Devotional

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Proverbs 3:1-12, Trusting in the LORD!

Pro 3:1-2, My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; FOR LENGTH OF DAYS AND LONG LIFE AND PEACE THEY WILL ADD TO YOU.

Wisdom will preserve your life; it will keep you from an evil path or having fools for friends! Following the foot steps of a fool will lead to death, but wisdom will add to your life!

Pro 28:26, HE WHO TRUSTS IN HIS OWN HEART IS A FOOL, BUT WHOEVER WALKS WISELY WILL BE DELIVERED. 

Pro 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

It’s easy to trust in GOD when everything is going well, but when trials come then your faith is tested! It’s not easy and doubt will come but much like fine gold is purged of impurities by fire so is your faith being purged by trials!

Mal 3:3, HE WILL SIT AS A REFINER AND A PURIFIER OF SILVER; HE WILL PURIFY THE SONS OF LEVI, AND PURGE THEM AS GOLD AND SILVER, THAT THEY MAY OFFER TO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Leaning on our understanding is our default, but the LORD is saying TRUST IN ME, LET THAT BE YOUR NEW DEFAULT REACTION TO ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!

Mar 9:23-24, Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!” 

Pro 3:11-12, My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

As a loving father corrects his child, and not his neighbor’s child, so does the LORD correct HIS children! Are you HIS?

Heb 12:7-8, If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? BUT IF YOU ARE WITHOUT CHASTENING, of which all have become partakers, THEN YOU ARE ILLEGITIMATE AND NOT SONS.

Trusting in the work of the unseen FATHER is foolish to non-believers, but for Christians we clearly see HIS provisions in life! REMEMBER HE IS FAITHFUL AND MERCIFUL! TRUST IN THE LORD AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH!

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Proverbs 2:10-22, Choose Wisdom!

Pro 2:10-11, WHEN WISDOM ENTERS YOUR HEART, AND KNOWLEDGE IS PLEASANT TO YOUR SOUL, DISCRETION WILL PRESERVE YOU; UNDERSTANDING WILL KEEP YOU,

When GOD gives you wisdom it helps you reflect or consider what may happen in any circumstance. Understanding will keep you from many foolish things that people do without any thought!

Pro 2:13-15, From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths;

Wisdom will keep us in the correct path and avoids associating with people with a perverse tongue or him who delight in doing what is wrong! Today people follow movements, fads or people without even thinking; BUT WE ARE NOT FOLLOWERS OF MEN WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST JESUS!

Eph 5:15-16, See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Pro 2:16-19, To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. FOR HER HOUSE LEADS DOWN TO DEATH, AND HER PATHS TO THE DEAD; NONE WHO GO TO HER RETURN, NOR DO THEY REGAIN THE PATHS OF LIFE 

The simple are easily swayed by the immoral woman; for her every word is dripping with honey filling his heart with lust! But, at the end, it leads to death and destruction! WISDOM WILL KEEP YOU FAR FROM HER!

Pro 2:21-22, For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; BUT THE WICKED WILL BE CUT OFF FROM THE EARTH, AND THE UNFAITHFUL WILL BE UPROOTED FROM IT.

Psa 37:28, For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, BUT THE DESCENDANTS OF THE WICKED SHALL BE CUT OFF. 

We have a choice, follow the desires of our flesh or follow the LORD! One leads to death while the other to life! Choose wisely!

Deu 30:19, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING; THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, THAT BOTH YOU AND YOUR DESCENDANTS MAY LIVE; 

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Proverbs 2:1-7, Seeking the LORD!

Pro 2:1-2, My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, SO THAT YOU INCLINE YOUR EAR TO WISDOM, And apply your heart to UNDERSTANDING;

Solomon continues trying to teach his son wisdom and understanding; for wisdom and understanding cannot be given like an inheritance it must be learned! In the same manner, GOD is trying to teach HIS children, by HIS written word!

Pro 4:1, HEAR, MY CHILDREN, THE INSTRUCTION OF A FATHER, AND GIVE ATTENTION TO KNOW UNDERSTANDING; 

Pro 8:17, I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME, AND THOSE WHO SEEK ME DILIGENTLY WILL FIND ME. 

Pro 2:3-5, Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD, AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.

