Manna for Your Morning

 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. — Romans 12:9-10 (NLT) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8 NKJV) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18 NLT) Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. (Romans 13:8, 10 NLT) This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought t...

“I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” — Romans 7:21-23 (NLT) In order to win the war in our minds, we must feed the spirit man instead of the flesh. The one we feed the most grows stronger. Instead of fulfilling the desires of our flesh, let us renew our minds with the Word of God. …let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (See Romans 12:2 NLT) And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25 NKJV) “ Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for my delive...

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.  — 1 Peter 2:21-23 (MSG) When others do us wrong, our inclination is defend ourselves or strike back, instead may we be content to let God set things right in our lives. May we love God and put our time and attention into fulfilling the purpose to which He has called us.  And 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 NASB)

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength… — Habakkuk 3:17-19 (MSG) When all in your world seems to be going wrong, the Lord is what is right. God is good, all the time. Regardless of our current situation, may we continue to rejoice and praise the name of the LORD. External circumstances are not the basis for our joy. We experience fullness of joy in His Presence. True joy comes in living closely connected to our heavenly Father. Whatever is going on in your life right now, know that God’s plans and His purposes for your life will prevail and keep praising Him.

But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me. — Micah 7:7 (MSG) No matter what seems to be going wrong in your life, trust God to make it all right. When the going gets tough, don’t give up and run away from Him. God is deeply concerned about you and He causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, and are called according to His plan and purpose for them (Romans 8:28). Look expectantly for the LORD and with confidence in Him keep watch; wait [with confident expectation] for the God of our salvation. God will hear you. (Micah 7:7 AMP)

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” — 1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV) When you're on fire for God and doing all that He calls you to, the enemy will take notice. After the prophet Elijah had a great victory, Jezebel threatened to take his life. He hides in the wilderness, where he prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah was in such a distressed state that he believed he was the only one left serving God. In reality God had reserved 7,000 loyal servants, in Israel (1 Kings 19:18). Don’t let the enemy give you the wrong perspective. You are never alone. Our awesome God is our constant companion and mighty King.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) At night, the bright light given by a lighthouse is used to guide ships safely into port and it also warns them of danger, things they cannot see in the darkness. In like manner, God’s Word is a lamp we can use to guide our feet. It lights up our path and warns us of the dangers of traveling on the wrong paths. Follow the light of the Word!

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. — Psalm 32:8 (NLT) Yes, the LORD will guide us, but we must pay attention. Last night, on my way home, I got on the freeway going south instead of north. I drove four miles in the wrong direction before I read the sign and realized I was going the wrong way. This little incident was a reminder of how important it is to pay attention, if we want to arrive at our intended destination. As you journey through life, make sure you stay attentive to the leading and guiding of the the Holy Spirit within you. He is like a GPS system, He will guide you in the right direction, and along the best pathway!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. — Romans 12:9 (NLT) Let us deeply and sincerely love others. For most people, it's easy to say, “I love you” but a sincere love is not only spoken. It is shown with action and backed up with a kind and supportive attitude. What we do speaks volumes more than what we say. When Jesus showed the disciples the full extent of His love, He washed their feet (John 13:1-5). Afterward, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” (John 13:14). Are you a disciple of Christ? Are you washing the feet of others, (helping to meet their needs)?

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.  — Psalm 121:5 (NLT) When calamity comes, people have a tendency to ask, “Where was God?” He is where He always is, right by your side. His eye constantly watches over you. He is there to catch every tear that rolls down your cheek. When someone does you wrong and you are devastated, all the broken pieces of your heart fall in His hand. He is there to bring healing and restoration. He carries you when you don't have the strength to walk. Our heavenly Father turns your sorrow into joy. Every tear that was sown reaps a harvest of joy. Those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing (Psalm 125:6, The Message).

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. — 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV) Today we have the Word of God and His Holy Spirit living within us, to guide us. We can suffer serious consequences for making wrong decisions and bad choices. Fools die for lack of wisdom (Proverbs 10:21). Our God is all-knowing and all wisdom dwells with Him. Inquire of the LORD before you launch and seek His guidance in all endeavors.