The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor

I 

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be always in my mouth.

My soul will glory in the LORD;

let the poor hear and be glad.

Magnify the LORD with me;

and let us exalt his name together.

II

I sought the LORD, and he answered me,

delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him and be radiant,

and your faces may not blush for shame.

This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

The angel of the LORD encamps

around those who fear him, and he saves them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.

Fear the LORD, you his holy ones;

nothing is lacking to those who fear him.

The rich grow poor and go hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

III

Come, children, listen to me;

I will teach you fear of the LORD.

Who is the man who delights in life,

who loves to see the good days?

Keep your tongue from evil,

your lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are directed toward the righteous

and his ears toward their cry.

The LORD’s face is against evildoers

to wipe out their memory from the earth.

The righteous cry out, the LORD hears

and he rescues them from all their afflictions.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,

saves those whose spirit is crushed.

Many are the troubles of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him from them all.

He watches over all his bones;

not one of them shall be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

those who hate the righteous are condemned.

The LORD is the redeemer of the souls of his servants;

and none are condemned who take refuge in him.
Psalm 34  

The Cry of the Poor by John Michael Talbot - YouTube 

image by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon

"The Lord hears the cry..." PSALM 34 | "When I hear the word… | Flickr 

"we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire."

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”

Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards. Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness. At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled, that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was rejected because he found no opportunity to change his mind, even though he sought the blessing with tears.

You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them, for they could not bear to hear the command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. ”Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

See that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much more in our case if we turn away from the one who warns from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only earth but heaven.”That phrase, “once more,” points to [the] removal of shaken, created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire. 

Hebrews chapter 12 

image by Sapphire Dream Photography

Hebrews 12:28-29 | I decided to put my very first pictures w… | Flickr 

psalm 98

I

Sing a new song to the LORD,
for he has done marvelous deeds.

His right hand and holy arm

have won the victory.

The LORD has made his victory known;

has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations,

He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the victory of our God.

II

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth;

break into song; sing praise.

Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

III

Let the sea and what fills it resound,

the world and those who dwell there.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

the mountains shout with them for joy,

Before the LORD who comes,

who comes to govern the earth,

To govern the world with justice

and the peoples with fairness.

Psalm 98 

Sing To The Mountains (with lyrics) - classic, well-loved Christian song - YouTube

image by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth." ~ Psalm 98:4 | Flickr

Revelation 21: 1-7

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.”

The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.

Revelation 21: 1-7

humans understand reality--joy, peace, beauty, pain, suffering, etc.

understanding the abstract is difficult for us--new heaven, new earth, etc.

image by Tito & Eva Marie Balangue

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the answer is faith. 

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love 

Savior Jesus

My Jesus My Saviour Lyrics - YouTube

              faith 

                      hope 

                               love

soldier of Christ Jesus

So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life. Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us. 

If we are unfaithful 

he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2: 1-13 

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Onward Christian Soldiers - YouTube

Onward, Christian Soldiers

"When Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt met in August 1941 on the battleship HMS Prince of Wales to agree the Atlantic Charter, a church service was held for which Prime Minister Churchill chose the hymns. He chose "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and afterwards made a radio broadcast explaining this choice: 'We sang "Onward, Christian Soldiers" indeed, and I felt that this was no vain presumption, but that we had the right to feel that we serving a cause for the sake of which a trumpet has sounded from on high. When I looked upon that densely packed congregation of fighting men of the same language, of the same faith, of the same fundamental laws, of the same ideals ... it swept across me that here was the only hope, but also the sure hope, of saving the world from measureless degradation.'
— Winston Churchill" 

Onward, Christian Soldiers - Wikipedia 

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

providence

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8: 28-39

IF GOD IS FOR US by John Foley - Saint Louis Jesuits: with lyrics - YouTube

Refrain:

If God is for us, who can be against, 
If the Spirit of God has set us free. 
If God is for us, who can be against, 
If the Spirit of God has set us free.

1. I know that nothing in this world 
Can ever take us from His love. 

2. Nothing can take us from His love 
Poured out in Jesus the Lord. 

3. And nothing present or to come 
Can ever take us from His love. 

4. I know that neither death nor life 
Can ever take us from His love.

Composer: John Foley

image by Tito & Eva Marie Balangue

Romans 8:39 | neither height nor depth, nor anything else in… | Flickr

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

isaiah 55

All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!

Why spend your money for what is not bread;
your wages for what does not satisfy?
Only listen to me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.

Pay attention and come to me;
listen, that you may have life.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
the steadfast loyalty promised to David.

As I made him a witness to peoples,
a leader and commander of peoples,
So shall you summon a nation you knew not,
and a nation that knew you not shall run to you,
Because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake their way,
and sinners their thoughts;
Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,

my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Yet just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,

So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me empty,
but shall do what pleases me,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Yes, in joy you shall go forth,
in peace you shall be brought home;
Mountains and hills shall break out in song before you,
all trees of the field shall clap their hands.

In place of the thornbush, the cypress shall grow,
instead of nettles, the myrtle.
This shall be to the LORD’s renown,
as an everlasting sign that shall not fail. 

Isaiah 55

"Come To The Water" by John Foley with Lyrics - Sunday 7pm Choir - YouTube

image by deror_avi

File:Baptism in Jordan River P1020553.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

parable of the two sons

“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him. 

Matthew 21: 28-32

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         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls. 

