Manna for Your Morning

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. — 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB1995) …since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) May you keep the faith and finish the race God has set before you.

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. — Genesis 2:1 (NKJV) Just as the LORD God prepared a place for Adam and Eve, He has prepared a place for you. There is a mountain with your name on it. A place that you were destined to occupy, a place where you will thrive as you tend and keep it. And as you activate the gifts and talents God placed inside of you, others will be blessed also. Follow God and He will lead you to place He has for you. He will enable you to overtake the giants in the land, whether it is fear, doubt, etc.  You can recover all the enemy has stolen and occupy the place prepared for you. “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20 NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) If we are going to run our race with endurance, it is absolutely necessary to keep our eyes on Jesus. Look away from the sideshows that serve as distractions and stay focused on Him. As we look unto Jesus, our thoughts are elevated above the adverse life events, that try to pull us down and beat us up. Don't be consumed by darkness. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the source of our hope and our healer, the One who makes us whole. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:16).

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. — Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) We can have perfect and constant peace as we center our thoughts on the LORD (not our problems). Think about His faithfulness, His goodness and His mighty power. Stay mindful of our awesome God, and all the wonderful works He has done in our midst. May we be fully committed to the LORD and be completely confident that He is able to take care of everything that concerns us.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NLT) Sometimes, we get so focused on the process and trying to "do" the right thing that we lose sight of Jesus. If we are always thinking about what we did wrong and what we did right, we are self-focused. Please remember, it's not about us. It's all about JESUS! Keep your eyes on Him and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit within you.

Wait on the LORD,
 and keep His way, 
and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; 
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.  — Psalm 37:34 (NKJV) Wait with hope for the LORD. His way is the only way to experience true success, everlasting peace, abiding joy and a rich, satisfying life. May we move onward when the Spirit of the LORD says, “move” and be still when He says, “stay.” Let us not get distracted and stray away from the way of the LORD. Amen!

The ropes of death became tangled around me. The horrors of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony. But I kept calling on the name of the LORD: “Please, Lord, rescue me!” Psalm 116:3-4 (GW) Whatever troubles you may be experiencing, remember to call on the name of the LORD. And keep calling, don't give up. Here is what God says about the person who loves Him, “ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation, ” (Psalm 91:14-15 ). Call on the LORD as long as you live!

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25 (NIV) Our wonderful Savior is able to keep you from falling. If you stumble, His outstretched arms will catch you. Abide in the safe and peaceful sanctuary of our God and He will bring you, with great joy, into His glorious presence without a single fault. We belong to Him and no one can snatch us out of His hand. Glory, majesty and power to the one and only, true and living God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever! Amen.