Manna for Your Morning

An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious. — Proverbs 15:32 (MSG) It’s a school of hard knocks for those who leave God’s path, a dead-end street for those who hate God’s rules. (Proverbs 15:10 MSG) Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. (Romans 8:6-7 MSG) Living in awareness of God’s Presence and following the guidance of His Holy Spirit within us leads us to a spacious life, that overflows with love for God and for others. A life where we experience everlasting peace and fullness of joy. I can’t tell you how much I long for you to abide in this wide-open, spacious life.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. — Romans 8:6 (MSG) May we live the spacious and free life that is a result of giving our attention to God. Instead of trying to do things our own way, let us focus on God, do His will, His way and in His perfect timing.  Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored.  (Romans 8:7-8 MSG) Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. ...

That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? — 2 Corinthians 5:6-8a (MSG) Don’t stop. Make a continually pursuit of God, His Kingdom, and the wonderful plans He has for you. Where you began will seem unimportant, because your future will be so successful. (Job 8:7 NCV) Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. The LORD is a turn around God. He will turn your mourning into dancing. Your beginning might have been bitter, but God will turn it to sweet. You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. (James 5:11) He will give you double for your trouble. Keep pr...

An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious. — Proverbs 15:32 (MSG) Staying focused on me, myself and I, leads to a small, pitiful life. Consistently seek God’s will and live a large, spacious life. Generously love God and love others, with a genuine heart. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:16-17 NLT) The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt. — Proverbs 15:6 (MSG)

The LORD will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. — Psalm 29:11 (AMP) The strength the LORD gives us is unyielding. It doesn’t cave in, under pressure and it doesn’t quit, in times of difficulty. We grow tired and weary when we try to do things in our human strength.  Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.  (Romans 8:6 MSG). When we are open to God’s will and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, His supernatural strength carries us, and our strength is renewed. We will soar on wings like eagles; we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31).

That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? — 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (MSG) Our complete trust in the goodness of God will keep our heads lifted high, as we look to Him. Remembering that the LORD hears his people when they call to him for help and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17-18 NLT), is what will keep us going. Being confident that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), will keep us from dragging our feet.

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! — 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (The Message) The enemy wants to keep you small and fenced in, to minimize the impact you will make for the kingdom of God. Don't give in to the limitations and restrictions you think you have. You can live above and beyond! We serve a BIG God, enter into the wide-open specious life He has prepared for you. A life lavished with the love of God, His perfect peace and exuberant joy.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. — Psalm 31:7-8 (NIV) God knows the anguish of your soul. And He has a plan to bring you through whatever troubles come your way. He has already gone before you and made a way. In Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father has already given us victory over the enemy. Be glad and rejoice in His love, knowing that God is on your side! He will keep you safe and secure in His loving arms.