What God emphasizes for me after reading your encouraging words is this. It is true that to just sing praises when things are good is not getting us anywhere. This would be easy.

In the book of Acts ch 17, Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown in jail and their feet fastend in stocks. How much pain they must have been in.

I love how perfect and loving God placed his word for us to know, and for the deliverance it brings us, by our bringing each thought of God’s word captive to the obedience of Christ. The events in his word were so extreme. I helps me to stop and think, “have you been thrown in a den of lions, or beaten and thrown in jail?”. Goodness! Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises in that ole dark, cold jail. The love they had for their Father and how thankful they were is was evident in this record. God tells us that perfect love casts out fear. Perfect(teleios) love(agape) that Paul and Silas had for God, themselves and the keeper of the prison brought them great results and glory to God.

I strive every day to keep in mind, that since God is not a respecter of persons and loves me enough to give us his only begotten Son, that I too can stop and pray and sing praises (be thankful) for what I have and trust God to help me and He will. How awesome! Thank you for taking this time Michael, and for loving all of us with the love of God and for such encouraging words and articles. I ask that God continue to bless you richly in Christ’s name, Amen!

In His Love with You,
Your Sister in Christ,
Lynnae