Manna for Your Morning

We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9  (NCV) Look at the troubles before you, as opportunities for God to display His greatness. No matter what hostile environments we must endure, God is there with us. We are not abandoned nor forgotten. We may get hurt, but we are not destroyed. Never give up the hope of living the abundant and fruitful life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).

...that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; — Colossians 1:10-11 (NKJV) May we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, that pleases Him in every way. Refuse to let a worldly, hostile environment corrupt your God-honoring behavior and joyful attitude. Let us continually grow in our knowledge of God and experience a deeper, increasing intimacy with Him. Then we will be fruitful in every good work we undertake, in every area of our lives: spiritual, physical, financial, relationships, etc. May we be strengthened with His power that resides inside of us and enables us to endure and persevere ALL things, as we hold onto the everlasting joy of the Lord. Amen!

A hostile world! I called to God, to my God I cried out.
 From his palace he heard me call;
 my cry brought me right into his presence—
 a private audience! — 2 Samuel 22:7 (The Message) When the world is hostile, cry out to God. Your cry for help reaches His ears and brings you right into His Presence, a private audience with our heavenly Father. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16, NLT). Amen!