PRAISE THROUGH

PRAISE THROUGH!
Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Romans 5:3-5(MSG)
We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

You believe that?  That troubles are platforms for praise?

Tonight more than 20 people will dot the floor of a little church fellowship hall and call it home for the night.
That is some “trouble”.

Today a young man, a new Christian, faces what is likely another day of rejection at the local employers because his past is too jaded and he is just “too risky” to hand an apron or safety goggles.
That is some “trouble”.

Today a close family faces the inevitability that their American dream is degrading into a nightmare.
That is some “trouble”.

Today 2 little girls with so much potential stay on the run one more day, for one more high, from one more stranger betting that this one won’t be the one to kill them.
That is some “trouble”.

These sure don’t seem like the scenarios for praise do they?
Sadly all four scenarios are true.  Sadly I intersected all four on some level yesterday.

And no, they didn’t want to hear anything about praising. They didn’t want to hear anything about refinement and teachable moments.  They were hurting and the trouble was winning.
But I still encouraged them to praise; learn and listen to GOD.

Now I share this not to depress you today. I share it to remind us that in spite of trouble (and we all have OUR OWN) GOD is still on the throne and Jesus has STILL overcome all of them!
John 16:33 (PHILLIPS)
…you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I (JESUS) have conquered the world!”

So my friends DON’T EVER LOSE HEART.  Troubles come.  They often surface to TEACH, to REFINE, to bring about CHANGE or LEARNING.
But the troubles WILL be TEMPORARY! GOD promised!
So STAY ALERT.  PRAISE THROUGH IT.
GOD will never shortchange you!

 “Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.” ― Joni Eareckson Tada

Yes, even "trouble".

I love you all!
Freedom Church