SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WENT TO VISIT a lady in the hospital after her surgery. On the way out, I passed by a woman with an oxygen mask over her face, sitting up, a Bible on her lap, arms raised giving loud praises to God. I began to weep, it was so beautiful. “This woman gets it!” I thought. What this woman got was that praise and thanksgiving break bondages. Praise brings down walls.

Remember Jericho? Thanksgiving releases prisoners. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to 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 everyone’s hands were loosed.” Acts 17:25-26 So wonderful! Praise gets your eyes off your circumstances and gets them on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. In my 25 years of serving the Lord, the demonstrative worshippers and the thankful in all things are the ones that always seem to be victorious, even in the midst of their suffering and storm.

Did you know you can praise Him even before your breakthrough comes? And You can be thankful in your storm, even while you are still hurting? Give thanks in all things! You can praise Him while you are in prison! Most people won’t even worship until He delivers, and so remain stuck- stuck grumbling and complaining, blaming God and everyone for their chains. Change your focus! Get your eyes off of YOU and unto Him and give Him praise for His kindness and mercy and sit back and watch those prison walls come down! #runyourrace

To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page