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Christian Short StoriesPut Your Praise On Michael writes: I've written for over 30 years as I believe I'm given an inspiring word to share. Presently I'm working on my Masters in Biblical Studies and have been accepted into the Theology Doctoral Program. My desire is to share my writings in hopes of encouraging others in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. My desire when I finish my graduate work is to write Bible Curriculum. I Pray these stories/articles have blessed you and they may touch the lives of those you know." www.mikecochran.org
When we exercise our faith and look into the spiritual realm of things, those spiritual things will dominate us instead of the physical things we see around us. That is why Paul could call his problems a light affliction. 2 Corinthians 4:17. He was looking into the spiritual realm and was seeing what God was doing. Exercising his faith! Every time we encounter an adverse situation or we see the devil doing something. You can be guaranteed that God is also at work. If you trust Him, believe His Word. His plan and purpose for your life shall come to pass. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end." Therefore, if the pressures of life seem too big, they are being viewed only in the light of the immediate situation. Paul looked at the pressures that followed him throughout his ministry, everywhere he went, in the light of eternity. He saw his life as a moment compared to the time he had yet to spend with God. All eternity! "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9. We need to remind ourselves that this life on earth is not all there is. There will come a time when we stand before God, look back at what we've done in this life, and wish we would have thought about eternity and how brief this life was. Looking at our situations this way, will take the pressure off of us, calm our fears and enable our faith to grow. Praise puts everything in its right perspective. We begin putting our attention on the things not seen. Focusing on the promises of God. When we are in the midst of bad circumstances, we have to get beyond what we can see and look at the unseen. Praise will push us into a realm of seeing what God has done for us. Remember in Acts 16:23 when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel? I'm pretty sure they didn't feel joy coming upon them! What did they do? They began to praise and worship God, not knowing how He would deliver them, but they praised Him. Praise released delivering power, and they were set free from their situation. Circumstances don't make you depressed; the way you respond to them does. If you would choose to "Put Your Praise On" you could come out of those things. You could prosper. Regardless of what your circumstances are. Yes, we have problems. Yes, the enemy will come against us. But viewed in the light of God's Word. They are a light affliction, but a moment in the eye of eternity. "Putting Your Praise On" will keep your mind stayed on God and release the same delivering power into your circumstances. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." Psalm 121:1 (© 2011 Michael Cochran – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.) |
