Manna for Your Morning

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) We can glory in hardships and troubles when we see them as tools God can use to help us develop perseverance. They are also opportunities to learn and grow in wisdom. As we patiently endure adverse circumstances, in full expectation of seeing God work in our lives, we develop depth and strength of character and spiritual maturity. That enables us to do the right thing even when we feel “it's hard.” When we let God work in us and through us, our hope in Christ, is kept alive and active, and it will never disappoint. Amen.

When I arrived in Troas to proclaim the Message of the Messiah, I found the place wide open: God had opened the door; all I had to do was walk through it. — 2 Corinthians 2:12 (MSG)  God opens the door, our part is to walk through it. God-given opportunities may not always look the way we think they should, so we have to listen for His still small voice. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21 NLT). Then, instead of lingering at the closed door and longing for what used to be, let’s spring into action! Take each step in faith and go forward with God, to the wide open space He has given you to occupy!

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).

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) God is well aware of all the things you do. Rest assured that any labor you have done in the Lord is not vain. You may have little strength because you have persevered through many storms, but take heart you shall overcome. Behold, God is doing a new thing! He has set before you an open door, a fresh start. And any door that God opens for you, no one can shut, but you must stop looking back, and walk through the open door in order to move on. Don't get stuck trying to force a closed door open that you miss out on the future opportunities that the open door has for you.

The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open, says: I know what you have done. See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut.  — Revelation 3:7-8 (GW) Sometimes we are so focused on the closed doors that we spend all our time and energy trying to force them open. May God give us the wisdom to know when to move beyond the closed doors and to always look for the open doors in our lives. It is the open doors that lead to new opportunities, and to the greater things He wants to do in our lives.