, strengthen your faith, and grant you abundant reasons to celebrate His goodness throughout this month and beyond; in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Happy New Month and abundant blessings to you and your family.

 

In His Service,
Pastor (Dr.) Emmanuel Falaye
Chairman, TACGV, USA