Keion Henderson - Deep Breaths

The Lord told me to talk about deep breaths. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh upon us; throw your weight around, and have us play the tune of your choice. In Jesus' name, we pray. Everybody breathing, say, «Amen.» You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. Touch two people and say, «Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths.» Y’all ready?

So, each of the five divisions of the Psalms-each one of those divisions- I need you to stay with me because I’m getting ready to set a precedent for how it is possible to worship God even when you don’t feel like it. That 's right! And we often wonder, how is it that some people can worship Him when all hell is breaking loose? Because we look crazy to people who want us to focus on our circumstances instead of our Savior. You know, they say, «How can you be so happy in the midst of all of that?» It’s because I know how this ends.

The Psalms, all 150 of them, are broken up into five divisions, and each one of those divisions ends with what theologians call a doxology. Right? I’ll share a little bit later about what a doxology is, but H.B. Charles says that no one is more proficient in the usage of doxology than Paul the Apostle. You remember Paul; he wrote over half of the New Testament. Paul says in Romans, chapters 1 through 1, he sets up the precedent for God’s salvation for men-theology. Theo -ology; the study of God! But then around Romans chapter 11, verse 33, he switches from theology, using a bridge of doxology, and becomes enamored by the presence of God. He begins to praise God right in the midst of a theological argument. Why? Because, as H.B. Charles says, if theology is thinking about God, doxology is the expression towards God.

Theology is the application; doxology is the application or expression of God. He says that a right thought about God should lead to a right expression to God. So, when you see people in church praising God, it’s because they’re thinking about God. When you see people in the midst of turmoil still wearing a smile, it’s because they’re thinking about God and not their circumstances. The enemy robs you of your worship by giving you other things to think about.

Who 's ever been in church thinking about everything but God? It’s amazing! You come to church, you’re ready to get here. You get in that parking lot, and you start thinking about traffic; it’ll take all the God out of you. You get in here, and the seat isn 't what you expected-uh-oh! Now you 've lost all your godliness. Why? Because you’re not thinking about God. A right thought about God leads to a right expression to God.

Here 's it better said: When I think of His goodness-and, yes, we know that, but we don’t practice it. When I think of His goodness and all that He’s done for me, my soul cries out! I know you have a lot of problems, but can anybody just think about God? I know your rent is due-it’s going to be due-but God! I know your children are growing up, and they’re confusing the hell out of you-but God! That girl on your job-let me just tell you, she doesn 't like you. And let’s be truthful, you don’t like her either-but God! The prices of groceries are going up, wages are going down, but can I tell you something? John, I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread. Which means that if the price of groceries is going up, God must have a blessing somewhere that will allow me to meet the need of inflation. Because my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory! Which means that when God decides to provide for me, He doesn’t consult my job to see if He’s going to provide. He provides for me in spite of my paycheck. He provides for me in spite of a tax return! God doesn’t need anybody’s help to bless me; He can do it all by Himself.

Theology, doxology-the expression, the application, salvation. Thank you for salvation! Paul moves between thinking about God and thanking God. Why? Because a thinking saint is a thanking saint! You should not be able to think about God without feeling something rising up inside of you that makes you want to give Him glory, adoration, and appreciation for all that He has done for you. Because thinking should lead to expression.

What I love about Psalms 150-and see, we talk about praise all the time-but what I love about Psalms 150 is that I can understand why Jehoshaphat praised God, because he had an army trying to kill him. I can understand why Paul and Silas praised Him, because they were in prison. But if you read Psalms 150, there is no prison, there is no army, there are no wars, there are no threats-just praise! Which means that the church has to get to the place where praise isn’t a reaction to a circumstance. That I don’t just praise God because my rent is due; that I don’t just praise God because I need a raise on the job. I praise God because I woke up this morning with my mind stayed… Do I have anybody over here who knows what I’m talking about? I’m not praising God because I need another outfit. I’m not praising God because I need another paycheck.