PRAISE IS YOUR WAY OUT

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Encouragement to the Ministry Family
2. The Macedonian Call and Paul’s Obedience to the Holy Spirit
3. The Demon-Possessed Girl and the Power of the Name of Jesus
4. Opposition, Beating, and Imprisonment
5. The Natural Reaction vs. the Spiritual Response
6. Paul and Silas Choose Praise Instead of Despair
7. Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Instead of Circumstances
8. The Earthquake and Supernatural Deliverance
9. The Power of Praise for Believers Today

Introduction and Encouragement to the Ministry Family

Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori begin the teaching by greeting the audience warmly and expressing appreciation for the people who support their ministry. They acknowledge the encouraging messages, emails, calls, and gifts that help sustain the work they are doing. They emphasize that the ministry is not just theirs, but belongs to the entire community of believers who participate in it.

They explain that the purpose of the ministry is to grow God’s kingdom and to share the gospel message with others. Everyone who contributes encouragement, prayer, or financial support plays a role in that mission. Pastor Lori emphasizes that the people are part of the ministry and the ministry is part of them, showing the unity within the body of Christ. After this introduction, they transition into discussing the message from Sunday’s sermon, which focused on a powerful passage from the Book of Acts.

The Macedonian Call and Paul’s Obedience to the Holy Spirit

Pastor Leonard explains that the message centered around Acts chapter 16. The story begins with Paul responding to what is often called the Macedonian call. Paul had received a vision directing him where to go, and he followed the Holy Spirit's leading to Macedonia.
When Paul arrived, he encountered a situation involving men who were profiting from a young girl possessed by a demon. These men were deeply involved in occult practices. The girl had a spirit of divination, which allowed her to tell fortunes. Because of this ability, her owners made a great deal of money from people who paid for her fortune-telling.

The scripture describing this event reads:
Acts 16:16–18- “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”

Paul did not initially confront the practice of fortune-telling. Instead, he focused on preaching the gospel. However, the girl repeatedly followed Paul and shouted loudly about who he was. The constant disruption eventually led Paul to command the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ. Immediately, the demon left.

The Demon-Possessed Girl and the Power of the Name of Jesus

When Paul cast the demon out of the girl, her owners became furious. Their source of income disappeared instantly. What had been a profitable business for them ended because the girl could no longer perform fortune-telling.

The scripture explains what happened next:
Acts 16:19–21- “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers. And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.”

The men accused Paul and Silas of causing trouble and teaching beliefs that were not acceptable in Roman society. Their accusations stirred up the crowd and the authorities against them.

Opposition, Beating, and Imprisonment

The situation quickly escalated. The authorities did not conduct a proper investigation or trial. Instead, they responded violently.

The Bible records the punishment that followed:
Acts 16:22–24- “And the multitude rose together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely. Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”

Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten severely, and thrown into prison. Their feet were placed in stocks, leaving them immobilized. Guards were assigned to watch them closely.

Pastor Leonard emphasizes how difficult their situation was. Their backs were bleeding from the beating. They were in pain, hungry, thirsty, and confined in chains. From a human perspective, it was the perfect situation for despair, anger, self-pity, or confusion. They had done nothing wrong. They had preached the gospel.

The Natural Reaction vs. the Spiritual Response

Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori describe what the natural reaction might have been in such circumstances. They imagine how Paul and Silas could have responded if they focused only on the physical reality around them.
They might have complained about the pain from their wounds. They might have worried about their hunger or thirst. They might have questioned why such suffering had happened when they were simply obeying God.
These reactions would have been completely understandable. Anyone facing such a situation could easily fall into fear, discouragement, or anger. Yet the story takes a completely different turn.

Paul and Silas Choose Praise Instead of Despair

Instead of complaining or focusing on their suffering, Paul and Silas made a surprising choice. They began to pray and praise God.

The scripture describes their response:
Acts 16:25- “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

Pastor Leonard explains that they stepped outside the physical circumstances and entered into the spiritual reality of who God is. Rather than focusing on their wounds, chains, and imprisonment, they fixed their attention on God. They began praising God openly. Their worship filled the prison, and the other prisoners could hear them singing.

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Instead of Circumstances

Pastor Lori connects this moment with a principle found in Hebrews. The key to their response was that they took their eyes off their natural circumstances and focused on Jesus.

The scripture states:
Hebrews 12:2- “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

By focusing on Jesus rather than the pain around them, Paul and Silas moved from the natural realm into the spiritual realm. Praise redirected their attention from their problems to the greatness of God. As they worshiped, their faith was strengthened, and their hearts were lifted.

The Earthquake and Supernatural Deliverance

As Paul and Silas praised God, something extraordinary happened.

The scripture records the miraculous moment:
Acts 16:26- “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.”

An earthquake shook the prison. The chains that bound them broke. The prison doors opened. The stocks that held their feet released them.
Pastor Leonard describes the scene vividly. In a moment, everything changed. Their bondage ended. Their chains fell away. Their freedom was restored. Later events show that they were cared for, fed, and their wounds were treated. The situation that once looked hopeless became a testimony of God’s power.

The Power of Praise for Believers Today

Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori conclude by asking an important question. The story clearly shows what happened to Paul and Silas, but does it apply to believers today? Their answer is yes.

When believers take their eyes off their natural problems and place them on Jesus, praise changes their perspective. As Jesus becomes greater in their hearts, faith begins to grow. As faith grows, believers begin to trust God more deeply and speak with confidence.
Through this process, spiritual freedom becomes possible. Chains break. Doors open. Healing comes. Victory appears where defeat once seemed certain.

Praise shifts the focus from the problem to the power of God.

Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching from Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola. We hope this message encouraged you and strengthened your faith. If this article blessed you, consider sharing it with others so more people can be encouraged by the power of praise and the goodness of God.