Highest Praise Church

“It all starts with God.” The opening line from Genesis frames the entire year ahead: not advice, not commands—God. Before time existed, before chaos swirled, before life appeared, God already was—so every true beginning must start with Him. Creation does not explain God; God explains creation. Therefore, the wise starting point in 2026 is to assume God’s presence and initiative in everything, placing Him first and building from His sovereignty and power.

Anchored in Psalm 42, the call is to name discouragement honestly and then choose where to place hope. “Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember You” becomes a pattern for moving into a new year: lament without getting stuck, and praise God anyway. There is an acknowledgment that many questions do not get neat answers. Disappointment often reveals what was believed God “owed,” yet the invitation is to bring every “I don’t know” to the God who knows and to entrust outcomes to Him.

Today I traced the surprising, grace-soaked journey of “O Holy Night” and how God loves to use unexpected people to carry His beauty into the world. A French socialist poet, a Jewish composer, and an American abolitionist each helped birth and spread this carol—evidence that the gifts and callings of God can be at work even when people don’t fully understand the One they point to. The song then echoed across a wartime Christmas ceasefire in 1871, and in 1906 Luke 2 became the first Scripture ever broadcast over radio, followed by that same sacred melody played on a violin out over the sea. Our God weaves stories like this to remind us that the night of Jesus’ birth is holy—set apart, consecrated—and that He has made us a holy people who proclaim His praises.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” helped me name what’s happening in Luke 2: the sacred hiddenness of God’s work. The Almighty did not stage a spectacle in Rome; He came quietly into a stable in a town most mapmakers would skip. That quiet is not absence; it’s holiness. And the Incarnation is a paradox—something that sounds ridiculous, yet contains deep truth. The Ancient of Days arrives as a baby; the King of Peace is born during Rome’s so-called “peace.” The paradox pushes our faith beyond what seems reasonable and opens space for God to move in our ordinary.

Joy is possible, and it has a protocol: praise. Isaiah 61 promises a “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” God hands us the garment; we choose to put it on. Often the natural act of praise unlocks the supernatural exchange of heaviness for joy. Gratitude doesn’t follow joy; gratitude births joy. You can’t pout and praise at the same time. Paul wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always” from prison, proving that circumstances don’t get the last word—worship does.

I walked us through 2 Samuel 6 to fix our hearts on the one thing that matters most: His presence. Obed-Edom’s house was blessed, not because he had the right resume or resources, but because the Ark—the manifest presence of God—was there. That is still the center of life with God: not gold, victories, or platforms, but the nearness of the Lord. David knew this. He went to get the Ark “with gladness,” paid a price in sacrifice, stripped off royal image management, and danced with all his might. Gratitude wasn’t cute; it was costly, humble, and overflowing. It made room for God.

Gratitude is not just a seasonal feeling or a polite response—it is the very key that opens the door to God’s presence and unlocks the fullness of our relationship with Him. Psalm 100 teaches us that we are to “enter His gates with thanksgiving,” and this is not just a suggestion, but a spiritual principle. When we live in gratitude, we remember who God is: our Creator, our Shepherd, and the One who calls us His own. Life’s circumstances, disappointments, and hardships often try to convince us otherwise, but gratitude keeps us anchored in the truth of God’s love and faithfulness.

Gratitude is not just a seasonal practice, but a foundational command woven throughout Scripture. Psalm 136 reminds us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” This call to thanksgiving is not for God’s benefit, but for ours—it keeps our hearts aligned, protects us from pride, and guards us against spiritual forgetfulness. When we recognize every breath, every breakthrough, and every blessing as a gift from God, gratitude becomes the posture of our hearts.

In the midst of a long list of names in 1 Chronicles 4, the story of Jabez stands out—a man whose life was marked by pain from birth, yet who refused to let that pain define him. Named by his mother as a reminder of her suffering, Jabez carried a label that could have limited his vision, his value, and his future. Every time his name was called, he was reminded of the pain he supposedly caused. Yet, rather than accept this as his destiny, Jabez reached a breaking point. He chose to cry out to God, asking for blessing, for expanded territory, for God’s hand to be with him, and for deliverance from the pain and evil that had followed him.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples a pivotal question: “Who do you say that I am?” The world has many opinions about Jesus, but what truly matters is the revelation we receive and confess about Him ourselves. While others may be divided or confused, God calls us to clarity and conviction. Peter boldly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” not because of human reasoning, but by divine revelation. This moment is a reminder that our identity and stability are rooted not in what others say, but in what God reveals to us and in our willingness to stand out and speak up for truth.

