Manna for Your Morning

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:11 (MSG) Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:23-24 NKJV) Hope in the LORD continually and praise Him more and more (Psalm 71:14) Your hope will not be cut off. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19a NLT)  It will keep you from being tossed to and fro by the storms of life. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT)  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13  (NLT)

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:11 (MSG) When we keep our eyes fixed on God, our hope in Him is alive and well. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, (Psalm 146:5 NKJV) We can smile at the future because we know, with His help, all things are possible. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, (Proverbs 10:28a). Sailors put out the anchor when they want to keep the boat in place. In stormy times, we have to let hope serve as our trustworthy anchor, sure and steadfast. Hope will hold us close to our Savior.  Let us be constantly rejoicing in hope because of our confidence in Christ, (Romans 12:12a AMP).

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. — Psalm 4:6-7 (NLT) We experience the best of times in the presence of the LORD. There is no greater joy than to delight ourselves in the presence of the Most High God. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He is the God of more than enough. The Message Bible says, “I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.” (Psalm 4:7) Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11 NASB)

‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NKJV) Abide in the secret place of His Presence and there He will keep you and sustain you. Though you walk through the valley, you will not fear because He will protect you and guard you from the enemy. Abide in the secret place, and experience the blessing of His abundant favor, His unlimited grace and His everlasting peace.

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:5 (MSG) Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT). The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again (Proverbs 24:16a NLT). Take your eyes off your troubles and get them on our mighty God and His wonder-working power. He will deliver you out of all your troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. — Psalm 4:6-8 (NLT) Material possessions cannot compare to the inexpressible joy that comes from dwelling in the Presence of our great God. In His Presence, we experience fullness of joy and abiding peace. Greater joy comes in knowing Him and completely trusting Him for everything that concerns us. We experience better times when we allow Him to fill us with His love, strength and peace. Come into His Presence, with your arms lifted and heart open wide to Him. He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. (Psalm 91:4 AMP) For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah (Psalm 61:3-4 (NKJV)

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:5 (MSG) When we feel depressed and overwhelmed, we have taken our eyes off of God and His promises and fixed them on our problems. However, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11 NLT). Fix your eyes on God and He will lift you out of the pit of despair and set your feet on solid ground. The LORD is our helper. May your hope rest on His unfailing love.

“The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.” — John 8:29 (The Message) Jesus said, “I always do those things that please Him,” (John 8:29, NKJV). May we imitate Christ and ALWAYS do those things that please the Father. Let's make it our highest aspiration. When we stay away from those things that grieve the heart of God, we live in peace of mind and heart. There is joy in being in perfect harmony with the God of the universe. We can sense His glory shining upon us and we are warmed from the smile upon His face. He knows that as we continue to be in sync with His will, we will live the life of abundance and freedom that Jesus came to give us. Amen!

The LORD will bless you and watch over you. The LORD will smile on you and be kind to you. The LORD will look on you with favor and give you peace.’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (GW) God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11). He wants ALL people to be saved. And for all of His children to have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10), the kind of rich and satisfying life Jesus came to give us. The LORD watches over you wherever you go, for your good, not to harm you. He is working for you, not against you. May you experience the fullness of His favor and peace in your life, as you abide in JESUS!

There is surely a future hope for you,  and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (NIV) No matter what disappointments and heartache you experienced in 2011, surely there is a future hope for YOU. The LORD has plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). Smile at the future, knowing that your hope will not be cut off. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4), in the new year!

LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:1-5 (NLT) The LORD goes before you and smoothes out the rough places. He is also behind you, covering you in the back. His hand of blessing rests upon your head. “The LORD bless you and watch over you. The LORD will smile on you and show you His kindness. The LORD will look on you with favor and give you peace,” (Numbers 6:24-26). It pleases God to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, you will have all that you need. You were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Receive your blessing from our heavenly Father.

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God. Psalm 42:5 (The Message) Instead of giving all of your attention to the challenges you face, fix your eyes on God. He is bigger than any mountain that stands before you. Hope in God and continue to praise Him. He will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. He is God and there is no other.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. Psalm 4:6-7 (NLT) No matter what is going on in your life today, the Lord will show us better times. As we fellowship with the Lord, our hearts are filled with gladness. May He smile on you today and give you greater joy that knows no bounds.