Manna for Your Morning

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)   We guard our hearts by controlling the thoughts we allow to fill our minds. If we infiltrate our minds with constant negative news our hearts will be full of anger, hatred and fear. Let us renew our minds according to the Word of God. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (See Romans 12:2 and Joshua 1:8) See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15 NASB) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (Ephesians 4:31 NLT) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. — Romans 12:19 (NASB)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, — Philippians 2:14-15 (NASB) May there be no grumbling, whining or complaining, as we run the race the Lord has given us to run. Do not compare your course to your neighbor’s route. Instead, strip off every weight that slows you down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And run with endurance the race God has set before you. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (See Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) … press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. — Philippians 3:14 (NLT)

In Philippians 1:18-19 (MSG) , the Apostle Paul says, “…I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course.” What a great attitude and perspective. No matter how circumstances may appear right now, keep the celebration going, because you belong to Christ Jesus and we win. Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT) Be led by His Spirit, and everything God wants to do in you and through you will be done. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to C...

But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. — Acts 20:24 (CSB) Our purpose is to complete the course, that we received from our Lord and Savior. The primary assignment the Master Jesus gave Believers of letting everyone we meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God. May we continually do the work, with joy, of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  (Hebrews 12:1 MSG) May we continually...

The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. — Psalm 25:8 (NLT) Psalm 145:9  (NKJV) says, The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. God shows no favoritism. (Acts 10:24 NLT) He is good to ALL. Circumstances may not always appear good, but remember that God is good and the plans He has for you are good. We may not be able to make sense of some things in our limited, human understanding. However, let us stay the course with Christ. He has a path for each person. Commit to closely following Him and take each step by faith. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21 NLT)

As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me… — Psalm 55:16-18a (NKJV) God has called us to peace in the midst of war. Inquire of Him in every battle. He has all your days written in His book and He knows the best way for you to go. Staying on the course He has for you leads to success and victory. Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 NKJV)

What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. — James 5:11 (MSG) As we exercise patience and perseverance, God will work it all together for good. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord (James 5:11a NKJV). The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10 NKJV). The Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11b NKJV). May He restore unto you, double for all your troubles.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. — Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) Few would board a plane with no flight plan, one that was just going to fly around awhile and then possibly land before it ran out of gas, at some unknown location. However, many coast through life, with no plan, jus t reacting to the winds that blow their way. Yes, the LORD has plans for us, plans to give us hope and a future, but we have to take the steps necessary to bring the plan to life. Chart your course and He will show you the way and the time. The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalm 37:23 NLT).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) We all have a race to run, but our courses are not exactly the same. In order to complete our race, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Don’t set your eyes on the person who stands in the pulpit and preaches the Word. Don’t look at the brother or sister running next to you and start comparing your races. These are distractions that will slow you down or make you stop running and sit on the sidelines of life, just being a spectator. Keep your eyes on Jesus and run, to the end!

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart. If we let negative and critical things flow into our hearts, that is what will flow out, through our words and our actions. If we only open our hearts to the love of God and all that pertains to a godly life, that is where the course of our lives will carry us. May we be diligent to constantly guard our hearts, and only allow those things that align with the love, peace and joy of our heavenly Father to penetrate.

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.   — Psalm 37:5 (NLT)  Thoughts from my fourth hike: From the view at the beginning of this hike, it was obvious that it was a steep, uphill climb. It took courage to even start this hike, but once on the path, I stayed committed to complete the course. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we commit to follow Him. Sometimes we encounter a lot of uphill battles, but stay committed to Jesus. In difficult situations, remember to always pray and NEVER give up! (Luke 18:1, NLT) At the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint (Galatians 6:9b, AMP). The view from the top is sweet! The view from the top!

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. — Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV) Stay passionate and diligently pursue the call of God on your life. As you encounter various challenges and difficulties do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). It takes faith and patience to endure the troubles and trials. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them (Hebrews 6:12, The Message). Complete the course! Run the race, to the end!

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. — Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV) It is not how you start, but how you finish that really counts. Where you’re going is much better than where you have been and what you have gone through. Be patient and persevere through the trials. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail (James 5:11, The Message).

It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (GW) Congratulations! You may have overcome many obstacles this year, but the important thing is that you persevered and made it through. Praise the Lord! As we look forward to the New Year, may we resolve to get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. Let us run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up (Hebrews 12:1, GW). Run straight toward your goals, jump over any hurdles and keep your eyes on JESUS. Run to win! Complete the course!

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) We are to guard our hearts above all else. Be careful what or who you let into your heart. If you let darkness and negativity in, darkness and negativity is going to come out. If you let the light and love of God in, the light and love of God will direct the course of your life and touch those around you in a positive way. May we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness with a sincere and undivided heart, and our lives will be set on the path that leads to success and abundant life.

Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; Psalm 119:5-7 (The Message) May our steps be continually and securely set upon the Rock, our firm foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is a sure foundation and with Him, we shall not be moved. Standing on the Rock, we are high above our circumstances, not beneath them. When we stay on course with the LORD, we have no regrets. He will grant us success, a free, healthy and full life.

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Psalm 119:1-4 (The Message) Blessed and highly favored are we, when we stay on course with the LORD. Do not lean not on your own understanding. Don't try to figure out things on your own. Seek the wisdom of the LORD. He knows all. I pray God reveals the road He has for you in His perfect time.