Manna for Your Morning

So have courage, men! I trust God that everything will turn out as he told me. — Acts 27:25 (GW) Trust God. Everything will turn out just as the Word says. All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). And Jesus said, “In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world,” (Matthew 16:33). Let your heart be at peace, everything will turn out!

The quarrel was becoming violent, and the officer was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So the officer ordered his soldiers to drag Paul back to the barracks. The Lord stood near Paul the next night and said to him, “Don’t lose your courage! You’ve told the truth about me in Jerusalem. Now you must tell the truth about me in Rome.”  — Acts 23:10-11 (GW) Whatever challenges come your way, be encouraged, knowing that the Lord stands near you. In Isaiah 43:2, He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. — Acts 24:16 (NIV) May we, like the Apostle Paul, always strive to keep a perfectly clear conscience before God and man. Do not be like those who continually do wrong and end up having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Those who abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits run the risk of losing their capacity for truth all together. Pursue love in all your relationships, with knowledge and all discernment, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. — Acts 20:23-24 (NIV) May our only aim be to finish the race and complete the task given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what hardships you may suffer in this life, do not be moved. Our lives are worth nothing unless we complete the mission given to us. Keep the main thing, the main thing and always share with others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live. He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us. Certainly, we live, move, and exist because of him. As some of your poets have said, ‘We are God’s children.’  — Acts 17:26-28 (GW) Since the time He formed us in our mother's wombs, God has been intricately involved with the details of our lives. He is never far away. He wrote each one of our days in His book before one of them came to be and then He stands by our side to help us walk each one out. For in Him we live and move and have our being. Praise God that He is near!

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the jail. All the doors immediately flew open, and all the prisoners’ chains came loose. — Acts 16:25-26 (GW) As a result of the prayer and praises of Paul and Silas, and the signs and wonders that followed, the jailer and his entire family became believers and were baptized that night. When you experience trials and hardships, continue to pray and praise God. Instead of looking at your circumstances, keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

So the jailer followed these orders and put Paul and Silas into solitary confinement with their feet in leg irons. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.   — Acts 16:24-25 (GW) Even though Paul and Silas were in prison, they didn't allow their outer circumstances to effect their inner joy and peace. No matter what circumstances exist in your life right now, don't let the enemy steal your joy. May praises and thanksgiving to God continually flow from your mouth. For great is the LORD Most High, who made heaven and earth! He is most worthy of our praise!