Manna for Your Morning

So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on. — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (VOICE) Don’t look at the things which we can see with our natural eyes, for the things which are visible are temporary. Instead let us focus our attention on the things which are invisible, for they are everlasting and imperishable. Fix your eyes on our great God. May we have eyes to see His amazing love and great grace. “ Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. ” — Isaiah 6:3 (NASB)

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG) Do not lose heart and become discouraged. The difficult circumstances you are dealing with today are temporary, and they are producing for you a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! His unfolding grace is sufficient for you. He has provided everything you need to overcome today's challenges.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” — Luke 21:33 (NKJV) Don’t be shaken by temporary events or circumstances. They will come and they will also go. May we stand on the powerful Word of God, which will last forever. The Words Jesus spoke will never wear out. In Mark 10:27, Jesus said, “… with God all things are possible .” No matter how impossible the situation may seem, let us remember that ALL things are possible with God. Stay with God and keep standing in faith, no matter what. Believe God for the best. As Jesus hung on the cross, He said, “ It is finished! ” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) Jesus overcame the world. (John 16:33) He has already given us the victory. He made a way for us. God always leads us in triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14) The Message Bible says: In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. (2 Corinthians 2:14) Amen! And Hallelujah!

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) Let us remember that the troubles we experience in this life, are light and momentary, when compared with the eternal glory they are producing for us. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18 MSG). After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. (1 Peter 5:10 AMP)

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7 (NKJV) Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Will you lay aside the excuses, remove the barriers and let Him come in? Is there room in your heart for our eternal Savior, or are your affections set on temporary pleasures and material possessions? Is their space available in your mind for thoughts about the King of kings and the Lord of lords, or is it totally cluttered with cares and concerns and of this world? The Lord is always thinking of us. Psalm 8:4 says, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” May we be mindful of His goodness, and the wonderful works He has done and is currently doing in our midst. Let His Presence occupy every crevice of your heart. His Presence in our hearts is the most excellent and perfect present we could ever receive.

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope… — 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 (AMP) The Message Bible says, “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 5:7-8a) Let us live by faith, with our speech and our steps consistent with what we say we believe. Walk confidently believing in our God and in His goodness. He will work everything together for good, in your life. Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God … — 1 Chronicles 22:19 (NIV) Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. — Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV) The bling-bling of this world are distractions, designed to get your attention and steal your affections. In the eternal scheme, they have no real value, they are temporary and shallow. All they will ever do is leave you wanting more. There will always be something bigger, better and faster. When we seek the LORD first and foremost, we truly experience a deep and lasting satisfaction. His Spirit dwelling in us reaches every crevice, enlightens the dark places and fills the emptiness. And those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10). Amen!

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV) Let us not trust in the temporary things of this world. Keep your confidence, trust and hope in the living God. He is above all else. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17 NKJV). In Him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). In Him, we have everything we need to enjoy a rich and fruitful life.

God wants His children to know : “I really do love you. I want the absolute best for you. Don’t think you know better than I do, what is good for you. Don’t grovel in past mistakes, and don’t be like a dog that goes back to its vomit. Your future is so much more glorious than where you have been. The world has nothing of any value to offer you. It’s all temporary. What I offer is life, abundant life, true happiness and a deep, deep peace that will not be moved by circumstances. I have a love for you that never dies and never grows cold. I don’t love like man. I love deep. I love you through and through. I know the worst about you and I still love you. I will never abandon you. I’m here to stay, right by your side. You are not alone. Stop running. I am on your side —not against you. Draw near to Me. I want to hold you in My arms. Let Me surround you with the light of My love. My perfect love casts out fear. When my light enters your being, darkness has to flee. It cannot stay. T...

“Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” — Luke 24:26 (NKJV)  Jesus was falsely accused, mocked, condemned to death, and crucified before He entered into His glory. Joseph landed in the palace, by way of a pit and prison. Joshua endured the forty year journey through the wilderness before he stepped foot on the Promised Land. Can we see the things we suffer as temporary events, that God will turn around, to reveal His glory in our lives? For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So let us fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

For we live by believing and not by seeing. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) When what you see with your eyes, doesn’t line up with the Word of God, what are you going to believe? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The temporary distractions of the enemy are designed to cause doubt and fear in our hearts and minds. Let us live by believing God and His Word which lasts forever.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) Our troubles are light, because they are momentary. They are temporary. Whatever you are going through today is a tiny speck on the face of the eternal time clock. This too shall pass. The Word assures us that no matter what we endure on this side of heaven, it cannot even begin to compare to our glorious future which will last forever. Here on earth we will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because Jesus overcame the world. (John 16:33) Hallelujah!

Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.” — 2 Kings 4:26 (NKJV) The son of this Shunammite woman had just sat on her lap and died. How could she say, it is well? She was not looking at the way circumstances appeared at the moment. She was looking with eyes of faith, that God would bring her son back to life. Because she believed in her heart, and didn’t speak the negative, but took action, her son’s life was restored. Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). No matter what you are going through today, “It is well!” Our God reigns and He is on your side.

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” — Judges 6:12-13a (NKJV) Have you ever felt like Gideon and wondered, if God is with you, why is all this “stuff” happening to you? You can be certain that God is with you, because He said, He would never leave you or forsake you and our God is faithful. Let us remember that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NIV). Surely God will be with you and you shall defeat your enemies (Judges 6:16).

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. — Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV) Stay passionate and diligently pursue the call of God on your life. As you encounter various challenges and difficulties do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). It takes faith and patience to endure the troubles and trials. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them (Hebrews 6:12, The Message). Complete the course! Run the race, to the end!

And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” — Luke 18:7-8 (NKJV) Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a widow who kept coming to him, to show that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, (Luke 18:1). Jesus ends this parable by asking if He will find faith when He comes. I believe He asks this question because it takes faith to keep persistently praying and standing on the Word when everything we see with our eyes and hear with our ears says otherwise. Remember, this is the temporary stuff that will pass away. God's Word however, stands forever and God cannot lie. Sometimes, speedily doesn't come quick enough, on our time clock, but we have to exercise our faith and believe God. He will bring about justice for His people, who cry out to him day and night. Always pray and neve...

That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day.  — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (GW) Even though our outward man is perishing, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Do not be discouraged. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. So let us fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).