praise – GIVING GOD A VOICE

Watch “Break Every Chain (Live) – Tasha Cobbs” on YouTube (see link below)

By Beth Fredricksen | August 1, 2023

WHAT STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND FREEDOM?

ACTS 5:17-20: ” . . . . But, during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and leading them out said, Go, take your stand in the temple . . . .”

The scripture does not suggest that this was a normal occurrence. To my knowledge, this is the first appearance of an angel appearing and removing anyone out of their confinement. There were angels who came to Lot in the city of Sodom when the city was set to be destroyed. They visited them and led them out of the city for their protection and response to Abraham’s request to the Lord. (Genesis 18 & 19)

We know about the protection of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace (Daniel 3). We know about Daniel when an Angel of the Lord protects him (Daniel 6). The protection for each was within the confines of their circumstances.

Peter was in a prison, surrounded by guards whose life was forfeited if they failed their job, which they did through no fault of their own. An angel is responsible for opening the prison door, but how since the doors were found locked and the guards still on duty? The angel actually opened a (tangible) locked door, led them out, and locked it again without a key (?) and no one heard a thing? They didn’t just pass through the locked door. Just thinking about it is mind boggling.

I can imagine them sitting there wondering what would happen to them. Was this the end? Were they to die and be with the Lord? What would happen? I doubt the appearance of an angel ever crossed their minds. They did, however, have previous experience with God’s faithfulness and the miraculous.

What is your experience? Have you ever been a situation where you saw no way out? Where you were experiencing hopelessness? Do you believe God could send an angel for you?

“SUDDENLY” THE PRISON DOORS WERE OPENED AND THE CHAINS CAME LOOSE

ACTS 16:25-26: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God…

“Suddenly” there was a powerful earthquake. It shook the prison from top to bottom. All at once the prison doors flew open. Everybody’s chains came loose.

They were put in prison for preaching the gospel. They didn’t murder anybody — harm anyone; but, they did share information that challenged people’s theology, preconceived ideas and way of life. They were challenging the “status quo” and comfort zone of those in charge.

Jesus came to do what no other man at that time could do. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners . . . . ” (Isaiah 61)

If you want to see the Lord move in your life, begin to praise Him. He will turn your situation around and you’ll see the VICTORY!” The enemy has no defense against praise.

Do you feel like you are in “prison” and need a “suddenly” in your life?

Are you bound by a physical illness, lack of finances, depression, addiction, etc.? Are there chains holding you to your past or keeping you from walking out of a prison in your life? What is in your mind (memory) that might be affecting your body and your emotions; and, or, healthy relationship with God and others?

It’s easy to praise the Lord when we feel good; when things are going well. Pain is often a reflection of emotions trapped in the body. — fear, anger, judgment, sorrow, unforgiveness, etc.

When my husband was in the hospital, diagnosed with a terminal illness, we were waiting to receive information about a procedure they wanted to do to him. He was dozing and I sat in a chair next to his bed. I pulled up the song Break Every Chain. It was a recording of a live service with Tasha Cobbs singing and ministering.

I heard in my mind, “the prison door is unlocked; kick it open; the chains will fall off, and then walk out.” I could see myself sitting in that prison of fear and uncertainty of what lay ahead. I physically raised my leg and kicked that imaginary door open, felt the weight of the chains falling off and in my mind I walked out of that prison of fear and uncertainty. That was a “suddenly” in my life that allowed me to walk through the next part of my journey – widowhood.

Once you walk out of the prison, DON’T LOOK BACK!

We listened to the doctors. Prayed as a family and Tom made his decision not to have a procedure that would be both painful and prolong the inevitable end result (unless God supernaturally intervened). He was sent home to be with family where he could live out the remainder of his time with us before going home to be with the Lord days later.

https://youtu.be/_cAUnuH7Lik

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Suddenly

By Beth Fredricksen | July 4, 2023

God has been speaking to me about the word “suddenly.” It is when something happens abruptly, quickly, unexpectedly and without warning. How would you react to a “suddenly” in your life?

