Manna for Your Morning

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! — Luke 15:7 (NLT) In Luke 15:11-24, Yeshua tells a parable about a younger son who demanded his share of the father's estate. He then moved to a distant land, and wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He got a job feeding pigs, and was so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. (Note: the world will leave you dry and empty). When he finally came to his senses, he decided to return home to his father to be a hired servant. So he returned home to his father. 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. He then proceeded to clothe him and celebrate. No matter how far...

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.” — Luke 14:11 (AMP) “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (See James 4:6 NKJV) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 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 5:6-7 AMP) Speak evil of no one, be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (See Titus 3:2 NKJV)

Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth! — Psalms 116:7-9 (NLT) Psalms 139:7-10 (NLT) says: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” May we be mindful of the LORD’s Presence. His nearness is for our good. He leads us and guides us along on the path of life. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus the Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:57) His Presence gives us strength, comfort, and confidence.  What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. — Psalms 116:12-13 (NKJV)

…Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:40-42 (NLT) Don’t let the cares and events of this world keep you busy and distracted from the primary thing worth pursuing, time with King Yeshua, the Living Word. Be like Mary and sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to His teaching. (See Luke 10:39 NLT) Jesus said: “...one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42 NKJV) Make a dedicated decision, every day, to choose that “good part.”

“The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.” — Luke 8:13-14 (NLT) Don’t let the cares and pleasures of this life, nor the desire for riches choke the living Word out of you. May we receive the seed, which is God’s word (See Luke 8:11), on good, fertile soil. “…the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” (Luke 8:15 NLT)

“I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” — Psalms 116:1-2 (NLT) How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalms 116:5 NLT) This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalms 145:18 NKJV) Call upon Him today. He hears your voice and is faithful to answer.