Manna for Your Morning

And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy [fully understanding that He lives and that He is the Son of God]; and they were continually in the temple blessing and praising God. — Luke 24:52-53 (AMP) The Message Bible says the disciples were bursting with joy! If you need some joy, spend time with Jesus, our risen Savior. When we understand Who He is and realize that in Him, we already have the victory, our hearts will be filled with joy. Instead of letting adverse circumstances get you down, keep worshiping the Lord and know that He will bring you out on the other side. Everything we go through in this life is temporary and Jesus has already overcome the world. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy, for the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) Be fully convinced that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. He doesn't love us from afar. He loves us up close and personal. He knows everything about us and He still loves us. No matter what adverse circumstances come our way, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us enough to give His life to save us. With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. — Hebrews 10:23 (MSG) Never let go or give up on the promises God has spoken to you. God is faithful and we can  trust Him to keep His promises. What the LORD speaks, eventually comes to pass (maybe not on our timetable). After God delivered the Israelites from slavery and ushered them into the Promise Land, Joshua 21:44-45 says, the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. This is the same God we serve. They may have spent 40 years in the wilderness, but through it all, God provided and His people prevailed. The enemy likes to use adverse circumstances to discourage us, but look past the smokescreen and see the victory we already have in Jesus! Hold onto His promises.

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” — Mark 4:37-38 (NLT) Have you ever wondered if God cares? Well, you can be 100% confident that He does care about you. God loves you with a relentless love. He loved us before we loved Him or even acknowledged that He exists. When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39 NLT). When you have one of those days where it seems you are drowning in a sea of adverse circumstances, remember Who you are in the boat with. When you are in the presence of Jesus, you can experience great calm and comfort in the midst of a chaotic environment. Jesus was able to sleep because He trusted the Father. May we never focus on the stor...

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. — Acts 16:25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had been dragged, had their clothes torn off, they were beaten with rods and thrown into prison, with their feet clamped in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24). The Word does not say they were asking God, “Why is all this happening to us, if You are with us?” It does not mention them complaining about the conditions of the prison. No, in spite of all these hardships, they were still praying and praising. The enemy could not stop their praise to God, nor steal their joy.  How do you react when adverse circumstances hit? Whether your circumstances have you locked up or not, no one can stop you from praying and praising our mighty and awesome God. No matter what comes your way, keep praying and praising God. What a glorious testimony to those who are listening to you.