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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   How we thank God for all of this! It is He who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord! (I Cor. 15:57).
Who are these victorious people and what are they victorious over?
   In I Corinthians 15 Paul reminds us of something we should never, ever, forget. He says we are victorious over sin – not by our own goodness – but by Christ’s goodness! Now, that is good news. Jesus demonstrated His power to do anything by His resurrection from the dead. And He offers to share His victory over death with everyone who believes Him.
   In verses 36-37 Paul compares our death to a seed which reaches its highest potential only when it dies. Death causes us (and our Christian loved ones) to be “resurrected” into a glorious new body. Just as Jesus was victorious over death, so are we! Because of Jesus’ victory, God makes death work for our good!
   If we refuse to believe that Jesus is our Savior, we remain guilty of all our sins, and death will destroy us. But, what glorious victories we can have as free gifts if we believe Him. Remember – victory over our two greatest enemies, sin and death, comes by our faith in what Jesus has accomplished for us.
   How does all of this affect what you and I do today? Today is our opportunity to believe that through Jesus we are victorious over the power of this world and everything in it! But His victory comes only to those who believe Him.
   Paul believed. He claimed victory over everything that happened to him and he believed that God was using it for his good (Rom. 8:28).
   If you have been confident enough to believe that Christ has made you victorious over sin and death, why not believe He gives you victory over problems, people, health or anything else that is troubling you?

by Merlin Carothers

Christ’s victory over everything in this world, is ours if we believe Him. Jesus believed that death could not defeat Him and He wants us to believe that nothing can defeat us. But if we are troubled, or live with fear and doubt, His victory doesn’t accomplish His purpose in us.
   So, what should we do?
   God tell us to shout to Him with the voice of triumph (Ps. 47:1). Believing God until we speak with a voice of triumph, is not easy so we practice believing! Remember learning to ride a bicycle? At first it may have seemed impossible, dangerous and unnatural. But then we practiced and practiced until we learned that we could do it. We can practice believing God until we eventually will be shouting to God with a voice of triumph!
   One of God’s illustrations of a person who learned to trust Him is Abraham: Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3). He died before some of God’s promises were fulfilled, but he died believing. You and I have opportunities every day to practice that same righteousness! Believing God is the victory that overcomes our trials! Every day there are dozens of opportunities to practice believing that we are victorious over worry, anxiety or fear.
   If we see no hope for a solution to a difficult problem, that is the perfect time for us to proclaim our triumph through Jesus our Savior.
   Our confidence in God today, will bring us great joy in all our tomorrows.

   Some years ago, Merlin and I were ministering in a large church in another state. While there we stayed in the very beautiful home of the pastor.
   Although the home was tastefully furnished, the pastor and his wife very gracious, I found my spirit greatly disturbed. Something was wrong, but I didn’t know what.
   Before long, it became apparent just what was wrong. The pastor seemed to be completely without love – toward his wife, his children, co- pastors, or his congregation.
   “Lord!” I cried! “That’s just not right! If he’s going to shepherd those lambs and sheep, he needs to love them like Jesus does.” (I’m sure the Lord really appreciated my bringing this to His attention. After all, where would He be if we didn’t point out the faults of others to Him?!) I was deeply concerned and earnestly praying to the Lord about this problem. I’ll never forget His response to me.

by Mary Carothers

   Very clearly, He said, What is that to thee? Follow thou me (John 21:22). In those few words, He preached a sermon to me! Basically, He said Mary, if you’ll just take care of your faults, you’ll have all you can handle. I’m able to deal with this, my child. Just let it go, I’ll take care of it. It’s none of your concern. You just love him and his wife, and his family and everyone involved, and leave the rest to me.
   Later, He showed me a verse in John 5:30, where Jesus said He passed no judgment without first checking with the Father. Jesus always pleased the Father, and His first priority was obedience to God.
   Believe me, I was both humbled and ashamed. I’d like to tell you I learned my lesson, but from time to time the Lord has had to remind me again that He’s still in control. How prone we are to say, “But Lord! Did you see what so-and-so did?” Or, “Did You hear what that person said?” God’s response is always the same. What is that to thee? Follow thou me. Jesus, please help us to not rush to judgment, but to leave it to Your loving wisdom.

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

THE GREAT JAIL BREAK

Regional Jail, Orange, VA
4th Avenue Jail, Phoenix, AZ
Henley State Jail, Dayton, TX
Solano County Jail, Fairfield, CA
Benton County Jail, Kennewick, WA
Allegheny County Jail, Pittsburgh, PA
Cuyahoga County Jail, Cleveland, OH
Deuel Vocational Institute, Tracy, CA
Worcester County Jail, Snow Hill, MD
Caldwell County Jail, Granite Falls, NC
Menard Correctional Center, Menard, IL
Elmira Correctional Facility, Elmira, NY
Lawton Correctional Facility, Lawton, OK
Century Correctional Institute, Century, FL
Chatham County Sheriff's Dept., Savannah, GA
Pendleton Correctional Facility, Pendleton, IN
J. Rueben Long Detention Center, Conway, SC
Clark County Detention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Reception & Medical Center, Lake Butler, FL
Ray of Hope Alcoholics Anonymous, Kemp, TX
Great Meadow Correctional Facility, Comstock, NY
Crowley County Correctional Facility, Olney Springs, CO

Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Our prayers
are with those who loved them.

