Manna for Your Morning

 I 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) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, (Philippians 3:13 NASB) Stop longing for things of the past and reach forward. We have an upward call of God in Christ Jesus. A call to go higher and deeper. Let us press on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). Hosea 6:3 says, let us press on to know the LORD. I will press on—moving steadfastly forward along Your path. I will not look back. I will not stumble. — Psalm 17:5 (VOICE)

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” — Genesis 19:17 (NLT) Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26) Don’t Look Back! Instead of dwelling on past mistakes and regrets, let’s actively press on to what God has for us today. If you are going through a valley, don’t stop! 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 (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). Keep moving forward with your eyes on Jesus. In Luke 9:62 (MSG), Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” — Matthew 14:28-30 (NKJV) Peter didn’t get into trouble until he looked at the conditions around him. The Message Bible says, he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet… Don’t let the enemy distract you by getting you to focus on external circumstances. Keep moving forward with your eyes of Jesus.

“And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” — 1 Samuel 9:20 (NLT) Saul went to Samuel to inquire about his lost donkeys, but God brought him to that place, at that particular time for a greater purpose. In 1 Samuel 9:19 (NKJV), Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.” The next morning Samuel took a flask of oil, and anointed Saul as ruler over the Israelites. While you may be worried about the intricate details of your day-to-day life, God has a larger perspective. And He is more concerned with getting you prepared and in the proper position to go to the high place He has for you. It’s time to get out of the valley of decision. Press on through the wilderness and dwell in your land of promise. ...