Text: Matthew 1:1-5
Memory verse:
”But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Let me share this awesome testimony of one of our dear friends, whose daughter is in our college today. Having waited for a year after their wedding without conception and having the financial strength, they began to consult gynecologists, within and outside Nigeria, while still praying, and it continued for over thirteen years. Testifying, the husband said, “As we approached the fourteenth anniversary, the scripture in Psalm 127:3 which says, ”Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.“ came alive in me. Thus, I asked God, “Oh, does it mean that we don’t have a child because we don’t know You, or is it that we have nothing to deserve a reward?’”
He went further, the Lord answered and said, “Stop praying about it and start praising Me.”
Thereafter, both of them agreed to obey the instruction and set aside one hour in the evening of the first Sunday of every month to praise God in their living room without asking for anything. Knowing the benefits of spiritual agreement, they also shared their experience with their missionary couple neighbours, who joined them and with their son playing a box guitar to accompany the praise.
In His faithfulness, God blessed them with the fruit of the womb that same year! They broke through thirteen years of unfruitfulness through the power of God in praise! Hallelujah!
Friends, do you need a breakthrough? Turn to praise. The name Judah means praise (Gen 29:35). According to the genealogy of Jesus in our text, “Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.“ ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬). Perez was one of the sons of Judah, and Perez means ‘break forth or breakthrough’. The word ‘begot’ means ‘to cause or to bring about a breakthrough’. In other words, Praise caused or brought about Breakthrough!
When Israel went against Jericho, though the gates of Jericho were securely shut and the walls mighty, yet, the walls went down flat when they praised! Praise is so powerful because God is enthroned in faith-filled praise and that is why the power of praise is unstoppable. No wall, no matter how ancient, tall, or strong, can stop the power of praise. Glory!

Prayer points
1. Spend some time to praise God this morning.
2. Tell God to also give you a testimony of breakthrough as you praise Him.

Today’s declarations
1. When I praise God, He comes down and gives me a breakthrough.
2. As I put the praise of God first in all my works, I remain unstoppable and a wonder to my world.