Don’t Wait Until Everything Is Perfect, Before You Praise God.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL EVERYTHING IS PERFECT BEFORE YOU PRAISE GOD!

(Get Ready For Answered Prayers)

BEFORE THIS SUNDAY, GOD WILL SURPRISE YOU IF YOU ACT IN FAITH!BELIEVE IT, EXPECT IT, AND TAKE ACTION!

MESSAGE: DON’T WAIT UNTIL EVERYTHING IS PERFECT BEFORE YOU PRAISE GOD!

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY:

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Have you ever found yourself postponing your thanksgiving because something you are expecting has not yet happened?

Perhaps you are waiting for a financial breakthrough.You are praying for healing.You are expecting a new opportunity.Or you are trusting God for an answer to a difficult situation.You may have told yourself, “When God answers this prayer, I will give Him thanks.”

But hear the word of God today:

DON’T WAIT UNTIL EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD!

Thanksgiving is not only a response to what God has done for us. It is also an expression of our faith in His goodness, faithfulness and sovereignty.

PAUL AND SILAS PRAISED GOD IN PRISON!

In Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas were preaching the gospel in Philippi.After Paul delivered a slave girl from a spirit of divination, her masters became angry because they had lost their source of income.Paul and Silas were seized, beaten and thrown into prison. Their feet were fastened in stocks.They had every human reason to complain, become discouraged or question their circumstances.But something awesome happened.

The Bible says:”But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25

Notice something important:PAUL AND SILAS DID NOT WAIT UNTIL THEY WERE RELEASED FROM PRISON BEFORE THEY BEGAN TO PRAISE GOD!

They praised God while their circumstances were still difficult.Then suddenly, there was a great earthquake.The foundations of the prison were shaken, the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosened.But the story did not end there.The prison keeper, who feared that the prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life.Paul stopped him.That night, the prison keeper and his household heard the gospel, believed in Jesus Christ and were baptised.

WHAT BEGAN AS A NIGHT OF SUFFERING BECAME AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOSPEL TO TRANSFORM LIVES!

Their praise was not merely a way of seeking deliverance. It was an expression of their relationship with God even in adversity.

CORRIE TEN BOOM

Consider the awesome story of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who helped shelter Jewish people during the Second World War.Because of their activities, Corrie and members of her family were arrested by the Nazis.Corrie and her sister Betsie were eventually imprisoned at Ravensbrück concentration camp.In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie described how Betsie encouraged her to give thanks to God even in their terrible circumstances.According to Corrie’s account, Betsie urged her to thank God even for the fleas in their overcrowded barracks.Corrie initially struggled to understand why anyone should be thankful for such suffering.Later, they came to believe that the infestation had discouraged guards from entering their barracks, allowing them greater freedom to conduct Bible readings.Although the circumstances were painful, the sisters continued to draw strength from their faith.

CORRIE TEN BOOM’S EXPERIENCE REMINDS US THAT GRATITUDE DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO DENY OUR SUFFERING; IT CALLS US TO REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS EVEN WHILE WE SUFFER!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING AS EXPECTED?

1. THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE.Don’t allow one unanswered prayer to make you forget the many ways God has sustained you.

2. PRAISE GOD FOR WHO HE IS.God remains faithful, merciful and worthy of worship, regardless of our changing circumstances.

3. REFUSE TO LET COMPLAINING DOMINATE YOUR HEART.You may honestly express your pain to God, but don’t allow bitterness to destroy your gratitude.

4. CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD WHILE TAKING RESPONSIBLE ACTION.Thanksgiving is not a substitute for obedience, wisdom or practical effort.

5. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GLORIFY GOD EVEN IN DIFFICULT SEASONS.Your response to adversity may become a source of encouragement to someone else.Perhaps your circumstances have not changed.Perhaps the answer you are expecting has not yet arrived.Perhaps you are facing difficulties that nobody else fully understands.

But remember:

YOU MAY NOT HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WANT TODAY, BUT YOU CAN STILL THANK GOD FOR HIS PRESENCE, HIS MERCY AND HIS FAITHFULNESS!

The Bible says:”I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, mercy and faithfulness. Forgive me for the times I have allowed disappointment and difficult circumstances to overshadow my gratitude. Teach me to praise You in every season of life. Strengthen my faith when answers seem delayed, give me wisdom to respond appropriately to challenges and help me to recognise Your goodness even in difficult times. May my life continually bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE BEFORE YOU PRAISE GOD; LET YOUR PRAISE EXPRESS YOUR FAITH IN THE GOD WHO NEVER CHANGES!

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Always,Pastor Toby Iweka