Manna for Your Morning

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?  — Psalm 56:3-4 (NKJV) God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). May we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16). And there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Trust God and live in love!

We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NCV) We may be surrounded by troubles, but we are not crushed. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” so we can expect that, but He also said, “take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Whatever life brings our way, we are not defeated, nor destroyed and we will never be abandoned by God. So, don't ever give up the HOPE of living a victorious life!

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. — Matthew 15:36 (NLT) After Jesus gave thanks for the seven loaves of bread and a few fish, four thousand men, besides women and children all ate and were satisfied. Then, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Matthew 15:37-38). May we always give thanks to God for all that He has provided. If we remain faithful with the little, in the face of apparent lack, we will be satisfied. We serve a God of more than enough. Amen!

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). — Psalm 55:22 (AMP) Give your burdens to the Lord, releasing the full weight of them all. Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! (Psalm 68:19, AMP). Thank God for His faithfulness, for He will sustain you. He will not allow you to slip, fall or fail.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. — Matthew 13:22 (NKJV) Weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it (Matthew 13:22b, The Message). Don't let the worries of this world choke the Word out of you. First Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares upon God. When we clear our hearts of worldly cares, we allow the Word to grow, take root, and bear much fruit in our lives. Get rid of the thorns and thrive! Stand on the Word, no matter what, and you will persevere through all seasons of life!

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) Once we come to God, we must believe that He is and that He is able to do all that His Word tells us. In Mark 5:36, after the ruler of the synagogue received the news that his daughter was dead, Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” When you receive a report of bad news or the temporary things you see don't line up with the Word of God (which lasts forever), do not doubt and have no fear, only believe!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.” — Matthew 11:28 (The Message) Jesus said to come to Him. He didn’t add any conditions. We don’t have to "get ourselves together" before we come. Our part is to just come. Jesus’ part is to heal, restore, comfort, strengthen, deliver, make whole, etc. Aren’t you glad we got the easy part? JUST COME! Stop hiding, stop making excuses and come to JESUS, just as you are, and stay. Abide in His Presence!

You will keep him in perfect peace, w hose mind is stayed on You, b ecause he trusts in You.  — Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) The LORD is our shelter from the storms of life. When the harsh winds of adversity blow and the floodwaters rise, He is our protection. Our heavenly Father is a place of peace. He will calm the storm of anxiety and fear within, and lead you to green pastures and still waters. Trust in and fix your thoughts on the LORD and He will keep you in perfect peace, even in the midst of the storm.

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.  — Psalm 54:4 (NIV) God is on your side. And if God is for you, who can stand against you? He is an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Since God has assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.  — Psalm 52:1 (NKJV) The LORD, the LORD God, is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6). He forgives all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, and crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:3-4). The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8). Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for great is His goodness toward us!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. — Roman 8:28 (NKJV) Not everything that happens in our lives is good, but we can be assured that God works all things together for good in His Master plan. Even in the midst of tragedy, God is still in control and His plans for us are for well-being and not harm, to give us bright hope and a glorious future!

Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me. — Psalm 50:15 (AMP) Psalm 34:17 says, the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Who do you call in the day of trouble? Your heavenly Father wants you to call upon Him. His ears are always open to the cries of His children. He is listening and ready to rescue you from all your troubles. Just call!

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) We can tell where our treasure lies by looking at where we spend our time, what we think about and where we spend our money. Are you consumed by the things of this world? May we stockpile our treasure in heaven by spending time with God, in His Word, letting it impact our hearts, in prayer and in worship. We store treasure in heaven when thoughts of fulfilling God's will in our lives occupy our minds. And when we invest our finances in the kingdom of God and helping those in need, we are laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where they cannot be destroyed or stolen. Amen!

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. — Jeremiah 29:11 (GWT) No matter what adverse circumstances we face in this life, Jeremiah 29:11 is a promise of a better future. The challenges we experience now, have come to pass. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us not to worry about our life. Our Father knows the things we have need of (Matthew 6:8), and His Word tells us not to worry about tomorrow. Rest assured that God is always with you, He will provide everything you need and He has taken care of all your tomorrows.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” — Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV) May we counteract persecution with prayers and hatred with love. Speak a blessing over those who curse you. Let the absolute worst in others, bring out nothing but the best in you.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  — Psalm 46:10 (NIV) God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening (Psalm 19:1-2, The Message). Cast all your cares on Him and know that the Creator of this magnificent universe is able and willing to take care of everything that concerns you!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah — Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) When it seems the world is falling apart around us, God is a very present help. We need not fear because our mighty God is an impenetrable refuge. The LORD surrounds His people like a strong fortress. If life has you standing at the edge of a cliff, about to fall. Be courageous, God is there to catch you and be your strength.

