Manna for Your Morning

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!  — 1 John 4:11-12 (MSG) This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. (1 John 3:16-17 MSG) Don't be a dead-end to God's love by not passing it on. May we take the love our Heavenly Father lavishes on us and share it with others. If God dwells in us, then we have His perfect love, to love Him in return, and to love others, including our enemies. Remain in His love. Let all that you do be done in the perfect lov...

And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.’ — Luke 15:31 (NASB) The father of the prodigal son demonstrates the heart of our Father who is in heaven. He adopted us and brought us into His family. He has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. Let us always thank the Father. He has enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. (Colossians 1:12 NLT) See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; (1 John 3:1a NASB) That’s who we really are! Our Father is intimately acquainted with each one of us, to the degree that He knows how may hairs we have on our head. What a privilege and an honor to be named, called and chosen as children of God. Let us represent our Father and His kingdom well.

“…because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD. — 2 Kings 22:19 (NKJV) May we be like King Josiah, and have a tender heart, and humble ourselves before the LORD. The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). It is more difficult for God’s love to permeate a hard heart, full of bitterness and unforgiveness, than a soft pliable one. God’s love is continually being poured out and with His love, comes His power and His peace. When our hearts are tender, we are able to receive His love, and freely share it with others. And His power can work in us and through us in a mighty way to change lives forever. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, cas...

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) You may feel like you're in between a rock and a hard place, but do not lose heart or become discouraged. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). Whatever the current challenge, it will come to pass and our Heavenly Father will restore, support and strengthen you. No weapon formed against you will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17). What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good. Amen!

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” — Mark 2:22 (NLT) If we continue doing things the same old way, we will continue to get the same results. Let us put new thoughts and new actions into the new wineskin of 2016. May we expand our minds to think of new ways to share the the love and kindness of Christ. God gives us new compassions every morning, so we can do something new and fresh. God wants to stretch us so we can reach new heights, and go somewhere we have never been before. The Word tells us to sing a new song to the LORD!

Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence! No one can live forever... — Psalm 89:47-48  (NLT) Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14 NLT). Live life with a sense of urgency. Let us make each moment count toward something that is going to last, the kingdom of God. As we reach out and touch others with the genuine love of God and share the Good News about Jesus, we are changing lives and making an eternal difference in the world.

For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT) Now is the time of God’s favor (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV). Regardless of what has happened in the past, now is just the right time for you to seek God’s help. He hears you now! Whenever you need Him, He is always there. Now is the day of salvation. NOW is the time! Let’s share the Good News with others, who also need God’s help.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine (2 Corinthians 4:17, GW). Whatever trials you are experiencing right now will last for a moment. This too shall pass. After a little while, God will perfect and establish that which concerns you. He will restore and strengthen you. God has called you into His glory through Christ Jesus, to do great things for His kingdom! Amen.