Manna for Your Morning

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. — Matthew 28:16-17 (NKJV) Don’t be a disciple who doubts. James 1:6 says, he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Doubt leads to worry and will put distance between you and your Maker. So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before God, who made us! Oh yes, he’s our God, and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds. (Psalm 95:6-7 MSG) Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD. ” (Psalm 122:1)

Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. — Matthew 26:58 (NLT) When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Him at a distance. This separation was followed by Peter denying three times that he even knew Jesus, to the point of cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:74). If we follow Jesus at a distance, we allow room for doubt. Distractions will come and cause us to detour off the path of everlasting life. Let us faithfully, follow Jesus closely. Live in the light and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Don’t get sidetracked, and all will end well for you. Jesus is the way! Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way. (Proverbs 4:27 GNT)

But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. — Matthew 26:58 (NIV) When they arrested Jesus, Peter followed at a distance. This distance eventually led to his denial of Christ. When we allow distance between us and the Lord, it leaves room for distractions, deception and detours off of the right path. It is beneficial for us to closely follow Jesus. His nearness is our good. May we continually draw near to God and He will come close to us. And instead of sitting back being a spectator, let us engage and be an active participant in what God is doing in our lives and in the world. Rather than wait to see the outcome, we can have a positive impact on the outcome. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; (Psalm 73:28a NIV)

  Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. — Psalm 63:7-8  (NKJV) Let God lead, He knows the way. You follow His lead and stay close enough to be in His shadow. Peter followed Jesus at a distance and he ended up denying Him (Luke 22:54). The greater the distance, the more opportunity for distractions and detours to occur. Joshua wholly followed the LORD (Joshua 14:9) and he experienced great victories and good success. Let us be committed to following the LORD, wherever He may lead us.

“‘... for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’” declares the LORD. “‘So you will be my people, and I will be your God.’” — Jeremiah 30:21-22 (NIV) When we focus on our sin, our failures and where we miss the mark, those things become bigger in our lives. Let us focus on our great God. Draw near to Him, and build an intimate relationship with Him. The more time we spend with the LORD, the more we become like Him and the things that are not in alignment with His nature will naturally fall out of our lives. Our only desire will be for more of God and not the things that keep us at a distance from Him.