Praise and Tell!

Sometimes you pray for something, and then when it happens, you forget to praise Him for it!

I want to praise Him as passionately as I petition Him when I am in need! 

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Apparently, I was immature, incomplete, and lacking a lot, so I've been put through some trials lately!  It sure has produced some perseverance, though! Thank God for verse 12 of that chapter promising: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." ...gives me blessed assurance of the ending to my trials and the reward for my perseverance! 

So in all these trials, I've been asking for different things. One of my trials had to do with finances (who doesn't have that trial, right?!). My car is paid for, but it was costing me $200-$500 per month in repairs for several months last year. In November, I prayed, "Lord, you can do anything. Please fix my car so it won't need major repairs until I am done with school." 

It wasn't until last week, when I was going through some paperwork for my car that I noticed something miraculous: the last car repair receipt was from that day in November when I prayed that prayer!!! It sounds so small, but for me, it is huge! It was a huge burden on me, and I didn't even realize He had answered my prayer until now! It's April! That's about 5 months of no repairs! 

God is so awesome. He loves us so much. Don't be afraid to take even the small things to Him in prayer. If it means something to you, then it means something to Him, and He wants to help you with it! 

I Chronicles 16:9 says, "Sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!" It doesn't say to tell of some of His wondrous works, it says all! So next time you recognize an answered prayer, whether large or small, praise Him for it and tell someone!