Foundation of Praise - Spreading the Word of God

Foundation of Praise • P.O. Box 2518 • Escondido, CA 92033-3629 • (760) 741-2755

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         MY LAST BOOK
     After I finished my last book, I asked the Lord if it was okay with Him for me to lay down my pen and rest. He didn't give me an answer. A short time later while I was taking a leisurely stroll in our beautiful community, a thought came to me: "Is there anything especially important that you believe everyone needs to know?"
      I thought about the many letters I receive each day from hurting people. What did they need? Soon I knew the answer to the question. They needed to have more faith. How could I help them?
      I thought, prayed, and sought God's guidance. I confess that I told Him I was tired. Not because I was 87, but because of what I had done during those years. I hadn't done as much as some people, but after four wars and multiple injuries, I felt exhausted.
      After writing, publishing and distributing fifteen books it seemed to me that I had written everything I knew.
      No pressure, son. Do what you think is best.
      So I began studying what the Bible says about having faith in God. I was surprised at the multitude of things that became clearer to me. My energy and zeal increased.
      Throughout the Old and New Testament one of the messages is clear. Whenever men and women had faith in what God would do for them, amazing things happened.
      Many do not know about God's most important gift. The more I thought about it, the more I realized what God wanted me to share with you.
      Each one of us needs to know and to understand the miracle that Jesus came to offer us.

by Merlin Carothers

Please read portions of this devotional everyday. Listen to what God is saying to you. I hope you will learn as much as I did as I wrote the following pages.

            ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BELIEVE
     God sent Jesus to do something so wonderful that many people are unable to believe it. Just think of it: God sent His own Son to pay the penalty for every one of our sins! What a gift! Why did He do this?
      God made me His adopted son. What benefits does that give me? The more I searched through Scripture on this subject the more enthusiastic I became.
      I wrote page after page of Scripture verses that clearly explain the gifts He offers us. As I studied, the Holy Spirit kept lifting my spirit in new joy over what God has done. I was learning more of what it means to be God's son.
      Think of the many times you have prayed what Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father who art in Heaven." If He is your father, what does that make you? You must be His child for Him to be your Father.
      If my father, Dave Carothers, were the President of the United States, I know that I, Merlin, would have certain benefits. I could go to the front gate of the White House and the guards would know me. They would know they should get me to the President as quickly as possible because that was the written order of the President. No other official in the entire government would get the quick, full service that I would receive. Why? Was it because I had done something wonderful? No. The guards would be interested in only one thing: the President's order.         (continued on page 4)

     Some time ago I was driving down the road, grateful to be heading home. I had just gone through a very stressful experience, and felt as though I had been put through the wringer of an old fashioned washing machine. While praising the Lord for this difficult situation in my life I said, "Thank You, Lord. I know that You are using this for my good." You see it's easier to praise the Lord for our trials when we understand that God is in control. Not everything that happens to us is His perfect will, but He is committed to taking each problem and making it work for our good, if we love Him and trust Him to do so (see Romans 8:28).
      Driving along, praising Him, I felt very close to tears. So I began to thank God that He never puts us down. "Gee, Lord, You never put us down – not even when we act like cry-babies. You love and accept us just the way we are. Thanks Jesus. I love You, Lord. Thank You for being such a wonderful Savior."
     Then something marvelous happened. As I continued to give Him thanks and praise, I began to feel the loving presence of the Lord settle down around me. His love enfolded me – so tender and gentle. Just

by Mary Carothers

complete love and acceptance. As God's presence filled my car, I began to see how insignificant my trial was in relation to His grand plan for each of us. Then I relaxed and enjoyed the healing flow of His love.
      He helped me to understand what Paul meant when he wrote II Corinthians 4:17-18. He said that our trials are achieving for us eternal glory – so great that our problems are insignificant by comparison. When we view our lives from that standpoint, it's easier to keep an eternal perspective. Everything here on earth – good, bad or indifferent – is temporary. It also helps us to be able to always give thanks (see Ephesians 5:20) when we realize just how great and unconditional God's love is for us.
      With tender, loving wisdom, God carefully considers each trial before He allows it to come into our lives. Only when He knows that great eternal good can come to us as a result, does He allow it.
      Lord help each of us to keep a right perspective. Help us to see our problems through Your eyes.

