Manna for Your Morning

God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. — 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (MSG) In Jesus, we have a fresh start, not just for ourselves, we are to invite others to journey with Jesus and live in the light. The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. (Romans 13:12 AMP) May the children of God drop their differences and enter into God’s work, being representatives of Christ on earth. Let us light up the darkness of this world with the light of God’s love, grace, peace and truth.

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” — Luke 22:31-32 (MSG) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10) Satan wants to separate us from our God, the source of our strength, wisdom and power. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Finish the race. Keep the faith. Even if all abandon you, remember that the Lord Jesus stands by your side.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (MSG) No matter what difficulties you may be facing, do not lose heart. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17, NKJV). His grace unfolds in our lives each and every day. Yesterday’s shortcomings are covered by His amazing grace. Each day is new beginning and fresh start as the LORD showers us with new mercies and compassions. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 (MSG) In Christ, we have a clean slate and a fresh start from God. We could not have earned righteousness on our own. Therefore, if you want to boast, boast only about the LORD, who demonstrates lovingkindness, and exercises justice and righteousness. He is rich in grace, mercy, and compassion. The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT).

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. — Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) We are God’s masterpiece. Within our earthen vessels lie great treasure. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! (2 Corinthians 5:17 MSG). Every day is a new day for us to pursue all God created us to be. We have the potential in us, to do great things. He created us  extraordinary, not average. While our outside is perishing, inside we are in a process of continual renewal. Don’t settle for average, be EXTRAORDINARY! Release the gifts and talents that lie dormant in you and be the blessing to this world that God created you to be. Make your dreams, your reality and let them live!

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, — Acts 3:19 (NKJV) In the presence of the Lord we are refreshed, revived and restored. As we surrender our will and flow with the Spirit of the Lord that dwells within us, we are strengthened and His power enables us to accomplish all that He designed for us. The Lord rebuilds that which is broken and makes us into brand new creations. Every morning, He pours out new mercies and compassions on us. So we have a fresh start each day. As we continually abide in His Presence, we are refreshed and our lives are changed from ordinary to extraordinary.

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. — Psalm 146:2 (NIV) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful (Psalm 147:1 NKJV). He inhabits the praises of His people. The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous (Psalm 146:8 NIV). God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit (Psalm 145:14 MSG). Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) The LORD awakens us morning by morning, and covers us with new compassions. He packs each new day full with bright promises and gives us a fresh start. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to declare His lovingkindness in the morning (Psalm 92:1-2). Psalm 30:5 says, joy comes in the morning. Let us awaken the dawn and fix our eyes on Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). May your heart be filled with hope and expectation as you rise to face each new day.

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) God is well aware of all the things you do. Rest assured that any labor you have done in the Lord is not vain. You may have little strength because you have persevered through many storms, but take heart you shall overcome. Behold, God is doing a new thing! He has set before you an open door, a fresh start. And any door that God opens for you, no one can shut, but you must stop looking back, and walk through the open door in order to move on. Don't get stuck trying to force a closed door open that you miss out on the future opportunities that the open door has for you.