Manna for Your Morning

Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] — 1 John 4:7-8 (AMP) Our walk with God is all about love. Loving Him and loving others. Love is an action word. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him (1 John 4:9 NLT). May our hearts be open to receive the unconditional love our heavenly Father lavishes upon us. Abba Father loves and accepts us right where we are, let us also love people where they are and encourage them to move onward and forward. Just as God always sees the best in us, let us see the best in others. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the ...

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26 (NLT) To all who receive Christ, to those who believe in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12). We are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s family. (Ephesians 2:19). Being a child of God is not about religion, rules or rituals. It's all about relationship, a healthy, thriving relationship with our Maker. The Message Bible says, by faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. (Galatians 3:26 MSG). We are sons and daughters of the Most High God, and He is our Heavenly Father. Being a child of God is our highest calling, and the richest, most privileged relationship we can engage in. Our relationship is based on the unconditional love Abba, Father, has for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39). Let His powerful love permeate every area of your b...

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5). It is His mighty power at work in us and through us to bring about His perfect will on the earth. In Christ, we have everything we need. It has all been made available to us. Fullness of joy, complete peace, infinite wisdom, unconditional love, an abundant life, etc. Keep your hope in our heavenly Father.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. — Ephesians 3:16-18 (NLT) Could it be that difficulty in trusting God comes from a heart and mind that does not believe or understand the magnitude of God’s unconditional love for us? Please know that there is nothing you could do or say that would stop the extravagant love our heavenly Father so freely and generously pours out on us. His love for you is limitless. May you be deeply rooted and securely grounded in God’s great love at all times and in every situation. In His love, we are empowered and strengthened to triumph over troubles.

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ — Matthew 22:36-39 (NLT) As believers we have a call on our lives, a mission to pursue that aligns with the two greatest commandments. First we are to know Him, then we are to make Him known to others. To know the LORD is to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. As we grow in the knowledge of our great God, we are able to see ourselves the way He sees us, as extraordinary children of God. We can then love and accept ourselves the way our heavenly Father loves us. Consequently, we are able to love our neighbors with the same kind of love God lavishes on us, sacrificial and unconditional. When we walk in this kind of love with our neighbors, we are making God known to a world that needs ...

...He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ — Acts 13:22 (NKJV) God said David was a man after His own heart, who will do all His will. Do you follow God wholeheartedly, doing ALL His will, or do you pick and choose what part of the Word, you will follow? My response to God this morning was, “Ouch!” Are we following Philippians 2:14, do all things without complaining and disputing? Do we cast all our cares on the Lord? Are we forgiving and letting no root of bitterness grow, in our garden of unconditional love? When challenged to do all His will, let us remember this: God was ALL in, when He gave His only Son as a sacrifice to save our souls from eternal damnation. Let’s be sold out for Jesus and be about the Father’s business 100%.

When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord. — Acts 11:23 (AMP) With true, genuine devotion and unwavering faith, let us stay true to the Lord. When we are true to the Lord, it’s His way or no way. While His way may seem harder and longer, His way is the only way that leads to fullness of joy and everlasting peace and the abundant life. Being true to the Lord means we remain in His love, when betrayed, we forgive, when lied about and mistreated, our response is unconditional love. When we stay true to the Lord, our deepest affections and heart's desire is for more of His Presence, in our lives. I encourage you to stay true and devoted to the Lord!

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:12-13 (NLT) The Message Bible says it this way: “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” (John 15:12-13 MSG). The best way for us to love each other is the way Jesus loved us. His love is unconditional and it never fails. His love never runs out on us. Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. (Galatians 6:1 NLT). It’s love that will lead one to repent, not condemnation. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5 NIV)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NKJV) Jesus is the true vine (John 15:1) and we are the branches. He chose us and appointed us that we should go and bear fruit, (John 15:16a). In order to bear much fruit, we must abide in Him. If we don’t abide in Him, we wither and die. As we allow our roots to grow deep in Jesus, we not only survive —we thrive! As we stay connected to Him, we will produce the fruit of unconditional love, that is focused on others and not self. We will bear the fruit of joy that bubbles from deep within and touches those around us. When we abide in the vine, we bear the fruit of peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. “ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. ” ( John 15:8 ). Glorify God and be a bountiful fruit bearer!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”  — Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Jesus continually knocks on the door of our hearts. Open wide your heart, to Him. Give Him complete access. The brilliance and beauty of His light will shine in every room, every crevice; His love, His kindness, His grace and mercy. It will flood your soul. Twenty-six years ago today, I opened the door of my heart to Jesus for the first time and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Never had I known such pure and unconditional love, such deep peace and unspeakable joy. He filled that empty space in my heart. Opening the door to Jesus, gave me hope, and a purpose to fulfill His wonderful plan for my life. Open your heart to Him, today.

