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Merlin Carothers     Faith in God is crucial to our happiness. Faith supplies an inner peace that meets our deepest needs. Unbelievers clutch at straws in their passion to persuade us that there is no God, but our hearts know better. We are born with inner conviction that there is a Supreme Being. Therefore, believing in and trusting God gives us inner joy.
     God wants us to believe that He will supply everything that we need (see Phil. 4:19), but we are plagued by the same temptation that caused Eve to want more than she had. If we are not content with what we have, we are not enjoying the “secret” that Paul described. He said he had: …learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… (Phil. 4:12 NIV).
     As we learn contentment, our faith in God increases!
     When we choose to be unhappy, we face a similar problem to the one Paul had when he chose to persecute Christians. He believed that he was doing the right thing, but he was hurting himself:  Paul, Paul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself (Acts 26:14 TLB).
     While living in the Garden of Eden, Eve decided to be discontented, and we know what happened! But you and I can decide to be content with our “situation”. Many times every day, we can decide to rejoice regardless of what other thoughts may try to make us unhappy. The more we do this, the greater our joy becomes. We keep learning new reasons to rejoice, while others seem to discover reasons to be unhappy.


 by Merlin Carothers

     At one time, I took on the responsibility to do a certain job that needed to be done every day. It wasn’t the sort of work I enjoy, but because I try to never complain, I was doing my “duty” every day. But in my heart I was thinking, I sure wish I didn’t need to do this.
     One day the Holy Spirit got my attention and asked me if I thought God wanted me to do the task. What could I say? Of course He must want me to do it. So why wasn’t I enjoying the opportunity to do what He wanted me to do?
     We may think it is asking too much for us enjoy doing something we don’t enjoy, but now I understand that the task itself was not my problem. The problem was within me. Without intending to, I had made up my mind that I didn’t enjoy my task, and had steadfastly stuck to that decision. Why couldn’t I work at changing what was within me? I could, and I did! Instead of letting my mind wander and not enjoying my labor, I started declaring my gladness that God had:
     1. Given me the strength to do it.
     2. Given me the materials to work with.
     3. Given me a spirit that could be guided by          His Spirit.
     On and on I expanded my reasons for being glad. Within days something new happened in me. I was able to find joy in the work I needed to do. My new success blessed me, and I was clearly aware that God was pleased.
     I encourage you to think about the tasks that God has arranged in your life. Do you want to find joy in them? At first the goal may seem too hard to reach, but don’t give up. God wants to take everything in our lives and make it work for our good.  Enjoy this new challenge!

     

     People have written me with questions about tithing. I'll share with you my thoughts.
     Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10). The location of the “storehouse”
was a very simple matter to the Jews. It was the place they looked to receive
forgiveness. Their tithes supported the priests in order that they might spend their time
in making sacrifices and praying. The people felt very dependent on the priests and
were spiritually nurtured by them.
     Some Christians receive all their spiritual food from their local church and may
believe that their tithe belongs to that church. Other Christians receive spiritual food
from sources outside of the church they attend and may believe their tithe should be
divided.
     During my lifetime I've received spiritual help from individuals and groups that dramatically
changed my life. The spiritual food they gave me has continued to nourish me
through the years. Because God used them to help me, I desire to be of help to them.
They represent a “storehouse” where I, and others, received help.
     I feel the same regarding the books God has led me to write. If they have been of
help to you, they represent a “storehouse” that God has used to minister spiritual
strength to you. You then have the privilege if you so desire to help pass on that spiritual
strength to others. Some need less help than you did. Others need more.
     Those in prison represent a spiritually starving mass of humanity that clutches every
crumb that falls from our spiritual tables. The total amount now being spent on providing
spiritual food for all prisoners in every prison and jail in the U.S. would perhaps
keep a dozen large churches barely operating! Thousands of jails - located in every
county and city of the U.S. - having the most spiritually sick people of our land, and yet
receive less than one percent of the Christian budget! For this reason I urge you to regularly
share the Gospel with men and women in prison. I believe Jesus would tell you
that you were placing food where it was needed most. I realize that you do not have the
joy of seeing books handed to the prisoners, nor personally witnessing their salvation.
But you can reach out to them and believe that God is using you to supply their need.
Please pray and see how the Spirit of the Lord Jesus leads you. Merlin

Please join us in
wishing Mary a
Happy Birthday
this month!

