“Ohhh! I looove it!” Jennifer’s eyes lit with excitement as she stepped through the doorway. “After all this time building it, I can’t believe it’s finally finished! Soon, our new house will be filled with all of our treasures!”

Jennifer grabbed Martin’s hand pulling him into the family room. Stopping in front of the fireplace she pointed, “Look Martin, this will be the heart of our home! Can’t you just see our new sofa here with our friends gathered around!”

Gleefully running from room to room, her expression turned pensive in the guest room. Putting his arms around her, Martin whispered, “I’m sorry we have to move over some of the old stuff.” Smiling, she replied, “It’s ok. At least we have an old bed for people to come and visit us.” Laughing Marting said, “Well then, it’s a good thing the bed is old. Maybe we won’t have any unwanted guests.”

AREN’T WE LIKE A NEWLY BUILT HOUSE?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,
 2 Corinthians 5:17

When we give our hearts to Jesus, He sets us free moving us out of the old house into a new one. We are able to leave the old house behind that imprisoned us with despair, rejection, unforgiveness, fear and lots of detrimental thoughts. In our new house, Jesus gives us new thoughts so that our house will be filled with hope, joy, love and peace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control;
against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 MEV

WHAT ABOUT UNWANTED GUESTS?

Like Jennifer and Martin moved some of the old furnishings into their new house, sometimes we move some of the old detrimental thoughts and fears to fill our new hearts. They may be moved in by things we read, listen to or even people we associate with. Once we invite them into our new homes, they inhabit our hearts even if they are unwanted guests. But our merciful God in His love for us, gave us a way to get rid of unwanted guests.

But You are holy,
O You who inhabits the praises of Israel,
 Psalm 22:3 (MEV)

In Strong’s Hebrew Concordance, #3427, “Inhabits” means to dwell, remain, abide. When we praise Him, He inhabits our hearts chasing away unwanted guests. Praising the Lord invites Him to be part of our situation as we acknowledge who He is and how He can be victorious.

WHAT IS THE RESULT OF PRAISE?

To find out, let’s look at two situations:

1. KING JEHOSHAPHAT

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-28, an overwhelming army of unwanted guests were coming against King Jehoshaphat. As he faced this overwhelming situation, I would imagine a few other unwanted guests, like fear, tried to move into his heart. But Jehoshaphat was not allowing these unwanted guests to inhabit his heart.  Both he and all of Judah sought the Lord who instructed them saying,

“Do not be afraid nor dismayed
 because of this great multitude, 
for the battle is not yours, but God’s,”
 2 Chronicles 20:15

Rather than fighting with swords, the people of Judah fought this overwhelming army of unwanted guests by faith with praise. In faith, appointed singers went out before the army singing;

2. PAUL AND SILAS

In Acts 16:16-38, Paul and Silas were imprisoned and put in stocks.  What unwanted guests tried to visit their hearts? Perhaps fear and despair? Rather than let those guests snuggle into their hearts, they chose to fight their situation in faith as they praised the Lord.

Nevertheless, Paul and Silas chose not to escape. Their behavior not only helped lead the guard and his family to believe in the Lord, Paul and Silas were also released from prison.

Whenever a situation overwhelms us or we feel imprisoned by detrimental thoughts, think of Jehosaphat and Paul. By faith, they invited the Lord into their situations with praise, trusting that He would be victorious in vanquishing the unwanted guests from their new homes and hearts.  And He was.  What He did for them, He will do for us.

WHEN BY FAITH,
WE PRAISE THE LORD
WE WILL SEE HIS VICTORY!

REFLECTION

Are there any unwanted guests inhabiting your home and heart?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write 2 Corinthians 5:17 and say it aloud, show me any unwanted guests who moved into my heart.  As I praise You in faith, remove the unwanted guests and fill my heart and home with You. In Jesus name. Amen.

BY FAITH, PRAISE THE LORD

Want a song to encourage praise?
Check out
Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music

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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

Photo sold, RDNE82
Photo mouse, avbocherikov