Psalm 121:1-3 (NKJV) I will lift up my eyes to the hills– from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Vibrant Praise is a declaration of faith in God. It is singing out of our heart’s conviction regarding the God whom we worship. It is placing your faith in the maker of heaven and earth. It reminds us that He is the maker of all flesh and there is nothing too difficult for Him. We are also reminded that His love for us will never change and nothing in this world will ever separate His love from us. We sing out of our convictions who God is, His goodness, faithfulness, and victory.
The word “rejoice” in Hebrew means “to circle in joy”, and refers to vigorous, enthusiastic expressions of joy, including to spin round. Praise helps us to shift our focus away from our problems and turn it towards God. This is what the Word of God says for those who walk by faith: the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It is a choice to vibrantly praise God, to express joy vigorously and enthusiastically, and even dance with joy despite the negativity surrounding us.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Therefore, people of faith are not moved by their circumstances, but they are convinced and anchored in the Word. Rather than looking at the present, the circumstances, the facts and the things that speak to us loudly how difficult our situation is, we should choose to look up to God, praise and rejoice in Him instead of allowing our circumstances to steal our joy, peace and faith in God.
Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
So how does vigorously, enthusiastically, and intentionally praising God looks like? We lift our hands. Don’t inhibited by what people around you might think because you are worshipping the Lord, and never think that you are unworthy to lift up your hands because God sees you in Christ.
1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV) I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV) Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth; burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Shout for joy! Clap your hands! Use your voice to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and praise Him with songs. If you cannot play an instrument, your vocal cord is a natural instrument to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. You may not feel comfortable initially, but you will soon get used to it. Lastly, we praise God with joyful dance.
Psalm 30:11 (NIV) You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Sermon Series: ICS Worship Culture (Part 1)
选择喜乐
诗篇 121:1-3 我要向山举目；我的帮助从何而来？我的帮助从造天地的耶和华而来。他必不叫你的脚摇动；保护你的必不打盹！
充满活力的赞美是对神信心的宣告。这是唱出我们心中对我们所敬拜之神的信心! 它将你的信心放在天地的造物主身上。它提醒我们，祂是万物的创造者，对祂来说没有什么难成的事。我们也被提醒，祂对我们的爱永远不会改变，在这个世界上没有任何东西能使祂的爱与我们隔绝。我们唱出我们心目中的神，唱出祂的良善、信实和得胜。
“喜乐”这个词在希伯来语中的意思是“在欢乐中绕着圈”， 它指充满活力、热情地表达喜悦之情，包括旋转。赞美帮助我们把注意力从自己的问题转移到神的身上。这就是神对那些凭信心而行的人所说的话。靠耶和华而得的喜乐是我们的力量（尼希米记8：10）。充满活力地赞美神，充满活力和热情地表达喜悦，甚至在看似愁云惨雾的笼罩中依旧喜乐地起舞，这是一个选择，
信是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。有信心的人不会为环境所动。他们信心坚固，锚定在神的话中。因此，与其看当下，看环境，看事实，看那些大声告诉我们处境何等艰难的事物，我们选择仰望神！我们选择赞美神并在神里面喜乐，而不是任由环境偷走我们在神里面的喜乐、平安和信心。
腓利比书 4:4 你们要靠主常常喜乐。我再说，你们要喜乐！
积极、热情、有意地赞美神是什么样的? 你在敬拜主时不要因周围人的想法而受约束，因为你是在敬拜神；更不要认为你不配举起你的双手，因为神透过基督里来看你。
提摩太前书 2:8 我愿男人无忿怒，无争论，举起圣洁的手，随处祷告。
诗篇 98:4-6 全地都要向耶和华欢乐；要发起大声，欢呼歌颂！要用琴歌颂耶和华，用琴和诗歌的声音歌颂他！用号和角声，在大君王耶和华面前欢呼！
欢呼！拍手！用你的声音向耶和华欢呼。用歌声赞美祂。如果你不会弹奏乐器，你的声带就是一种天然的乐器，可以向主发出欢呼的声音。一开始你可能会觉得不自在，但很快你就会习惯了。最后，我们翩翩起舞赞美主。
诗篇 30:11你已将我的哀哭变为跳舞，将我的麻衣脱去，给我披上喜乐
讲章系列: ICS 的敬拜文化（第一部分）
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