Manna for Your Morning

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) If you seek the LORD, He will be found by you. When you call upon Him, He will answer. A diligent search is not a one time act, it happens moment by moment on a daily basis. Once we have found Him, there is a continual, relentless seeking to know His character, His ways and His will. A diligent seeker has a daily desire to stay in constant communion with Him (through His Word, prayer and praise). A diligent seeker always hungers for more of God and His Kingdom. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) As it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)

Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose ... — Ezra 4:4-6 (NKJV) When the people of Judah, returned from captivity to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, their adversaries came. First they acted like they wanted to help them, then they proceeded to continually discourage and harass them (for years). When we seek to fulfill the call of God in our lives, we can expect opposition, those who want to tear down what we are building. There will be those who come to frustrate the work of God, but greater is He who is in us and with us. Let us be relentless, persistent and determined as we carry out our God-given assignments. Keep building! Complete the work. Keep the faith.

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. — John 20:13-14 (NAS) How many times have we been like Mary? Jesus came near and we did not recognize Him. We did not know the time of our visitation. Thank God that He is relentless. He is the God of a second chance. He continues to pursue us and does not give up on us. In Luke 13:34 (NIV), Jesus says to Jerusalem, “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Today, Jesus yearns to gather each one of us under His wings and hold us close to Him. Open your heart to Him and be willing. Stop fighting. Stop running and allow yourself to melt in His warm embrace. He absolutely loves you, just the way you are!