Manna for Your Morning

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. — Philippians 3:8-9 (NLT) May we get rid of anything or anyone who hinders our relationship with Christ, as though it were rubbish. Nothing can compare to the excellence of knowing Christ intimately, walking with Him daily and become one with Him. Gaining Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior has a value that surpasses anything this world has to offer. In Him, we have everything that pertains to life and godliness. Without Him, we have nothing and can do nothing. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the n...

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. — Psalm 145:9 (NIV) O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NASB) The LORD’s compassions for us never fail. They are new every morning. May we be like our heavenly Father, and be good to all. Have fresh new mercy and compassion for those who may have offended you in the past. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4 NLT) Recognize the value of every person and continually show love to every believer. Live your lives with great reverence and in holy awe of God. Honor your rulers. — 1 Peter 2:17 (TPT)

But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. — Acts 20:24 (CSB) Our purpose is to complete the course, that we received from our Lord and Savior. The primary assignment the Master Jesus gave Believers of letting everyone we meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God. May we continually do the work, with joy, of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  (Hebrews 12:1 MSG) May we continually...

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (AMP) What good news! We don’t have to do it alone. Whatever you are trying to accomplish in this life, staying connected to Jesus is paramount (more important than anything else). Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Our union with Him is vital to our lives and our health (spiritual, physical and mental health). But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master. (Romans 6:22-23 MSG)

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!

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) Why jars of clay? Like jars of clay we are unique. We come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes and we each have a unique God-given purpose to fulfill. However, the focus should not be on the container. As fragile clay jars, we may get cracked and broken, but the value comes from the treasure that is inside of us. The power of God working within us through His Holy Spirit to bring about His wonderful plan for our lives. Like clay we are to allow ourselves, our hearts and our lives to be shaped by the Master Potter. But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

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...

Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.  — Proverbs 19:8 (MSG) Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. Everyone who obeys His commandments will grow in wisdom (Psalm 111:10). The Message version says: The good life begins in the fear of God. When we have the fear of the Lord, we honor, respect, value and reverence Him above anything or anyone else. That respect and adoration will draw us to align our actions with God's will. As we obey our Heavenly Father we will experience continual growth in spiritual wisdom and insight.  That is where we find the good life! Amen.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) Sometimes we struggle because we are trying to do things in our flesh. As we submit to God and allow His Holy Spirt to work in us and through us we have peace. We accomplish things of eternal value, not by might nor power, but by His Holy Spirit. In 2 Chronicles 20:17, the LORD said His people, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you,” We have to get ourselves in the right position, as the Holy Spirit leads us, but the battle belongs to the LORD (1 Samuel 17:47).

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) In the world, people put themselves first and insist on having things their own way. Selfish ambition and vain conceit are often rewarded. However, in the family of God, we are to follow the ways of our heavenly Father. His ways are higher. In God's house, we humble ourselves and value others, just as Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Let us forget ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:4, The Message).

Love... is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) God’s love in us, is other-focused. Love cares more for others than for self. (1 Corinthians 13:5 , The Message). As imitators of our heavenly Father, let us do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Philippians 2:3).

We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. — Acts 14:15 (NLT) The things of this world are of no value, when compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul suffered the loss of all things, and counted them as rubbish in order to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). Invest your time, energy and resources into the Kingdom of God. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be (Matthew 6:20-21).