Foundation of Praise  •  P.O. Box 2518  •  Escondido, CA 92033-3629  •  (760) 741-2755
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merlin carothers    We should ask ourselves, “Do I really need what I want?”
     We were born with a passion to have what we want, when we want it. That is the heart of our “sin nature.” We wanted our bottle of milk, when we wanted it. We did not care what our parents thought we needed.
     Eventually we were willing to give up our bottle of milk, but then we wanted other things. And then . . . more things. Throughout life we may add to the list of what we think we need in order to be happy.
     Many of us kept these same original feelings when we learned to believe that God could do anything. We began to tell Him what we wanted and “needed.” If He didn’t give us those things we may have doubted that He really could do what we “needed.”
     When hard times came and we could not help ourselves or find anyone who could or would help us, we again turned to God for help. But we so often resorted to our original feelings. We wanted what we wanted.
     Today we may still be clinging to that feeling of wanting God to do what we want or give us what we want. We may strive to believe that our prayers will be answered, but feel discouraged when things never change, or even seem to get worse.
    Jesus taught us by the way that He lived. He wanted nothing unless He was certain it was God’s will for Him. Although Jesus had the power to do anything, He wanted to first know God’s will before He acted. Even when He was faced with being deserted by His family and friends, and nailed to a cross, He chose to want God’s will. What an amazing example He gave us.
     Jesus’ disciples saw what He was doing but they did not understand it. They wanted Him to


by Merlin Carothers

stand up and fight the evil forces that opposed Him. They were willing to fight and die with Him
but they couldn’t understand simply trusting God to do what He wanted to do. They had our human nature that always wants what it wants.
     The disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised them. Then they began their spiritual lessons that would help them accomplish the mission to which God was calling them. They too learned that God was always working for their good (see Romans 8:28). They believed that He had a plan for them and they trusted Him to work out His plan.
     I believe the disciples still had times of doubts and uncertainty, but they grew in faith. At times they were chained in prison but still rejoiced in the certainty that God was working for their good.
     Other Christians have learned to trust God when they were facing execution.
     We are tempted to doubt the truths that Jesus and His disciples taught us. We want to believe that a “good” God would give us what we need. Our human nature strives to convince God that we know what we need. We are drawn back toward our childhood feelings of wanting whatever we want.
     But the Holy Spirit is still drawing us to believe that God is always – in every situation – working for our eternal good. The more we believe Him, the more the power of the Holy Spirit will work in us just as the Holy Spirit worked in Jesus. We sometimes want God to take us down from our “cross.” We want Him to deliver us from our difficulties. But He may want us to be victorious in all our problems through the power Jesus died to give us. In Jesus we are victorious over everything. Over all things! That is the gift God wants us to receive.
     As we receive, our joy will continue to grow.

Please never place your copy of Praise News in the trash! It is far too valuable for that. Give it to someone who may read it and have their life changed!

For the last few months I have been glued to and changed by your books. I knew about your first book Prison to Praise but had never cared to check it out. A woman in our church gave me Power in Praise. I am now reading it for the third time. The same Spirit is now revealing to me what He revealed to you! I am rejoicing in the changes in my thinking…every day and all day. Preaching and teaching are taking on a wonderful new direction and people are beginning to light up. You have been used to bless an entire church.   Pastor Tom, NY

I was reading a book by John and Paula Sanford and they said to stop reading, get Power in Praise, read it, and then come back to their book. I did! Never has anyone given me such valuable advice. The fruits of praise are already showing up in my life.  Chan, CA

Thank you for your great book Power in Praise. I read it over and over again. I’m trying to live with a thankful heart. My parents were alcoholics and I left home at 14. At 44, I lost my husband, went off the deep end and was drinking myself to death. I have discovered the gift of letting God have first place in my life. I am free and happy in my life and I owe a lot of it to your book.     Sherree, WA

I gave Power in Praise to a friend and she was so impacted by it that she wants to share it with others. It truly touched my heart to see how much your book blessed her. I have given away many copies over the past twenty years and will continue to do so until God calls me home!    Pearl, NY

Power in Praise is still our favorite book. It’s a wonderful resource for people who want to take a giant step forward in their walk with Jesus.     Robert and Billie, CA

Power in Praise has meant so much to me for over 30 years. I’ve read it a dozen times and find myself praising God and trusting Him more and more.    Gwen, MN

I read Power in Praise before I was a Christian. Twenty years after I became a Christian I took the book off the shelf and read it again. My faith was ignited and keeps burning brightly. When I reflect back on the first time I read it I wonder how I could have not understood it. I now believe it was one of the very first seeds planted in my Spirit, even though it would be several years before I would understand what Jesus did for me on the cross.     Leslie, NH

The weight of the burdens we carry is determined by our attraction to the world. Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33NIV).

Please agree with me in prayer for everyone who receives Praise News. We receive so many requests for prayer. Some of these requests are for:

Marital problems     .::     Health problems     .::     Financial difficulties
Our military personnel     .::      Family hardships and conflicts
Salvation and healing of loved ones

 
Your continued faithful support has enabled us to send shipments of free praise books to the following facilities:

Hobby Unit, Marlin, TX
Lane County Jail, Eugene, OR
Correctional Facility, Elmira, NY
McLennan County Jail, Waco, TX
Reception Center, Chipley, FL
Correctional Center for Men, Chino, CA
The Justice Center, Syracuse, NY
Ward County Jail, Monahans, TX
Benton County Jail, Kennewick, WA
Allegheny County Jail, Pittsburgh, PA
Marion Correctional Institute, Marion NC
Pennington County Jail, Rapid City, SD
Merrimack County Corrections, Concord, NH
Central Correctional Facility, Los Lunas, NM
Clark County Detention Ctr., Las Vegas, NV
Everglades Correctional Institute, Miami, FL
Lassen County Juvenile Hall, Susanville, CA
Cass County Correctional Jail, Plattsmouth, NE
New Castle Correctional Facility, New Castle, IN
Belmont Correctional Institute, St. Clairsville, OH

The Foundation of Praise
has received a gift in loving memory of:

Elsie N. McKeever
By her daughter
Millie McKeever
of Fortuna, CA

Jack Dove, Loving Husband
By his wife
Julie Dove
of Santa Maria, CA

John W. Parry
By his wife
Susan Parry
of San Diego, CA

YOU KEEP ASKING… SO WE ARE LISTENING!
COMING NEXT MONTH
PRISON TO PRAISE BULK PRICE OFFER!
Your response to the Prison to Praise reduced price special continues to be overwhelming.
We will be repeating this limited supply bulk price offer in the April Praise News. Start
making your list today of all those people who you know will be blessed by this book.
     During part of my time in Vietnam, I served at a hospital that treated severely injured soldiers. When possible, I held their hand while I prayed. Not once did any man act as if he did not want me to pray with him. While serving at that Evacuation Hospital I had no printed, spiritual message that I could leave with each patient. Neither did I have anything to hand to the many nurses and doctors. They too were
severely stressed by the suffering they saw.
     As the Lord provides we will do whatever we can to get our books to service members. We receive so many letters of appreciation from those who receive the books.

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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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P.O. Box 2518  •  Escondido, CA  •  760.741.2755

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