I am a pastor and just today felt led to read Prison to Praise. I feel God is teaching me something and I don't want to miss it! Blessings to you. Mark, PA

I am just learning about thankfulness and how to praise God in all things. It has really changed my life. I plan on sharing with others everything that you teach me. Joann, MS

Your books have touched my heart like no other book – of course, the Bible is number one! They are life-changing. Joyce, OR

Praise has become second nature to me. What joy it brings! Jackie, IA

Your books and the Praise News are so inspiring and they have brought me inspiration and comfort. Elizabeth, GA

Please continue to send me Praise News I read all the articles, and appreciate all that you do. Joyce, FL

I enjoy your writings and warm, honest faith. Please remember us in your prayers. We are created for His glory and to show forth His praise. Terry, SCOTLAND

All your books have been a blessing to me and to everybody I share them with. I stay centered on God and there is no other way to live. I'm in awe of Him. Evelyn, NM

You may be interested to know that Praise News is read out loud at our local church. Neil, Austrailia

Thank you for your books. Only in Heaven will we know the good the Lord has been able to accomplish through your writings! It is my great privilege to help carry the message of hope and miracles. Linda, MS

We want to express our deep gratitude for your kind donation of books for the inmates at Central North Correctional Centre. We know they will have a beneficial impact on those that read them. Thank you for the compassion you show for the 1100 inmates incarcerated here. We are encouraged and uplifted by your generosity. ChaplaIn, Canada

Thank you for sending books to the Douglas County Detention Center. Your books are very popular among the inmates. We do not have a budget for the purchase of material for our religious programs so we are grateful for whatever you can send. Please thank the committed Christians who have donated a gift to supply free books to facilities like ours. ChaplaIn, CO

I want to thank you for all the books you have faithfully donated to the Everglades Correctional Institute. They are always well received and our inmates express their gratitude for your thoughtfulness. ChaplaIn, FL

Teen Challenge curriculum includes a required reading of Prison to Praise. The copies we have are extremely weathered and we don't have enough to go around. Any books you can send will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. Dwayne, CA

The Foundation of Praise has received a gift in loving memory of:
Dolores Kyle By her sister Lorena Meyer of Boulder, CO	Patricia Purdy Sindahl By her husband Rev. Jay Sindahl of Solvang, CA	Bobby Joe Hutsler By his aunt Opal Barclay of Newton, KS

(continued from page 1) What an illustration that is to me! I am God's son! He loves to talk to me anytime I want to be with Him. He wants to do for me anything that He knows will help me. I am like the Prodigal Son who returned to his father. The son thought he was not worthy to even be his father's servant. That's the way I used to feel about God.
I thought I wasn't worthy. I didn't have absolute faith that I would be with Him forever as one of His children. I had been so disobedient, and would probably do even more that would displease Him! How could I be absolutely positive that He would take me to Heaven? Now I understand the Miracle of Faith.
Now I know who I am! I know, without a doubt, that I am not worthy of such an exalted honor, but God has decided that He wants to give honor to His children. Not because of whom the child is but because of who He is. I want you to have that honor, know that you have it, and revel in it. Then you will be free to tell everyone who you are, and how they too can be one of God's beloved children.

               ARE YOU SURE OR UNSURE?
      Will you go to Heaven? Are you sure? Are you unsure? If you are sometimes unsure what will happen when you die, read these daily devotions until they become so real to you that you can help other people to know what you know. We need to know what we know! The Holy Spirit will create in you a spirit of joy that will gradually become a feeling of victory.
      I have been at the bedside of hundreds of men and women when they believed they would soon die. Every one of them wanted to know what would happen the moment they died.
      The Apostle Paul was chained in a prison cell – year after year – and it was there that he wrote about his joy. When Jesus lives in us He wants to give us the same assurance that Paul had!
      Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. (Ephesians 3:20)
      He does the working. We do the believing.

     If Jesus lives in us, we are sure we are going to Heaven. When anyone is sure, it changes – everything. We know what we know!
     How many people are absolutely sure they are
going to Heaven? Many hope they will but by
their own words admit they are not sure.
     An increasing number of people believe that
many religions can lead us to Heaven. But Jesus
said: I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6 NIV)
     Was Jesus right or wrong?
     In the 16th Century it was illegal for anyone,
except priests, to have a Bible. But one man, Martin
Luther, risked his life by declaring that everyone
should have a Bible. The Protestant faith was born.
     Now, you and I can help many people who do
not know what the Bible says, to know that
because of Jesus anyone can be sure they are a
child of God.

You have just read the first few pages of my newest book Amazing Power of Faith. People who have read the book have said:

"I found this book very uplifting and encouraging."

"Merlin's simple yet profound words blessed me as I read Amazing Power of Faith."

"Once again, Merlin Carothers' through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shares how our faith, no matter how small, can become an awesome power in transforming our lives."

We are making the book available to our Praise Partners, before being offered to anyone else at the introductory price of $10 (including shipping, a $12.50 value). To order with a credit card call 1-800-PRAISE1 (1-800-772-4731). This offer expires July 31, 2012.

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Read excerpts from Merlin Carothers best selling books! Prison to Praise • Power in Praise • From Fear to Faith • You Can Be Happy Now • Secret Sins

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