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The Garment of Praise

  • to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 WEB

    Have you ever felt so down, so lethargic, that you begin to ask yourself, 'What is the point of it all?' There are many things in this verse but the one that I want to mention today is the 'spirit of heaviness', better known by its bona fide name: 'Depression.'

    It can settle on anyone given the right circumstances and none of us are immune to it. We all like to think that we have it together, but really we are just one phone call away from crying at any given moment.

    Once when we were overworked and nearly burned out, we went to an exhilarating praise and worship conference that lasted for three days. After the first night, I began to feel lighter, and brighter. Each hour that we spent there seemed to bring renewal, a refreshing of our spirit, like standing under a waterfall.

    When I had arrived, I was pretty down and cynical, but afterwards, I was as light as a feather and cheerful. By the time I left the conference, I felt like I was walking on air and didn't have a care in the world. I would not have cared if the world were ending. That time soaking in praise and worship brought immediate change in our life. We had exchanged the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise.

    Praise and depression are polar opposites and repel each other. If you are down, depressed, heavy, you will not feel like praising the Lord. If you are praising the Lord, then you will not feel like being depressed. If you are feeling 'heavy' today, find some good praise and worship music and soak in it for an hour. Listen to it while working. Begin to praise the Lord along with it, and that spirit of heaviness will flee out of hearing range.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) If you are in need of prayer, please feel free always to send your requests to our prayer network, where we and the team will be honored to lift you up! Here is the link: RHM Prayer Network


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45 comments
  • 1
Sharita Murray
Sharita Murrayedited: December 8, 2017

Amen! An ontime word for me. Thank you and God bless you all.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sheri Buckner
Sheri Buckner

God bless you, too, Sharita!!!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

God bless, sister <3!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Cox
Wesley Cox

A perfect message for me this morning. I hardly slept last night thinking about my son, Santiago. He has an abscess on his right leg. He's only a year and a half old. I'll take him to his pediatrician and probably have to have it lanced and have a small surgery. I had that heaviness all morning. Please pray for San.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sheri Buckner
Sheri Buckner

I'm praying for your little Santiago. I pray God comforts him as he guides the doctors to heal him; and I pray God grants you peace through all of this!!! Many blessings...

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Father God, be with Wesley and Santiago this morning. Work through the doctor to remove this abscess. Bring swift healing and comfort to each heart. Thank you, Father. In Jesus* name. Amen.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Poor lil guy, praying for your boy, Wesley <3!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Praying for you and your son today. Amen.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

God please be with Santiago and lay your hands on his abscess and heal it.In Jesus name . Amen 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Heavenly Father we pray that You heal little Santiago and remove this abcess in the name of Jesus.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

praying......

December 9, 2017
Comment deleted
  • 1
Sheri Buckner
Sheri Buckner

Thank you, Pastor Todd, for this inspiring word!!!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen my wonderful God 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!  Have a Blessed and wonderful weekend!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

December 8, 2017
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Most church services are called "Worship Services". To me singing two or three songs is a very short time to praise much less worship. If God inhabits our praises, maybe we should try more! Thank you Heavenly Father!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Jim, worship is something that should encompass our lives, though I always do love the idea of corporate worship :)

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webbedited: December 8, 2017

Thank you, Pastor Dion, for this reminder. Praise music always lifts my spirit and eyes to the Lord!

December 8, 2017
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Thank you, I needed to hear this message today.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Me also

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Dear Father, I have always trusted in You. Help me deal with the situation I'm dealing with in my family. Deliver for me in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Heavenly Father we pray that You move in Jose's situation and give him grace to get through this and the wisdom to make the right decisions in Jesus name.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Praise God  l need to know how it last l guess it the holidays  pray for his love God is my rock 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Please Jesus help us to deal with many things going on in our live.We love and worship you. Amen 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Praying for you and your family, David, how is your granddaughter doing?

December 8, 2017
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

She is doing very well by the Grace of God.Her heart is healing and everyday she is getting much stronger.Thanks for asking.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Very glad to hear it, David, praying for all of you <3!

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia

Amen

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Debbie Gregory Davis
Debbie Gregory Davis

A very timely message for me.  Being a single, older (61) person can be so difficult, especially during the holiday season.  I look for ways to help others just to stay busy and not alone.  I have two sons and they live away from me.  They never offer to come help me with things around my house, or just give me the most valuable gift, their time.  Sounds like a pity party so I will just say, holidays are tough if you're single.  I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind.  So I'm going to throw off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise!!! (Try to anyway).  God bless you all this time of year, especially if you're single and going through what I am. Please pray for my younger sister that just had back surgery and for her husband that is having hip replacement surgery next week.  This will be his 3rd surgery in 4 months.  I will be his caregiver as my sister is still recovering from her back surgery last week.  Full plate here in my neck of the woods!! Hmmm that's a good thing!! 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Debbie, please just know that you are loved here, and praying for you, your sister, and your family <3! (((HUGS)))

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord 

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

In the pit of my stomach comes ache & pain.  Lethargic.  I have IBS and therefore stress, pains of something we take in set it off.  Try to do for me & that which has been taught.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Praying for you, Cheryl <3! (((HUGS)))

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Prayed for you Cheryl. May the Lord completely heal you in Jesus name.

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen Thank you so much for your very helpfull words Thanku And may God shine his love on you all.

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!

December 8, 2017
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Todd!  Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen and amen, brother!

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Thank you pastor Dion  I need this,this morning. I get weighed down this time evry year without my wife Donielle,even though God has told me and showed me that she is with Him in heaven. I'm only sad because I miss her presence in the lives of our sons and myself. I know that God is with me, my sons,my mother. But, I am lonely without my wife which is totally different. I am trusting Father God to give me beauty for the ashes of my former life with Donielle and joy someday for much mourning and tears. Please pray for me.

December 9, 2017
  • 2
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Praying for you Richard. May the Lord give you grace to get through this time, in Jesus name.

December 9, 2017
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Richard, it is good to hear from you <3! Praying for you, and please do keep in touch! (((HUGS)))

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen and Amen <3

 

 

Thanks Pastor Dion. :-)

December 9, 2017
  • 1
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

Yes Pastor...you are right! Music, songs of thanksgiving and praise can truely lift our spirits up!

I have experienced that and contiue to listen to some gospel songs every night while I prepare to sleep. Works wonders!

 

December 12, 2017