Manna for Your Morning

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 (NASB1995) Let us look away from all that will distract us and focus our eyes on Yeshua. He is bigger than any challenge or difficulty you face. He is higher than any hurdle blocking your path. Pay attention to the One Who commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him? (See Luke 8:23-25) He gives sight to the blind, and opens the ears of the deaf. In Matthew 14:29-30, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. But when he shifted his focus and saw the effects of the wind, he became frightened and began to sink. Instead of being fearful and letting the storms overtake you, put your faith in Yeshua. He is the real life preserver. He is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Let us hold fast our confession of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute t...

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. — James 1:2 (NLT) We can consider it all joy when we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (See James 1:3-4 NASB1995) We can maintain our joy by looking not at the temporary circumstances which are seen but at the eternal things which are not seen. (See 2 Corinthians 4:18) For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17 NASB1995) We do this by focusing on Yeshua, the initiator and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame; and He has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (See Hebrews 12:2 TLV) Don't let the enemy steal your joy.  “Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you t...

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 (NASB1995) The circumstances of the world we live in, are constantly changing. We can get caught up in the confusion, chaos and turmoil or we can keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace and He has already overcome the world. (See Isaiah 9:6 & John 16:33) Let us look away from all that will distract us and fix our eyes on our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ is always the same yesterday and today and forever. (See Hebrews 13:8) In Christ, we have a firm foundation, and Christ Jesus Himself is the chief Cornerstone. (See Ephesians 2:20 AMP) When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. (Proverbs 10:25 NASB1995) Amen. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, 
a costly cornerston...

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) The longer we look at our problems, and troubles, the larger they seem. When we keep our focus on God, we gain the proper perspective. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (See Luke 1:37) He is bigger and more powerful than any difficulty we face. He is higher than any mountain that stands before us.  …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. (See Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)

Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor. — Hebrews 12:2 (VOICE) Focusing on current circumstances and listening to the lies of the enemy about the situation, will cause confusion and doubt. Instead, look away from all that will distract you and focus your eyes on our King and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (Psalm 34:5 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! 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.  (See 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT) ...

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) Don’t stay glued to the constantly negative news, or continually monitor the ever-changing world conditions. Don't focus on material possessions, the stock market, or the balance of your bank account. These things which we can see are temporary. So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. (2 Corinthians 4:18 AMP) Fix your eyes on Yeshua, our Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (See Isaiah 9:6) He is Immanuel (God with us). (See Isaiah 7:14) He is the Lamb who has overcome this world. He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and...

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) Unto us a Son is given. Jesus is everything we need. He has done all that needed to be done for us. When He said “ It is finished! ” that is what He meant. Receive Him today. He continually beckons for us to come closer to Him. Receive His counsel, and guidance. Receive His love as an everlasting Father and receive His peace that will rule in our hearts and minds as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.

“ However, I have this against you: you have abandoned your first love. ” — Revelation 2:4 (VOICE) Never abandon your first love. May your love grow deeper and deeper for the One who will never leave us nor forsake us. Keep Jesus as the first priority in your life, for He cares about you and watches over you very carefully. Let us continually draw near to Him and we will receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and do not allow the things of this world to distract you and draw your affections away from our Savior, the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). He is King of kings and Lord of lords!

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” — Genesis 19:17 (NLT) Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26) Don’t Look Back! Instead of dwelling on past mistakes and regrets, let’s actively press on to what God has for us today. If you are going through a valley, don’t stop! 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). Keep moving forward with your eyes on Jesus. In Luke 9:62 (MSG), Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” — Matthew 14:28-30 (NKJV) Peter didn’t get into trouble until he looked at the conditions around him. The Message Bible says, he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet… Don’t let the enemy distract you by getting you to focus on external circumstances. Keep moving forward with your eyes of Jesus.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. — John 14:6 (NKJV) Yesterday morning I drove to work through the fog, and there were times when I could only see the road right in front of me. But I focused on the spot where the headlights hit the road, and I made it to my destination safely. As we journey through life, we will not always see the way ahead of us, but we can keep our eyes on Jesus. He is The Way, and the light of the world. When we continually follow Him, He will get us to our desired destination successfully. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. — Matthew 14:28-30 (NLT) As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. The moment he looked at the wind and the waves, fear gripped him and he began to sink. Let us be careful what we look at. When the storms come, do not let them be a distraction. As we keep our eyes on Jesus and continue moving closer to Him, He will enable us to do all that we are called to do. Instead of studying your storm, examine the living Word of God. Instead of worrying about your storm, worship the One who is greater and higher than any weather pattern. Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords and He reigns. Hallelujah! … keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who init...

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)

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!

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” — Romans 15:1 (MSG) Even though our society is concerned about what is convenient, what we learned in school of ministry last night is that any area of strength we have is to be used to serve others. You will find true joy when you keep your eyes on Jesus and Others instead of yourself.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong firm and steadfast. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) 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). Look away from all the distractions and fix your eyes upon Jesus, the source of all our faith and hope. Persevere the struggles, and after you have suffered a little while, God will restore you and make you strong.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. — Matthew 14:29 (NKJV) Stop lingering in the boat of yesterday, full of pain, disappointments, and regrets. We like to hide in the boat because that is where things are familiar and comfortable. Beloved friends, let’s follow Jesus! When He says “Come,” its time to stop playing it safe and venture out into the deep with Jesus. This allows space for our mighty God to do BIG things in your life. And even in the midst of contrary winds, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.