Highest Praise Church | Mid-Week Service | Pastor Sherwood Lancaster

Freedom is not just a distant hope but a present reality for those who are willing to walk in forgiveness. The story of Abraham and Lot reveals the power of letting go, even when wronged. Abraham, though entitled to the best land, allowed Lot to choose first, demonstrating a heart that trusted God’s provision over personal gain. When Lot later found himself in trouble, Abraham’s response was not bitterness or revenge, but intercession—he prayed for Lot’s rescue. This is the mark of true freedom: the ability to pray for those who have hurt us, knowing our future is not determined by their actions but by God’s promises.

On this special day of honoring those who have led and shaped our spiritual journey, it’s important to remember the deep truths that have transformed lives—not just through words, but through the lived example of faithfulness and surrender. Looking at the story of Moses in Exodus 3, we see that God’s call is not reserved for a select few; every person has a unique calling and purpose. This calling may not always look like standing on a stage or holding a microphone. It might be in the home, the workplace, or even in the unseen acts of service. The key is to recognize that God has placed something in each of our hands, and He asks us to surrender it back to Him, trusting that He can do far more with it than we ever could on our own.

Today’s focus is on the reality of spiritual influence—both dark and light—and the steps the enemy uses to gain ground in our lives. While many avoid talking about demonic influence, ignoring it only gives it more power. As believers, we are owned by the Lord and cannot be possessed by the enemy, but we can be deeply influenced, even inhabited, by demonic forces—not in terms of ownership, but in terms of occupation and influence. The world’s brokenness is a result of these spiritual influences, and we must recognize that both the Holy Spirit and evil spirits are vying for influence over our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Disobedience opens doors to the enemy, even for Christians. Paul’s warnings to the church in Ephesus make it clear: believers can give place to the devil, and when we do, we may need deliverance. Just as a car needs to be refueled, our spiritual lives require continual renewal through worship, the Word, and fellowship. The enemy’s tactics often follow a pattern: regression, repression, suppression, and depression. Regression is when we find ourselves slipping back into old patterns, losing our spiritual fervor. The antidote is repentance and praise—blessing the Lord with all that is within us, as David modeled in Psalm 103.

In a world filled with chaos, violence, and spiritual confusion, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by darkness and the sense that evil is gaining ground. Yet, Jesus’ words in John 16:33 remind us that while we will have tribulation in this world, He has already overcome it. The “world” here is not the earth itself, but the system of darkness that stands in opposition to God’s kingdom. As followers of Christ, we are not powerless victims within this system; rather, we have been given authority and power over it through Jesus’ victory. There is much talk today about curses, spiritual attacks, and the influence of darkness. Some even fear that witches or those practicing evil can place curses on believers. But Scripture is clear: an undeserved curse cannot land on a child of God (Proverbs 26:2). No one can curse whom God has blessed. Our justification through Christ means there is no condemnation for us, and God alone has the authority to judge. While the power of darkness is real, it cannot override the blessing and protection God places on His people.