“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.” — Revelation 2:19 (NKJV) Let us strive to become more like Jesus. In addition to consistently walking in the will of the Father, He always increased the quality of life for those around Him. As we become more like Him, our hearts will be enlarged with an unconditional love for others. Our works are not done to be seen by man, or to earn God's love, but to serve our heavenly Father and His kingdom, out of gratitude for all He has done for us. May we continually grow in our work of faith, labor of love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3). What will you do to increase the quality of life for those you encounter today?

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. — Colossians 3:14 (NLT) Do you want to live in perfect harmony and unity with others? Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you (Colossians 3:13 MSG). And clothe yourself with love. In order to love others with the unconditional love we receive from God, we must spend time drawing closer and closer to our heavenly Father. He is love. His constant flow of perfect love, fills our cups to overflowing and gives us an abundance to share with others. Colossians 3:14 NKJV says, love is the bond of perfection. Love is the glue that will bind and hold us together according to God's perfect plan.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, — 1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV) How do we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God? By acknowledging that He is our Creator and everything we have accomplished in this world is because of Him and His grace and mercy. For in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). By recognizing that without Him, we have nothing of any value. We humble ourselves under His mighty hand, when we fill our mouths with thanksgiving to God and our hearts with grateful appreciation for ALL He has done and is doing in our lives. We humble ourselves when we stop trying to force our way and surrender all we do and say to His will and His ways (unconditional love and kindness). We are under His mighty hand, when we resort to His Word for answers instead of the world. Our heavenly Father knows best. He sees the whole picture from beginning to end. So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s str...

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” — John 12:32 (NKJV) Jesus said, He draws ALL peoples to Himself. Nationality, color, race, social status, socioeconomic status, language, etc. does not matter. God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34 NIV). Jesus draws all of us. He draws us with unconditional love and compassion, and His love never fails. Nothing can separate us from His love. Instead of condemnation, He shows us forgiveness, grace and mercy. Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We enjoy that abundant life as we abide in constant companionship with our Savior. Don’t be among those who draw back, instead, allow Jesus to continually draw you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Himself, the very source of our peace, joy, love and life.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. — Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) Just because you are going through a difficult time, don’t think for a minute that God is mad at you. God is not mad at you. The flow of our heavenly Father’s love is constant. God’s love doesn’t change based on our behavior. God does not change and His love is unconditional. He created you in love. He wakes you up day after day, and pours out new mercies and compassions on you. He watches over you moment by moment and leads you in the way you should go. He protects and provides for you all the days of your life. Know that God is working all things in your life together for good.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. — Romans 5:5 (NKJV) See what great love the Father has lavished on us! (1 John 3:1). We have such a rich treasure in our earthen vessels, that is the Spirit of God and God is love. As He pours out His love in our hearts, we are to let His love flow freely through us and let it generously gush out, on everyone God brings our way. May we never limit our love and giving to a day or a season. Let’s lavish God's abundant and unconditional love on others, at all times!

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. — Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT) It’s an unconditional love that says, “no matter how bad you messed up, I forgive you.” It’s a love so strong, that even when we walk away or turn our backs to Him, He still loves us and holds His arms open wide upon our return. It’s a love so generous, that Jesus, gave His life for our reconciliation to the Father. God desires to be in fellowship with us, His beloved children. He takes great delight in us. Nothing on this earth can separate us from His unstoppable love. We will only experience the fullness of His life and power in us, when we begin to understand this amazing, amazing love we have in God.

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!” — Matthew 21:9 (NLT) Jesus is to be the center of our lives. It’s all about Him. May everyone and everything else in our lives revolve around Him. As the Apostle Paul said in Phillipians 1:21, to live is Christ! He is our life (Colossians 3:4). Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11). Let us draw our strength, wisdom and unconditional love from the center of our being where Jesus sits on the throne of our hearts as Lord and King. And give thanks to God, who always leads us in victory in Christ!

For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]. — Romans 2:11 (AMP) God does not show favoritism and there is no partiality with Him. He loves each and every one of us. And there is nothing on this earth or in heaven that can separate us from His love. Psalm 139:17 (NLT) declares, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” May we be as consumed with thoughts about God and share His unconditional love with everyone He brings our way.

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.  — Psalm 43:3 (NKJV) May we be led by the light of the LORD. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). He has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). His light will always guide us to a place of unconditional love, forgiveness, grace and mercy. Consistently following the Light of this world, Jesus Christ, will lead us to wholeness, healing and an abundant, eternal life. Amen!