Manna for Your Morning

God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. Luke 18:7 (NCV) Our heavenly Father is loving, faithful and full of wisdom. He generously gives us exactly what we need in His perfect time. Jesus said, "Even though you’re evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?" Ask, seek, knock and patiently wait for the appointed time. Pray and never lose hope.

And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 (NLT) This lost son had taken his inheritance, moved to a distant country and wasted all his money in wild living. After his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he returned home. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The father had the best clothes put on him and they had a feast and celebrated. If you have wandered away from our heavenly Father, return home. He will not condemn you. Abba Father is waiting for you with a heavy heart and open arms.

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7 (NLT) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) Let us continually worship the LORD, our God, who always watches over us. Twenty-four hours a day, He lovingly takes care of us. He provides all our needs and comforts us in our distress. Praise the LORD!

When I said, “My feet are slipping,” your mercy, O Lord, continued to hold me up. When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul. Psalm 94:18-19 (GW) With unfailing love and tender mercy, the Lord supports us. When we are about to fall, He holds us up. When we are worried and upset, His words soothe our souls. His consoling words cover us with peace and joy like a blanket. Meditate on His wonderful Word everyday!

The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot things. There's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 (GW) Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him teach. Her sister, Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She directed Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus replied that Mary had made the right choice. Instead of fussing and getting all worked up over things that are temporary, make the right choice. Sit at the feet of Jesus and let the living Word of God be your teacher. It is the most important thing and it will not be taken away from you.

Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he thanked God for the food. Then he divided the food and gave it to the followers to give to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was gathered up, filling twelve baskets. Luke 9:16-17 (NCV) Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. While our resources may seem scarce, we can still share our blessings with others. When we look up to our heavenly Father with a grateful heart and thank Him for what He has given us, we find true contentment and lasting satisfaction.

I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises! If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. Psalm 63:5-8 (The Message) This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my husband and our children who bless my life beyond measure. I thank God for my parents, sisters and extended family members, who are alive, healthy and in their right minds (for the most part). I appreciate those who were a great influence and are now with the Lord. I appreciate good friends and the family of believers in Christ, who are loving and supportive. However, at the top of my list, is the One who makes it all possible. I'm most thankful for our great God, for His Word, for His Holy Spirit that lives in me and for Jesus Christ, the One who saves us all. This Thanksgiving, spend some time in grateful reflectio

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Psalm 92:1-5 (NLT) It is GOOD to give thanks to the LORD. May we count our blessings today. His love never fails to greet you in the morning. His faithfulness carries you through the day and into the night. Think about all the LORD has done for you. How great are the works of our great God. Hallelujah!

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. ” Luke 6:35 (NLT) What is the key to unlocking the door to a very great reward from heaven? It is to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to them and never expect anything in return. If we do these things, Jesus said, we would truly be acting like children of our heavenly Father. He is generous and gracious to those who are ungrateful and evil.

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:12 (NIV) Your problem may not be leprosy, but whatever it is, Jesus is the answer to any challenge that comes your way. He is more than willing to meet you, right where you are. When the Lord reaches out His hand and touches you, He provides the healing and wholeness you need to live a full healthy life, one of freedom and victory. Bow down before the Lord and ask Him to make you whole and well. Ask Him to restore what is broken and fill what is empty. Jesus is able!

Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he freed Barabbas for them. After having Jesus beaten with whips, he handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:15 (NCV) Guard your heart and mind against the negative influences in the world. Because Pilate was more interested in being a crowd-pleaser, a murderer was set free and the Son of Man, who knew no sin, was crucified. Sometimes the right things that we are called to do, will not be the most popular, but we must live for an audience of One: our heavenly Father. Do what you know in your heart is the right thing.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJ) Jesus is the loyal friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is Immanuel, which means God with us. He is our constant companion. When we are in need, He is a friend in deed. Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times. Jesus showed the greatest love of all when He gave His life to save us. Thank our heavenly Father for the wonderful sacrificial love Jesus, our Lord and Savior, graciously gives to us. He calls you, "friend."

Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, and divided the bread. He gave the pieces to his followers to give to the people, and they did so. The followers also had a few small fish. After Jesus gave thanks for the fish, he told his followers to give them to the people also. All the people ate and were satisfied. Then his followers filled seven baskets with the leftover pieces of food. Mark 8:6-8 (NCV) Jesus thanked God for the seven loaves of bread and few small fish they had and they fed more than 4,000 people. These people didn't just have a little snack. They ate until they were fully satisfied and the disciples filled seven baskets with the leftovers. This is a good lesson in focusing on what you do have instead of what you are lacking, and relying on God no matter how the circumstances appear. Let us thank God for the little we have, and He will provide more than enough.

“All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. All these evil things come from inside and make people unclean.” Mark 7:21-23 (NCV) What a person says reflect the nature of their heart. When we talk, we should always be kind and pleasant so we will be able to answer everyone in the proper way (Colossians 4:6, NCV). Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24, NLT).

