When you go through fiery trials and come out on the other side unscathed, when perilous waves wash over you, and you come over on dry land, when your sickness seems unto death and you rise up and walk, when you hunger and thirst and help comes from sources you can’t explain; know that your ways please the Lord. If I am talking to you this morning, it’s time to praise the Lord!

“Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.” This should be our theme when we are going through difficult times. We are reminded in Lamentations 3:28 that we should sit alone and keep quiet. Because whatever God has laid on us it will not be forever, he will show compassion, for great is His faithfulness unto us. Thank you, Lord!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, if the television is constantly on, if you are addicted to social media, if you are always worried about your situations, if you have friends pulling you in different directions, there will come a time when you will be forced to make a decision to shut out the noises in your lives which are distracting you, so that you could refocus. So too, we would need to shut out the distractions that are leading us farther away from God; ask Him to hedge us in, in front and behind, so that we could be still in His presence and listen for His direction, and if we are imprisoned in His presence and we are focused on God, He will redirect us in the way we should go.

“O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, until my very heart overflow, in kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. O use me, Lord, use even me, just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” Lord, if my heart is full of your praise, my tongue will sing of your righteousness, I will be able to share with others what you have done and continue to do for us. So, as I meditate daily on your word, teach me Lord, the precious things that you want me to hear, and use me, to reach the hidden depths of many heart. Thank you, Lord!

God has done so much for us, that all of us should be singing his praises. We should be telling all that he has done for us, especially to our children, so that they too come to understand and experience the greatness of God. Scripture reminds us that we should not hide all that the Lord has done for us, but to tell a future generation.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, because of rebelliousness against God, because of the sins we have committed, we are bound in affliction and irons; but, know that God is able to deliver us. If we call on him, he will have mercy and pardon and forgive us; he would save us out of our distresses, and break the chains that binds us in pieces. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, we lose our way too many times, we are rebellious at best, we fail to do what the Lord commands, yet, he is merciful to us. God is calling out to all of us to return to him faithfully, he promised, that, he will not reward according to our iniquities, because his compassions for us fail not, and are new every morning. Return to the Lord, for great is his faithfulness towards us!

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. The Lord is our strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; for He has promised that even to our old age He will be the same, and even to our graying years He will bear us up! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you. Oh blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

All good gifts around us, are sent from heaven above, then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love.” Lord, there is so much for us to thank you for. Today I am truly grateful for the gift of life. All that the Lord does for us is for our benefit, so that his grace that touches so many of us will cause us to overflow with thanks and give glory to God. I am continually telling out my soul of what the Lord has done for me, so that others may come to understand that if he did it for me that he could do it for you also. Praise the Lord!d, there is so much for us to thank you for. Today I am truly grateful for the gift of life. All that the Lord does for us is for our benefit, so that his grace that touches so many of us will cause us to overflow with thanks and give glory to God. I am continually telling out my soul of what the Lord has done for me, so that others may come to understand that if he did it for me that he could do it for them also. Praise the Lord!