~ Merlin Carothers- "As we learn to praise the Lord for everything, what should we expect? Most of us expect quick results. If there are no quick benefits, our short attention spans will sometimes cause us to move on to something else. (Google image, Man praising the Lord)
Therefore, many people do not learn how the power of praise can bring undeniably miraculous results. I have seen many occasions when praising God brougnt immediate reults. But I have also learned that God wants us to expect his will to be done rather than our own will.
You and I face an uncertain future. Personal and family tragedies may be only seconds away. In many respects our futures are beyond our control. The potential for disease, accidents and financial calamities surrounds us.
Our surrounding hardships aren't very different from those faced by the people to whom Paul wrote. He asked them to decide whether tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness or sword could separte them from God's love. Then he said, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:35 & 37).
While our future is unknown to us, the results can be known. Paul said we could know that God would work everything for our good. Once we become rooted in that priciple, beautiful changes happen in us. Fear of the unknown begins to fade. Losing inner fear is one of the greatest miracles we can experience. We are no longer controlled by the circumstances of this world. Instead, this world is controlled by our faith.
Does our faith work? I have watched people face death who were filled with faith, and others face death who were controlled by this world. Both persons may have pain, but pain without fear is far different from pain drenched in fear. It is so different that it isn't even comparable.
Don't wait until you face severe calamities before you fill your mind and heart with faith in God's loving, perfect care. I exhort you to study God's will for you. Be prepared for whatever 'tests' may lie ahead. He promises to be with us always, so let's learn to trust Him where we are in whatever circumstance.
You may like where you are now — but still worry about your future. Or you may struggle with your present conditons and want to be somewhere else. Whatever your attitude, your mission is still the same: Believe that God is working in your stiuation for your good (see Romans 8:28). Fail in this task and your face a fearful future. There is no other way to prepare for the unknown events that lie ahead.
Those who watched Jesus die undoubtely thought His death was a worthless tragedy that accomplished nothing. Now we know that His death accomplished everything.
Believe that today is one small part of God's eternal plan for you. If today is difficult, harsh or painful, remember Jesus' day on the cross. He was fulfilling His part in order that you and I might have eternal life. (Reprint in PRAISE NEWS from November 1994)
Father, as we learn to praise You for everything, what should we expect? Unfortunately, our attention span tends to be rather short, so help us pause and think about Your great goodness to us, no matter what we are seeing, and to speak praises to Your name.
946-950 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
Moses asked God for His name, and He replied, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:13-14).
Messiah claimed the title, "I am" (John 8:58).
Upcoming posts:
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing:https://www.
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