Romans 1 paints a sobering picture of humanity’s downward spiral when truth is persistently rejected. From the very beginning, God has made Himself known to every person—His invisible qualities, His eternal power, and His divine nature are evident in creation. No one is without excuse. The tragedy is not ignorance of God, but the willful refusal to honor, glorify, and worship Him as God. When people exchange the truth for lies and the Creator for created things, their hearts and minds become darkened, and they begin a progression away from God that leads to spiritual blindness and moral confusion. This progression is not immediate, but gradual. It begins with the suppression of truth, moves to the replacement of God with idols—whether those are physical objects, pleasures, or even self—and then to repeated resistance, where sin becomes normalized and even celebrated. The conscience becomes calloused, and what once brought conviction now brings no feeling at all. This is the state of a reprobate or debased mind: so hardened in sin that God’s voice is no longer heard, conviction is absent, and righteousness is no longer desired. The most fearful judgment is not God’s active punishment, but His passive abandonment—when He simply lets people have it their way. Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, there is hope. The call to repentance is always present as long as there is breath in our lungs. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The light of Christ still shines, and even the most hardened heart can be redeemed. The story of the prodigal son reminds us that the Father runs toward those who turn back, no matter how far they have drifted. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wash, sanctify, and justify even the vilest sinner. Revival is not just coming—it is here, and God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. The invitation is open: come back before your heart hardens, cry out before you drift too far, and let the Lord renew your mind and restore your soul. Key Takeaways 1. The Danger of Suppressing TruthGod has revealed Himself to every person, leaving no one with an excuse. Suppressing the truth is not a neutral act; it leads to darkness and confusion. When we refuse to honor God as God, we begin a journey away from the light, and the heart grows increasingly blind to spiritual reality. [02:11] 2. Idolatry Is More Than StatuesReplacing God doesn’t always look like bowing to golden calves; it can be anything—pleasure, self, entertainment—that takes the place of the Creator in our affections. When we worship the creation rather than the Creator, we lose sight of God’s majesty and our own purpose, and our lives become disordered. [11:03] 3. Repeated Sin Desensitizes the SoulSin, when repeated and unrepented, hardens the conscience like a callous on the hand. What once brought conviction now brings indifference, and the heart becomes numb to God’s voice. The most dangerous place is not when you feel guilty, but when you feel nothing at all. [13:21] 4. Divine Abandonment Is the Most Fearful JudgmentGod’s greatest judgment is not always active wrath, but when He stops striving with us and lets us go our own way. Spiritual death and moral confusion follow, and the moral compass is shattered. Yet, as long as we call on the Lord, He is striving with us, working to bring us back. [21:51] 5. Redemption Is Always PossibleNo matter how far someone has drifted, as long as there is breath, there is hope. The blood of Jesus can wash, sanctify, and justify anyone who turns to Him. The call to repentance is open, and God is running toward every prodigal who turns back—there is no one beyond His reach. [28:08] Youtube Chapters [00:00] - Welcome [00:32] - Introduction: “Have It Your Way” [01:31] - The Wrath of God and Salvation [02:11] - God’s Revelation Leaves No Excuse [03:08] - Humanity’s Rejection and Idolatry [05:50] - The Downward Spiral of Sin [11:03] - The Reality of Modern Idolatry [12:39] - The Reprobate Mind in Today’s World [13:21] - Calloused Hearts and Repeated Sin [15:29] - The Danger of Losing Conviction [17:48] - The Broken Moral Compass [20:39] - The Consequences of Divine Abandonment [23:32] - Examining Ourselves and the Potter’s Vessels [28:08] - The Call to Repentance and Hope [31:14] - Washed, Sanctified, and Justified [38:47] - The Father’s Pursuit and Rescue [40:52] - God’s Spirit Poured Out in the Last Days [42:47] - Invitation to Return and Prayer of Repentance [46:55] - Revival and Closing Remarks

We are called to be a people who, like Stephen, stay continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not just for moments of crisis, but for every day—raising families, facing trials, and sharing the gospel. The same Spirit that empowered Stephen is available to us, enabling us to respond with grace, courage, and love. Our legacy is not in titles or recognition, but in being vessels through whom God’s presence and truth are made known to a world desperate for hope.

Life is full of decision points—moments when we must choose whether to stay where we are or step forward in faith. Too often, fear of disappointment causes us to limit our expectations of what God can do, robbing ourselves of the miracles He wants to perform. But God is not a shepherd who withholds good things from His sheep; He knows exactly what we need, even when we don’t. When we trust Him and move forward, even in uncertainty, our small acts of obedience are magnified and multiplied in ways we could never imagine. Ultimately, the greatest decision is to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. Every other act of obedience flows from that foundational choice. When we choose to trust and obey, we move from merely surviving to becoming messengers of God’s goodness, carrying hope and restoration to those around us.

Life is a series of decision points—moments where we must choose which path to take, and these choices shape not only our own lives but the lives of those around us. From the very beginning, God has set before us the opportunity to choose between life and death, blessing and cursing, urging us to choose life so that we and our descendants may live. The stories of Joshua, Ruth, and Esther remind us that our decisions are not just about us; they are about faith, about our future, and about the impact we have on others. Joshua called Israel to choose whom they would serve, Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi changed her destiny and the lineage of Christ, and Esther’s courage saved a nation. Each of these moments was a crossroads, a decision point that required trust in God rather than self-reliance.

There is always a reason to shout and give God praise, no matter what we’re facing. Even when life feels stagnant or we’re weighed down by burdens, God calls us to movement—forward motion in faith. The story from Luke 5 of the paralyzed man and his friends shows us the power of community and determination. The enemy loves stagnation, but God honors those who refuse to let obstacles or the indifference of others keep them from pressing into His presence. Sometimes, it’s not about having the perfect plan, but about having the right people around you—people who will carry you when you can’t move yourself, and who will push through the crowd to get you to Jesus.