Manna for Your Morning

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. — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Endurance: the ability to sustain or withstand an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. The Word encourages us to run our race with endurance. That means we never give up and we don't quit! We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24 NKJV) May we be like the Apostle Paul, and let the power of God give us the inner strength to not be moved by external circumstances. Press on to reach the end of t...

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. — James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12 NLT). The more troubles we experience, the more opportunities we have for great joy to abound in our hearts and minds. In addition, the joy of the LORD is your strength. And joy is contagious, when you are joyful, that joy is released into the atmosphere and those around you also benefit. So, take joy in knowing that you are in a process of perfection and that God who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) After God promised Abraham a son, he had to wait for many years, before he looked upon the face of his son, Isaac. In today’s microwave society, waiting patiently goes against our fleshly nature. However, the work God is doing in us, while we “wait” is so much greater and more important than our external circumstances. The work God is doing in us will impact eternity. The beautiful work He is doing inside of us, makes us increasingly more like Him. That has eternal consequences, that far outweigh the here and now. Instead of focusing on the process, on the way to the promises, stay focused on the Presence of the Promise Keeper. In His Presence is fullness of joy and peace forevermore.

“And now my life drains out, as suffering seizes and grips me hard. Night gnaws at my bones; the pain never lets up. I am tied hand and foot, my neck in a noose. I twist and turn. Thrown facedown in the muck, I’m a muddy mess, inside and out.” — Job 30:16-19 (MSG) Consider nothing about your life a mess. God works ALL things together for good. What may look like a mess, is just one color of the masterpiece God is painting of your life. All your days were written in His book, before you were born; there are no coincidences in God. There is purpose even in your pain. Embrace the place where you are today, knowing that it is part of the process of being perfected. God is at work, in you and through you, as you go from one glory to another. What today looks like a muddy mess, is really part of God’s magnificent masterpiece that is called, YOU.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. — Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV) Our process of preparation, is often perceived as an unnecessary delay. However, between the planting of the seed and the gathering of the harvest, is the element of time. While we are in this process of preparation, let us develop patience. Though the vision lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and it will not delay. The vision God placed in your heart will happen at the appointed time. The Message Bible says: It’s on its way. It will come right on time. Amen!

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NASB) Job 3:26 says, “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.” In order to keep our hope alive, let us not focus on the fact that trouble comes, or even that it is here. Instead, zoom in on the fact that it also goes. (This too shall pass.) The Word says, the suffering is for a  “ little while …” After the suffering, we know God will perfect, strengthen and establish us. The Amplified version says, He will complete us and make us what we ought to be. Take comfort in knowing that God will use everything that happens in our lives to fulfill His awesome purpose and plan. Everything that happens is part of the process. Amen!

“I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness. A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.” — John 16:20-21 (GW) Just as a woman must go through the painful process of labor, in order to deliver a baby, we will experience much travail, in order to give birth to the dreams God has put in our hearts. Just remember, the pain is part of the process that must be endured if we are to get to our desired destination. I encourage you to see your dreams through to the end! Fulfill the God-given purpose for which you were created.