MORNING MANNA          12/21/19

Living in this wicked world it is impossible to not notice that we live in troublesome times. We all could make a list of difficulties – negative things that we didn’t choose and can’t change. And sadly, we are prone to doing just that. We moan and groan about the things we dislike. However, if we are honest, we can think of some things that are positive as well – if we would. And it would help us to face the bad if we forced ourselves to focus on the good – in this case the tremendous truths concerning Christmas. I’m not saying that will make your problems go away. But it would remind you that there are two sides to the story – good as well as bad, pleasure as well as pain. And, if you are a Christian, it will compel you to confess that the good out weighs the bad by far. Paul, in fact, tells us that there is no comparison ( 2 Cor. 4:8-18).

Notice, I said “if we force ourselves to focus”. That’s what we must do. Staying focused on the positive requires effort on our part. We must dodge the distractions and ponder the positive things in life. Right now some of you are facing a fight between your feelings and the facts. For example, you can quote Rom. 8:28 and other scriptures affirming that God is for you, working some good, but you feel as though He has forgotten and forsaken you. You know you shouldn’t murmur, but you moan in misery. If that describes you it is imperative that you focus on the “good tidings” concerning Christ (read Phil. 4:4-13) or you will be swallowed up in sorrow and unable to cope. Christ is more than able to meet your needs and He has promised to do so if you meet His conditions. We find joy in Jesus when we are willing to trust Him. Christmas ought to remind us the we have reason to rejoice. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346