Manna for the Soul

" Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ." (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV) I believe this scripture succinctly captures how I am entering 2019! If you are like me, you may have mixed feelings about how 2018 ends because some things must have gone well and others not as expected. But no matter how 2018 went for you, let's be reminded of Paul's words in the above scripture as we prepare to enter 2019. As is customary for me and my family, I always see the need to be at Church every Sunday, and more so on the last Sunday of the year. But on Sunday, December 30, 2018, there were at least three reasons why I felt the need to skip Church. First, and probably the most logical reason, I had a mysterious swollen right hallux (that is the big toe) and for which reason,...

“I am broken and helpless, and want to give up on life.” If this is you then I want you to know this: I hear you and I get it. I’ve been there and I’ve been close to doubting the very purpose of my life. If you are alive right now then hear me out, God never fails, so I want you to keep hope alive and wait for Him. Before I begin, let's read the scripture from Lamentations 3. Lam 3:18-26 KJV And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:  (19)  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.  (20)  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.  (21)  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  (22)  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  (24)  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  (25)  The LORD is ...