Manna for Your Morning

“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith…” — Revelation 2:13 (NKJV) Hold fast to the name of Jesus. His name is above every name. His name is above all disease and sickness. His name is above poverty and lack. His name holds the power to destroy bondages and set captives free. His name has power to heal broken hearts and restore hope. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (Philippians 2:10). The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. ( Proverbs 18:10 ). Hold fast to His name.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. — Revelation 2:4 (NKJV) Now that the search for the perfect gift is on, let us not lose sight of the One the season is all about, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Set your affections on Him. He loved us so much, He gave His life to pay our debt and reconcile us to our heavenly Father. He came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10b NKJV). Jesus is the most perfect gift of all.

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. — Colossians 3:15 (AMP) Don’t let external circumstances (what someone says to you or actions they take against you) control your decisions or your emotions. Let God’s peace be the guiding force that directs you to walk in His will and in His ways. As believers and members of God’s family, we are called to dwell together in peace, in one body. Let us walk in the love and grace of God and build each other up.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… — Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) Praise God! He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light! (1 Peter 2:9b). No matter how dismal circumstances appear, no matter how much darkness exists in the world, His Light still shines brightly. Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. (John 8:12). As we let the beauty and grace of His light radiate through us, His light invades the darkness. Live in the Light of the Lord!

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:20 (NLT) I am thankful that there is one true God, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6). Nothing is too difficult for Him. We can be thankful that He adopted us and brought us into His family, never to abandon us. He is with us always and forever. He completes us. His strength, fills in our weaknesses. His Presence enables us to go from poor and pitiful to powerful and prospering. His Spirit working in us, transforms us from victim to victorious overcomer. In the midst of challenges, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37). Praise the name of God with a song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Psalm 69:30)

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;  even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT) No matter how bad circumstances may appear, we can rejoice because we have the greater One living inside of us. In His Presence, we have all that we need. His power enables us to overcome every challenge. When situations seem impossible, He goes before us and makes a way. Praise God for His Presence in our lives.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. — Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) Let us not restrict our giving of thanks to a day or a season. May we always have a heart full of gratitude for all God has done and is doing in our lives. Continually give thanks to our heavenly Father. God doesn’t just want weekend and holiday visitations. He wants full time custody. As children of God, dearly loved by the Father, we have His attention and affection, every moment of every day. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4).

...casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) Why are you carrying your cares? The Word says cast ALL your cares and concerns on God. Our big, mighty God is able to handle anything and everything you give to Him. He cares so much about you, He doesn’t want to see you all stressed out and fretting the future. He wants to take care of everything that concerns you. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV). If you have something laying heavy on your heart today, give it to God, once and for all, and walk in His peace and joy.

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. — Psalm 119:37-38 (NLT) The Holy Bible is a love letter from God, full of promises He makes to His Beloved, that’s us. His wonderful Word gives us life. It strengthens us and revives us. (Psalm 110:25, 28). The Word of God is our comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:50). His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Forever, His Word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). When we stand on His Word, we are standing on solid ground. May we  meditate on it day and night. (Psalm 119:105)

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home. — Exodus 15:13 (NLT) Just as God led the Israelites out of the land of slavery to the promise land, He leads us with His unfailing love, each step of the way. God is love. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV). Our heavenly Father always sees the best in us. His love never runs out and He never gives up on us. Be reassured, nothing on this earth can separate us from God’s amazing love.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence. — Psalm 140:13 (NKJV) When we live in His Presence we have fullness of joy and a perfect peace that surpasses the comprehension of the human mind. When we live in His Presence, we are not moved by life’s circumstances and challenges. Instead, we stand strong and remain faithful. We do not allow the darkness of this world to infiltrate us, but we illuminate the atmosphere with His light and love, and draw others closer to God. When we live in His Presence, overwhelming victory is ours. In His Presence, we have an ample supply of all that we need. Give thanks to God for the opportunity and privilege of living in His Presence. There is no better place.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. — James 1:2-4 (NKJV) James 1:2, in the New Living Translation says, dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. The various trials and challenges we go through give us the opportunity to let faith and patience work in us, to make us perfect, complete and mature; a state of lacking nothing. Be patient and remain confident that you will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13 (NIV). Amen.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. — James 1:5-6 (NIV) With all the decisions and choices we make on any given day, we all need wisdom. Remember to ask our heavenly Father, who knows all and sees all, for the wisdom to make the right choices. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.!” (Luke 11:9-10 NIV). May you confidently walk in the wisdom of God and not fall in the trap of the enemy.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Where do you turn in time of need? Let us go to our heavenly Father and confidently trust in Him. In His throne room, we receive mercy. As we surrender all on His altar, we will find the grace that strengthens us and helps us overcome life’s  challenges. The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles (Psalm 34:17 NLT).