Do we seek the LORD as we do silver or gold? Do we treasure money more than HIS word? PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE THAT ON OUR LAST DAYS ON EARTH WE WON’T TREASURE SILVER NOR GOLD; THE ONLY THING THAT WILL MATTER IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD AND OUR FAMILY!

Psa 90:12, SO TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS, THAT WE MAY GAIN A HEART OF WISDOM. 

Pro 2:6-7, FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM; FROM HIS MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING; HE STORES UP SOUND WISDOM FOR THE UPRIGHT; HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO WALK UPRIGHTLY;

If we lack wisdom ask the LORD for from HIS mouth comes knowledge and understanding!

Jas 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

Seek the LORD for HIS time is near; seek the LORD for all other things we treasure most in life will not matter at all! Seek HIM with all your heart and HE shall be found by you!

Jer 29:12-13, Then you will call upon ME and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you will seek ME and find ME, WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

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Proverbs 1:8-33, GOD is always speaking!

Pro 1:10-11, My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

As Parents we are always trying to teach our children to be careful with who you hang around with! There is a known quote that says, “SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I’LL SHOW YOU YOUR FUTURE”!

Pro 13:20, He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. 

Pro 1:20-21, WISDOM CALLS ALOUD OUTSIDE; SHE RAISES HER VOICE IN THE OPEN SQUARES. SHE CRIES OUT IN THE CHIEF CONCOURSES, At the openings of the gates in the city SHE SPEAKS HER WORDS:

Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman offering guidance to the hearer! Wisdom is always speaking, yet so many people can’t hear her call!

Psa 19:1-3, … THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD; AND THE FIRMAMENT SHOWS HIS HANDIWORK. DAY UNTO DAY UTTERS SPEECH, AND NIGHT UNTO NIGHT REVEALS KNOWLEDGE. THERE IS NO SPEECH NOR LANGUAGE WHERE THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD.

Look up and around, and you will see HIS creation all around you; for where there is a design there’s always a designer behind it!

Rom 1:20, For since the creation of the world HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES ARE CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, EVEN HIS ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD, SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE, 

Pro 1:22, “HOW LONG, YOU SIMPLE ONES, WILL YOU LOVE SIMPLICITY? For scorners delight in their scorning, AND FOOLS HATE KNOWLEDGE.

Simple one look at creation and say “that nice, it looks pretty”, yet can’t see the Creator who designed it! A fool will attribute all that he see to just chance and luck!  

Psa 14:1, … THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART,”THERE IS NO GOD.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

Pro 1:33, BUT WHOEVER LISTENS TO ME WILL DWELL SAFELY, AND WILL BE SECURE, WITHOUT FEAR OF EVIL.” 

Do you hear her (wisdom’s) call? HE, GOD, is always speaking, through HIS word or through HIS works!

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Proverbs 1:1-7, Wisdom and Knowledge!

Pro 1:1, The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 

Solomon was about to inherit the throne of his father David, and GOD asked him a question!

2Ch 1:7, On that night GOD APPEARED TO SOLOMON, AND SAID TO HIM, “ASK! WHAT SHALL I GIVE YOU?” 

What would you have asked for?

2Ch 1:10, NOW GIVE ME WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, that I may go out and come in before this people; FOR WHO CAN JUDGE THIS GREAT PEOPLE OF YOURS?” 

It pleased the LORD that Solomon didn’t ask for money, honor or anything else but wisdom! So GOD granted his request! These are the proverbs of this man!

Pro 1:2-3, To know WISDOM and Instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity;

Today we have so much information literarily in the palm of our hands, YET we lack wisdom! A person may have knowledge, facts, but no wisdom! Wisdom is how to best use the knowledge we have!

Pro 1:5, A WISE MAN WILL HEAR AND INCREASE LEARNING, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

A wise man is always listening to what is being said and learns from other wise people!

Pro 9:9, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 

Pro 1:7, THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE, BUT FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION. 

The word fear, yir-aw, means reverence, When one reveres, venerates or worships the LORD that is the beginning of knowledge! But, it’s also the beginning of wisdom Pro 9:10!

Having knowledge and knowing how to use it is awesome! YET, knowing the LORD is better than all the wisdom, and riches of this world!

