The Power of Praising and Blessing God | Anthony Mangun

Break Every Chain: A Call to Praise

The Power of Praise and Worship

• The speaker emphasizes the theme of breaking chains, symbolizing liberation from various struggles such as depression and sickness.

• There is a strong encouragement for personal expression in worship, suggesting that praise can take many forms depending on individual circumstances.

• The speaker notes a powerful anointing present during the service, indicating a heightened spiritual atmosphere conducive to worship.

• Personal testimonies are shared about individuals facing health issues and marital problems, highlighting the collective faith in God's healing power during the service.

• Lyrics are recited that reflect turning fear into praise and dancing out in faith, reinforcing themes of victory over despair.

Testimonies of God’s Goodness

• A story is shared about a woman who received unexpected groceries after fervent prayer, illustrating divine provision.

• An interaction with an atheist challenges the notion of divine intervention; however, the speaker insists that God orchestrated the event despite human involvement.

• The speaker asserts that regardless of how blessings come about, they attribute all good things to God’s goodness and providence.

• A personal reflection on prayer leads to a declaration of continuous praise for God's blessings in life.

• The importance of praising God at all times is emphasized through scripture references, setting up for a deeper discussion on this topic.

Conclusion: Embracing Praise

• The session transitions into discussing Psalm 103:1, which calls for blessing the Lord with one's entire being as part of worship practice.

• The narrative concludes with an invitation to engage actively in worship as part of community faith-building.

A Powerful Week of Worship and Praise

Reflection on Recent Church Meeting

• The speaker reflects on a significant week in the apostolic church, highlighting the dedication of its members and the impactful worship experienced.

• Emphasizes the powerful preaching by Mickey Mangan, encouraging listeners to watch his message online for transformative insights.

• References Jesus' ascension into heaven, connecting it to the joy and worship that followed among His followers.

The Role of Worship

• Discusses how Jesus not only ascended but also sent back the Holy Ghost, leading to a significant outpouring where over 3,000 were filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Asserts that worship should be fervent and continuous; emphasizes personal commitment to praise God wholeheartedly.

Importance of Praise

• Cites David as an example of a saint who praised God through psalms, stressing that all saints are called to bless the Lord regardless of their circumstances.

• Declares that if one is truly saved, they have an obligation to praise God; silence in worship is not acceptable for believers.

Joyful Noise and Thanksgiving

• Encourages congregants to make joyful noises unto God, regardless of their singing ability; emphasizes personal expression in worship.

• Quotes Psalm 95:2 about coming before God's presence with thanksgiving and making joyful noise through songs.

The Goodness of God

• Reminds listeners that God's goodness warrants continual praise; questions whether anyone can stop praising if they recognize His everlasting mercy and truth.

• Highlights that as long as God remains good and merciful, there should always be praise on one's lips.

Heavenly Worship

• Describes heaven as a place filled with unceasing praise from angels; asserts human beings have unique reasons to praise due to salvation experiences.

• Shares a personal anecdote about witnessing spiritual manifestations during prayer meetings, reinforcing the idea that humans should out-praise angels because they have been redeemed.

Praise and Worship: The Power of Acknowledging God

The Right to Praise

• The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of being lifted from despair, stating that this gives them a right to praise, dance, shout, and magnify God's name.

Insights from Revelation

• Reference is made to Revelation 4 and 5 as a depiction of worship in heaven. The speaker believes in a pre-tribulation rapture based on Revelation 4:1 but acknowledges differing beliefs without engaging in debate.

• Regardless of when the rapture occurs (pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation), the speaker stresses the importance of being ready for it.

Heavenly Worship Described

• In Revelation 4:8, creatures with six wings continuously proclaim God's holiness. This highlights the unceasing nature of worship in heaven.

• Revelation 5:11–12 describes countless angels praising God with loud voices, emphasizing the grandeur and intensity of heavenly worship.

Overcoming Life's Challenges Through Praise

• The speaker addresses individuals facing personal struggles such as divorce or health issues, encouraging them to turn to praise as a means of overcoming negativity.

• They assert that praise is vital for healing and deliverance, suggesting it has profound effects beyond mere religious practice.

Practical Application of Praise

• The speaker promises that praising God can alleviate stress and emotional burdens. They encourage active participation in praise even when one does not feel like it.

• Engaging in praise can dispel negative emotions like self-pity and anger; it's presented as an antidote to life's challenges.

Confession vs. Praise

• There's a distinction made between confessing faults publicly versus confessing sins privately to God. Emphasis is placed on maintaining one's focus on praising God despite personal shortcomings.

• The speaker encourages listeners not to dwell on past mistakes but rather continue praising God regardless of their circumstances or failures.

Importance of Prayer

• Prayer is highlighted as essential while on Earth; however, it will cease after the rapture since there will be no need for prayer in heaven.

The Power of Praise in Prayer

The Importance of Combining Prayer and Praise

• Emphasizes that prayer should be accompanied by praise; simply praying is insufficient without the act of praising God.

• Encourages believers to express gratitude and praise for God's future actions, even before receiving answers to their prayers.

Maintaining Praise Through Trials

• Highlights the resilience required during difficult times, such as mourning a loved one, where maintaining a heart of praise is crucial.

• States that God's presence is not just with us in our struggles but becomes more profound when we engage in praise.

The Connection Between Praise and Miracles

• Discusses how God inhabits the praises of His people, suggesting that miracles occur when God’s presence is invoked through worship.

• Asserts that praising God drives away evil forces; the devil cannot operate in an atmosphere filled with genuine praise.

