Who is the Praise Warrior? The Praise Warrior is Steve Gonzalez, who has been playing piano/keyboards for over 30 years, which began with writing instrumentals, and then after several years included songs with lyrics. • Steve has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to paint images with words, scripture, music and sounds, and has a deep passion for worshiping our God and Savior Jesus Christ. • He teaches the bible along with writing daily devotionals at UseTheSword.com where you can also read his testimony. • Steve written a Christian novel titled “Go Right or Get Left” which is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and he is currently working on a sequel to this novel titled “Left is not Right”. • Steve attends Calvary Chapel Solid Rock in San Antonio, TX and plays keyboards on the worship team. • Steve also works a regular 40 hour a week job. So he’s really no different that you are, he is just using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given him for the Glory of God! What is a Praise Warrior? In the bible we have two examples of a Praise Warrior. The first is in II Chron 20:21-22: And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever. "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. Sounds cool, but if you think about it, the Praise Warriors are the ones that are put on the front line in a battle, which means they could be the first to get hit when the attack happens. Yet in the midst of the battle they would still worship and praise the Lord. Then those following would see God defeat their enemies right before their eyes. How many times have you seen God defeat your enemies right before your eyes as you are worshipping Him? The second example of a Praise Warrior in the bible is one that we know so well, and that is King David, who wrote a large portion of the Psalms, many of them we sing today in church (The Praise Warrior recorded Psalm 47 and 23). These Psalms glorify the Lord and teach us as well. One of the greatest things that King David is known for is his heart towards God. I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. Acts 13:22b Even though King David was not perfect (He committed adultery and murder) he still put God first in his life with the way that he lived and how he treated others with kindness, respect and compassion. The Psalms that he wrote were in response to his close relationship with the Lord and the things the Lord did in his life. So today we can read and sing these Psalms. As we do they will draw us before the Throne of God, because we can relate to the same things King David wrote about and experienced. That's what a Praise Warrior does; he or she draws your attention to God, not to themselves, and brings you before God’s throne to worship Him. A Praise Warrior captures those words like King David did, and helps you express them in a way that you want too. Like those times when you just can’t seem to come up with the right words during the tough, or even good times. Be it good or bad, happy or sad, or in times of brokenness, or times of rejoicing. When we sing deep from our hearts, it can become a time of brokenness, repenting, healing, crying out, rejoicing, dancing, edification, and drawing closer to the Lord in an intimate way that’s special between you and the Lord. Also think of when you go to church or a home group or even your personal time in the word with the Lord. Usually you prepare your heart with a time of worship and singing to the Lord. Then afterwards there is a time of reflecting on what the Lord spoke to you, by responding in worship and song as well. It's our responding to, and pouring out our hearts to God in one of the most powerful ways that He created, and that is in song. The Praise Warrior's prayer is that you will praise the Lord with the words and music that the Holy Spirit has given him. Also when you stop listening to the music that you are still praising our Lord, with the words being hidden deep in your heart and that you would fall more in Love with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!!!