The Apostle Paul had no money or computer to help him get the Good News to others. But He had the Good News in his heart. He knew that Jesus had told His followers to get this news to EVERYONE. What made Paul different from most men was the strong faith he had that God was with Him no matter what happened to him. So instead of writing about all the problems that he had in prison, he wrote about his joys and victories. He explained his attitude: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11 NIV).
     For many years my thoughts centered on the things that I did not have. When my prayers were not answered I was often unhappy. My unhappiness made me doubt that God was working in me. I could not understand what Paul meant when he said: God who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe Him (Rom. 15:13 TLB). Finally, I came to understand that I should believe that He was giving me happiness and peace! Gradually I realized that what I believed was actually happening to me!
     Our unhappy thoughts have a great influence on how we live and feel. And when our attention centers on the victories we believe God has given us, then those victories become real to us even before we experience them!
     Paul wrote: Rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4).When? Always. Why? Because that allows God’s best plan to become ours even before we see it happen. But if our thoughts center on what we want, those thoughts often lead us into unhappiness.
     Children are often on a fast track to doing things that parents have learned are harmful. Parents face a nearly unending struggle in working to prevent children from doing many of the things they want to do. In the same way, many of us are striving to have something that God knows is not best for us. But like children we long for what we want.
     When Paul was in prison he could easily have concentrated on the fear and uncertainty that many prisoners endure. Instead, he determined to write about the victories he believed were his, and what he believed God wants for everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior.

 by Merlin Carothers

     When we center our thoughts on what Jesus has done for us, His victories become ours! Prison bars, problems and sickness may not immediately disappear, but Jesus came to help us be whatever God wants.
     Paul’s faith in God has caused him to help millions of hurting people during the past 2,000 years. You and I can be God’s instruments to help people too, but first we must want His will more than we want our own.
     Jesus promised to help us if we believe He is helping us. We have His help to accomplish whatever God designed us to be. We can do what we are designed to do, by following His directions.
     We can set our thoughts on becoming whatever God wants us to be. Easy? Often not. But His rewards are enormous. In fact they are exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Eph. 3:20). God worked mightily through Paul because Paul believed – even while chained in prison – that God was doing what was best to help Paul fulfill his mission. Paul did not squander his opportunity by thinking about his problems. He thought about people like you and me. He thought about what God wanted him to do to help us!
     There are people who will never hear God’s Good News unless you and I permit Him to use us. I know from personal experience that He can use anyone of us in ways that are excededing abundantly beyond what we imagine. Let’s not waste our opportunities by worrying about our past, present or future. Let’s spend our time and energies in praising Him and letting His Good News flow through us to others.

by Mary Carothers

     This is honoring to God, of course, when we trust Him in the scary places of life. For example, if we are going to lose our home we can choose to trust God by thanking Him for wherever He will help us find a place to live. If we lose our job, we need to do all we can to find another one, while trusting and thanking the Lord for whatever job we can find – even if it is only temporary. These are only a couple of examples but the principle is true in all the circumstances in our lives.
     As we are learning to always give thanks to the Lord, something wonderful begins to happen inside us. We find our faith and trust in God is growing. How exciting it is to suddenly realize, “Hey, I really do trust God in all my problems! NOW I understand that God is working on my attitude and emotions to help me grow in Christ. Wow!”
     As you look back to, say, a year ago, can you see that you have grown in Christ? If you’re not sure, how about trying to praise and thank the Lord for a particular problem in your life? As you persist in this, I believe you will find your faith and trust in God growing stronger.