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

Howard Sneen By his wife Ruth Sneen of Clear Lake, WI	Felix Oludotun Luwaji By his daughter Victoria Olaegbe of Sun Valley, NV
Richard Piermarini, Sr By his son Richard Piermarini, Jr of Leominister, MA	Robert Bernal By his close friends Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Brandt of Muskego, WI
Edward W. Kuntscher By Wendy Jenz, Camille Gores-Nelson and his daughter, Magdalen Nelson of Minneapolis, MN

     It sometimes seems to take a long time for our prayers to be answered. At other times they are answered quickly.
     Sometimes Peter lingered in jail but Acts 12 tells us of one occasion when God decided it was time for him to be set free. This assured Peter - and you and me - that when it is God's time, He does whatever needs to be done.
     Peter was in a prison cell, chained to two guards, and with other soldiers guarding the cell door. Satan wanted Peter held until he could be executed. But an angel from God came to Peter's cell and told him to “Wake up” and“Stand up”. The chains fell off. “Follow me” the angel told him. The cell door opened and when they reached the prison gate it too opened by itself.
     You may be in a “prison cell” of a different kind,
chained by powers that seem to control you. It may be your health, finances or family problems, but no angel has appeared. So, what hope is there for you? We have a great assurance, because Jesus promised to be with us always. One day He will tell us to Wake up! Stand up! Rise up to meet Me in the air!
      For now, He tells us to trust Him. Satan is determined to make us feel that our “imprisonment” is evidence that God is doing nothing for us. But we know he is a liar (see John 8:44). Sometimes God steps into our “cell” and leads us out, but other times He wants us to smile in Satan's face as we say,“God is working for my good.” We know that at any moment God can and will change whatever needs to be changed! For now, Jesus has said I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! So don't be troubled or afraid (John 14:27 TLB).

JUST A REMINDER
Year-end contributions to the Foundation
of Praise, per the IRS, must be mailed
and postmarked by December 31, 2007
to receive credit as a 2007 tax-deductible gift.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am in the Army and was given Prison to Praise by a couple in our chapel. I read it straight through and then sent it on to my parents. I would love to get more copies for our soldiers. There is power in praise. ROBERT, OK

Thank you for spreading the message of praise - it is so powerful. Things have recently started to get on top of me and I would at times feel really depressed. When feeling like that I just felt I should start praising God. I did it, although not feeling like it. Suddenly the
cloud lifted! I remembered Prison to Praise which I had heard of, got a copy and was so encouraged. I have also read Power in Praise and am working my way through your other books. I am going to give out copies to my friends and some of the homeless in London as well. GREG, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been practicing law for almost 30 years and during that time I have passed out hundreds of Prison to Praise to clients that were going through particularly difficult times. I was first introduced to Prison to Praise when I was a law student many years ago. I was impressed with the powerful impact of your book and how it truly seemed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. In all the years since I have found no better tool to share with clients that need to be encouraged in their faith. PHILLIP, MI

My son recently was blessed by your books while he was in jail. Your books were a gift from God and were instrumental in turning his life around. He is such a joy and inspiration now, and is back sharing his love of the Lord daily. I truly did not think it was possible but am
thankful God worked a miracle in his life. I knew there was something I was missing regarding my praise to the Lord, but I couldn't put my finger on it until I read Prison to Praise and Power in Praise. JAN, E-MAIL

We send Prison to Praise around the world, with other tracts and Bibles, and we receive many letters of the blessings that God bestows
on those who read it. MEL, CA

When my mother died I praised God that He gave her to me as my mother. I had such a peace for weeks. Then one day I started hurting so bad that my mother was gone. As soon as I said thank you Lord for giving her to me, I had God's peace and joy. When people
lose loved ones I encourage them to thank God that they had them for as long as they did. JOANNE, AL

To know you, Merlin and Mary, is to love you, and I do! FLO, (MERLIN'S NEIGHBOR)

The inmates here in the South Polk County Jail thank you for your labor of love in supplying the books for their spiritual walk in Christ Jesus. REV. SMITH, FL

Your untiring efforts and prayers have had an overwhelming impact on our inmates. Thank you for your diligence as you spread God's love, forgiveness and mercy. CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE, DEEP MEADOW CORRECTIONAL, VA

I want to express a large measure of gratitude for the cases of Christian books by Merlin Carothers that you provided to the inmates throughout the county jail system. JAIL CHAPLAINCY MINISTRY, TX

I go into the Bucks County Correctional Facility every Tuesday to bring them the Word. I believe your book will help open the eyes of the unbeliever. We have an average of 60-90 men every week and they love to read. I often see ten new faces in our services each week. Please help me reach these men with your eye
opening book. STEVEN, E:MAIL

I read Prison to Praise seven years ago at an all-time low point in my life. I read, followed instructions, and as a result my Christian walk has never been the same. GERALD, TX

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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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