Manna for Your Morning

“ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ” — Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB) ...because, although you were once the personification of darkness, you are now light in the Lord. So act like children of the light. For the fruit of the light is all that is good, right, and true. Make it your aim to learn what pleases our Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10 VOICE) Be that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, and light up the darkness that is in the world. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” — John 8:12 (NASB)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. — Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) We were created in Jesus, for good works. Many believers focus so hard on the work they are doing for Him, that it becomes a chore and they totally lose sight of the Savior. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Stay focused on Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do the work in you and through you to bring about the Father’s perfect will. And always remember, whatever God has called you to do, it is a “GOOD” work. We can also be confident that whatever God has called us to, He has already given us the victory. Amen! No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. — Romans 8:37 (NLT)

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 5:16 (NASB) As children of the Most High God, may we let the light of His love and grace shine brightly through us, that He may receive glory, honor and praise. The Passion Translation says: Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you! (Colossians 3:17TPT) “ Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. ” — Isaiah 60:1 (NASB)

and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, — Hebrews 10:24 (AMP) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).  But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Be that friend. The New Living Bible says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony . (Colossians 3:13-14 NLT)

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” — Acts 3:6 (NKJV) We may not have much when it comes to worldly possessions, but we are rich in God. What we do have is a God who chose us before the foundations of the world, to be in Him and do the good works which He prepared beforehand. We have a gracious and merciful God who sets our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. We have a God who gave us a Savior, Jesus Christ, that we might dwell in His Presence forever. He adopted us into His family, and gave us His Holy Spirt to be our Helper. We have a God who says, “I am with you.” “The battle belongs to Me,” declares the LORD. He fights our battles for us. Let the poor say, “I am rich, indeed!” May we give a lost and hurting world what we do have, Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords! Now is the time to rise up and walk in the strength, and power of our great God.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you…” — Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)  Your eyes saw my unformed body; (Psalm 139:15 NIV). You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something (Psalm 139:15-16 MSG). 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 NLT). We were created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Our heavenly Father loves us and chose us for plans that are good, to give us a future and a hope!

And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God...  — 1 Kings 5:5 (NKJV) God prepared in advance, good works for us to do. What are you building for the LORD? For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). King Solomon purposed in his heart to build God a house. Be a contributing member of God's labor force. Purpose in your heart to do a good work, prepare and persevere. Let's rise up and build!  Why? To leave a legacy for our children’s children, to give glory to God, and to show the lost there is a place where they belong!