Manna for Your Morning

“ And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven. ” — Matthew 16:19 (MSG) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33 NLT) In Jesus, we have complete and free access to God’s kingdom. There are no barriers between us and our heavenly Father. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP) Amen.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV) We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God… (Ephesians 5:2 NASB). Let us be [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17 AMP). Ephesians 4:2 tells us to bear with one another in love. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2 NLT) Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Love knocks down barriers and builds bridges. Love extravagantly! (1 Corinthians 13:13 MSG)

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; (John 10:10a). 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). Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God… (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NKJV) Use God’s mighty weapons to break through the barriers that hinder you from building a beautiful and strong bond with our heavenly Father and brothers and sisters in Christ; one of love, trust and faithfulness. We can bring every loose thought and emotion under subjection, as we renew our minds with His Word. Be a bond builder!

The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. — 1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG) If we want to ensure our love is uncontaminated we need to live our lives open to God. God is love. As we stay open to Him, He transforms us from the inside (our hearts) to the outside. As we stay open to God and the work His Holy Spirit is doing in us, His love will permeate every fiber of our being. As we fully embrace God's love, we can let go of self-interest, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. Let us knock down any barriers we have erected and live open to God. This is the optimal position from which to love, love the LORD and love others, with a plain and simple love and no hidden agendas.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) When the wise men found Jesus, they went into the house and worshiped Him. Don’t be an outsider, looking in. Eliminate the barriers and draw near to Jesus. Our heavenly Father adopted us and brought us into His family as His beloved children. Come in and worship the King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (MSG) As we shed all pretense and remove the barriers that block our intimacy with God, we are transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. First we have to let God enter our lives (hearts and minds), then we become more like Him. And our lives grow brighter and more beautiful as they reflect God’s Ways and His Word.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, — Ephesians 2:13-14 (NKJV) Our saving grace, is that no matter what we face in this life, we can have peace and the presence of Almighty God. Before Christ we were far off, but by His blood we enter the very throne room of God. Christ has broken down any walls that separated us from our heavenly Father. Don’t let the enemy erect any barriers between you and God. As a follower of Christ and a child of God, you have the authority to knock down any walls that try to come between you and God. Any barriers are a lie from the devil. Break through any walls of depression, doubt, fear, shame, etc. and enjoy the nearness of our wonderful and amazing God.