Overcoming Challenges Through Praise

• Affirms that engaging in praise can bind the devil's influence over one's life, creating an environment where faith can flourish.

• Suggests confronting challenges by focusing on praising God rather than cursing adversities or negative influences.

The Role of Faith Activated by Praise

• Proclaims that consistent praise strengthens faith; it creates an atmosphere conducive to divine intervention and blessings.

• Explains that while faith is essential, it must be coupled with active praise to achieve results in spiritual matters.

Methods of Praising God

• Introduces various forms of biblical praise as powerful tools against adversity, including vocal expressions and physical movements like dancing.

• Lists seven acts of praising found in scripture, encouraging believers to explore different ways to express their worship actively.

Praise and Worship: A Call to Action

The Power of Praise

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of physical expressions in worship, encouraging the congregation to "lift up holy hands" as a form of praise.

• A personal anecdote is shared about witnessing Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, highlighting feelings of helplessness while observing people signaling for help from rooftops.

• The speaker reflects on the urgency to seek God's attention for miracles in their life, inspired by those desperate individuals waving for assistance.

• A contrast is drawn between the speaker's inability to help during that moment and the belief that God can intervene in people's lives today if they reach out with faith.

Expressions of Worship

• Various forms of worship are encouraged: singing loudly, kneeling, lifting hands, clapping, and shouting praises. These actions are affirmed as biblically supported practices.

• The speaker challenges congregants who remain silent despite being redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, urging them to express their gratitude vocally.

• Personal testimony is shared about redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ, reinforcing the right to praise God joyfully.

Bowing in Reverence

• The act of bowing during prayer is highlighted as a significant expression of reverence seen among Jewish traditions at holy sites like the Western Wall.

• An observation is made regarding cultural differences in prayer styles; regardless of method—bowing or clapping—everyone should find a way to praise God authentically.

Continuous Praise

• Emphasis on maintaining constant praise throughout daily life; referencing Psalm 34:1 where David commits to praising God at all times.

• Reminders are given not to forget God's benefits such as forgiveness and healing; these acts should inspire ongoing gratitude and worship.

Strength Through Praise

• The promise that praising God renews strength is reiterated; it suggests that spiritual rejuvenation comes from active worship rather than passive observance.

• King David's organization of continuous praise through appointed groups serves as an example for modern believers on prioritizing worship above other activities.

Community Engagement

• A recent interaction with neighbors seeking spiritual guidance illustrates how living a life filled with praise can attract others towards faith discussions.

Baptism and Praise: A Legacy of Worship

The Influence of a Great Father

• The speaker reflects on the profound impact of their father, G. Mangan, emphasizing his greatness and spiritual authority, stating he was "the greatest human being ever walked on planet Earth."

• G. Mangan initiated a continuous prayer movement in 1972, aiming to maintain organized prayer sessions weekly within the church community.

• He also led an annual event called a "praise session," where congregants would read the Bible continuously, fostering deep engagement with scripture from a young age.

Community Engagement Through Scripture

• Anecdotes are shared about Ain't Lucy, a beloved church member who brought joy and authenticity to Bible readings despite struggling with difficult names.

• The practice involved reading the entire Bible through every week in shifts starting at midnight, reinforcing the church's commitment to scripture and prayer.

Teaching vs. Praise

• The speaker stresses that while teaching is essential for growth ("I got to be taught"), it should not overshadow the importance of praise within the church community.

• They argue that true teaching of God's word naturally leads to expressions of praise; if one cannot praise after learning about God’s word, then something is amiss.

Celebrating Blessings Through Music

• A musical moment arises as they recall singing songs celebrating God's blessings and trials overcome, highlighting communal worship as integral to faith.

• The congregation is encouraged to physically express their gratitude by praising God for every mountain they've climbed in life.

Climbing Life's Mountains

• The speaker emphasizes that some challenges (mountains) are meant to be faced rather than removed; faith involves climbing these mountains with God's support.

• Personal testimonies illustrate overcoming struggles such as depression or marital issues through divine assistance, reinforcing themes of resilience and gratitude.

Acknowledging Trials and Blessings

• As they recount personal hardships like illness or family strife, there’s an emphasis on recognizing God’s hand in bringing them through tough times.

• Concluding reflections celebrate abundant blessings received over time—health restoration and familial joys—culminating in heartfelt thanks directed towards God.

Praise and Worship: A Call to Action

The Power of Praise

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God for every blessing, mountain, and valley experienced in life. This is a call to worship with intensity and sincerity.

• A reference is made to Jehoshaphat facing overwhelming odds against the Moabites and Amorites, highlighting the theme of divine intervention during trials.

• God instructs Jehoshaphat to put down weapons and instead gather singers to praise Him, illustrating that worship can lead to victory without physical confrontation.

• The narrative reveals that through their praise, the enemies turned on each other, demonstrating that faith and worship can resolve conflicts without direct action from believers.

Engaging in Collective Worship

• An invitation is extended for congregants to come closer together as they prepare for a moment of collective praise, emphasizing community in worship.

• The speaker shares excitement about baptisms occurring during the service, reinforcing the joy found in spiritual milestones within the church community.

Continuing Praise Through Song

• The congregation is encouraged to continue singing praises for every trial overcome and blessing received, fostering an atmosphere of gratitude and celebration.

• Mentioning a popular song "Way Maker," which has garnered significant views, highlights its impact on worship culture. The lyrics emphasize God's unwavering presence even when not felt by individuals.

Conclusion of Worship Service

• As the service concludes, there’s a final encouragement for attendees to engage in heartfelt praise before departing. This reinforces the message that worship should be an integral part of life beyond church gatherings.