Manna for Your Morning

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! — Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) I have often heard that life is not so much what happens to you, it's more about your response to what happens. Paul and Silas were dragged, had their clothes torn off, were beaten and thrown in prison. However, they didn’t let their circumstances get them down. They were praying and singing hymns to God. No matter what your circumstance, turn your attention to God, who holds the universe in His hands. Are there things in your life that need to be shaken? Do you have some doors that need to be opened? A little prayer and praise goes a long way. And it also has a profound impact on those around you, just as Paul and Silas effected the prisoners around them. How are you reacting to...

He must increase, but I must decrease. — John 3:30 (NKJV) This is the first Scripture God put on my heart in the new year and I'm making it my ultimate goal for 2014. It goes along with the series Pastor Matthew Pollock has been preaching about making room for Jesus. In order for Him to increase in our lives, we have to make room for Him. Let us get rid of the clutter in our lives, close our ears to the cries of our flesh and open all the doors and windows of our hearts to Jesus. May we allow Him to increase in our hearts, minds and lives. May we allow His Presence to increase in our homes, on our jobs, in the market place and everywhere we go. Amen!

He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. — Ezra 7:9 (NIV) Ezra had the good hand of God upon him during his five month journey to Jerusalem. May the gracious hand of God be upon on us, as we embark upon the journey to a higher and deeper place in God. His gracious hand will guide us and protect us along the way. The good hand of God is there to catch us, when we fall and comfort us in our distress. The good hand of God opens doors, that were previously shut. Let us rely on the gracious hand of God. Amen.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah   — Psalm 24:7-10 (NKJV) The word  “Selah” at the end of this verse indicates a pause. Let us pause from the busyness of our day and meditate on our great God. He is the King of Glory, strong and mighty. Stop and listen for His voice, today. Open the gates of your heart and let the King of Glory enter. Think about the magnitude of His love and His grace. Do you try to keep God in a box or do you allow Him room in your heart and life to display the greatness of His glory and power?