“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:3 ESV)

Sing praises to Him

“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (Psalm 105:2 ESV)

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!” (Psalm 135:3 ESV)

With Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…” (Eph. 5:19 ESV)

Praise Him with musical instruments 

“Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150:3-5 3 ESV)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord with gladness

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” (Psalm 95:1 ESV)

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5 ESV)

Therefore…

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13 ESV)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16 ESV)

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” (Psalm 104:33 ESV)

“A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5 ESV)

 Quote:

“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.” - Martin Luther

“Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised’.” (Job 1:20-21 GW)

 Job lost everything yet praised God

 In a series of one horrific disaster after another Job lost everything he had, including his children. He even lost his health and was blamed for all his problems by his friends. To top it all off, his wife told him to “curse God and die”. In the midst of his great loss and grief, Job did something remarkable; he worshipped God and said, “The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised.” Job recognized God as his creator, provider and the final authority, no matter what should happen to him. This attitude pleased God. Eventually his health returned and God blessed him with twice what he had lost. 

Believing that God is the Lord

“You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them.” (Neh. 9:6)

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Isa. 66:2)

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Col. 1:16)

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:3)

God the creator is worthy of our worship and praise

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)

“O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” (Isa. 37:16)

Therefore…

“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)

“Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens!” (Psalm 147:2-5)

Quote:

“Stay strong! Your test will become your test-imony, your mess will become your mess-age.” - Max Lucado

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Tim. 2:7 ESV)

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and understanding 

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” (Prov. 3:13-18 ESV)

Trust in the Lord and not your own understanding 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3;5 ESV)

God’s Words imparts light and understanding

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 ESV)

God’s understanding has no limit

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5 NIV)

Seek understanding like searching for hidden treasure

“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:2-5 ESV)

“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Prov. 20:25 ESV)

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)

Understanding will guard you

“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil…” (Prov. 2:11-12 ESV)

“And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” (Job 28:28 ESV)

Therefore…

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Cor. 2:12 ESV)

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

“Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.” (Prov. 19:8)

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Cor. 10:13 NLT)

Don’t cheat on your spouse 

“You must not commit adultery.” (Exo. 20:14 NLT)

“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” (Heb. 13:4 NLT) 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27-28 NIV) 

Don’t cheat others

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exo. 20:17 NLT) 

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” (Lev. 19:11 ESV)

“The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” (Prov. 11:1 NLT)

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,  a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Prov. 16:16-19 NIV)

Don’t cheat God

“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” (Acts 5:1-9 NIV)

Cheaters are wrongdoers and will not inherit the kingdom of God 

“Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:8-11 NIV)

Therefore…

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Prov. 10:9 ESV)

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Rom. 13:8 NLT)

Quotes:

“The more people rationalize cheating, the more it becomes a culture of dishonesty. And that can become a vicious, downward cycle. Because suddenly, if everyone else is cheating, you feel a need to cheat, too.” - Stephen Covey 

“The first and worst of all, fraud is to cheat one's self. All sin is easy after that.” - Pearl Bailey

“Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day comes when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well -he has changed his market -cart into a chariot of the sun.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” (Psalm 66:10 ESV)

 Test: the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

 The Lord tests hearts

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” (Prov. 16:3 ESV)

 Testing faith’s genuineness  

“So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Peter 1:7 ESV)

 Testing produces steadfastness

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV)

 Therefore…

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 ESV)

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

 Quote:

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”  - George Mueller

“Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.” (1 Sam. 10:6 KJV)

Transformed by the power of God

The above passage talks about being turned into another man when the Lord comes upon you. That’s exactly what happens when you are transformed by Jesus Christ. You actually become “a new creation”.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

It’s like putting on a brand new self

“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

Jesus described this transformation as being “born again”

“As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.”’ (John 3:3-7)

The Apostle Paul described this transformation as having Christ live in him

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 ESV)

This transformation happens through faith in Jesus

“If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 NIV)

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13 KJV)

Therefore…

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 ESV)

Quote:

“The same Jesus Who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. He is still in the miracle-working business, and His business is the business of transformation.” – Adrian Rogers

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3 ESV)

We are created for good works 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV)

Be steadfast, immovable 

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15.58 ESV)

Be an unashamed worker for God

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV)

Therefore…

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24 ESV)

“For we are God's fellow workers.” (1 Cor. 3:9 ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Phil. 2:12-16 ESV)

Quote:

“It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think he must prefer quality to quantity.” - George Macdonald

“For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” (Eccles. 5:7 ESV)

Visions and dreams by the young and old 

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17 ESV, Joel 2:28)

The Lord  appeared in a vision, in a dream

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.” (Job 33:14-18 ESV)

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Gen. 15:1 ESV)

“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” (Gen. 46:2 ESV)

“And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.” (Num.12:6 ESV)

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” (1 Kings 3:5 ESV) 

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…” (Acts 18:9 ESV)

“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Matt. 2:12 ESV)

“I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.” (Dan. 4:5 ESV)

Interpretations belong to God 

“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Gen. 40:8 ESV)

Test dreams and spirits carefully

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV) 

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God.” (Deut. 13:1-3 ESV)

“Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.” (Jer. 23:32 ESV)

In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son 

“God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus Christ is the living Word of God (John 1:1, 14), and the Bible is the Word of God in written form. 

Therefore…

If you believe you have had a dream or vision and feel that perhaps God gave it to you, prayerfully examine the Word of God and make sure your vision is in agreement with Scripture. Always keep in mind that the Bible is finished, and it tells us everything we need to know. If God gives a vision, it will agree completely with what He has already revealed in His Word. God’s Word is our ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. Visions should never be given equal or greater authority than the Word of God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Phil. 2:4-5 (NLT)

Attitude: A manner of thinking, feeling, or behaving that reflects a state of mind or disposition.

Your attitude is a matter of choice

Bad things happen to everyone from time to time. When they do, you can choose how you respond, either negatively or positively. Understand that no matter how things may look at the moment, God will work it out for your Good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 NASB)

No matter what happens…

• Do not be anxious 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

• Seek God first with expectation 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ( Matt. 6:33 ESV)

• Don’t grumble

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phil. 2:14-15 ESV)

• Maintain a joyful heart

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22 ESV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV)

• Offer up praise to God 

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15 ESV)

• Let the peace of Christ rule

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 ESV)

Therefore…

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18 ESV)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

Quote:

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up."  - John C. Maxwell