Manna for Your Morning

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. — 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (NLT) Let us run to win, by laying aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (See Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV) Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (See Philippians 3:14 NLT)

King David said this about him: ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ — Acts 2:25-28 (NLT)  In Acts 13:52 (NLT), the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. As disciples of Yeshua the Christ, may we be filled with joy and with the Holy Sprit. The LORD will show you the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore. (See Psalms 16:11 NKJV) In Isaiah 43:2 (NLT), the LORD says: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LOR...

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. — 1 John 5:4-5 (AMP) I encourage you to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. (See 2 Timothy 4:7) Remember that the battle belongs to the LORD and the war has already been won. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NKJV) …we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. (See Romans 8:37 AMP)

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” — Luke 22:41-42 (NLT) We all would like to avoid any cup of suffering, but may we also primarily desire for God’s will to be done, in every situation and circumstance. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NKJV) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT) “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares Yahweh, ‘plans for peace and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (LSB)

After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. — Luke 19:47-48 (NLT) In Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT), Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ In Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV), Jesus said: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” In Luke 11:28 (NKJV) He said, “...blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.  — Psalms 119:73 (NLT)

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! — Luke 15:7 (NLT) In Luke 15:11-24, Yeshua tells a parable about a younger son who demanded his share of the father's estate. He then moved to a distant land, and wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He got a job feeding pigs, and was so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. (Note: the world will leave you dry and empty). When he finally came to his senses, he decided to return home to his father to be a hired servant. So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. He then proceeded to clothe him and celebrate. No matter how far...