Manna for Your Morning

A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 (GW) This is the day the LORD has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). The joy of the LORD is good medicine for the soul and it is our strength. The LORD fills us with joy in His presence, and eternal pleasures are at His right hand (Psalm 16:11). Spend time with our heavenly Father and your joy will be made complete.

Whoever gives attention to the LORD’s word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. Proverbs 16:20 (GW) Give attention to the Word of God and thrive in your spirit, soul and body. Experience perfect health in your physical body, emotional healing, healthy relationships, more than enough in your finances, and success in all that you put your hands to do. Fully rely on the LORD and be blessed and grow in your relationship with our heavenly Father. Wisely follow His instruction and flourish in every area of your life.

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJ) This morning as I began thanking the LORD for all the wonderful ways He has blessed me, I got so excited when I thought about the new compassions the LORD continually pours on us. When we opened our eyes this morning, we were blessed with brand new compassions. We don’t have to carry over the old ones from yesterday. It’s not a recycling program. We get to start fresh this morning, His compassions are created new EVERY morning! His mercies have no limit and they never cease. His compassions never fail. Praise the LORD!

Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 (GW) To entrust something means to give it to someone else, to let them be responsible for it and trust them to follow it through to the end. May we entrust all of our efforts to the LORD, and our plans will succeed. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30). Amen.

When you're kind to others, you help yourself; when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself. Proverbs 11:17 (The Message) When you sow kindness to others, you reap it in return. Colossians 3:12 tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Kindness is one of the fruit that is produced when we are walking according to the Holy Spirit. Be fruitful. “...with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer (Isaiah 54:8). Let us imitate our heavenly Father and sprinkle everything we do with kindness.

When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25 (GW) Build your life on the sure foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Then, you will be able to withstand the storms of life. The fire and floods may come but you will stand firm. When you stand on the everlasting foundation, nothing will move you.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) We are to guard our hearts above all else. Be careful what or who you let into your heart. If you let darkness and negativity in, darkness and negativity is going to come out. If you let the light and love of God in, the light and love of God will direct the course of your life and touch those around you in a positive way. May we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness with a sincere and undivided heart, and our lives will be set on the path that leads to success and abundant life.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and be confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort. Stand firm and do what God has called you to do. Don't be moved by circumstances, what others have to say or your emotions. Persevere and press on. Greater things are yet to be done!

I was glad when they said to me,  “Let’s go to the house of the LORD.”  Psalm 122:1 (GW) Even though we have the Spirit of God within us and we can worship Him wherever we are, we should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some are in the habit of doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming ( Hebrews 10:22-25 ). Let your heart leap for joy at the opportunity to freely worship God and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:14-16 (GW) Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He gives His life for the sheep and calls them by name. Jesus said, “ My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me ” (John 10:27, GW). Have you responded to the voice of the Lord? Have you gone straight, when He said turn left?  It's not too late to get back on the right path, the one that leads to a more abundant life. May we follow the Good Shepherd and always respond to His voice.

Blessed are those who receive help from the God of Jacob. Their hope rests on the LORD their God, who made heaven, earth, the sea, and everything in them. The LORD remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6 (GW) We are so blessed to have the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth as our helper. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit (Psalm 147:5). Hang your hope on the LORD. Our heavenly Father is forever faithful. Amen.

The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.   All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Psalm 145:9-12 (NKJ) The Lord is good to everyone and He showers us with His compassions, every morning. May all His faithful followers praise Him! Our heavenly Father opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). Let us tell about His power and the glory of His kingdom to make the mighty acts He as done in our lives known. Hallelujah!

Your word is a doorway that lets in light,  and it helps gullible people understand. Psalm 119:130 (GW) Open the Word of God and let the light in. When His light comes in, we receive life-changing truth and freedom. His written instructions are always right (Psalm 119:144). Gain understanding of the LORD's guiding principles and closely follow them. The Word of God gives us hope and new life (Psalm 119:49-50). Amen!

When I called, you answered me. You made me bold by strengthening my soul. Psalm 138:3 (GW) God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Proverbs 28:1 says, righteous people are as bold as lions. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in heavenly places over all others, in us. We received this power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ,  throughout the world. We are like a city set on a hill, not meant to be hidden. Fear not, be strong and very courageous!

During times of trouble I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me and set me free from all of them. The LORD is on my side. I am not afraid. What can mortals do to me? Psalm 118:5-6 (GW) Troubles may come and troubles go. The LORD eventually sets us free from all of them, in His perfect time. Hallelujah! Our heavenly Father is on our side. If God is for us, who can be against us?

The ropes of death became tangled around me. The horrors of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony. But I kept calling on the name of the LORD: “Please, Lord, rescue me!” Psalm 116:3-4 (GW) Whatever troubles you may be experiencing, remember to call on the name of the LORD. And keep calling, don't give up. Here is what God says about the person who loves Him, “ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation, ” (Psalm 91:14-15 ). Call on the LORD as long as you live!

