Acts 16:25
25 But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
What kind of atmosphere do you think you would find in a prison? I bet it is a depressing and dejected atmosphere. The kind of atmosphere that brings you down and suppresses you, drawing in depression and defeat. Paul and Silas find themselves in such an atmosphere and instead of getting with the program and making a pity party of the situation, they change the atmosphere.
Different atmospheres attract different things. Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing praises to God and this action begins to change the atmosphere and the new atmosphere attracts the presence of God. An earthquake shakes the prison, all the doors are open and the chains are broken. This was no ordinary earthquake, this was the presence of God, which only targeted the things that were holding His servants captive, the chains and the locked doors.
When we praise God from pure sincere hearts, we create an atmosphere that attracts him. Heaven is filled with a praise and worship atmosphere and when we do the same here on earth then we are creating a heavenly atmosphere that attracts God.
Psalm 22:3
But you are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
What kind of throne are you building for Him? Is it a throne of praise or a throne of murmuring and complaining?
May we learn to always create an atmosphere that attracts his presence, may we learn to be a community of praises, men and women who know how to praise their God no matter what because praise attracts his presence!
5 Days of PRAISE, Day Five
READ PSALM 148
Remember, no complaining instead praise God no matter the situation
Write down some of the things that stand out to you as you read the above psalms. Take some time and write down at least 5 things that you are praising God for and use those five things to write out a prayer of praise to God.
Take 15 minutes to focus on God and God alone and just PRAISE him. Share your experience and Lessons every morning between 6 and 9 am on Jam 316.
