Let All That Has Breath Praise The Lord!

On August 3, 2020, I was thinking and praying about several things. I wanted to know what I could do about the racial unrest in our nation and around the world. I was feeling bad about areas of my life that I fell short in one way or another. I am sure you are familiar with these types of thoughts, concerns, and how easily our mind wanders in and out of subjects that concern us especially right now with so many things going on in our world. I have been sick for three months and along with that, there have been many other circumstances to deal with that I have no need to mention here. The point is, this has been a challenging time and I know it is for many of you as well.

God drew my attention to Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16:25. At the midnight hour, they began to pray and sing hymns of praise to God, pushing through their circumstances. Immediately, their physical chains fell off, prison doors opened, not only for them but for the whole prison. Wow, their praise broke the bondage for them all and the jailer and his whole household were saved that very night. What a testimony! Even if it appears to be the darkest moment in your life or in the world, do not despair.

God said to me some time ago, "You will praise your way through". He was letting me know that even though I was attacked on every side, even if it seemed my prayers would never be realized, keep praising, it will get me through. He reminded me once again to focus on praise. Praising God with all that I have. The enemy tried to steal my breath through this illness and it reached a point that I could not sing at all, I cried at the loss of this way to praise because it is dear to me. But as I was on a prayer line and rebuked the enemy for a fellow prayer warrior, I was able to sing again. It may not be as strong as it was yet, but at least I can sing some. The enemy did not prevail and God is healing me. If you are under attack, take heart, praise in every way you can. Tell others of His goodness, pray, sing, dance, clap your hands, play an instrument. Whatever you have, praise Him with it.

I was also interceding for the African American community and the answer was the same for them, praise. Praising God will bring breakthrough, break chains, heal wounded hearts, reveal truth, bring about forgiveness, unity, faith, break off oppression and so much more. This applies to everyone, every area of life. His timing is perfect, keep praising. We may not know what the answer will look like but God has an answer and it is meant for our good.

According to Google Dictionary Praise means:

1. verb: express warm approval or admiration of

2. noun: the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something

Psalms 150:6 says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord". (New American Standard Bible)

Psalms 66:4, "All the earth will worship you, and will sing praises to you; they will sing praises to your name, Selah" (NASB).

Psalms 117:1 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (NASB).

These things are from God, James 1:7 says, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (NASB).

Dwell on God and praise Him and your chains will fall off.

God reminded me to write this and also brought to mind that He inhabits our praise.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name", Psalms 100:4 (NASB).

When we praise Him especially together with others, in agreement, He is there. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst", Matthew 18:20 (NASB).

Chains of addiction, fear, sickness, pain, strongholds- all chains of the enemy must give way to God. Praise lifts Him up and sets Him as our focus. Satan and his cohorts hate it when we praise God. They don't want to hear that, they will flee. If we all praise together, we can shake the very foundations of the earth and send the enemy running. Revival fire fall!!!

Let us join together as one and praise the God of all creation. Let us lift Him up in the earth. Let us thank Him for His goodness, mercy, just ways, perfect love, His presence, salvation, and His protection. Praise Him for who His is and not just what he does.

As we lift Jesus' name on high, as we focus less on the mess around us, whatever that may be, we will encounter His presence. That life-changing, healing, freeing presence of His Holy Spirit. Made possible by the shedding of the blood of our Savior.

Stop what you are doing, put down the phone, turn off the TV, move away from the computer, and purposefully praise God. He will open the door and you can cry out to Him for the sorrows of your heart. He loves you and He is waiting for time with you.

God downloaded another painting to me a couple of weeks ago, It is not painted yet but I just realized that it goes with this post. I will be painting that as soon as possible.