Manna for Your Morning

“so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no one else. Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” — 1 Kings 8:60-61 (NASB1995) Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (Matthew 24:4-5, 11 NASB1995) Do not be deceived. Look away from all the distractions and keep your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (See Hebrews 12:2) Let us incline our hearts to Yahweh and be wholly devoted to Him. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says to guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. “What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!’” (Mark 13:37 AMP) For you do not know the day, nor the hour of our Lord's return.

For every soldier called to active duty must divorce himself from the distractions of this world so that he may fully satisfy the one who chose him. — 2 Timothy 2:4 (TPT) Let us divorce ourselves from the distractions of this world. We do not belong to the world. (John 17:14) We have been called out of darkness into His wonderful light, so we can show others the goodness of God (1 Peter 2:9 NLT). Let us proclaim the excellencies of the Most High God. We were called to active duty, not to passively sit by the wayside and be a spectator. We are a chosen people, chosen to actively and passionately serve the LORD. May we fully satisfy the One Who called us. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. — 1 Corinthians 7:35 (NLT)

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. — James 4:8 (NASB) It is good for us to draw near to our heavenly Father. Make Him your refuge and abide in His peace. The greater the distance between us and God, the more room there is for distractions which will cause detours off of the path He has for us. Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him, that I may tell of all Your works. — Psalm 73:28 (AMP)

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. — John 15:16 (NASB) Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. (Ephesians 1:4) Don't wander through life aimlessly, being distracted and taking detours. We have been chosen and appointed for a higher purpose. God has us on earth for such a time as this, to fulfill the plans He has for these times we are living right now. Stay focused. We are called according to His purpose. Don't let distractions carry you away from the great work our heavenly Father has for you. He chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil, fruit that will last through the fire of adversity and remain forever. Be a fruit bearer.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:10 (MSG) Step away from the business of life, with its many distractions and take a long loving look at our mighty, awesome God. Adore Him. He is above politics, sports, and doctor reports. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything. (Colossians 2:10 MSG)  Let us look only to Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith (Hebrews 12:2) Look up to Him, from whom our help comes.

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)

O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; — Hosea 14:1 (NKJV) This morning, as I read Hosea 14:1, the cry of my heart was for America to return to the LORD our God. For there is no savior besides the LORD (Hosea 13:4). There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)  Our culture has so many distractions, that steal our affections away from our heavenly Father, but He is always calling us back to Him, with His loving arms wide open. Let us prioritize His Presence, and treasure His Word in our hearts. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. — Luke 10:41 (NKJV) This time of year so many people run around feeling like Martha, worried and troubled about many things. Let us prioritize our list of tasks and give more weight to the important things. And the most important thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing, that is to celebrate the birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior. He is Immanuel: “God with us.” The Eternal One. The Prince of Peace and the living Word. Don't let the worries and cares of this world and the distractions of this season, with its worldly pleasures and man-made traditions creep in and choke the word of life right out of you. Set your attention and your affections on Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! And touching others with His love, joy and peace.

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NLT)  For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT) Remember, these momentary, light afflictions won’t last very long. Let us look away from the distractions, and keep our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who both began and finished this race we’re in. And thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air. (2 Corinthians 2:14 GW)

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV) Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, while her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. (Luke 10:39-40) The Message Bible says: She sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. Jesus said Mary chose the good part. The worries and distractions of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and superficial pleasures will choke the word of life right out of you. Don't let the cares and demands of this world sidetrack you away from what is really important, spending time with the Lord and listening to His Word. The Word of God will give you the guidance, wisdom and strength you need. A few moments alone with Jesus at the beginning of your day, will set you on the right course for the rest of your day.

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)

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.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” — Isaiah 30:15 (NLT) With today’s multi-tasking, always-on-the-go lifestyle, we are constantly caught up in a flurry of activities, that will serve as distractions and cause us to drift away from the LORD. May we remember to unplug and unwind. Return to Him and rest in quietness and in confident expectation, that He will enable you to do all that He has called you to do. Settle down in complete dependence on Him. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:10 (MSG)

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:40-42 NKJV) Are you worried and troubled about many things? Martha’s distractions led her to doubt if Jesus cared. Do not fret. Choose  “ that good part. ”  Martha’s sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. (Luke 10:39). Draw near to the Lord and hear His Word. His Word will give you peace. The Word of God will revive you (Psalm 119:25) and give you strength (Psalm 119:28). His Word is comfort in our affliction and gives us life (Psalm 119:50). Through His precepts we get understanding (Psalm 119:104). His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Sit a...

The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” — Luke 10:42 (MSG) Don’t get so worked up about the events of this world. The worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and will cause you to become unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22). May we be like Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. (Luke 10:39). Why consume an unhealthy snack, when you can feast on a full course that will sustain you and give you strength? Choose Jesus, the main course! He is the bread of life. (John 6:48).

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God … — 1 Chronicles 22:19 (NIV) Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. — Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV) The bling-bling of this world are distractions, designed to get your attention and steal your affections. In the eternal scheme, they have no real value, they are temporary and shallow. All they will ever do is leave you wanting more. There will always be something bigger, better and faster. When we seek the LORD first and foremost, we truly experience a deep and lasting satisfaction. His Spirit dwelling in us reaches every crevice, enlightens the dark places and fills the emptiness. And those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10). Amen!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) When the going gets tough, look away from all the distractions and focus your eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2). You can do all things [which He has called you to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers you [to fulfill His purpose]. Philippians 4:13a (AMP). He will give you inner strength, and peace as He leads you and causes you to triumph over the troubles that come your way.

She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. — Luke 10:39 (NASB) Don’t be so worried and troubled about many things, like Mary’s sister Martha. Yes, God does speak to us as we hustle and bustle throughout our day, but sometimes we need to step out of the fast lane of life, set aside the distractions and just soak in the Presence of the Lord. And listen for His word. In Luke 10:42, Jesus said, Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage]…(AMP). Cultivating any relationship takes a very special ingredient: TIME. If you have a friend or spouse and you're always engaged in some other activity when you talk to them, it will be difficult to have a strong and close relationship with them. Be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) He is everything you will ever need Him to be and more. He has all the answers you are searching for. He will complete you, if you let Him.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” — Psalm 32:8 (NLT) Our paths differ so let us not compare or judge one another’s journey. Know that God is guiding you along the best pathway for your life, to fulfill His purpose in you, and bring about the good plans He has just for you. Stay on the path, ignore the distractions and don’t take any detours. Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NLT). Never stop believing. Never stop standing on God’s Word and His wonderful promises. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] — John 14:27 (AMP) As long as the enemy can get you to worry about current circumstances and fret about possible adverse situations to come, he is robbing you of peace and joy. Let us look away from all of the distractions of the enemy and keep our eyes on Jesus, God with us. The King of kings and Lord of Lords, who conquered all! He gives us strength for every challenge. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13 NLT)