Spirit Ventures Praise To access, walk in, and effectively function in a new place, it is beneficial to have nice things to say about existing leadership. It may be impossible to even get past the gate without an appreciative word, depending on where this new realm is. Even in “free” America, it is wise to “freely” discover encouraging things to say about those in positions of authority. Failing to do so compromises any ability to be built up. Expressed praise is helpful in enjoying the potential of that new realm. Even before we are impressed in the least with the Great God of Creation, He has spoken amazing things about us as the targets for the many blessings of His realm. Entering into His courts is enabled by our own words of praise for Him. The step through that gate begins with simply declaring His Lordship, but there is so much more to venture into as His praises provide access to His endless realm of possibilities and effectiveness. With every aspect of His character and description of His works, there is a praise that activates faith for the reception and experience of Him. Notes His realm – the experience of praise from His creation’s existence. Psalms 19:1-4 (NLT) 1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. The realm of His Spirit is accessed by expressions of His praise. Psalms 100:1-5 (TPT) 1 A poetic song for thanksgiving. Lift up a great shout of joy to the Lord! Go ahead and do it—everyone, everywhere! 2 As you serve him, be glad and worship him. Sing your way into his presence with joy! 3 And realize what this really means—we have the privilege of worshiping the Lord our God. For he is our Creator and we belong to him. We are the people of his pleasure. 4 You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise. Come right into his presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to him and affectionately bless his beautiful name! 5 For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you—so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation! Personal experience of Him is relived/magnified in the telling of it. Psalms 40:1-3 (NLT) 1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. In praise there is going to the Source of joy. Psalms 43:4-5 (NLT) 4 There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! 5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! In the praise of His faithfulness to His promises – entrance into them. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. Declarations: I have been given access to the Lord's presence by declaring His creation's greatness. When I proclaim His creative power, I join with all of Creation I enter the courts of His presence with expressions of praise. No matter the hopelessness of a worldly encounter, there is joy in the praising of my God. Everything I need for life and godliness is discovered by magnifying His faithfulness to His promises.