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NLT) Each and every day God wakes us up, He has a purpose and  a plan for us to accomplish. Each day has a destiny, a desired end result and as we continually follow Him, He will get us there. May the words we speak today and whatever we do, touch the lives of others with the love of God. Make each stroke of the paintbrush you put on the canvas of today a reflection of the beauty and grace of our heavenly Father. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5 NKJV).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. — Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) Our heavenly Father is faithful. He watches over His Word and performs it. It never returns to Him void. When He says He will be with us always, not a moment goes by that He is not there. When He says nothing can separate us from His love, we never have to feel unloved or forgotten. Because His Word says, He has already given us the victory, we can rejoice. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:35 NLT).

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. — Galatians 5:25 (NLT) My beloved brethren, there is no greater joy than abiding in the presence of Almighty God and basking in the wonderful light of His love. And the greatest peace we can ever have is knowing we are walking aligned to God’s perfect will. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives (Galatians 5:25 MSG). If we look to Him, He is faithful to show us the way and provide what we need for each step.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) After God promised Abraham a son, he had to wait for many years, before he looked upon the face of his son, Isaac. In today’s microwave society, waiting patiently goes against our fleshly nature. However, the work God is doing in us, while we “wait” is so much greater and more important than our external circumstances. The work God is doing in us will impact eternity. The beautiful work He is doing inside of us, makes us increasingly more like Him. That has eternal consequences, that far outweigh the here and now. Instead of focusing on the process, on the way to the promises, stay focused on the Presence of the Promise Keeper. In His Presence is fullness of joy and peace forevermore.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV) Let us not trust in the temporary things of this world. Keep your confidence, trust and hope in the living God. He is above all else. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17 NKJV). In Him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). In Him, we have everything we need to enjoy a rich and fruitful life.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. — Ephesians 6:10 (NLT) Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).  When we put on the whole armor of God, we are able to stand strong against the wiles of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). 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). And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers an

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22 NIV). The LORD, makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters (Isaiah 43:16). He even makes a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). Be strong and courageous! When your situation seems impossible, the LORD makes a way.

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. — 2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV) When all forsook the Apostle Paul, he says, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,” (2 Timothy 4:17). In the midst of your hardships, know that the Lord stands with you and strengthens you too. With Him, all things are possible. His Spirit within us, enables us to fight the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NLT). We can be confident in our great God, that He will be with us in the flood and in the fire. He will lead is through all our troubles. Amen!

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. — 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT) Don’t suffer shipwreck in regards to your faith. Fix your eyes on Jesus and fight the good fight 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 12:1b NLT). Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 MSG)

…that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. — 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 (NKJV) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12 NLT). In this world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). Never let the storms of life move you. Stand on the Word of God. No matter what comes our way, we are mighty and secure, in Jesus. He is our strong foundation. Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. (1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP). God will ensure His Word comes to pass and the call is fulfilled,

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) No matter what lies the enemy tells you, be fully convinced that your heavenly Father loves you and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate you from His love. He is with you always. As a good Shepherd, He keeps watch over His sheep. You have not been forgotten or abandoned. Numerous are His thoughts toward you. He is working everything together for good in your life. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (Psalm 139:4-5 NLT). Amen!

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. — Colossians 3:15 (NLT) As brothers and sisters in the family of God, we are called to live in peace. His peace is to rule in our hearts. That means peace is to have dominion over worry, envy, strife, jealousy, etc. Instead of picking each other apart, we are to pick each other up. Let us stop fretting over earthly concerns, and cultivate peace, in our hearts and in our relationships. As we abide in His peace, we see all that we have to be thankful for. With peaceful hearts, we are able to appreciate all the wonderful things God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

“For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” — Isaiah 55:12 (NKJV) We can go out each day full of joy, knowing that our heavenly Father is a good God. And His plans for us are good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope. Knowing that greater is He who is in us than anything we face in the world, is cause for great joy. We have the greater One, dwelling in us! In addition to joy, we will also remain in perfect peace, as we stay on the path of life God sets before us. Amen!

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, — Philippians 3:13 (NLT) Don;t live stuck in the ashes of yesterday. What is ahead of us is so much more important and more glorious that what happened to us in the past. Living in the past will make us pitiful as we get a vision for our future, God’s power is unleashed in our lives. His compassions are new every morning, for the new thing He wants to do in our lives today. See, the former thing have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” (Isaiah 42:9 NIV)

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. — Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) When we approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, we obtain mercy and forgiveness. In His throne room, we find grace to help us when we need it most. Whatever we bring to Him, know that He has the answer. He knows the way. He holds the key to unlock any door that needs to be opened. We can be confident that our God is faithful and always right on time.