Manna for Your Morning

I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. — 2 Timothy 4:7 (AMP) Let us be like the Apostle Paul and keep fighting the good fight, until we finish the race. Keep the faith, no matter what the circumstance. Our mighty God is a God of restoration. He will restore what the locusts have eaten. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 NASB) Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (Philippians 2:12)

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. — Acts 20:24 (NKJV) Don’t be moved by the troubles that come your way. For our light and momentary afflictions won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17) Continue to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7) Let's not just finish the race, but let us cross the finish line with joy. The joy of the LORD is your strength. Never let the enemy steal your joy.

I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. — Philippians 1:12 (MSG) The Apostle Paul was imprisoned in an attempt to hinder the preaching of God’s message but it actually served to advance the gospel. The enemy will try to imprison us with whatever bad thing that happened to us, but that too can have the opposite of it’s intended effect. In Philippians 1:20 (MSG) Paul says, “They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a pulpit!” Let us utilize the things we go through to declare God’s mighty power and faithfulness. May our lives proclaim His praises and help the Message continue to prosper. We overcome and conquer the enemy because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11 AMP) Amen.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. — Acts 20:24 (NKJV) The Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle Paul that chains and tribulations awaited him in every city (Acts 20:23), yet he was not moved. May we never be moved by the events and external circumstances of this world. The way we live our lives is the loudest message we preach. May our lives, words and actions tell of the glory of our faithful God. In The Message version of Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul says, “What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.” Never lose sight of the finish line! This is the only race worth running. (2 Timothy 4:7b MSG). When all is said and done, may we all be able to speak these words, “ I have...

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;” — Luke 4:18 (NKJV) Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity] (Luke 4:18 AMP). Today as we celebrate America’s Independence, declare your independence as a disciple of Christ. Announce your fredom from the schemes of the enemy. He no longer has the power to oppress you, unless you give it to him. Celebrate the freedom and victory we have in Christ. Hallelujah!

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” — Luke 1:34 (NKJV) When the angel told Mary she would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son, her first response was to ask how. When we are presented with difficult situations, that seem impossible, our first inclination may be to ask God, how He is going to work it out. Sometimes, we even wonder when? When is that promise going to manifest in our lives. What is more important than knowing how or when is knowing WHO. We serve a great big God and nothing is too difficult for Him. With our God, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Luke 7:22). For with God nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37). Amen!