Manna for Your Morning

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) Don’t let the worries of this world weigh you down and trip you up, because we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) So run your race with passion and persistence. Actively pursue His purpose for you. We serve a great God and we are made in His image. Therefore, our Creator placed greatness inside of you. Never doubt the precious promises of God, which leads to the sin of unbelief. Instead, expect the extraordinary and don’t settle for less than God’s best. No matter where you are in your race, God has more in store for you! … we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spi...

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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) Let us lay aside every weight, anything that slows us down, and run our race with endurance. Instead of telling your neighbor how to run their race, keep your eyes on Jesus and press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT) ...he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13 NKJV)

“Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!” — Isaiah 44:8 (NLT) Jesus once asked the twelve disciples, “ Do you also want to go away? ” (John 6:67)   But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69) There is no other Rock, except our mighty God. He is the solid Rock on whom you can stand. Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6 NKJV) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT) And nothing is too difficult for Him.

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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) We all have a race to run, but our courses are not exactly the same. In order to complete our race, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Don’t set your eyes on the person who stands in the pulpit and preaches the Word. Don’t look at the brother or sister running next to you and start comparing your races. These are distractions that will slow you down or make you stop running and sit on the sidelines of life, just being a spectator. Keep your eyes on Jesus and run, to the end!

For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” — Ezekiel 18:32 (NKJV) God, our Savior, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4 NKJV). Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). Amen!

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days...” — Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV) When we choose the LORD, we choose abundant life and eternal blessings. When we choose to put God first, He empowers us to love Him with all our hearts, to obey His voice and to cling to Him. Moment by moment, the choice is ours. CHOOSE LIFE! Live it, speak it and delight yourself in it.

 ...that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. — Ephesians 2:12 (NKJV) Twenty-four years ago, my life was a mess and there was absolutely not an ounce of hope within me. But I thank God, for two co-workers who were faithful women of God. On Dec 5, 1989, they witnessed to me about the love and forgiveness God gives each and every one of us through Jesus Christ. That very day, God opened my eyes, to see Him and I opened the door of my heart and let Him in. That was truly the best day of my life. During my 24 year journey, the road has not always been easy, but I praise God that He has brought me this far! Let us always be His witnesses on our jobs, in our families and in our neighborhoods. There are many more, people in our world who are hurting, hopeless and without God.  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to ev...

We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food. People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, our sincere love, — 2 Corinthians 6:3-6 (GW) Like the Apostle Paul, we must endure some things in this life, but let us also maintain a good witness before all. Hebrews 12:1 says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Let our lives reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. May sincere love and genuine kindness be the source of everything we do and every word that comes out of our mouths. We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing His Kingdom on the earth. Let's serve with distinction!

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NKJV) How do we run with endurance? 1) We strip off everything that hinders us from drawing closer to the Lord and throw it aside. We don’t need any extra baggage. Runners strip down to the bare minimum. 2) We look unto Jesus, from whom our help comes. He will lead us to the finish line. See every hardship as a hurdle to be jumped over. Notice the Word says to run, not walk. This indicates a sense of urgency. I think we all agree that we are living in the end times. Take the vision and run with it (See Habakkuk 2:2)!

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  — Acts 16:24-25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off, were beaten with rods and then thrown into prison, yet at midnight, they were praying and singing praises to God. They did not get caught up in doubt, unbelief or fear. On your worst day, when it seems as though the enemy has you imprisoned, what sounds come out of your mouth? Hebrews 12:1 says, we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Let us fight the good fight of faith by praying and praising God always, no matter what the circumstance. You don't know whose salvation is hanging in the balance as they see and hear your faithfulness or lack of it. Amen!

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) Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Indeed we count them blessed who endure (James 5:11). Someone is always watching, your children, co-workers, etc. We don't know who may be encouraged as they see our faith and perseverance. De-clutter your life and run the race that lies before you. Never give up!