Manna for Your Morning

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) Let us devote ourselves to loving one another and pursue peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14a NASB) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)  “Be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26A NKJV) “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22 NLT) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins ...

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” — Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) Choose the narrow road that leads to the gateway of life. This is what the LORD says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” (Isaiah 48:17) May we stay on the path the LORD shows us and press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT)

Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers. — 2 Chronicles 13:18 (NKJV) To prevail means to prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious. In Matthew 16:18 (NLT) Jesus says, “ Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. ” We are the church and the powers of darkness will not prevail against us, when we rely on the Lord. Trust in the Lord [and rely on Him with unwavering confidence]. (Psalm 31:6b AMP) “They will fight against you, but they will not [ultimately] prevail over you, for I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:19 AMP) O LORD of hosts, How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation]. (Psalm 84:12 AMP)

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” — Luke 7:22-23 (NKJV) John sent two of his disciples to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Luke 7:10). Let there be NO doubt, Jesus is the One! He is the only One who shed His blood and gave His life, to set us free from sin, death and hell. This Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1-2). Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36)! Hallelujah!

And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. — Deuteronomy 7:22 (NKJV) You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you (Deuteronomy 7:21). Just as the Israelites occupied their Promised Land, little by little, you will possess your promise land, piece by piece. The LORD will deliver you from your enemies. You have been at this mountain long enough. It is time to advance and occupy your promise land. The gates of hell will not prevail over you, child of God!

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV) The word, “nevertheless” speaks volumes. It says, in spite of anything and everything that comes our way, come hell or high water, we are still with the Lord. All our earthly possessions can be destroyed by fire or flood waters, but nothing can disrupt the wonderful relationship we have with our heavenly Father. Always seek to develop a deeper level of intimacy with Him. It is good for us to draw near to the Lord GOD for we are continually with Him.

God didn’t have to wake me up this morning, but I am so glad He did! The Lord did not have to take me out of darkness, and bring me into His marvelous light, but He did. Jesus didn't have to suffer and die on the cross to save us from the pit of hell, but praise the Lord, He did! God did it all! Now we can shine as children of light and live free, healthy and whole! Thank you, JESUS! All this is for your sake so that, as God’s kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. — 2 Corinthians 4:15 (GW)

For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.  — Psalm 116:8-9 (NKJV) The LORD has delivered our souls from the pit of hell. He saved our eyes from tears. We shall reap a harvest of joy for the tears that have been sowed (Psalm 126:5). And our attentive heavenly Father, also keeps our feet from stumbling and falling, as we follow Him. Walk in the LORD’s Presence every moment of every day, as you fulfill God's purpose for your life here on earth!

So Pilate again asked them, “Then what should I do with the king of the Jews?” — Mark 15:12 (GW) The question each of us must ask ourselves everyday is, “What am I going to do with Jesus?” The soldiers, chief priests and scribes made fun of Him. Pilate handed Him over to be crucified. Others rejected Jesus, while others bowed down and worshiped Him. The disciples accepted Jesus as the Son of God, their Lord and their Savior and affected the whole world with their faithfulness. What are you going to do with Jesus? The answer to this question marks your final destination for all of eternity as heaven or hell. When you choose to follow Jesus Christ, you choose life!