Jer 9:23-24, Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; BUT LET HIM WHO GLORIES GLORY IN THIS, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, THAT I AM THE LORD, EXERCISING LOVINGKINDNESS, JUDGMENT, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE EARTH. FOR IN THESE I DELIGHT,” SAYS THE LORD.

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Psalm 150, Praising the LORD

This amazing book of Psalms end with praise! Praising HIM for who HE is and what HE has done! We will never truly understand HIS praise until we stand before HIM in awe!

Psa 150:1-2, Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praising HIM for HIS mighty works, for HE created all things and is worthy to be praised!

Psa 150:3-5, Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Praise HIM, not only with your voice, but with musical instruments! I can only imagine what a worship service in heaven will be like!

Rev 7:9-12, After these things I looked, and behold, A GREAT MULTITUDE WHICH NO ONE COULD NUMBER, OF ALL NATIONS, TRIBES, PEOPLES, AND TONGUES, STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE AND BEFORE THE LAMB, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and CRYING OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, saying, “SALVATION BELONGS TO OUR GOD WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, AND TO THE LAMB!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and WORSHIPED GOD, SAYING: “AMEN! BLESSING AND GLORY AND WISDOM, THANKSGIVING AND HONOR AND POWER AND MIGHT, BE TO OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.”

Psa 150:6, Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! 

One day everyone will praise HIM, everyone that hath breath praise HIS HOLY NAME!

Rev 5:13, And EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS IN HEAVEN AND ON THE EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH AND SUCH AS ARE IN THE SEA, AND ALL THAT ARE IN THEM, I heard saying: “BLESSING AND HONOR AND GLORY AND POWER BE TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, AND TO THE LAMB, FOREVER AND EVER!” 

And the book of Psalms ends with a crescendo of praise to our LORD and GOD! In this world we have trials, but the day is coming when we will stand before the living GOD Praising HIM forever! No more death, no need for hospitals and HE shall wipe away every tear from our eyes! Praise HIM all HIS people!

Rev 21:4, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 

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Psalm 149, Praising GOD our maker!

Psa 149:1, Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. 

In most of the book of psalms there are trials, evils, crisis, and mourning’s brought to the LORD, but the last 5 Psalms it’s about praising GOD! Like in life, for those that love the LORD, we have our trials, but at the end we will end up praising GOD for all that HE has done!

Rev 21:4, AND GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES; THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NOR SORROW, NOR CRYING. THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PAIN, FOR THE FORMER THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY.” 

Psa 149:4, FOR THE LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE; HE WILL BEAUTIFY THE HUMBLE WITH SALVATION. 

Salvation only comes from the LORD, and HE shall beautify HIS Bride, the church, with salvation and righteousness!

Isa 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; FOR HE HAS CLOTHED ME WITH THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION, HE HAS COVERED ME WITH THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Psa 149:5-6, LET THE SAINTS BE JOYFUL IN GLORY; LET THEM SING ALOUD ON THEIR BEDS. LET THE HIGH PRAISES OF GOD BE IN THEIR MOUTH, AND A TWO-EDGED SWORD IN THEIR HAND,

Wow, this is one of those verses that I will never forget! January 12th, 2018 my manager walked into my office and said, “I have to let you go”! When I got home, I grabbed my bible, and laid in bed praising GOD for all that HE has done! I just opened the bible and it opened to this Psalm! Psalm 149:5-6! I realized that was a picture of me! Lying in bed, praising GOD, with a two-edged sword in my hands; the bible!

Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Praise GOD for HIS faithfulness! Praise HIM for HIS goodness; for nothing and no one escapes HIS sights!

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Psalm 148, all of creation worship the LORD!

Psa 148:1-4, 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!

If we look at the sun the moon, the stars and all the host of heaven they cry the glory of GOD who created them!

Psa 19:1-3, …The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

Psa 148:7-8, Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; FIRE AND HAIL, SNOW AND CLOUDS; STORMY WIND, FULFILLING HIS WORD;

Even the out-of-control fire or hail listens to the LORD! Snow, clouds, the stormy wind all obey HIS word!

Mat 8:26-27, But HE said to them, “WHY ARE YOU FEARFUL, O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH?” Then HE arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “WHO CAN THIS BE, THAT EVEN THE WINDS AND THE SEA OBEY HIM?”

