Manna for Your Morning

Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 (GW) When your bright sunny sky turns gray and full of dark clouds, don't start crying the blues. When the raging waters and violent winds come, hold on. Even if your boat turns over, Jesus is your Life Preserver. In the midst of your darkest day, still praise God! Anchor your hope in the living God and you will not be disappointed. He is a safe harbor from the harsh winds and a refuge from the storms of life. He turns our mourning into gladness; He gives us comfort and joy instead of sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13). He fills our mouths with laughter and our lips with shouts of joy. Praise the LORD!

But I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my help and my savior. O my God, do not delay! Psalm 40:17 (GW) Sometimes when we are in the thick of tough times, we may think the LORD has forgotten about us. We cry out for God to quickly come to our aid. Our hearts may cry out, "do not delay!" Let us remember, that God has everything that concerns us under control. While we wait for an answer, our heavenly Father is orchestrating events to come together at the perfect time, the appointed time. All of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16), including the day of our deliverance. When our situation unfolds, our response is often utter amazement as we look at what God has done.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJ) Brothers and sisters, don't get hung up on what happened in days gone by. That is like driving down the road while looking in the rear view mirror. You will not get very far before you crash. Instead, keep reaching forward to what lies ahead. Press on toward the goal, to finish the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Be glad and find joy in the Lord, you righteous people. Sing with joy, all whose motives are decent. Psalm 32:11 (GWT) Sometimes joy isn't jumping up to meet us when we open our eyes in the morning. These are the days we have to find joy. However, as we think about the goodness of the LORD, and meditate on His mercy and His grace, joy knocks at the door. As we begin to thank our heavenly Father for waking us up this morning, joy begins to fill the very fibers of our hearts. When we begin to reflect on the lovingkindness and compassion of our God and count our blessings, joy bubbles up in our souls and spills over, into the lives of those around us. Never let the enemy steal your joy!

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJ) What great and mighty things would you like to see performed in your life? Call upon the LORD and He will answer you. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17). Wait patiently for the LORD and He will show you great and mighty things. Amen.

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NKJ) May we realize the brevity of life. James 4:14 says, our lives are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Be wise and make the most of every moment our heavenly Father gives you. Keep God's commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity (Proverbs 3:1-2).

I will praise the LORD, who advises me. My conscience warns me at night. I always keep the LORD in front of me. When he is by my side, I cannot be moved. That is why my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. Psalm 16:7-9a (GW) Keep your eyes on the LORD and follow Him. With our heavenly Father by our side,  we cannot be moved. God is on our side to help us and fight our battles (2 Chronicles 32:8). He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Let your heart be glad and your soul rejoice because we win!