These are a series of messages the Lord has laid upon my heart to share with you entitled Victory through Troubled Times.  There is a perception by many today that this world is going to hell in a hand basket, that trouble looms heavy upon earth and the hearts of people.

Praise is probably the most under-rated, under-estimated, under-utilized phenomenon in the church today.  I began my full-time ministry as a Minister of Music and Youth, having come out of a Southern Baptist Church in the Bible-belt.

Then I got ahold of a book entitled, “The Hallelujah Factor” by fellow Baptist Dr. Jack Taylor.  It got him shunned by the denomination because it was too radical, but it changed my heart for a passion to praise, it changed my ministry.

If you will allow me, I’d like to share some things I’ve learned about the enormous magnitude of praise in the life of a Believer.

Believers, we are at war with the enemy.  He is doing his job.  God is allowing this for a period of time wherein humanity has a choice to make.  As God displayed His love for us and His plan for our salvation when He sent Jesus, His Son, to give His life as a ransom for you and me.  Then God did the most difficult thing a parent ever has to do…He let us free to make our own choice as to whom we will love and serve.  God has promised us victory; that’s the first theme we see in Scripture.  With inspiration from Dr. Jack Taylor's book, "The Hallelujah Factor", let's examine the Facts on Praise.

So far, we’ve learned that praise is much larger scope than just the songs we sing on Sunday.  One of the most powerful forms of encouragement is praise.  Nothing makes us feel better than when we are appreciated, that our qualities are considered important in the lives of other people.  Parents, the power of praising your children cannot be over-emphasized.  For whether they are still at home or grown with a family of their own, you impart your blessing on them with words of praise. It's the same with God!  He loves to hear the praises of His children!  Let's see just how powerful a gift praise is for Believers!