My brothers and sisters in Christ, we must learn to be still in God’s presence so that he could speak to us, so that we could understand his perfect will for us. When we come humble to the feet of Jesus, when we really devote ourselves to his service, we will be transported to another level of discovery, of just what God requires of us. The more engaged we are in God’s vineyard, the more in tune to him we will be and we will be able to clearly hear him speak to us. Will you be still in God’s presence so that he could speak to you?

On any given day we find that we have so much to do, but, are we doing what is most important? Are we like Martha or Mary? What is it that we are fighting to accomplish that could wait? My brothers and sisters in Christ, to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. If you do one thing today, make sure that you do it all for the glory of God, for the world and all that is in it are passing away, but only what’s done for Christ will last. Let us pledge from this day forward to be totally devoted to God and his service, and to do this, we must remove the distractions out of our way, so that we could discover just want is important to God. Sit at his feet and listen.

Why do we worry when it’s more profitable to pray and trust in the abilities of the Lord? My brothers and sisters in Christ, look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6

Our God works in mysterious ways. Have you ever prayed to God for one thing and he seems to give you everything else but that one thing? God’s ways are not our ways and the things that we are convinced that we need and pray for, may not be in line with what God wants for us, or is ready to give us. Too many times we are guided in a direction which seems far from where we think we should be, we find ourselves in questionable places and situations, and most times we resist, yet, we find ourselves right back where we started. My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is not wise to walk contrary to God. He makes no mistakes, and where he positions us, he directs us. The path may not be easy, but understand, that, God is preparing you for everything that you are praying for; but, if you are rebellious, it will take longer for you to see the promises of God. Will you be led, or will you rebel? Where God is leading you, be wise and follow. 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 and walk and not faint.

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen!

My brothers and sisters in Chris, we must be confident of this, that, “God will never cause pain without allowing something new to be born.”  Whatever you are going through now may seem hard, but after what seems like your labor pains, will come joy. God will never begin what he did not intent to finish and whatever he started in your life and mine, we must trust him to bring it to completion. There is nothing too hard for our God!

How many of you believe that this morning, that the Lord will provide? Many have awakened this morning and instead of being joyful, they are filled with despair. It may seem like last year just rolled into this year, and the struggle is all too real. My brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever your struggle is this morning, try to find some good in the midst of it all, and believe in your heart that the Lord will provide. You may not have all the things you want, but I can assure you, that, you have all that you need to see you through. You may feel like you are all alone, but God’s promise is real, he will never leave us nor forsake us, know that when we are down to nothing, God is up to something. Hold on! Don’t give up! “The birds without barn, yet, they too are fed, from them let us learn to trust for our bread, His saints what is fitting shall never be denied, so long as it’s written, the Lord will provide.”

All of us should begin each day with this request to God on our lips. When Benjamin M. Ramsey sat down to write this song, I could imagine, that, he was in a place where he realized how much he needed God’s guidance, and was committed to following his way; and as we embrace the lyrics of this wonderful hymn, may we too come to realize, how much, we daily need God’s guidance, and make a commitment to following His way the rest of our lives, no matter what. “When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way! When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way! In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress, in failure or success, teach me Thy way! When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way! When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way! Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain; make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way. Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way! Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way! Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won, teach me Thy way! Teach me Thy way O Lord, teach me Thy way. Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way! Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight; lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!”

“Good and upright is the Lord, therefore he teaches sinners in the way; the humble he guides in justice and the humble he teaches his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your sake O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Remember O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving-kindness, for they are from old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to your mercy, remember me, for your goodness sake O Lord. Lead me O Lord, in your righteousness!”

My brothers and sisters in Christ, that’s the kind of God we serve, a God whose works are wonderful, a God who is sure in all his ways. He causes good to fall on the just and the unjust, he satisfies us with good things, things we are so not deserving of. Does this not command our praise of him? “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise Him, in the Heights! Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord! For His name alone is exalted. Praise the Lord! Let everything that hath breath, praise the name of the Lord!”