Are we joyful when the Lord does good things for us? Are we like the children of Israel who said, ” When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing.” Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Lord is continually doing great things for us, let us show our joy and gratitude to God.

“My son, hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother, for they will be a graceful ornament on your head and chains about your neck.”

You may be bowed down this morning, your load may seem heavy, you may be in dire need this morning, but despite everything, God woke you up this morning, you have breath, so praise the Lord. As you go through the day, praise the Lord, and when the day ends, let it find you praising the Lord. When our praises go up blessings come down, and the more we find reasons to praise God, the more reasons he will give us to praise him. Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

The Lord upholds all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. We all have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well, if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Let us pledge to do all that we can for Jesus’ sake. “O day by day each Christian child, has much to do, without, within; a death to die for Jesus’ sake, a weary war to wage with sin. When deep within our swelling hearts, the thoughts of pride and anger rise, when bitter words are on our tongues, and tears of passion in our eyes. Then we may stay the angry blow, then we may check the hasty word, give gentle answers back again, and fight a battle for our Lord. With smiles of peace and looks of love, light in our dwellings we may make, bid kind good-humor brighten there, and do all still for Jesus’ sake.”

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light..” Why then are we still burdened and heavy-laden? My brother and sisters in Christ, let us learn to give it all to Jesus and watch him turn our sorrows into joys. Amen!

The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.

O house of Israel, praise the Lord; O house of Aaron, praise the Lord; O house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord.

“He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. O house of Israel, praise the Lord; O house of Aaron, praise the Lord; O house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord.”

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever, he issued a decree that will never pass away. Psalm 148