Manna for Your Morning

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. — Psalm 34:8 (MSG) O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NASB) You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. (Psalm 91:1-4 MSG) Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah  — Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)

Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. — Psalm 78:35 (NKJV) Our Redeemer is strong and mighty. Be confident that whatever difficulties come your way today, He is well able to handle them. He is higher than any mountain, and more powerful than the waves of adversity. Cast all your cares on the Lord, because He cares for you.  “...with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:8b NLT) “ But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. ” (Job 19:25 NLT)   For the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb says this, “I am the LORD, Maker of all things, Who alone stretches out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself,” — Isaiah 44:24 (AMP)

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. — 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (MSG) Even when it seems things are falling apart, we can count on His amazing grace. We have forgiveness for our failures. And He gives us strength to persevere through the hard times. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6 NLT) Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. (Proverbs 4:25-26 MSG) Keep moving onward and forward, in spite of the challenges. We are more than conquerors!

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  — John 11:40 (NKJV) When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6). Mary and Martha may have thought Jesus forgot about them or that He didn’t care, but it was all for the glory of God. What seems to us like a delay, may be a prelude for the glory of God to be shown. Don’t get down in the dumps during the delays. Instead keep believing and watching with expectation for a mighty move of God! Instead of another healing, John 11:43-44 records Jesus calling a man who had been dead for four days out of the grave. That relationship or situation that appears lifeless in your eyes, can be resurrected and given new life, all for the glory of God. As a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, many of the Jews who saw what Jesus did, believed in Him. (John 11:45) As God’s glory is revealed in your life, many will see and believe.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. — Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV) When we clothe ourselves in the whole armor of God, we have strength to stand firm, against all the schemes and strategies of the devil. It's in the power of His might that we are able to stand. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil prowls  about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) And he comes at the opportune time. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:13 NLT) Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. — Ephesians 6:13 (TPT)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] — Philippians 4:13 (AMP) When the enemy says: “ you can’t, ” remember, you can do all things through Christ. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty. (Philippians 4:13 TPT) Don’t run ahead of Him and try to do it on your own. Follow Christ as He leads and guides you and He will enable you to do all that He has purposed for you. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. (Psalm 57:2 NLT) Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:13 (MSG)

Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” — John 4:6-7 (NLT) In Jeremiah 2:13, the LORD says: “ For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! ” Which wells do you draw from as your source? The well of your career or business? Do you go to the well of people-pleasing, trying to get your fill on the approval of others? Do you rely on the well of money or the well of sensual pleasures? These wells will never satisfy our thirst. Jesus is the only source that can satisfy. Just like the woman at the well, He knows everything you ever did and He still loves you. In John 4:10 (NLT), Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. — Hosea 10:12 (NKJV) Fallow ground is ground that has intentionally not been touched, worked or cultivated. Fallow ground is every heart that hasn’t allowed God to touch it. Fallow ground is every area of your life that the Word of God has not penetrated, taken root and transformed. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek and search diligently for the LORD [and to long for His blessing] (Hosea 10:12 AMP) How do we break up the fallow ground? By opening our hearts and receiving the Word of God, His grace and His love. Once we receive His Word (seed) and let it take root in our hearts, we will bear much fruit. I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousne

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) Every day of your life was written in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16) The LORD already has a solution for every situation that arises today. Our heavenly Father has a plan for your life. We can rejoice and be glad because it is a good plan. Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and His plan and purpose will prevail in your life. No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30 NLT)

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” — Matthew 28:5-6 (NLT) Who do you look for? Seek Jesus, the Messiah, our Risen Savior, the One who touches and transforms lives. Look for Christ, the One who conquered sin, death and the grave. Matthew 28:1 (NLT) says:  Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.  May we seek Jesus early. Don’t get started on your day until you spend some time with the Lord, dine with Him, feed on His Word and seek His will. Engage with Him,  not just early, but continually throughout your day. Luke 24:1, says the women came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. Today, let us bring our hearts to Him. May we prepare our hearts to receive our King. Let Him fill your heart with the sweet fragrance of His lov

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. — Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) After the crucifixion and burial of Christ, the Believers were discouraged, defeated, and hopeless. They could not see past Friday, to the glory of Sunday and the empty tomb. If we are more plugged in to the negative news of this world, instead of the Good News we have in Jesus, the Living Word, our outlook becomes dark and gloomy. If we rely on the Word of God instead of a doctor’s report, we will maintain our peace and a proper perspective. To keep a proper perspective, look up to Almighty God and look in His Word which stands forever. What looks like failure, is just a temporary spot on the way to your promise land. It’s

“I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings. There’s nothing left of your sins. Come back to me, come back. I’ve redeemed you.” — Isaiah 44:22 (MSG) Jesus endured the cross for us. He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12  NASB) Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. (Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Hallelujah! “ I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. ”  — Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)

Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly . — Psalm 112:6-8 (NLT) We were designed to need the LORD, each moment of the day. If you are overwhelmed with life events, you are probably trying to do it on your own. Cast all your cares on the LORD, because He cares for you. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NASB) ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ — Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. — Romans 6:6-9 (NLT)  We were set free from the power of sin, to live with Christ. Let us live with Jesus and not just visit Him on Sunday morning. Abide in Him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; continually talk to Him. Dine with Him daily. When we open the door, of our heart, He will come in to us and dine with us. (Revelation 3:20) We are no longer at sin’s every beck and call! (Romans 6:6 MSG) Let us live for the glory of God! When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be de

“ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you .” — John 15:15 (NKJV) If we want to be a friend of the Lord, obedience is the key. Jesus said, “ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ” (John 15:14)  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NLT) Jesus gave His life for us. Let us follow His example, and lay our lives down to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Be a friend to our risen Savior and to those God has placed in your sphere of influence.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. — 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) In 2 Corinthians 11:25-27a (NLT), the Apostle Paul tells us about some of the challenges he went through. He says: “ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. ” Through all of this the Apostle Paul, knew it was a “ good ” fight. He kept the faith and finished his race. No matter what circumstances you face today, remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, fight the good fight and finish your race.

Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him. — Proverbs 14:2 (NLT) Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; (Proverbs 1:7a MSG) Let us humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and realize, it’s not about us, but our great and mighty God. Respect and honor the one true God, Elohim, the all-powerful Creator. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7 NLT) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; (Proverbs 8:13) The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27) In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26) Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart: (2 Chronicles 19:9) This is the right path, that leads to life.

God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives so those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. — Psalm 126:3-6 (MSG) Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40:5 NKJV) Abba Father, I look with joyful expectation for You to do it again. For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. (Psalm 92:4) I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. (Psalm 9:1) God has not brought you this far to leave you now.

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 (NASB) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT) Jesus has an open invitation for us to come to Him. He meets us right where we are. The Word of God is full of promises, but the best promise of all is His Presence. He promises to be with us forever. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, “ I am with you always, even to the end of the age .” In His Presence we have peace and power to do all that God has given us to do. Amen.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. — Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:9-10 NASB) Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:6-7) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:8,10)

For this reason He says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light.” Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. — Ephesians 5:14-16 (AMP) In Luke 22:45-46, when Jesus rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, “ Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation .” As believers, do not let us be found sleeping. May we stay awake, arise and live with honor, purpose and courage. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. — John 20:19 (NLT) Jesus said to His disciples again, “ Peace be with you, ” in John 20:21 and John 20:26. It's pretty clear, He desires for His disciples to remain in peace. Peace is not an escape from the pressures of life. It is something Jesus tells us to have, even in the midst of the storms. In John 16:33 (AMP), He told us we would have tribulation, distress and suffering, but He also said, “T hese things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace .” How can we maintain peace in the midst of the storms? 1) By relying on the help of the Holy Spirit within us. 2) By believing and speaking the Word of God to every mountain (trial, situation, or circumstance). And 3) by remembering that our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory t

But as for me, I will wait and hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. — Psalm 71:14 (AMP) I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. (Psalm 34:1 NLT)  The Message Bibles says, I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. (Psalm 34:1) When we magnify the LORD, our problems become smaller and the enormity of our God is revealed. Don't let anything stop you from praising our mighty God. No matter what, I’ll trust in you to help me. Nothing will stop me from praising you to magnify your glory!   (Psalm 71:14 TPT) Our personal praise is so powerful. When we praise Him, it changes the atmosphere and creates a new perspective. (Pastor Matthew Pollock)

“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;” — Matthew 6:19-20 (AMP) The material things we accumulate in this life, will eventually disintegrate and become rubbish. Let us invest into the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus said: “ I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ” And in Matthew 25:40, He says, “... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me .”  Let's not only invest our finances, but our talents and time also. As we walk in love, peace and unity with others, we are expanding the Kingdom of God. When we show patience, kindness and gentleness

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!  — 1 John 4:11-12 (MSG) This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. (1 John 3:16-17 MSG) Don't be a dead-end to God's love by not passing it on. May we take the love our Heavenly Father lavishes on us and share it with others. If God dwells in us, then we have His perfect love, to love Him in return, and to love others, including our enemies. Remain in His love. Let all that you do be done in the perfect love

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. — Hebrews 4:14-15 (MSG) Once we have opened the door of our heart to Jesus, we gain 24-hour access to enter His Presence. We can humbly approach the throne room of God and meet with our Savior, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What an honor! May we cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior (Hebrews 4:14 AMP) Worship and adore Him. In His presence, we are enveloped in His peace, and we obtain His protection and provision. 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 j

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. — Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT) Keep soaring with Jesus and you will find new strength. In the depths of your suffering, greater strength is developed. In the midst of your pain, you will gain power to rise up. As you continue to mount up with wings like eagles, your mess will become your message. Your tests and trials will lead to your testimony of what God has done. Keep soaring with the LORD and the land of your brokenness will be the place of your blessing. You will come out of the fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke on you. Keep soaring through the valley and onto the victory, we have in Jesus. Spread your wings and rise higher and higher toward the glorious destination the LORD has

The LORD bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The LORD make His face shine upon you [with favor], and be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; The LORD lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], and give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP) You may feel beaten up and battered by the storms of life, but remember you are blessed by God. No matter what circumstances present themselves, the blessings of the LORD are upon you, today and forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. (Psalm 29:11 NLT) We are surrounded by His lovingkindness. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. — Psalm 23:6  (NLT)

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? — Psalm 56:3-4  (NASB) If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31b NLT) God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah. (Psalm 46:1-3 AMP) Have no fear, for nothing will be impossible with God .” (Luke 1:37 NASB)

Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NASB) Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; (Proverbs 29:18a AMP) The Message Bible says, If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18) May we write God’s Word on our hearts and run with the vision He has given. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. — P roverbs 29:18 (KJV)