Manna for Your Morning

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) Today, as we remember those who have endured hardship to the point of giving their lives in service to our country, let's strengthen our resolve to please the One who enlisted us as soldiers - Christ Jesus. Don't get distracted by the affairs of everyday life. Like a good soldier, stay focused and keep marching ahead on the mission given to you by our Commanding Officer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you." 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV) God is pleased with integrity. Let us say what we mean and follow our words up with the appropriate actions. Our heavenly Father does not lie and He delivers all of His promises.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (NKJ) Great is the LORD! Power, glory, and majesty belong to Him. The LORD is highly exalted over all. It is in His hand to make anyone great and strong. Worthy, worthy, worthy is the LORD to receive all honor, adoration and praise. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand and glorify His kingdom.

"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) Let us heed some of the final words of wisdom King David spoke to his son, Solomon. Acknowledge God, Creator of heaven and earth as the one true God. Everything belongs to Him. Then serve Him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. When the LORD opens your eyes each morning, let your first thought be to thank Him. May the first words on your lips be words of praise to Him. Set your mind and heart on God and let Him direct your actions.

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. Psalm 26:2-3 (NLT) Always be aware of the Lord's unfailing love. He cares for you and has thoughts of peace toward you to give you a future and a hope. He watches over your coming in and your going out. He guides you along on the path that leads to life. His compassions for you are new every morning.

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT) Follow the road the Lord has for you. He will show you the right path and lead you with truth. Put your hope in the Lord at all times. He is the God who saves you.

O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Psalm 25:1-3 (NLT) Give Him all your cares and concerns. Turn your mind, will and emotions over to God. Trust Him with your greatest desire and most intimate dreams. Release your fears and embrace His perfect love. Trust God.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:26-27 (NIV) Worship the true and living God, maker of heaven and earth, with all your heart. He is adorned in glory, splendor and majesty. In His dwelling place you will find everlasting strength and overflowing joy.

Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help. Remember the miracles he has done, his wonders, and his decisions. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12 (NCV) Rely on the Lord and His power and strength, in all situations. He is our mighty Helper in time of need. Remember all His great works and the miracles He has performed. Nothing is too difficult for our awesome God.

Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles. Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy. 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 (NCV) Let us be glad that we belong to the LORD. He chose us in Him before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, NIV) and adopted us into His family. We received His Spirit of sonship and can cry out "Abba Father" (Romans 8:15, NIV). There is no better place for us, than in the hands of the One who formed us. He loves us and wants us close to Him. Look to the LORD and be happy. As long as you rely on Him, you will not be disappointed. It is in Him that we find complete satisfaction.

"When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then attack. I, God, will have gone out before you to defeat the Philistine army." David did as God commanded, and he and his men defeated the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 1 Chronicles 14:15-16 (NCV) Just as God went before David, He goes ahead of us. He guides us and makes the rough places smooth. May we be like David and do as God directs and He will give us the victory.

Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world. He does not become tired or need to rest. No one can understand how great his wisdom is. He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Isaiah 40:28-29 (NCV) The Lord is the everlasting God, who created all the earth. He never grows tired or weary. In fact, He gives strength to those who are tired and increases the power of the weak. Draw from His endless supply and be refreshed.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. Psalm 24:7-8 (NLT) The King of glory is a strong and mighty warrior. He cannot be beaten. Trust in the Lord. He is on your side. Amen.

You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil of blessing on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:4-5 (NCV) Our Shepherd pours the oil of blessing on our heads and it seeps into every area of our lives. He takes our empty cups and fills them to overflowing. Goodness and mercy follow us all of our days, as we dwell in His house. Thank you, LORD.

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (The Message) Approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that He exists and that He cares about you. Seek Him with a sincere heart and He will respond.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Psalm 23:1-3 (NCV) When we rely on the Lord, our Shepherd, we have everything we need and He leads us along the right paths. Rest in the Lord and He will give you new strength.

For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28 (NKJ) When the doom and gloom of life tries to overtake us, the LORD enlightens our darkness. God has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The dark, stormy clouds may last for a season, then God turns our darkness into light.

Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. 2 Kings 23:25 (NLT) King Josiah's legacy is an inspiration for us to be all God created us to be. Follow in his footsteps and turn to the Lord with all your heart, with your soul and with all your strength. When your greatest desire is to be in His Presence and draw closer to him, He has your heart. As your mind, will and emotions reflect the lovingkindness and obedience of our risen Savior, you have turned your soul to the Lord. Turn your strength to the Lord by pouring all your energy into the passions our heavenly Father created in you.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJ) May we be like the Apostle Paul and fight the good fight of faith right up to the end. Finish the race and receive the the crown of righteousness, which all who have eagerly looked forward to His appearing will receive. Amen.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3 (NIV) King Hezekiah became sick and the prophet Isaiah told him the LORD said for him to put his house in order because he was going to die. Upon hearing these words Hezekiah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. The LORD heard his prayer and seen his tears and healed him. The LORD added fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:5-6). When bad news comes call on God. He hears your prayer and sees your tears.

For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 2 Kings 18:6-7 (NKJ) King Hezekiah remained faithful to the LORD in all that he did and he prospered wherever he went. He did not serve man or worship false gods. May we be like King Hezekiah and hold on to the LORD. Faithfully follow Him wherever He leads and you will not be disappointed.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:9-11 (NKJ) Let your heart be glad and rest in hope for the LORD will not abandon you to the grave. He will show you the path that leads to a full and eternal life. In His Presence we are filled with joy and experience the pleasures of living with the LORD forever.

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1 (NLT) A wise woman is a builder. She builds her home on the Rock, the strong foundation of Jesus Christ. And her house does not fall when the storms of life beat against it. She doesn't let any unwholesome talk come out of her mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up (Ephesians 4:29). The wise woman builds up her faith and strengthens her family with unconditional love and through fervent prayer. May God bless each one of us with the strength and perseverance to keep building.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV) Always set the LORD before you. Keep your eyes on Him and receive His instruction. When the LORD is at your right hand, you will not be shaken. But it's up to you to stay by His side.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJ) Seek the LORD. In times of trouble, He is your refuge. Put your trust in Him. People may come and go, but the LORD does not abandon those who seek Him.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 (NKJ) Consider the work of the LORD's hands. He stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth. He established the moon and put each star in place. The LORD set the sun on it's course and told the waters where to stop. Before any of these great works, God thought about you. He chose you before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). And He has crowned you with glory and honor. May we give honor and glory unto Him.

Fig trees may not grow figs, and there may be no grapes on the vines. There may be no olives growing and no food growing in the fields. There may be no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior. The Lord God is my strength. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble so I can walk on the steep mountains. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NCV) Even if the bank account is empty and the cupboards are bare, still, be glad in the Lord. No matter what circumstances come into our lives, no matter what situation arises, let us continue to rejoice in the God of our salvation. He is our strength. He enables us to walk on the steep slopes without stumbling.

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! Psalm 6:2-4 (NKJ) If your soul is greatly troubled, call on the LORD for mercy. Hebrews 4:16 says we have to approach the throne of grace with confidence, in order to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. He will hear your cry and deliver you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5:11-12 (NLT) We are so blessed! The Lord surrounds us with His shield of love. As we take refuge in Him, He is our strong tower of protection. Let us rejoice and sing praises to the Lord, all of our days.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:16-17 (NLT) The king of Aram and his great army surrounded the city where Eisha and his servant lived. The servant cried out to Elisha in fear until the Lord opened his eyes. May we remember that our battles belong to the Lord and there are more on our side than on the enemy's. In addition, we have already been given the victory. Glory hallelujah!

When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?' " "Everything is all right," she said. 2 Kings 4:25-26 (NIV) When the Shunammite women spoke these words, her son was lying in her house dead. Instead of looking at the circumstances, she was believing in the power of God. Instead of speaking negative, she spoke words of faith. She sought Elisha, the man of God and her son was brought back to life. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Instead of broadcasting all the bad news, speak words of faith. 2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT says, don’t look at the troubles we can see now. We are to fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. Everything is all right, as we follow God's direc...