Here are a few ideas of ways you
could distribute Prison to Praise.

1. Make copies available to Christian students to share with others in your local school. Enclose an invitation to your church or youth group.
2. After receiving permission, place them in motels, laundromats, hospitals and doctor's waiting rooms, club rooms at apartment complexes, mobile home parks or service organizations. Add a little sign marked: FREE.
The books will disappear quickly.
3. Give to the people in your church.
4. Carry copies with you and give one to sales clerks or food servers.
5. Use as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries,
graduations, etc.
6. Pay for having copies printed for the Foundation of Praise to distribute for you. We can use as many copies as you could supply.
 

I could spend hours telling about people who have been tremendously blessed by your books. People tell us things like, “Twenty years ago you gave me Prison to Praise and it totally changed my life”. We have given away thousands, and the results have been amazing! It has proven to us that one person totally trusting God, can change the world!
SHELEN AND BOB, OH

I noticed a small book by my door. Some dear, generous, blessed soul put it there for me. Glancing at the cover, I thought, Prison to Praise, huh, another war story! A couple of days later I curiously picked it up. One and half hours later my tired old eyes forced me to regretfully lay it down, although still anxious to read more. The next day, as soon as I could, I finished it with a warm feeling and anxiety no more. KEITH, WY

While my wife was in the doctor's office, I made my way to the men's room, where I noticed Prison to Praise. Later, as we drove home, my wife read it. At home I started reading it and didn't stop until I finished it. What a blessing it was to me and my wife. BOBBY AND MARY, KY

I've been born again thanks to Prison to Praise. In 1978, I was given your book by a child psychiatrist when we were having trouble with our son in school. Since then I have given away as many books as possible. I only pray they touch other lives as He touched mine. DON, MO

I am an Army sergeant who was brought back from
Iraq to await trial. I felt my whole world fall apart. I had little faith and felt the Lord was against me. One of my cellmates handed me Prison to Praise. He said it had helped him a lot. I could not put the book down. Every part made me think about the direction my life was going. This book has been the greatest blessing in my life. I have accepted the Lord Jesus as my Savior. I am thanking the Lord for what He has done for me. I have shared
your book with others and they too are being blessed. ADOLFO, CA


We have given hundreds of Prison to Praise to “friends” all over the U.S. I'm a World War II veteran and can really relate to many of your experiences. MARLOW, IA

While at Marine Boot Camp I read Prison to Praise. It has answered many questions. I was having trouble telling people about Jesus. Your book made a tremendous difference and I will definitely be sharing with everyone I know. Thank for you devoting your life to Christ.BRANDON, CA

I always look forward to the Prison to Praise special. I keep the book in my trunk so I always have it when I see someone who needs it.
DENNIS, TX

This is the time when people desperately need to receive your books, especially Prison to Praise. That book will reach millions who need Christ. DOTTIE, VA

At a midnight prayer meeting, someone put a box of Prison to Praise out and said, “Take as many as you like to give away”. I took some and have been giving them away. I know for a fact lives are being changed. LYNN, TX

I certainly did enjoy Prison to Praise. I will read it
again and again, to glean all the good out of it. One of the best books I've ever read. Thank you for not keeping it to yourself. BARBARA, AR

What a blessing Prison to Praise is to so many. JANET, WA

When I was so full of fear and didn't know God, I read Prison to Praise. What a change it made in my life. I've given away 250 copies. CLINTONIA, FL

While at a car wash, I picked up Prison to Praise. It is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I have kept the little book over the years and still read it. FRANK, VA

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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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