I’m sure most people experience a “suddenly” at sometime in their life – accident, unexpected death of someone they know, a financial gift they didn’t expect, reconciliation with a friend or family member, etc.

Can you remember how you reacted in that moment? Did you give thanks to God as you experienced that emotion or event? Did you recall, through your personal experience with Him, that He is faithful? Did it produce good fruit in your life? Are you suffering any trauma from that “suddenly”?

Father, I pray for anyone reading this BLOG who has experienced an unpleasant “suddenly” in their life that created trauma. I ask You to go back to that moment with them and show them where You were with them at that moment and how You were present with them in their experience. Let them see with Your eyes and understand with Your heart.

Say with me, “I forgive anyone who may have been associated with my experience (and quite possibly yourself). I release all trauma that I experienced at that moment in time and ask Father that Your Holy Spirit remove any painful emotions that may be trapped in my body and soul from that experience. I now receive Your peace and healing. In Jesus Name!”

I will be sharing some events that have happened in my life due to a “suddenly.”

Praising the Lord and giving thanks always, will be the best remedy for staying in the “present” to a “suddenly” that comes your way.

Take a couple of minutes to bless the Lord. You don’t have to use these suggestions; use your own words to speak praises to the Lord.

“I break agreement with every negative word I’ve heard, accepted and repeated. I now declare and decree:” [Include others by name, if possible, as an act of faith – speaking those things that are not as though they are.]

Psalm 145:1-3: “We (use family names, neighbors, city, state, country, world) will extol You, our God, our King; and we will bless Your name forever and ever.

Today we bless You and we praise Your name forever and ever. Great are you Lord, and highly to be praised; and Your greatness is unsearchable.”

Weathervane

By Beth Fredricksen | January 26, 2021

The Lord gave me a picture in my mind of a weathervane. A weathervane usually sits high on the top of a roof or pole and it turns as the wind blows to show the direction of the wind.

The Lord says; ” I have set my wind in a different direction. I have shifted the atmosphere and the change is happening all over in every area. Set your face toward Me and hang on for what I am about to do. Keep your eyes on Me and praise Me for the work I am doing in you. Do not look to the right or to the left. Do not listen to the words that others speak who do not hear My voice.

Stay in the cleft of the rock for the wind has changed and it will blow where I will. Hang on for the ride of your life. Stay focused on me. Praise me in the midst of what happens around you. I will keep you. I will be with you.”

SURPRISE!

By Beth Fredricksen | July 14, 2020

While I was sitting with the Lord yesterday, he gave me the word “Surprise.” I said, “What surprise do you have in store?” “How could the demonic be taken by surprise?” The Lord reminded me that the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary , they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:14)

In my mind, the Lord brought me up to the top of a mountain looking out on the world. “What do you see, was the thought that came to mind?” I see masks on people’s faces. Underneath the masks are people who are hurting but no one sees. Their expressions are covered, hidden from sight. They haven’t been touched by another human for weeks because of physical distancing. Fears everywhere. You could almost touch it. The media feeds on it to create fear which multiplies with every report. The airwaves are filled with lies and toxic words. Fear is the breeding ground for negative words and lies.

“I said Lord how can this happen?” l heard the words, through ignorance, misinformation, exaggeration, manipulation, lies, apathy, deception, confusion, dissemination, division, complaining, dissatisfaction , grumbling. Then the thought came, “40 days of praise!” We should be doing this anyway, but making a concentrated, dedicated effort.

Declare a scripture of praise and release it over yourself, over your family, church, neighborhood, city, state, country. Some people fast food TV etc. We are to fast negative words; break agreements with the negative words we have heard, agreed with and allowed to be repeated from our lips. We are to speak the words of praise for 40 days. Praise is the weapon that will “Surprise” the enemy and one he cannot defend against. Spread the word. Begin now.

Check “Comments” above for suggested prayers each day. You can say your own or use these. Once you get through the 1-10, start over for day 11, 21,31.

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Tag: praise