Manna for Your Morning

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB) As ambassadors for Christ, we are sent out as representatives for the Kingdom of God. We are not to copy the behavior and customs of this world. Instead we are to conform to the culture of God’s Kingdom, one of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 14:17) We have been given the ministry of reconciliation to bring others to Christ. May we not be infected by the world, but instead, affect the world for the Kingdom of God. But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], — 2 Corinthians 5:18 (AMP)

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. — Galatians 5:16 (MSG) Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.(Romans 8:5-6 MSG) Amen!

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (AMP) No matter how circumstances may appear, choose to rejoice today. If God is all we have, we have all that we need. We still have the victory! Offer up to the LORD a sacrifice of praise. Hallelujah!

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. — Psalm 5:3 (NKJV) At a recent safe driving class, the instructor said, we tend to follow where our eyes go. Maybe that is why the Word of God tells us to look up. Why look up? Because that is where your help comes from. Psalm 121:1 says, “ I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help?”  Look up in expectation of an answer. Watch and wait for Him to speak to your heart (Psalm 5:3b AMP). Look up in expectation of seeing Him move on your behalf. Looking at circumstances may cause you to look down. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalm 3:3 NKJV)

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. — Romans 8:6 (NLT) May our minds be governed by the Spirit. The mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; (Romans 8:6b AMP). For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14 NIV). In Matthew 4:1, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, and He overcame. We will live a more abundant life of peace and joy as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. ‘ Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

When that day comes,” says the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. — Hosea 2:16,19 (NLT) The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy and when we do not place a high priority on getting to know our God, we assist the devil in our own destruction. Hosea 4:6 (NLT) says, “my people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” When we don't know the unfailing love and deep compassion God has for us, we are more likely to believe the lies of the enemy. God wants our relationship with Him to have the deep intimacy that exists between a husband and wife. Set your affections on God and spend time with Him. Our strength and faith comes as our hearts and minds connect with His.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. — James 3:17 (NKJV) Jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15 NLT). Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others (Proverbs 3:17, MSG). It is also peace-loving, and gentle at all times. Instead of being combative and trying to force it’s own way, it’s full of compassion and willing to yield to others. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere (James 3:17 NLT). Let us walk in God’s kind of wisdom, the wisdom that is from above.

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.  — Psalm 60:11-12 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Be courageous, He is near! With God we will display great strength and do mighty things. He rescues us from our troubles and helps us triumph over our adversaries. Amen!

And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you.” — Genesis 26:24a (NKJV) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day (Psalm 91:5). For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The LORD is our light and our salvation —whom shall we fear? Psalm 27:2 says, when evildoers close in on you, they will stumble and fall. Don’t be afraid to take that step of faith and do what God has called you to do. He is with you!

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NLT) Because Jesus Christ, shed His precious blood and gave His life for us, we have been brought near to God. Before He created the foundation of the world, God chose you. Our heavenly Father loves you and carries you close to His heart. He showers you with new compassions every morning. In His lovingkindness God shows us His amazing mercy and grace. He gives us abundant life, peace and joy. Thank you Abba Father!

"O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT) When their enemies were closing in on them, the people of Judah sought help from God. The LORD said, "Don't be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle it is God's." When you don't know what to do, look to God for help. The battle belongs to the LORD and He will give you the victory.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 (NIV) When we have done all we can do in any given situation, it is time to be still and wait patiently on the LORD. God says, "do not fret, be afraid or worry." Be anxious for nothing. We are not to whine, complain or grumble. Be still and rest in the goodness of the LORD. He is faithful, trust Him to work everything out in His perfect timing. Love, Jackie