Lilian B. Yeomans, a medical doctor in the early 1900’s, told the story of a missionary, a woman who had come down with a severe case of smallpox. The following is the story of her healing from that disease.

The Lord gave this woman a vision…of two “baskets” of prayer and praise.
Each of us has such baskets, to which we contribute, in either of those ways.

So, her prayer basket on problems was very full, almost to be spilling out,
while her praise basket was only half full, due to neglect and, often, her doubt.

While prayer can be effective and fervent, there’s an enemy who opposes.
Praise to God is also of great power; and, to Him, it’s as fragrant as roses.

Dr. Yeomans called it “The Praise Cure,” to which there is no expense.
She said it would work in every case, which, by Biblical examples, makes sense.

God told the woman to fill up her praise basket, making it heavy with praise
and song. As she did that, the problem basket eventually “lifted” in her life, 
removing what had been wrong.

Though the doctor had told her to rest quietly, she’d kept up her praises and 
singing. Even nurses who were attending to her decided to join in, keeping her
bedroom ringing! 

So if on some matter, you feel distraught, with a problem that seems very hard–
turn to praise, as did that woman. The affliction ceased, and it left her unscarred.

Praise the Lord! 

P. A. Oltrogge

If you do an internet search, you can find a more detailed version of this poetic account. Look for: Mark Hankins The Praise Cure Lilian B. Yeomans

I need to remember this account often myself. Praise God for His love, compassion, goodness, mercy, presence and power in our lives. Choosing a favorite worship song blesses Him and enhances our hope and trust in Him in the midst of a difficulty.

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” Psalm 98:1 

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 (Scriptures NKJV)

Visit http://www.moorelife.org for “101 Things God Said About Healing” and “Thanksgiving Victory.” Also, Keith Moore’s healing songs in sheet music are available there. To hear his songs, click on “Word Supply,” then, “Music.” A favorite of mine is “Healing Compassion,” which is under “Quicken Thou Me.” Be blessed by any and all of them. If you feel in need of peace, listen to his beautiful songs on the peace of God….

“…for the battle is the Lord’s…” 1 Samuel 17:47

The Bible says that all of the Hebrew warriors’ knees were knocking
at the sight and size of the giant, Goliath, an enemy who was shocking.

None were brave enough at all to finish that giant off;
and when they saw him at a distance, Goliath would loudly scoff.

But there was a shepherd lad of courage who had fought a lion and bear–
To him, the giant, Goliath, was really nothing of a scare,

For David had the faith of one who knew that he was guarded
by the greater Lord of Hosts–and it was Him whom he regarded.

David rejected King Saul’s armor and chose to fight Goliath instead
with declarations of faith, a slingshot, and a stone to knock him dead.

That’s exactly how it went–though he had brought a total of five;
it took just one stone plus faith to make that giant not survive!

Today, in our lives, we may have never tackled a lion or a bear–
but David’s example of facing things fearful makes us be aware

That faith in God is ample for the things that we may face–
Though problems may seem looming, we can conquer them by God’s grace.
_______________________________

A postscript to this Biblical record is that we might speculate
that a further lesson is in the account that one could possibly state.
The five smooth stones that David brought show he was quite prepared
to try again, depending on how the first stone actually fared!

P. A. Oltrogge

And, like David, remembering past victories, where the Lord undertook for us, will help us in facing what may be or what seems like a greater challenge before us. So we persevere with declarations of faith in our God and His Word, and through prayer/praise on any matter.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“And He spoke a parable to them, that men ought always to pray and not lose heart….” words of Jesus in Luke 18:1

“And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you.’” 1 Samuel 17:37

“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47

The encouraging books, Never Run at Your Giant with Your Mouth Shut, and The Spirit of Faith, by Mark Hankins, are available at http://www.markhankins.org

Daily prayer, 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, U.S.
at http://www.govictory.com

Creative image: Pixabay

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times–for instance, once at the Sea of Galilee. In the group were Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, two other disciples, and the sons of Zebedee.

