Manna for Your Morning

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. — Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) The enemy likes to distract us with the difficulties of the day. Don’t fall for his tricks. Keep your eyes on Jesus and what He is doing. See things from God’s perspective. How the world sees you is of no consequence, if you don’t buy into it. When you see things from His perspective, your thoughts about yourself line up with His Word. You are a child of the Most High God. You are loved, chosen, and accepted. You are more than a conqueror! And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. — Psalm 9:10 (NASB)

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. — Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) After the crucifixion and burial of Christ, the Believers were discouraged, defeated, and hopeless. They could not see past Friday, to the glory of Sunday and the empty tomb. If we are more plugged in to the negative news of this world, instead of the Good News we have in Jesus, the Living Word, our outlook becomes dark and gloomy. If we rely on the Word of God instead of a doctor’s report, we will maintain our peace and a proper perspective. To keep a proper perspective, look up to Almighty God and look in His Word which stands forever. What looks like failure, is just a temporary spot on the way to your promise land. It’s ...

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. — Matthew 15:34-36 (NKJV) When everyone was full and satisfied, they gathered up the leftovers. And from what was once seven loaves and a few fish, they filled seven baskets! There were four thousand men who ate the food Jesus multiplied, and even more including the women and children!  — Matthew 15:37-38 (TPT) When we are grateful and give thanks to God for what He has already provided, the windows of heaven are open to pour out more than enough, to meet the need. However, this miracle feeding of over 4,000 people began in the heart of Jesus, when He had compassion. In Matthew 15:32, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “ I have compassion on the multitude, because they ...

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. — John 13:1 (NKJV) Jesus got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:4-5) Jesus showed His love for his disciples by serving them. He washed their feet. The love He had for His disciples moved him to action. The love He has for us led Him to sacrifice His life on the cross. May we continuously walk in love and show others the full extent of our love. Love never comes to an end. (1 Corinthians 13:8 GW)

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) This day has already been written in God’s book for your life. (Psalm 139:16) The fact that He woke you up this morning, means He has something for you to do today, places for you to go and people you are to meet. We are here for such a time as this. If you’re living your life in Christ, you are power-packed, strengthened and equipped to accomplish all that He has planned for you today. As you go, let His love and light shine through you, in action and in speech, and others will be drawn unto Jesus, our mighty Savior. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. (Jeremiah 31:3)

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. — Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) Keeping the right perspective in life, is so important. Instead of looking around at the circumstances, let us look up and stay focused on our great God, and all that He is doing in our lives. As we look to Him, with eyes of faith, He comes to our aid. As long as our eyes are fixed on the immediate earthly realities, we stay trapped by the limitations of our humanity. When we look to our heavenly Father, we open ourselves up to His faith filled world of unlimited possibilities. With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) No matter what your current situation may be, never lose sight of the fact that God has a plan a...

Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.  — Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT). Take your eyes off of earthly circumstances and put them on the LORD, our helper. When we see things from His perspective, our mountains will appear as molehills and the giants before us will dwarf in comparison to our great God. When we see things from His perspective we realize what seems impossible, is possible. With God all things are possible! My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.  (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)

Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman]. — Romans 13:8 (AMP) Love is a verb, it calls us to action. Love suffers long. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 NKJV). The love Jesus has for us caused Him to give His life. Let all that you do be done with love. (1 Corinthians 16:14 NKJV). Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13 NKJV)

May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. — 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (MSG) Let us walk hand in hand with the Father as He leads us along on the path of His love. May all we do and every word we speak reflect the love of God. His great love is unconditional and it never fails. Just as God first loved us, let us be the initiator of love in our relationships with others. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT). God’s love is expressed in action. Duplicate His love. Christ endured the cross, for the joy that was set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2). May we endure temporary adversities and afflictions, knowing that God has a plan for us that is good, to give us a glorious future and a living hope. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV).

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (AMP) If you say you love, but never show it, you are merely making a lot of noise. Jesus showed His love to us by stretching out His arms on the cross. How do you show love? May we love extravagantly. Lavish love on others that is rich and genuine. Love BIG and out of the box, in action and kind deeds, not just words.

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. — Matthew 14:14 (NKJV) The compassion of Jesus moved Him to take action. In compassion, Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the sick and cleansed the lepers. Jesus made the deaf, able to hear and brought the dead back to life. Our Savior saw humanity dying in sin and moved with compassion, Jesus gave His life on the cross, and reconciled us back into an eternal fellowship with our heavenly Father. His compassions never fail. As children of God, let us be a people who are moved with compassion. May we add the light of life, to the darkness of this world, wherever we go.

I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem. — Ezra 7:28 (NLT) Ezra was moved to action because of the encouragement He received from the hand of the LORD. Let us be encouraged as the gracious hand of the LORD our God is also upon us. He surrounds us on all sides. (Psalm 125:2). God’s Holy Spirit resides in us and enables us to live the life He has designed for us, so we can fulfill His purpose upon the earth. Be strengthened and courageous to engage in the work He has called you to. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength (Isaiah 58:11 NLT).

If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (AMP) Let us all be inspired by the love God has shown to us. For God loved the world so much that He intentionally gave his one and only Son, so everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Love is an action word. To show love and truly serve humanity is something we have to purpose in our hearts and actually follow through with our “DOING.” Are you just going to make a lot of noise or are you going to intentionally touch others with the sacrificial, genuine love of Christ? It’s your choice. Choose wisely!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. — Romans 12:9 (NLT) Let us deeply and sincerely love others. For most people, it's easy to say, “I love you” but a sincere love is not only spoken. It is shown with action and backed up with a kind and supportive attitude. What we do speaks volumes more than what we say. When Jesus showed the disciples the full extent of His love, He washed their feet (John 13:1-5). Afterward, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” (John 13:14). Are you a disciple of Christ? Are you washing the feet of others, (helping to meet their needs)?

With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action. — Daniel 11:32 (GW) Have you listened to the lies of the enemy and abandoned the promises of God? In the midst of adverse circumstances, we must press in closer to God, dig deeper in His Word and stand on His promises. No matter what difficulties may come, be strong in the LORD and take action according to the word He has spoken to you.

Where there is no vision, the people perish; Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) We are one week into the new year and most new year resolutions have already been forgotten. I encourage you to make solid plans for your 2012. After you have prayed and sought God's direction, set your GOALS. Think about the necessary steps that will get you there. Give yourself deadlines to accomplish each one. If you want to see your dreams come true, you have to go beyond wishing and take action. What will you do differently? And then most important: COMMIT your way to the LORD. TRUST also in Him,  and He shall bring it to pass (Proverbs 37:5).