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) Jesus said, "believe in God, believe also in Me," (John 14:1). “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die (John 11:25). Cling to your faith in Jesus and maintain a clear conscience before God and man. Keep doing what you know is the right thing to do and your faith will not suffer shipwreck. Fight the good fight of faith! Finish the race!

Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (GW) Love never stops being patient. Just as our heavenly Father is patient with us, we are to be patient with each other. Ephesians 4:2 says, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Love never loses faith. Keep believing in those you love. Abba Father always sees the best in us. Love is always full of hope. Love never gives up, it endures all things. Love others, just as the LORD continually shows you His everlasting love.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, Psalm 107:1-2 (NKJ) Our great and gracious God is good, and ready to forgive. He is abundant in mercy to all those who call upon Him (Psalm 86:5). Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10). His mercy endures forever. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives; And we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6). Give thanks to the LORD!

May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJ) Isaiah 53:3 tells us that even Jesus was a Man of suffering and familiar with pain. Endure hardship, the suffering won't last forever. When you are experiencing grief in all kinds of trials, it seems like its going to last forever, but it is temporary. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. And after you have suffered a little while, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. Your present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Praise the LORD, my soul, and never forget all the good he has done: He is the one who forgives all your sins, the one who heals all your diseases, the one who rescues your life from the pit, the one who crowns you with mercy and compassion, the one who fills your life with blessings so that you become young again like an eagle. Psalm 103:2-5 (GW) Let us remember all the good things the LORD has done for us. When we confess our sins, He forgives us and removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. He heals all our diseases, and  rescues our lives from the pit. Our heavenly Father crowns us with tender mercies and new compassions every morning. He fills our lives with blessings and renews our youth like the eagle’s!

Realize that the LORD alone is God. He made us, and we are his. We are his people and the sheep in his care. Psalm 100:3 (GW) Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other (Deuteronomy 4:39). Do not be dismayed, for He is our God and we are His people. He will strengthen you and help you; He will uphold you with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Power and might belong to our God and He delivers us out of trouble. Our heavenly Father faithfully watches over us and keeps us in His constant care. Give thanks to the LORD and praise His holy name!

Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:17-19 (NLT) I know for a fact, if God had not reached out and helped me I would not be here today. His unfailing love is our support. When we hit rock bottom in life, it's the hand of our heavenly Father that reaches out and picks us up. He carries us close to Him and gives us the strength to go on. When you are upset and beside yourself, He will calm you down and cheer you up (Psalm 94:19, The Message).

I want to hear what God the LORD says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity. Indeed, his salvation is near those who fear him, and his glory will remain in our land. Psalm 85:8-9 (GW) Our God is a God of love and peace. He has called us to live in peace. A heart at peace gives life to the body (Proverbs 14:30). Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace in our minds, peace in our hearts and peace in our relationships with others. No matter what troubles may come, Jesus said, “in Me, you may have peace...” (John 16:33). Peace He left with us (John 14:27). As we trust in God, He keeps His perfect peace flowing in us like a river. May lasting peace be yours in abundance!

Your dwelling place is lovely, O LORD of Armies! My soul longs and yearns for the LORD’s courtyards. My whole body shouts for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 (GW) Blessed are those who dwell in the house of the LORD! They are ever praising Him. One day in His courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to the LORD and praise His name (Psalm 100:4). Let everyone that has breath, shout for joy to the living God!

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Why try to figure things out on your own? We have the wisdom of God available to us, and the Holy Spirit in us, who guides us into all truth. If you want to stay on track in life, seek God's will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done. Psalm 73:28 (GW) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Being united with our heavenly Father is our highest good. The person who is joined to the Lord is one with Him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). And as long as we stand with God, no one will be able to stand against us. No weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). With God's powerful presence at work in us, we are more than conquerors.

Be a rock on which I may live, a place where I may always go. You gave the order to save me! Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 (GW) Let us always take refuge in the LORD. He is our strong fortress. He is the mighty Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He (Deuteronomy 32:4). There is no Rock like our God, He gave the order to save us. Exalted be God our Savior! Lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2).

When I remember You on my bed,  I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8 (NKJ) May we meditate on the LORD through the night. Spend some time reflecting on His goodness and expressing your grateful appreciation. He is your help and has faithfully brought you through another day. Closely follow the LORD. Cling to Him as if your very life depended on it. It does!

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Psalm 63:1-3 (NKJ) Before you do anything else, seek the LORD! Draw near to our heavenly Father everyday. Sit and His feet and lay your requests before Him, in the morning. Long for the Presence of the LORD, more than you desire food and drink, because His lovingkindness is better than life. The things we enjoy in this life are temporary, but God's love and compassion are eternal and nothing can ever separate us from His wonderful and amazing love!

Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble. Psalm 55:22 (GW) Turn all your burdens over to the LORD. You can be fully assured that our heavenly Father will take care of you. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). May your heart and mind be filled with the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, as you trust in Him.