2013 September 4 - Morning Manna

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-10)

Today's Morsel: So many people seem to be depressed these days. Millions are being spent trying to determine the cause of so much depression in people's lives and how to eleviate it. Depression is caused by one thing, self. When the focus is on one's self, it is easy for a person to become depressed when they are rejected, hurt, let down, or given a bad report; whether medical, loss employment, lack of promotion, that they were not expecting to receive. Paul said that we are troubled on every side but not distressed. When Jesus and the things of God are kept first in your life, depression should not rein in your life. As Paul told the church, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:19-21). There's the answer to depression. You can walk away from depression any time you feel like it, by walking closer to Jesus. "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself" Solomon said (Proverbs 14:14).

Sing: Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me; Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love, lifted me.