“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, sing praises on the harp to our God, who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth. Who makes grass to grow on the mountains, he gives to the beast its food and to the young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the strength of the horse, he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man; the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his mercy. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates, he has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders and fills you with the finest wheat. Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praise to our God, for it is pleasant and praise is beautiful.”

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, gracious in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him, he will also hear their cry and save them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but the wicked he will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless his holy name forever and ever.”

My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we walk with God, we must strive to maintain good works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. But, in so doing, we will face obstacles, we will be attacked by those who are unbelieving, who will try to engage us is idle babble and foolish disputes, but, Scripture warns us, that, we should avoid such foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned and whose aim is to cause you and I to be like-minded. Be on your guard! For our heavenly Father saved us, through the washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, that, having being justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Stay focused!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not act like the defiled and unbelieving, but rather, “Let us speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine, and in all things, let us show ourselves to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us, that, by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for himself, his own special people, zealous for good works.”

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence, He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Well the evil one rise up against us O Lord, keep us from presumptuous sins.

Too many of us claim to know the joyful sound, but instead of rejoicing in the name of the Lord all day long, we are miserable. My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are blessed if we know the joyful sound and should be walking in the light of the countenance of our God, we should be rejoicing all the day long, for we have the favor of the Lord. He is our strength.

“O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Solomon realized the great task set before him and he asked aright, and God said to him, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches, or wealth, or honor, or the life of your enemies; nor have you asked for long life, but for knowledge to judge over My people, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, too often we ask, but, ask amiss; Lord, “Teach us to ask only what accords to Your will and the good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant them O Father, for Jesus Christ sake, our only mediator and advocate.”Amen!

Heavenly Father, may we never forget to say thank you, for all the many blessings of this life. For, “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might, in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name, for all things come from You O Lord, and of Your own we have given You.”

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider, he has thrown in the sea! The Lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him! The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. Your right hand O Lord, has become glorious in power; your right hand O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces and in the greatness of your excellence. You have overthrown those who rose against you, you sent forth your wrath and it consumed them like stubble. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. You in your mercy have led forth the people whom you have redeemed.” Thank you, Lord!