1 Peter 1: 3-9

image by Martin LaBar

Resurrection 1 Peter 1 3-4 | He is risen! Thanks for looking… | Flickr 

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

God will save me

one of my favorite stories:  God Will Save Me

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usgeologicalsurvey/2593500469/

attribution: U.S. Geological Survey and flickr

https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Soldier of Christ - Army Major Jeff Struecker Tells His Inspiring Story of Survival - YouTube

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

God loves us more than we will ever know--until we die

Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 

Jude 1: 21

image by Tito & Eva Marie Balangue

Jude 1:21 | Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for th… | Flickr

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

courage

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 

1 Corinthians 15: 58 

Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 

Your every act should be done with love.

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

Be Not Afraid - St. Louis Jesuits & Bob Dufford, S.J. - YouTube 

image by brett jordan

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (lock) | 2048 x 2048 pixel image for … | Flickr

Dear God, give me courage, 
for perhaps I lack it more than anything else.

I need courage before men against their threats 
and against their seductions.

I need courage to bear unkindness, 
mockery, contradiction.

I need courage to fight against the devil,
against terrors and troubles, temptations, 
attractions, darkness and false lights, 
against tears, depression, and above all fear.

I need Your help, dear God.

Strengthen me with Your love and Your grace.

Console me with Your blessed Presence 
and grant me the courage to persevere 
until I am with You forever in heaven.

Prayer For Courage - Prayers - Catholic Online

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

virtue and vice, good and evil--know the difference--react accordingly

Paul knew the the difference between virtue and vice and between good and evil. In Romans 7 Paul wrote:

What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God but, with my flesh, the law of sin. 

Romans 7: 15-25

image by QuotesEverlasting

''For the good that I would I do not- but the evil which I… | Flickr

We should know the difference too. 
there's good and bad in all of us. 
know the good and the bad. 
reject the bad and embrace the good!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

Philippians 4: 4-8 

image by Ben R

II Corinthians 3:17, Phil. 4:8 | Ben R | Flickr 

image by Jen Knoedl

God does not want just a portion of my life. There will ne… | Flickr

sovereign God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory. 

Eph 1: 3-14 

God governs all that has happened, is, or will happen--all in accordance with His divine will. everything about God is perfect, including His divine will. we humans can't conceive the perfection of God. Heaven is perfect.

image by Tito & Eva Marie Balangue

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You Are In Control (Vineyard Music) - YouTube






s

perseverance

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.

The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 
James 1: 2-11 

image by Tito & Eva Marie Balangue

James 1:3 | Quote from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:… | Flickr

Father, we bless and thank You for a brand new day and for the fresh opportunities and challenges that this day will bring. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and I pray that I will walk worthy of You today and be a faithful witness in thought, word and deed demonstrating a Christ-like attitude to all with whom I come in contact.

Keep me ever-focussed on You Lord and keep my heart steadfastly trusting You for all my needs and necessities. Help me not to function in my own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. May I stand firm in the truth of the gospel of grace and remain steadfastly looking to Jesus - trusting in Him to supply His sufficient strength for all occasions. Teach me all that You would have me to learn today and give me the courage and strength to press on toward the goal for the upward call in Christ Jesus so that I may win the heavenly prize, which God, in Christ, is calling me to do – in Jesus' name I pray,

Amen
Prayers for Perseverance

         faith 

                      hope 

                                    love

the Lord's prayer

This is how you are to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and do not subject us to the final test,
but deliver us from the evil one. 

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 
But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. 

Mt 6: 9-15

He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 

He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” 

Lk 11: 1-13

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ccc 

people who live in highly guarded, "walled" places shouldn't throw stones

Pope Francis: Overcome fear of immigrants and refugees | America Magazine 

image by Darafsh

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Jesus rescues us from ourselves

there was an incredible story on the news last night--about a raccoon scaling a 24-story building, eventually being rescued, and returning home.
http://www.startribune.com/skyscraper-climbing-raccoon-rescued-will-be-set-free-in-the-wild/485398071/ 

Christina Valdivia, general manager of the company that manages the building, said that "the animal was likely drawn to the tower’s loading dock to feast on pigeon eggs when it got spooked. That’s when its 'fight or flight' instinct kicked in, and the natural reaction was to start climbing." 

The raccoon spent much of Tuesday perched on a narrow ledge of the building, hunkering down between the 20th and 22nd floors where it apparently stopped for a nap. Late Tuesday night, the raccoon was on the move again, dropping down to the 17th floor. It resumed its upward climb in the middle of the night. 

On Wednesday the raccoon finally made it to the roof of the building, where it was taken by animal rescuers and released back into a more suitable habitat. 

“We were all impressed by its ability to keep climbing,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “We were all nervous and scared. Glad we got a happy ending.” 

in this world we all lose our way sometimes. we struggle. we press on. we get tired. we rest. then we struggle some more and press on... until we're rescued. 

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For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 

John 3:16

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them [a scholar of the law] tested him by asking, 'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.' 
Matthew 22: 34-40 

         faith 

                      hope 

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gratitude

the bible has much to say about gratitude--particularly, paul in his epistles. 

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5:18 

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
Colossians 3: 15-17 

...be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. 
Ephesians 5: 18-20 

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4: 6-7 

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place. 
2 Corinthians 2:14 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 
2 Corinthians 9:15 

image by Sapphire Dream Photography

2 Corinthians 9:15 | Sapphire Dream Photography | Flickr