Manna for Your Morning

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) Be fully convinced that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. He doesn't love us from afar. He loves us up close and personal. He knows everything about us and He still loves us. No matter what adverse circumstances come our way, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us enough to give His life to save us. With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. — Luke 2:15-16 (NKJV) Jesus calls each and every person to come to Him. May we be like the shepherds, and make haste everyday, to come to Jesus. They did not take any detours, they made their way straight to Him. Let there be a sense of urgency to seek His face and His will for your life. Make Him your first priority. May we look to Jesus, the Living Word, for the answers to the challenges we face. When we allow all of our earthly concerns to operate within and through our relationship with Christ, He gives us the direction and guidance we need to live a successful and victorious life. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first...

War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. — Revelation 12:7-9 (MSG) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV) Don’t be led astray. Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8)

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 our hearts are open to receive God’s love, He continually plants seeds of love within us. His compassions are new every morning. Out of God’s love for us, we grow love and compassion for others. His love, in our hearts, will outgrow any weeds and roots of bitterness, if we let it. If we don’t accept and embrace the love God lavishes on us, we will be barren and unfruitful when it comes to loving others. The fruit of the Spirit is love, etc. (Galatians 5:22). Be fruitful. Make love the constant harvest of your heart.

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” — Luke 2:15 (AMP) When the shepherds were told about the birth of Christ the Lord, they had a sense of urgency about going to see Him. In the Message Bible, they said, “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They started their journey at once and I doubt that they got sidetracked or took any detours. May we also have a sense of urgency when it comes to drawing near to our Lord and Savior. Stay clear of sideshow distractions that serve to create distance between you and the Lord, and closely follow Jesus.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? — Romans 8:35 (NLT) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37 NLT). Don’t let the challenges you face disturb you. Stand strong! We are more than conquerors. With God on our side, how can we lose? And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38 NLT). Amen!

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV) When we make the Lord our dwelling place, we stay and settle in Him. We reside in His loving Presence and know that He is always with us. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone (Psalm 91:9-12, NLT).

This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! — Psalm 34:6-8 (NKJV) Call upon the LORD, in every situation and circumstance, and He will hear you and deliver you out of all your troubles. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, He has given His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways (Psalm 91:9,11). Surely, He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease (Psalm 91:3). Amen!