Manna for Your Morning

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. Job 16:19-21 (NIV) We have an Advocate on high. Let us praise the Lord who pleads with God on our behalf. Jesus always lives to intercede for those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:24). Thank you Jesus!

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJ) Jesus gives us the precious gift of peace. In John 14:27, Jesus says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Hold onto your peace. The world didn't give it to you and the world cannot take it away. Fix your thoughts on the LORD and His peace will rule in your heart and mind.

Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. Psalm 40:11 (NKJ) The lovingkindness of the LORD and His truth preserves and protects us. May we walk in truth and share His kindness with those He brings into our lives.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. Psalm 40:4-5 (NLT) Put no confidence in the things of this world. Experience the joy and peace of fully trusting in the Lord. God's wonderful deeds are too many to count. The most splendid wonder is the Father's provision of salvation for everyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Because of this awesome deed we are children of the King and co-heirs with Christ. And we get to spend eternity in the glorious Presence of our heavenly Father and His Son. Let us worship the LORD God Almighty, Creator of all things.

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11a-13 (NLT) Sometimes the suffering of a friend is too great for words and we put off calling because we don't know what to say. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Your presence alone will support and comfort a friend in the midst of a trial. May God, help us to be real friends who stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and be there for a friend in need.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT) We will not be disappointed when we patiently wait for the Lord. When we have lost all hope, He lifts us out of the pit of despair and sets us on solid ground. Sing a new song to the Lord and praise Him for all He has done.

He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. Esther 9:22 (NLT) Haman, an enemy of the Jewish people, issued letters with orders to destroy, kill and completely wipe out all the Jewish people. However, with God's favor on His people, the King gave the Jewish people the right to protect themselves, to destroy, kill and completely wipe out those who attacked them. On the day that was set for their destruction, the Jewish people defeated all their enemies, killing and destroying them. God gave them relief from their enemies and turned their sorrow into gladness, their mourning into joy. This is how God works on behalf of His people. All things are possible when you are on God's side. Things are never as bad as your enemy would have you believe. God

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV) God raised Christ up and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. He placed all things under His feet (Ephesians 1:22). And because of His great love for us, God made us alive with Christ, raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:4-6). Praise God that we are up in the heavenly realms, in Christ. We are far above any weapons the devil forms against us and he has no authority over us. We belong to the kingdom of God. Glory hallelujah!

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. Mark 5:25-29 (NKJ) Some days I feel like this woman, just pushing through everything that crowds around me in the course of a busy day, trying to grasp onto the hem of the Lord's robe. I know once I make that divine connection and tap into the unlimited resources of Jesus, I will be made whole and all will be well with my soul. Like this woman, we suffer much in this world and sometimes things only seem to get worse, but Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world

“May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!" “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:5-6 (NLT) Praise the glorious name of the LORD Most High. He is exalted above all. He made the skies and the heavens. He calls the stars by name and sets the sun on its path. The LORD made the earth and the seas and created everything in them. He alone preserves them all. Worship the LORD, our heavenly Father. He is worthy of all honor, praise and glory.

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) Let us make the most of each moment the good Lord gives us because are days on earth are numbered. Don't take one minute for granted. May we always share our love and wisdom with those in our lives. And may our laughter be etched onto the walls of time.

They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4 (NLT) When Nehemiah heard the bad news about Jerusalem, he mourned, fasted and prayed, day and night. May we follow Nehemiah's example when we get a bad report and take our concerns straight to the LORD, our God in prayer. He is the great and awesome God. His ear is attentive to hear your pleas and He will answer. Amen.

And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. Romans 8:10 (NLT) If Christ lives within you, you have been made right with God and His Holy Spirit gives you life. He gives us a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10, NLT). Let us live in accordance with the Spirit, full of life, light, and love.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:7,9 (NKJ) Do not fret when evil men succeed in their wicked schemes. Let your soul be at peace and rest in the LORD. Wait patiently for Him. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun (Psalm 37:6, NIV).

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4 (NAS) No matter what you go through, lean on, rely on, and trust in the LORD at all times. We can be confident that He is greater than any mountain that stands in our way. He is able to bring us through all trials and tribulation. Dwell in His Presence and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart (Psalm 37:4 AMP).

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. Psalm 36:7-9 (NLT) We have a safe haven under the wings of Almighty God. Eat from the abundance of His house and drink from the river of the Lord's delights. He is the eternal source from which all life springs. He is the light by which we see. How great is God's unfailing love toward us!

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) Thank God for His Holy Spirit who dwells in us. He intercedes on our behalf to the Father. When we don't know what God wants us to pray for, the Spirit pleads for us according to God's will. As we submit to the Holy Spirit we can stay in harmony with the will of our heavenly Father. Amen.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19 (NLT) When the storms of life hit and the floodwaters threaten to swallow you up, remember, the Lord is faithful. He comes to the rescue each and every time. Call upon the Lord. He is our life preserver. Amen.

Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 (NLT) No matter who comes against you, be strong and courageous. The Lord our God is on your side. There is no reason to be afraid or discouraged because the battle belongs to the Lord.

The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:10-11 (NAS) Let us worship the LORD, our God, the eternal King. Our hearts and minds can rest in peace, while the storms of life rage around us because we know our heavenly Father is in control and all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27).

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (NIV) When our walk with the LORD is firm and unwavering, His power is consistently at work in our lives and His favor remains on us. If our feet do not stray from His path He keeps us from stumbling and enables us to stand on the mountain heights.

All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. Psalm 30:4-5 (The Message) Thank God that the nights of crying your eyes out eventually give way to days of laughter. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Weeping may last for a night but count on the joy that comes in the morning. May your heart be full of joy and your days bursting with laughter.

Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 (NLT) Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Make Him your sure foundation and you will not be shaken.

"O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT) When their enemies were closing in on them, the people of Judah sought help from God. The LORD said, "Don't be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle it is God's." When you don't know what to do, look to God for help. The battle belongs to the LORD and He will give you the victory.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJ) If your heart is loyal to the LORD, He is looking for you, to show Himself strong in your situation. The LORD is greater and more powerful than anything you are going through today. Make sure God is first and foremost in your life. We will experience His strong support as we fully commit our hearts to Him.

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:6-7 (NLT) Jump for joy and burst out in songs of thanksgiving for the Lord heard your cry for mercy. Because you trust Him, you will not be disappointed. Sing praise to the Lord God, your helper. Thank Him for all He has done.

The men of Israel were subdued on that occasion, and the men of Judah were victorious because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18 (NIV) The men of Israel came against the men of Judah with an army twice their size. However, the soldiers of Judah were victorious because they relied on the LORD. When we continually rely on the LORD our God, we are victorious. Amen.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJ) Don't lose heart. Surely, you will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Patiently wait on the LORD and He will renew your strength.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 (NIV) The house of the LORD is on high ground. Dwell there, in His holy abode, above the circumstances of your life. My heart knows no greater joy than to gaze upon the beauty of our LORD. He is adorned in glory and majesty. The whole earth is a testimony of His splendor. His brilliant light shines upon us and illuminates our darkest days. Gaze upon His beauty and appreciate His absolute magnificence.

So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NCV ) Live wisely by choosing to do good whenever you have a chance. Exercise love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and compassion with every opportunity.