Psa 148:11-13, Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR HIS NAME ALONE IS EXALTED; HIS GLORY IS ABOVE THE EARTH AND HEAVEN.

The day is coming and it’s very near when all of creation will bow down to the KING of kings and LORD of lords

Php 2:9-11, Therefore God also has highly exalted HIM and given HIM the name which is above every name, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, AND OF THOSE ON EARTH, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD, PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRIASED! CHRIST JESUS IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS WHICH INCLUDES YOU AND ME!

Col 1:16, For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

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Psalm 147, The GOD of Creation!

Psa 147:1, PRAISE THE LORD! FOR IT IS GOOD TO SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD; FOR IT IS PLEASANT, AND PRAISE IS BEAUTIFUL. 

I’ve went to a men’s conference where a thousand men were worshipping the LORD! It was just awesome and beautiful and I felt that the LORD just filled that sanctuary completely!

Joh 4:24, GOD IS SPIRIT, AND THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH.” 

Psa 147:2, The LORD builds up Jerusalem; HE GATHERS TOGETHER THE OUTCASTS of Israel.

The LORD rejects no one, HE seeks the homeless, he seeks the sinners, the drug addicted, for everyone is precious in HIS eyes!

Psa 147:3, HE HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED AND BINDS UP THEIR WOUNDS.

This was HIS mission to bring to HIMSELF the outcast, the poor, and the brokenhearted!

Luk 4:18, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; 

Psa 147:4-5, HE COUNTS THE NUMBER OF THE STARS; HE CALLS THEM ALL BY NAME. GREAT IS OUR LORD, AND MIGHTY IN POWER; HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE.

Today, with our current technology it is estimated that there are 1Billion Trillion stars, Yet HE knows them by name, and HE knows you and me! Nothing escapes HIM!

Psa 147:9, HE gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.

If HE feeds even the beast of the world and the ravens that cry out, will HE not provide for you also? Remember you were created in HIS image, and knows you by name! HE is faithful!

Mat 6:26, Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?

Psa 37:25, I have been young, and now am old; YET I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS DESCENDANTS BEGGING BREAD. 

Remember praise is beautiful especially for those that know their GOD! HE IS FAITHFUL, AND WORTHY OF OUR PRAISES!

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Psalm 146, I shall praised HIM as long as i live!

Psa 146:1-2, PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL! WHILE I LIVE I WILL PRAISE THE LORD; I WILL SING PRAISES TO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE MY BEING.

The Psalmist has determined that in his life he will praise the LORD. I truly believe when it’s our turn to see GOD we are going to be awe struck, just simply shocked by HIS HOLINESS!

Isa 6:3-4, And one cried to another and said: “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS; THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, AND THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE.

HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Psa 146:3-4, Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.  

The Psalmist is not placing his trust on man nor in his riches, because man will fail you, but the LORD will never fail! HE will always do good for that is who HE is!

Psa 145:8-9, THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND FULL OF COMPASSION, SLOW TO ANGER AND GREAT IN MERCY. THE LORD IS GOOD TO ALL, AND HIS TENDER MERCIES ARE OVER ALL HIS WORKS.

Psa 146:8, THE LORD OPENS THE EYES OF THE BLIND; THE LORD RAISES THOSE WHO ARE BOWED DOWN; THE LORD LOVES THE RIGHTEOUS. 

Can you see JESUS in this verse! HE opened the eyes of the blind, not just physically blind but spiritually blind! And, HE raises those who are bowed down or bent over!

Luk 13:11-13, And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, AND WAS BENT OVER AND COULD IN NO WAY RAISE HERSELF UP. But when JESUS saw her, HE called her to HIM and said to her, “WOMAN, YOU ARE LOOSED FROM YOUR INFIRMITY.” And HE laid HIS hands on her, and IMMEDIATELY SHE WAS MADE STRAIGHT, AND GLORIFIED GOD.

Psa 146:10, The LORD shall reign forever—Your God, O Zion, to all generations. PRAISE THE LORD! 

As the Psalmist said, I WILL PRAISE HIM WHILE I LIVE; for HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED AND HIS KINGDOM IS FOREVER!

Heb 1:8, But to the SON HE says: “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER; A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM.