Manna for Your Morning

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. — Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) The ways of this world and the feelings of our flesh go against God’s ways. The flesh is selfish and wants what it wants, when it wants it, but as children of God, we are not to live our lives in subjection to the world or our flesh. God’s ways are higher than our ways. Let us choose to be led by the Holy Spirit of God. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14 NLT) Going against the Spirit is like trying to walk against the wind. It's hard to go in the direction you want to go. When we walk in the direction of the wind, we find the ...

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! — Psalm 42:5a (NLT) When we follow our feelings, we may drown in despair, hopelessness and depression. Our feelings are fickle; they come and go, they are up, then down. The Word of God, however, stands forever. (Psalm 119:89). Our feelings can be led astray, but God’s Word is truth. Choose the way of truth. (Psalm 119:30). Your feelings may say, you are unwanted and God doesn’t care about you. The fact is that God loves you, and chose you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:5). He never leaves your side. Feelings say that your life is pointless —do what you want. Fact is that God created you with a higher and greater purpose than what you see right now. He reveals it step-by-step. You may be feeling down and defeated. Fact is God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). We overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We are more than conquerors! Stand on the facts of God...

Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. — Proverbs 23:19 (NKJV) Let us not blindly follow our hearts, emotions and feelings. Instead, may we exercise self-control and set our hearts to follow God’s way. Let's meditate on His Word, so it can trickle down from our heads and into our hearts. Then, when we encounter trials of any kind, our hearts will not fail or grow faint because they are strengthened with the Word of God. Be wise and continually steer your heart in the right direction, and your actions will take the proper course. As a result, you will reach the desired destination.