Manna for Your Morning

“I refuse to gaze on that which is vulgar. I despise works of evil people and anything that moves my heart away from you. I will not let evil hold me in its grip. Every perverse and crooked way I have put away from my heart, for I will have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness.” — Psalms 101:3-4 (TPT) As children of GOD, have no involvement with the deeds of darkness. Reject anything that causes your heart to move away from our Heavenly Father. Instead, “Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have th e very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light!” (Ephesians 5:1, 8 TPT) So imitate God and be truly compassionate, the way your Father is. — Luke 6:36 (VOICE)

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. — Esther 2:17 (NKJV) God placed Esther in position of royalty to save His people. In Esther 4:16, she said: “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” She was willing to risk her life to plead with the king for her people. When we follow the leading of His Holy Spirit, He will ensure that we are in the proper position at the appointed time to fulfill His purpose and plan. We will be empowered and equipped with everything we need to accomplish the mission. Yahweh is faithful to provide everything we need and He always delivers His people from their enemies. “Who knows if perhaps you are in your current position and place for such a time as this?” (See Esther 4:14)

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NASB) Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed. (Philippians 3:13-14 VOICE) May we look unto Jesus and keep our ears attuned to the still small voice of God, as He leads us and guides us through this day. Stay mission minded, because God has a good plan and a purpose for you to fulfill.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Selah. — Psalm 68:19 (NASB) I’m so glad that the Lord bears our burdens every single day. He never leaves us to bear the weight and pressure of our burdens alone. It doesn't matter how many we have, or the weight of them, He's got it. Don’t let the issues of this life distract you from keeping your eyes on Jesus, or draw you away from His Presence. Keep your mind set on fulfilling the purpose and mission our heavenly Father has for you. Seek first God’s kingdom and He will handle everything that concerns you. Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin. (Psalm 55:22 MSG) Blessed be the Lord, who bears our burden day by day, the God who is our salvation! Selah. (Psalm 68:19 AMP)

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. — Revelation 12:9 (NKJV) And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. — Revelation 12:17  (NKJV) Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, let us remember that we are in a war. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we need to stay engaged and focused on our purpose and mission. Don’t be deceived, distracted, draw back nor drift. Revelation 12:9 (AMP) says, the devil continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world. In order to walk in victory in this life, we must wield the weapon our heavenly Father provided for us: the Word of God. It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… (Hebre...

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. — 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders (2 Timothy 2:4 MSG). As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we have received a call: a set of orders. Instead of getting entangled in the affairs of civilian life, and having an unauthorized absence (UA) from our place of duty, let us give our attention to fulfilling the mission the Lord has entrusted to us, that we may please our Commanding Officer. That means we must endure hardship, and stay alert and fully engaged in our God-given orders: assignments that tell us where to go, when to go and what to say.

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” — John 20:19 (NKJV) Do we let fear keep us shut up and locked in? When fear and insecurity tries to stop you from accomplishing your mission and fulfilling your purpose, open the door of your mind and let Jesus come in. He speaks peace to you. When He speaks, the winds of adversity cease. Let your mind be still from all the “what if…” scenarios, that make you anxious and distressed. 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). There is no fear in the unfailing love God has for us. His perfect love casts out all fear.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” — John 12:27-28 (NKJV) Even when the soul of Jesus was troubled, He stayed focused on completing the Father’s mission and glorifying His name on the earth. We are here for such a time as this. Let us be purpose-driven, not for our own purpose and pleasures, but focused on our heavenly Father’s purpose. Let us live our lives in such a way that gives Him glory. We have come to this day, time and place because God has a purpose for us to fulfill. He woke you up this morning because He has something for you to do. Even in times of testing, trials, and troubles, there is a reason and God will get the glory. Amen!

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. — 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) How do we endure hardship as a good soldier? We stay focused on the mission, while avoiding distractions and detours. No matter what contrary circumstances appear, we continue to stand on the Word. His Word says, no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Romans 8:37 tells us we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. And the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Amen!

