“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God, because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”  Thank you, Lord!

“Without being weak in faith, Abraham considered his own body as dead (because he was about one hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet, he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.”  My brothers and sisters in Christ, there is nothing too hard for God, believe him with unwavering faith, then sit back and see what God will do. God is able to do the impossible even when you are only seeing the impossible. “Lord, give me a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by many foe; that will not murmur on the brink, of any earthly woe.”

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall, mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint; teach us Lord, to wait. I am rejoicing this morning, because I have waited on the Lord, and my strength has been renewed. Throughout the years of waiting, sometimes I got tired and wanted to give in, but for each time I was tempted, there was someone who stood in the gap and encouraged me; God always did something to show me that he did not forget me. My brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever we are going through, we need not go through it alone. God does not always come, but he sends help. This morning, my strength has been renewed, I can leap over walls, I could run and not be weary, because if I did not know then, I know it now, that God walks with me through hills and valleys, and provides strength for every trial, and for this I am eternally thankful. “Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice, rejoice again, I say rejoice!”

“The world may forsake you, and those whom you trust, may prove to be false and untrue, there’s one you can trust well unto the end, just think of His goodness to you. When dear ones are taken away from you here, you loved with affection so true, look unto Jesus for strength to endure, and think of His goodness to you. Oh, think of His goodness, think of His goodness to you. Oh, think of His goodness, those storms o’er they sweep, He’s able to keep, just think of His goodness to you.”

God is good! “Sun of our life, Thy quickening ray, sheds on our path the glow of day; Star of our hope, Thy softened light, cheers the long watches of the night. Our midnight is Thy smile withdrawn, our noontide is Thy gracious dawn, our rainbow arch Thy mercy’s sign; all, save the clouds of sin, are Thine. Lord of all life, below, above, whose light is truth, whose warmth is love, before Thy ever-blazing throne, we ask no luster of our own. Grant us Thy truth to make us free, and kindling hearts that burn for Thee, ‘Till all Thy living altars claim, one holy light, one heavenly flame.” Thank You, Lord!

“By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people, rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, what will we give up, in order to be disciples of Christ? Jesus said, “Anyone of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.”

“For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him; not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him.” My brother and sisters in Christ, we have come this far by faith, let us therefore, press on towards the goal, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Let us press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly calling of God, in Christ Jesus. Amen!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Give to the Lord glory and strength! Give to the Lord the glory due His name. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hands are the deep places of the earth, and the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Oh, come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the rebellion. Sing to the Lord all the earth! Sing to the Lord, and bless His holy name! Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day today. Declare His glory among the nations and His wonders among all peoples.” Amen!

“The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, sweeter far than honey, then honey in the comb. By them also is your servant enlightened, and in keeping them is great reward. Who can tell how often he offends? Cleanse me from my secret faults, and above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me, then, I shall be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Amen!

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother this is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. For God said, honor your father and mother, and whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.”