Peter announced he was going to go out to fish; and they all decided they would join him, too, on the boat. They fished all night but caught nothing; and in the morning they saw Jesus on the shore as they were afloat.

They didn’t realize this was the Master when He called to them as “friends,” asking if they had fish aboard. “No,” they said–but then took His advice, that a shift of the net to the right side shouldn’t be ignored.

When they did as He said, they came into such an abundance of fish that they weren’t able to haul in the net, which caused them to remember a previous miraculous catch–an incident they could never forget.

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, spoke up first, saying, “It is the Lord!” They all were overwhelmed and excited. Peter, in his eagerness, threw on his tunic, and jumped into the sea for the shore–so unable to wait to be reunited.

The others followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, with which Jesus had just blessed–such a great haul. A fire of burning coals with fish and also bread was ready on shore, where the Lord wanted to dine with them all.

Jesus said that they should bring some of the fish just caught–153 large fish in all, and yet the net wasn’t torn. “Come and have breakfast,” was His warm greeting to His disciples there on that joyful and, to them, miraculous morn.

Have you fished all night, are you not expecting to see the Lord show up, do you think miracles are few and far between? Well, He’s the resurrected Lord, and is “ALIVE forevermore!” We can expect to see miracles yet like none we’ve ever seen!

P. A. Oltrogge

(from John 21:1-14
and reference to Luke 5:1-11)

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’” Revelation 1:17-19

The various versions of the Bible have Jesus calling out to His disciples in this account in different terms.  “Children” is written in the King James Version–which they were, beloved children of God.

In the Gospel of John, we read of John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Of course, all of His disciples were the recipients of His love, as we also are today!

Mount Arbel/Sea of Galilee

See article on great battles but bigger miracles today by Lana Vawser at http://www.elijahlist.com

An inspiring miracle:  https://www.awmi.net/blog/o-death-where-is-thy-sting/

Photo/pxfuel

…Richard Roberts has often said, “Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; and no prayer, no power.” Be encouraged by going to http://www.oralroberts.com where you can click on healing prayers of various topics or call their prayer line, 918-495-7777. Also, be blessed by the encouraging recent Podcasts and testimonies, or order Richard and Lindsay’s books and other materials.

Herod began to persecute those who believed in Jesus, it’s told in the twelfth chapter of Acts. James was martyred by the sword and Peter was seized, though there had been no criminal facts.

The church was offering up constant prayer for Peter–imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, the king. So in the dark of the night, God sent an angel to visit Peter there, who was asleep despite everything.

Four squads of soldiers had been assigned to him; and he was chained as he slept that night. A soldier on each side of him and guards were there, who were keeping the prison door barred tight.

Suddenly, the angel of the Lord stood by Peter, and a light shone inside the prison cell. The angel struck him on his side and raised him up; and from Peter’s hands, the heavy prison chains fell.

At the angel’s instruction, Peter dressed quickly to follow him–though it all seemed to be unreal. They went past the first and second guard posts. “This must be a ‘vision,’” was how it made him feel.

They came to the iron gate that led to the city, which simply opened to them of its own accord–then went out and down one street, and the angel departed. What a rescue from an angel of the Lord!

Peter came to his senses, realizing it had actually happened–he’d escaped Herod and leaders of the Jews. He proceeded on to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where they’d fervently prayed for this news.

Peter knocked at the door of the gate to the house, and a girl by the name of Rhoda came to see who was there. In her joy at hearing his voice, she ran to tell the others it was Peter, and that God had answered prayer.

They just couldn’t believe her, so Peter had to continue to knock, until they opened the door themselves to see… that God, indeed, had heard their prayers for Peter, and had sent His angel–to miraculously set him free!

At dawn, back at the prison, there was a commotion among the soldiers, as to how Peter’s captivity was defied. After a search was endeavored, Herod ordered the soldiers’ deaths; but the Bible records that he, too, soon afterward died…

“But the word of God grew and multiplied!”

P. A. Oltrogge

(From the account in Acts 12)

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5

“Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Luke 18:1