I can’t vouch for the truthfulness of this story, but I found it interesting. In 1990 USA Today reported: “Six Soviet cosmonauts said that they witnessed the most awe-inspiring spectacle ever encountered in space–a band of glowing angels as big as jumbo jets!” They said,”What we saw were seven giant figures in forms of humans with mist-like halos as in the classic depiction of angels. Their faces were round with cherubic smiles”. Twelve days later the figures returned and were seen by three other Soviet scientists. One said, “They were smiling as though they shared in a glorious secret”.

Again I say I can’t vouch for the truthfulness of these claims, but it seems strange, being Russians, that they say such a thing–unless they actually believed what they saw was real. Imagine giving a report like that to a government that denies the very existence of God. That would be a bold move.

However, although I don’t know about their honesty, I do know that angels are real. There are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation”(Hebrews 1:14). That very thought kinda adds excitement to your life, doesn’t it? But how should this affect us? Hebrews 13:1-2 gives us the answer–“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. Really? Absolutely! That’s what the Bible says, and you can trust God’s Word.

Although we can’t see angels, unless God enables us to do so, we can rest assured that they exist. For me, it’s not the thought of angels that gets me most excited, it’s the knowledge that God is actively involved in my life, working even when I can’t see Him doing so. Whatever you face today, know this–you are not alone!

Since Morning Manna is seldom of a humorous nature or directed specifically toward young people
I thought this article from Pastor David Dykes might be a good change of pace:

“Seven Things You’ll Never Hear Your Dad Say”:
7. I notice all your friends have a hostile attitude–I like that!
6. Well now that you’re 13, Princess, I want you to start dating older guys.
5. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring!
4. Why do you want to get a job? I’ve got plenty of money for you to spend!
3. Your mother and I are going away for the weekend–you might want to consider
throwing a party.
2. Here’s my credit card and the keys to my car–now, GO CRAZY!
1. Well, looks like I’m lost–I guess I’ll have to stop and ask for directions!

One thing you’ll never hear your Heavenly Father say is “If you walk away from Me; you can
never come back.” Instead, God is a loving Heavenly Father. He loves you so much, you are free
to walk out of fellowship with Him–He won’t stop you. He will run to meet you more than
halfway if you decide to return to Him. And He says when you repent; He will treat you as if you
never left.

For which cause we faint not; but though the outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.–2 Corinthians 4:16

As we are outwardly wasting away, inwardly we are renewed day by day. It’s good that something good is happening. We can all use a little good news from time to time. And this is great news!

In spite of all the new meds, a healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups, our bodies are in a state of degeneration. There is no fountain of youth. We are all affected by the curse that resulted from Adam’s sin. We can’t escape sickness and suffering, but there are some things we can do to endure it. We can be encouraged by the fact that although the “outward man” is perishing, the inward man is unharmed and even increased in beauty and strength. I love this story told by J. R. Miller:

A poor shoemaker in his dreary little shop in a great city, one day noticed that there was one little place in his dark room, from which he could get a view of green fields, blue skies and faraway hills. He wisely set up his bench at that point, so that at any moment he could lift his eyes from his dull work — and have a glimpse of the great, beautiful world outside.

Just so, from the darkest sick-room, and from the midst of the keenest sufferings, there is always a point from which we can see the face of Christ and have a glimpse of the glory of heaven. If only we will find this place and get this vision——–

Sickness is discouraging and is hard to bear. But we should remember that the doing of the will of God is always the noblest, holiest thing we can do any hour — however hard it may be for us. If we are called to suffer — let us suffer patiently and sweetly. Under all our sharp trials — let us keep the peace of God in our hearts. The outward man may indeed decay — but the inward man will be renewed day by day.

So then, my dear friend be encouraged by this glorious truth:”For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.”—2 Corinthians 5:1-2. Let this truth be the window in the the dark room of your difficult days and it give you a new perspective on your problems.

You you read this many of you are starting a brand new day, and you don’t have a clue as to what it holds–the good, bad, or ugly. Perhaps you’ve thought about your schedule and you have an idea as to what expect if everything goes as planned, but that’s the problem–it usually doesn’t. The fact is we will all face a challenge of some sort. It might be something new or something you’ve been dealing with for a long time. Your challenge today might be a simple irritation or life threatening. It might involve you alone or others also. Whatever the nature, sort or size of your problem you need help–we all do! You need divine aid. And thankfully it is available. J. R. Miller wrote these encouraging words:

There is a secret of victorious living which, if people knew it, would make all of life easier for them. It may be stated thus: that as we take up any duty and go forward with it, we shall receive the strength we need to do it. There are several Divine promises that give this assurance.

One reads, “As your days — so shall your strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25. This seems to mean that the help which God gives, varies according to the necessity of the particular day. God fits His blessing — to our days.
When we are faint — He increases strength.
When we are sorrowful — He gives comfort.
When we are in danger — He grants protection.
When we are weary — He gives rest.
“As your days — so shall your strength be.”

Life lies before us, with . . .
 its burdens,
 its duties,
 its responsibilities,
 its struggles,
 its perplexities.
It does not come to us all in one piece. God breaks our years — into months and weeks and days, and never gives us more than just a little at a time — never more than we can bear or do for the day.

If we take up the present duty or burden — we shall always have strength to do it. If we do not have strength of our own sufficient for the work or struggle, we need not falter — but should go on, just as if we had omnipotence in our arm; for as we obey God, though the task is impossible to our ability — He will sustain us by giving us all the help we need.

Christ’s promises reads, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Every word of this assurance shines with radiant light.

“ My grace is sufficient for you.” It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. We know that He has all Divine fullness, and therefore we are sure that no human need can ever exhaust His power to give help!

“ My grace is sufficient for you.” It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. If it were anything else but grace, it might not give us such comfort. Grace is undeserved favor, goodness shown to the unworthy. We deserve nothing, for we are sinners. But it is Christ’s grace which is sufficient, and so we can claim it.

“My grace is sufficient for you.” It is present tense–IS sufficient. Christ is always speaking personally to the one who is in any need, and saying, “My grace IS sufficient for you.”

“My grace is sufficient for you.” The word “sufficient” is one whose meaning expands and amplifies with the measure of the need. No necessity is so small as not to be included; and none is so great as to go beyond the capacity of the blessing that is promised.

“ My grace is sufficient for you.” The grace is sufficient for each of His redeemed children–“for you” the promise runs.

There are Divine words, also, which imply that the supply of blessing that we receive—will depend upon ourselves. God’s people in ancient times were commanded to cross the Jordan, the promise being that the stream would divide for them. Yet the waters would not have parted for them—if they had not gone forward in obedience and faith. As a matter of fact, it was only when the feet of the priests, walking in advance, were wetted in the rushing floods—that the stream began to sink away. When Jesus was ready to send forth His disciples to bear His gospel, His command was, “Go into all the world.” Then came the promise, “And lo, I am with you all the days.” The promise is very precious—but we cannot separate it from the command. We cannot have this blessed presence—unless we are, in our own way, to the measure of our own ability, seeking to make disciples of all nations. It is when we go out in His name—that He will be with us.–J. R. MILLER