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of the synagogue leader. They said, "Your daughter is dead. There is no need to bother the teacher anymore." But Jesus paid no attention to what they said. He told the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:35-36 (NCV) Sometimes we have to know which voices to ignore and which ones to value. Let God's words weigh heavier in your heart and mind and pay no attention to the voices coming from the world. Because the Synagogue leader listened to and trusted in Jesus, his daughter was brought back to life. In God's Word we find life, prosperity and victory. Listen to the word of the LORD.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40 (NIV) The disciples became fearful when a storm came up on the lake and woke Jesus up with the accusation that He didn't care. Jesus asked them, "Do you still have no faith?" After all the miracles they had seen, they still lacked faith. They had seen evil spirits cast out, the sick healed, and the paralytic man immediately healed and walked away. After all that God has done in your life, why would you have any doubt that He is working for your good?

And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Mark 4:37-38 (NAS) As we experience stormy times, it may appear that the Lord is sleeping, but that is not true. He has everything under control. He knows about the storm before it hits and He has already made a way through. When the disciples woke Jesus up, He rebuked the wind and told the sea to be still and it became perfectly calm. In Isaiah 43:2, God promises, "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." The Lord cares about you. You are in His hands and no one can snatch you out.

A kingdom that is divided cannot continue, and a family that is divided cannot continue. Mark 3:24-25 (NCV) The Message Bible says, a constantly squabbling family disintegrates (Mark 3:25). We are called to dwell together in unity, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children, believers in Christ. The Psalmist said, "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" Romans 12:18, says do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Let us do what leads to peace and harmony in our homes, within our church family, and at our jobs and places of business. Instead of tearing down, let's build each other up.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NLT) Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17, NLT). In order to destroy the lies of our enemy we must put on God's armor and speak His Word. God's Word is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword. The Word always accomplishes God's purpose and it stands forever. Amen.

A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. 2 Timothy 2:4 (The Message) Don't get entangled with the affairs of this life. Let us stay focused on our God-given mission. Our enemy has declared war and he will steal, kill and destroy everything and everyone he can. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way (Ephesians 6:11, The Msg). Happy Veteran's Day!

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39 (NLT) When Jesus was sorrowful and deeply distressed, He openly and honestly prayed to the Father. Even though obedience meant death on the cross, He willingly surrendered and gave His life to save us. As we go through difficult times, may we humbly go to God in sincere prayer and submit ourselves to God's will.

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ Matthew 25:24-25 (NKJ) The master called this person a "wicked and lazy servant." Are you using the talents God has given you? Please don't hide them in the ground. Sing the song you were created to sing. Dance the dance made for you. Don't leave this earth with the music still in you.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV) Yes, God is love and we are in the process of becoming like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJ) says, we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. As we surrender to the work of His Holy Spirit within us, and walk in unconditional love with one another, His love will be made complete in us (1 John 4:12). Release any unforgiveness, bitterness and jealousy and choose love.

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) With all the commands and laws given to us in the Bible, Jesus made it simple and gave us the two greatest commandments. To make it even easier we can focus on the common denominator: L O V E. Love God. Love your neighbor and Jesus even said, we are to love our enemies. When we walk in love, everything else comes into alignment. If we love others, we will not lie to them or steal from them. And we can only love others, if the love of God is in our own hearts. You may ask: "Who is our neighbor?" Our neighbors are the people we live with, our co-workers, and those we interact with as we come and go throughout our day. Let us have a global vision of who we call neighbor. We can show love to the lost, hurting and hungry in this world by supporting

You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 89:13-15 (NAS) Do you know the joyful sound? When we answer the call to worship our mighty God, we are drawn into the light of His Presence and He fills us with indescribable joy. The radiance of His face shines on us and any darkness around us flees. Let us make a joyful noise unto the LORD and live in His glorious light.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Psalm 86:11-13 (NLT) The ways of the Lord are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Let us learn the ways of the Lord so we can live according to His truth. His truth sets us free from the lies of the enemy and allows us to enjoy peace and prosperity in God's great love for us.

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. Psalm 86:5-7 (NLT) The Lord is so good! When we confess our sins, He forgives us. God's love for us never fails and His compassions are new every morning. When we ask, our heavenly Father is there to help us. When we cry out to Him, He answers and delivers us from all our troubles (Psalm 34:17). Praise the Lord for His goodness!

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. Psalm 84:10-12 (NLT) One single day in the presence of God is better than one thousand days spent anywhere else. What unexplainable joy and pleasure we experience in His Holy Presence. Long for the LORD with your whole being: spirit, soul and body. Draw near to Him.

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:25-27 (NIV) Jesus told this woman: “you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment, (Matthew 15:25-28). Great faith is persistent. When this woman first cried out to the Lord for Him to heal her daughter, He said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman didn't give up and she didn't get offended. She humbled herself before the Lord and pressed in with her plea. May you have great faith in our Lord and Savior, who is full of compassion.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:29-31 (NLT) As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, He was able to walk on the water. When he took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the conditions around him, fear took over and he began to sink. Instead of looking at the adverse circumstances in your life, fix your eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith. Have no doubt, all will be well when have great faith in Jesus.