Thought for Saturday, October 27th

October 27, 2012

Do You Need A Jailbreak

“Praise is warming and desireable.”

-       Phyllis McGinley

“The sweetest of all sounds is praise.”

-       Xenophon

  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 6:25-31

When you face a challenge in life that makes you fill like your entrapped or imprisoned you need to take the same approach that Paul and Silas took and let your praises ring forth: in spite of the circumstance or situation.

Sometimes, one of the best ways to overcome adversity is to declare your praise and lift up your expressions of adoration and exaltation to the Lord.

Casting Crowns has a song entitled “I’ll Praise You in the Storm:” this song title should serve  as a dictum to us when we are in the midst of some calamity or other; that we need to praise the Name that is above every name.

You may not need a literal jail break like Paul and Silas did, but figuratively speaking if you find yourself in a bad situation or in a difficult spot and you want the power of God to move mightily in your midst: open up your mouth and let your heart ring forth as you declare how great and mighty is the Lord your God and just what an awesome God you serve.

You might be amazed how things will get shaken up and how much liberty and freedom you might experience if you will just get your praise on.

Today’s Prayer

Father, in everything I do, whether in good times, bad times or in between may I always sing forth and declare your praises: for there is no one more worthy than you.

“Purify my heart

Let me be as gold

And precious silver

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

And make me holy

Refiner’s fire

My hearts one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You my Master

Ready to do your will.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Refiner’s Fire’ by Brian Doerksen