“There is the sound of war in the camp.” — Exodus 32:17 (NIV) Wake up! We are in a war. Every day we are in the midst of a battle. In Revelation 12:17, the devil declared war with the woman and the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Let us be good soldiers. Good soldiers stay focused on the mission of the Commanding Officer. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4). Good soldiers do not quit in the middle of the battle. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Get your boots on the ground and stay engaged in the good fight of faith. The PRICE is the war that must be fought, but the PRIZE is the wedding to come (Revelation 21:1-4). March on good soldiers, with your eyes on the prize!

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) The eternal God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t grow tired or become weary (Isaiah 40:28 GW). Those who wait upon Him, receive new strength. Wait upon Him, with hope and a sense of expectancy. Spread your wings and soar high, close to the LORD. He will give you the strength to run with purpose and not grow weary. You will walk to fulfill your mission and not get tired.

Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. — 1 Samuel 12:24 (NKJV) Fear the LORD only. With the LORD on your side, what can man do to you? Let us faithfully serve God with all our hearts. May we be like Jesus, focused on the Father’s business, not giving attention to what others think of us, but fulfilling the mission He has given to us. And always remember what great things the LORD has done for you!

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” — Judges 6:12 (NIV) “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” At some point in our lives, many of us have probably asked God this same question. Gideon went on to say that the LORD had abandoned them. But notice that the angel of the LORD didn’t give place to Gideon’s misplaced perspective. The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). Instead of wallowing in self-pity and misery, stay focused on the mission at hand and GO in the strength of the LORD, you mighty man or woman of God. You have been sent with a purpose! The LORD is with YOU!

“...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28 (NKJV) Jesus was anointed to proclaim good news to the poor. He was sent to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (Isaiah 61:1). Our Lord and Savior gave His life to fulfill His mission. What are we willing to give to fulfill the call the Father has placed on our lives? May we model after Jesus and live a life of sacrifice, to serve those whom God has placed in our sphere of influence. We never know whose freedom is tied to our obedience, our willingness to answer the call.

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. — 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) The word vain means to produce no result or to have no meaning. Let us not take the goodness of God for granted. In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Pastor Matt Pollock has described grace as having everything you need, when you need it. God’s provision is not for us to just sit back and grow spiritually fat. His grace has a higher purpose. He equips us that we might fulfill the call of God in our lives. Having received God’s grace, let us engage in an active pursuit of completing the mission we have received from God and focus on fulfilling His purpose in our lives. Amen!

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. — Acts 11:22-23 (NKJV) I encourage you all, to continue with the Lord, each and every moment of your life. No matter what, stay solid in your commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, with your whole heart. Be totally devoted to doing the will of our heavenly Father and fulfilling the mission He has given to you. Then when we see the grace and favor of God at work in our lives, it will make us glad!

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  — Luke 22:41-42 (NKJV) Jesus' selfless sacrifice upon the cross brought salvation to all mankind. Just as Jesus fulfilled His mission by being obedient to the Father's will, let us complete our God given assignments. Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1). Whose salvation is depending on your obedience?

John answered, “People can’t receive anything unless it has been given to them from heaven. You are witnesses that I said, ‘I’m not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ He must increase in importance, while I must decrease in importance.” — John 3:27-28, 30 (GW) The disciples of John the Baptist complained to him that everyone was going to Jesus to be baptized. John realized he was not competing with Jesus. He realized it was not about him, but about doing the will of God. John said, “This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” (John 3:30, The Message). May we, like John, stay humble, submit to God and be true to the mission He has given each one of us. Let us follow God’s will for our lives as His Holy Spirit leads and guides. Amen.

I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NCV) We must take our eyes off of ourselves because it's not about us. It's all about Him, our wonderful Creator. The most important thing is for us to complete the mission that He has given each one of us. Everyone is created with a divine purpose. There is a reason why God knit you together in your mother's womb and put the breath of life in you. Let us be like the Apostle Paul and fight the good fight, keep the faith and complete our God-given mission. Love, Jackie