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.  — Psalm 43:3 (NKJV)  Be led by the light of the LORD and the truth. They will guide you along the path of peace, joy and righteousness, to the secret place, where the fullness of His Presence dwells (within you). The truth will set you free and His light will lead you to experience an abundant life here on earth and into eternity.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.  — Psalm 42:11 (NKJV)  Why be discouraged or anxiety ridden? Your God, who loves you, with an everlasting love is more than able to take care of all that concerns you. Keep your hope in God alive. Praise Him, our God and our Helper!

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.  — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) Why waste time and energy trying to force a closed door open with mere human strength? Let us live in the Spirit, and also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Any worthy thing will only be accomplished by the Spirit of the LORD, as we listen to and obey His Holy Spirit within us. Amen!

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8 (NIV) The LORD intentionally and purposefully directs His unfailing love upon us, each and every day. There is no shortage of lovingkindness in His storehouse. His compassions never fail! They are fresh and new every morning. His goodness is so great, our hearts burst forth with songs of praise and thanksgiving in the night. Hallelujah!

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  — Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV) When you thirst for water nothing else will satisfy, not a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot tea. When our soul longs for the presence of God, nothing else will satisfy. Some try to fill the emptiness with alcohol or drugs, but nothing will satisfy and quench our thirst like the Presence of Almighty God. Our God is ALIVE! and He is ABLE to take care of everything that concerns you. What are you waiting for? Thirst no more. He is ready to meet with YOU now!

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. — 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (NLT) We are children of light. We belong to the day. Don't get caught off guard by the deeds of those who walk in the dark. Let us guard our hearts with the breastplate of faith and love, and shield our minds and thoughts with the helmet of our salvation.

“The LORD your God is with you the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) The LORD is with you, no matter what. He is mighty to save all who call on His name. With His love, He will calm all your fears and celebrate over you with shouts of joy. Praise the LORD!

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.  — Psalm 37:39-40 (NKJV) Lift up your eyes to the mountains— where does your help come from? Your help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). With the LORD on your side, you will raise up the banner of victory! The righteous person has many troubles, but the LORD delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19). Hallelujah!

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.  — Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT) God is in every detail of your life. He knows the number of hairs on your head. All of your days were written in His book, before you were born. Nothing that happens in your life catches God by surprise. He has already worked out every challenge you face. Make each step, a step of faith as you follow the path He sets before you, and you will overcome any obstacles and live a victorious life.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.  — Micah 7:8 (NKJV) Like the Apostle Paul said, we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-19). We may be down, but we are not out! If we fall, we will arise again. If circumstances appear to be dark, look for the light of the LORD and follow Him.

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. — Psalm 36:5-6 (NIV) Not only does the LORD's unfailing love cover the earth, it reaches way up into the heavens. And nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God. His faithfulness is so great it expands to the skies, and it endures forever. The LORD is faithful in everything He does. Always be mindful of His unfailing love and live in reliance on His faithfulness (Psalm 26:4).

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.  — Psalm 34:18-19 (The Message) If you have received news that hit you like a punch to the gut, please know, God is right there. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18, NLT). He comforts us in all our tribulation. Even when we miss the mark, still, the Father of mercies is right there to help us pick up the pieces and move on, empowered and strengthened.

The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. — Psalm 34:10 (NKJV) Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance (Isaiah 55:2). They who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing (Psalm 34:10 AMP). We serve a God of more than enough. Let us desire His Presence more than the promises, and we shall lack no good thing.

This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! — Psalm 34:6-8 (NKJV) Call upon the LORD, in every situation and circumstance, and He will hear you and deliver you out of all your troubles. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, He has given His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways (Psalm 91:9,11). Surely, He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease (Psalm 91:3). Amen!