Manna for Your Morning

Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. — Mark 15:15 (NASB) Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd. Instead of trying to please people, may we seek to please our Creator. For He is our Maker and we are the people of His pasture. He created us with a plan and purpose. Let us stay on the path He set before us. He will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8) Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing. (Isaiah 58:11 TPT)

A woman was in the crowd who had been bleeding for twelve years, but no one was able to heal her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat, and instantly her bleeding stopped. — Luke 8:43-44 (NCV) This woman had a need and praise God, she knew enough to seek Jesus for the healing she desired. She was not content to be one in the crowd, just trying to see Jesus. As a result of her persistence and determination to fight through the crowd, she got close enough to Jesus to touch his garment. Because this woman believed that Jesus was the answer to her problem, she made a withdrawal of power from on high. And Jesus said, “ Someone did touch me, because I felt power go out from me .” (Luke 8:46) In Luke 8:48, Jesus said to her, “ Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace .” May we, in faith and wisdom reach out and touch Jesus, our Lord and Savior, each and every day. Let us push through the things that crowd our day and have an intimate encounter...

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”  — Luke 5:18-20 (MSG) Bold belief is compassionate enough to carry those who cannot walk on their own. Bold belief makes a way to set others in front of Jesus. Bold belief doesn't turn back when met with difficulties, but presses in, and overcomes obstacles. As a result, lives are changed for all of eternity. Bold belief is love in action. May we exercise bold belief in our daily affairs. …the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NKJV)

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) Don’t let the worries of this world weigh you down and trip you up, because we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) So run your race with passion and persistence. Actively pursue His purpose for you. We serve a great God and we are made in His image. Therefore, our Creator placed greatness inside of you. Never doubt the precious promises of God, which leads to the sin of unbelief. Instead, expect the extraordinary and don’t settle for less than God’s best. No matter where you are in your race, God has more in store for you! … we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spi...

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. — Luke 19:3-4 (NKJV) Zacchaeus sought to see who Jesus was, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree to see Him. What steps are you willing to take to get in the right position to see who Jesus is? When we humble ourselves, bow down, and kneel before His throne of grace, we come face to face with His mercy and grace. As we seek His face and call upon Him, we find that He hears us and answers our cries. When we repent and turn away from our sins, we see Him as our Redeemer. He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. (John 4:42) He is our righteousness. May our hearts continually hunger to see who Jesus is. He is such a multi-faceted, marvelous wonder, the more we see Him, the more of Him there is to see. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is...

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. — Luke 19:5-6 (NKJV) Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way (Luke 19:3-4). What kind of action are we taking to ensure that we can see the Lord? Let's not fall short when it comes to seeking God. Jesus does reside in our house, our physical bodies. Welcome Him into every room, with great joy and excitement. What a privilege to have His Spirit dwelling inside of us. Amen!

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) Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Indeed we count them blessed who endure (James 5:11). Someone is always watching, your children, co-workers, etc. We don't know who may be encouraged as they see our faith and perseverance. De-clutter your life and run the race that lies before you. Never give up!

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. — Matthew 15:36 (NLT) After Jesus gave thanks for the seven loaves of bread and a few fish, four thousand men, besides women and children all ate and were satisfied. Then, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Matthew 15:37-38). May we always give thanks to God for all that He has provided. If we remain faithful with the little, in the face of apparent lack, we will be satisfied. We serve a God of more than enough. Amen!

Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he freed Barabbas for them. After having Jesus beaten with whips, he handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:15 (NCV) Guard your heart and mind against the negative influences in the world. Because Pilate was more interested in being a crowd-pleaser, a murderer was set free and the Son of Man, who knew no sin, was crucified. Sometimes the right things that we are called to do, will not be the most popular, but we must live for an audience of One: our heavenly Father. Do what you know in your heart is the right thing.