Exalt the Lord in 'all' circumstances!
Heaven begins to flow into this hellishly painful reality.
Merlin Carothers' "Praise Books," which has inspired 19 million readers worldwide

“Be thankful in all circumstances.” This is a short and simple command.
But anyone who has lived even a little bit of life knows that living out these words is by no means simple.
Merlin Carothers consistently advises and challenges us.
“In all circumstances, be thankful, praise, and exalt the Lord!”

He doesn't tell us to be thankful in bad situations and pretend that it's good.
Rather, it challenges us to offer up the bad situation itself to God with gratitude and praise.
At that time, right there, in that very place, perhaps in that place that seems like hell, you will experience the grace of being given a piece of heaven.
And as proof, he shows his life, which was like a roller coaster.
We also hear stories of others who have experienced how such gratitude and praise, and thus the exaltation of the Lord, bring His power into our lives.
Would you like to experience that power too? Then open this book.

Beyond the skill of praise lies the essence of praise, and how it actually brings heaven to hell.
More than anything in this world, I want to know how much God wants me to praise Him.
More than anything, I want my heart to flow like a continuous stream of worship and praise to God.
--- p.8

What a burden it would lift if we learned to fully accept God's forgiveness.
Our need for God's forgiveness should be a source of joy, not despair.
Only a forgiven heart understands God's love.
The more we are forgiven, the more we can love and praise God.
Then we can sing with David:
--- p.28

“Your suffering is because you cannot forgive.
If you don't forgive others, I can't forgive you.
But if you forgive others, I will forgive you, heal you, and set you completely free!”
--- p.55

Our journey back to God, who forgives and forgets completely, is the lifeline of our strong relationship with God.
Each time we honestly admit our mistakes and lay them before God, Christ gains more control over those areas of our lives that are wrong.
--- p.70

True praise springs from our oneness with Christ and acts as a filter that transforms everything in our lives into joy and gratitude.
Can you imagine a filter of praise in your heart? You no longer see suffering, problems, or tragedies, but only the amazing opportunities God presents to reveal His glory.
--- p.74

Righteousness and honesty are necessary conditions for true praise, but we can never achieve them on our own.
They are God's merciful gifts to a repentant heart.
--- p.99

No matter how strong we are, our power is always insufficient and we can never be right.
And when we realize that we can never be right, that we can never be strong enough, we understand that no matter how hard we try, we will ultimately have to rely on Jesus to do it for us.
That glorious realization finally frees us from self-effort and enables us to freely receive all that God wants to give us.
--- p.112

Only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to what God wants us to understand.
If I still can't understand the words, I can choose to focus on what I am sure of.
God loves me, so if He wants me to understand, He will understand.
Therefore, I can confidently entrust what I do not know to God the Father, who knows everything.
--- p.146

Confessions should be as specific and honest as possible.
Tell God that you are wrong for not being happy with the way He is directing your life.
If you have honestly repented, you can know that God has forgiven you.
Now you can tell God that you are willing to submit to what He has allowed into your life.
When your obedience is complete, God's power comes into your circumstances and joy comes into your heart.

--- p.177