A better tomorrow

Everyone is hopeful for a better tomorrow. That's why we say "Good morning" at the start of the day as it's an indicator of the hope within that welcomes the dawning of a new day to bring better fortunes our way. God's mercies are new every morning and His compassion's do not fail Lamentations 3:22-23. When faced with adversity it becomes harder to see a better tomorrow; but resilient people are focused on the fact that trouble is only a comma in the sentence of life.

At a time where fear has gripped many hearts because of various reasons it is difficult to remain hopeful. Without hope you cannot have the faith necessary to live. Faith is the substance of what is hoped for Hebrews 11:1. Faith gives hope tangibility. To be without hope is to open the door of low living. as hopelessness is the start of damnation in life. You and I were born for a reason. We are not just statistics, making up numbers in any particular nation. You and I were born to reign in life. That situation that has so far made mockery of you is not a permanent story in your life. What must one do to create a better tomorrow? The list below is just a few thoughts I have gleaned that are useful to having a better tomorrow.

1. Make the choice to look up. Take a walk along the high streets of most capitals and you will discover that the people who are happiest are hopeful people. Such people chose to look up despite the time of the day. Whether it's raining, snowing, hot, cold, it doesn't matter to them. They have made the choice that this is the day the Lord has made and they will rejoice and be glad in it Psalms 118:24. Determine it within you that from now on you will look up and not down on life. God has benefits that are not once in a while; He promises to give us His benefits daily Psalms 68:19. Don't allow circumstances to determine your joy. Let your help come from the One who is the greatest of all Helpers Psalms 121. Let God be your Refuge and Strong Tower. Look to God for the plans of man may be wise in their eyes but it's God's counsel that stands Proverbs 19:21. Praise Him who is able to make a way. Determine to continually look at God and praise Him.
2. Mind your language. Am not referring to the British sitcom of the early 80s. Make the choice to speak life and not death Proverbs 18:21. Your words reveal your faith. Your words reveal the picture within you of your tomorrow. Your words reveal where you are going. Your words qualify or disqualify you in life. It is a well known fact that words are creative. Look at your Maker as the best example of using words to create a better tomorrow. Your beginning has to begin with God and speaking the right words. Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-5 reveal how intertwined words and God are. God spoke the Word and created a future out of chaos. You and I are created in His image and likeness Genesis 1:26 and therefore have the capability and capacity to create order out of chaos. Begin declaring the truth aloud and you will soon see your confession manifest before your very eyes.
3. Make the choice to give honour to whom it is due. Out of the 10 commandments God gave Moses in Exodus 20 only 1 has a benefit attached to it. Exodus 20:12 states "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Honour gives you access to a better future. One of the greatest injustices of our generation is the lack of honour. Society does not place a premium on honour. Honouring relationships establishes a long fulfilled life to us. I am constantly amazed at how many devalue their lives by lack of respect for others.  This is  just not in the honouring of parents or authority, but in how people use your time, resources and counsel. One of the reasons divorce is high is because of dishonour. Relationships are breaking up daily because of what can be traced to lack of respect or honour for one another. People regularly break their word. One of the things God has challenged me is that  He expects us to be is faithful as He is as what He says He does. How then can we say we serve God and do not keep our word. The world is full of honour denying, excuse making people, who always give a reason for not keeping their side of the bargain. Be careful who has access to you. Only allow those who honour you to come into your life, for such people are always towers of strength. If you meet someone and soon discover that they can't keep a promise, please don't give them any further access because they will only break your heart. The value placed on something or someone will determine the honour accorded. This ranges from reading the Word of God to daily living.
4. Get in line with the heavenly vision. If your focus is fixated on the circumstances and challenges of life you will soon begin to think that life is worthless. What you focus on determines where you will go. Paul, the apostle in the New Testament, declared that his life was guided by the heavenly vision and he was not disobedient to it Acts 26:19. That's why Paul could rejoice in the midst of adversity. His knowing and choosing to walk by the heavenly vision gave him the assurance that each day was great and loaded with good. Be committed to the purpose that your vision entails. Too many people have no spine to follow through the heavenly vision. You may be asking why the heavenly vision. That's because you cannot expect to see a better tomorrow outside of the picture God has ordained for you. The heavenly vision is looking at the master piece that God has laid out for you and choosing to copy it here on earth. Too many people will discover that they lived a life that was successful in the eyes of man but a failure in God's eyes. Connect to God to find out what your heavenly vision is. Commit to follow God's vision because His plans lead to a better future and hope Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Only a walk with God will give you a better tomorrow. Jesus called for anyone who is burdened in life to draw to Him for rest Matthew 11:28. Know for sure that God is faithful. When you walk according His plan then you may rest assured that God is faithful to complete the good work He began in you Philippians 1:6. Adopt the attitude of the Psalmist King David, whose declarations revealed his beliefs and hopes that God has all in His hands. Psalms 23 has been my source of encouragement as I keep declaring that my days can and will only get better.

Psalms 23.
1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord  forever."

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.