Manna for Your Morning

With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action. — Daniel 11:32 (GW) Have you listened to the lies of the enemy and abandoned the promises of God? In the midst of adverse circumstances, we must press in closer to God, dig deeper in His Word and stand on His promises. No matter what difficulties may come, be strong in the LORD and take action according to the word He has spoken to you.

The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. — Genesis 7:1,7 (NIV) Because of Noah's faithfulness to the LORD, God provided a place of protection for him and his family while the floodwaters destroyed every living creature on the earth. Let us be found righteous in this generation. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. — Genesis 1:31 (NKJV) God looked at all He created and said it was good. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good (3 John 1:11a). Be a creator of good things in your sphere of influence. Speak positive, life-giving words into your atmosphere (Proverbs 18:10). Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God (3 John 1:11b, NLT).

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  — 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) A good soldier stays focused on the mission. No matter what adversities arise, a good soldier endures hardship. They know all about courage, commitment, strength and sacrifice. Just as military service members, follow the orders of their Commanding Officer, make it your aim to satisfy and please Jesus, the One who enlisted you into His service. Be a good soldier for Jesus Christ! Today we honor and thank military men and women of the past and present, who are serving and have served our country and ensured our freedom. We remember those who have sacrificed to the point of giving their lives. Thank you.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. — Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) We were created in the image of our heavenly Father. Let us reflect His nature: loving, compassionate, kind, patient, and forgiving. All of us who have given our lives to Jesus, have God's Holy Spirit at work in us, transforming us into His image with ever-increasing glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18).  As children of God, may our lives be a true representation of our great and awesome God!

One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. — Psalm 145:4 (NKJV) Let us declare the mighty acts that God has done and praise Him for all He is doing in our lives. The Apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth, their very lives were a letter, written on hearts, known and read by everyone (2 Corinthians 3:2). Be a living legacy for your children, family, friends and co-workers. As they see you making God first priority, speaking His Word over your circumstances, standing on God's promises, and keeping the faith, it will leave an imprint on their hearts and a legacy for them to follow.

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.  — Psalm 29:11 (NIV) The LORD gives us the strength we need to get through each day. If you are weak or weary, find strength in the LORD, our God. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). And let the perfect peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  — Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) No matter how dark the valley, we can keep on walking and eventually come out on the other side. We have no need to fear because our heavenly Father is with us. He protects us and guides us along on the path of life. The LORD will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3). Rejoice that the Presence of the LORD is with you!

The huge serpent was thrown down. That ancient snake, named Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to earth. Its angels were thrown down with it. — Revelation 12:9 (GW) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Do not be deceived, my brothers and sisters. Be strong and fight the good fight of faith. We have already won the victory, because the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” — Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Inviting Jesus into your heart is not a one time event. We need to hunger and thirst for Jesus, the Living Word, on a daily basis. Keep the door of your heart open to Him everyday. Take time to fellowship with Him, feast on the Word, and listen to His voice. Out of all the voices you hear today, His voice is the most important one.

I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I’m going to spit you out of my mouth. — Revelation 3:15-16 (GW) Being lukewarm is being double-minded, wavering between God and the world. It starts with following Jesus, at a distance, like Peter did in Luke 22:54. Let us stay close to Jesus and keep a fire in our hearts burning for Him. Never let it go out.

The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open, says: I know what you have done. See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut.  — Revelation 3:7-8 (GW) Sometimes we are so focused on the closed doors that we spend all our time and energy trying to force them open. May God give us the wisdom to know when to move beyond the closed doors and to always look for the open doors in our lives. It is the open doors that lead to new opportunities, and to the greater things He wants to do in our lives.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to Jesus, “I’ll follow you wherever you go. — Luke 9:57 (GW)  When Jesus invited people to follow Him, some made excuses, while others left everything and followed Him. The Apostle Paul said, “I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Let us be included in the faithful ones who keep their eyes on Jesus and follow Him wherever He leads.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  — Psalm 20:7 (NIV) Don't put your confidence in the things of this world, or in what you can do in your human strength. Instead trust in the name of the LORD our God. His name is higher than any other name and it will stand forever. Call on Him and He is faithful to answer!

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. — 3 John 2 (AMP) May you prosper in all areas of your life: be strong in spirit, enjoy good health in your physical body, live debt free and financially prosperous and keep your mind in perfect peace. Deuteronomy 29:9 gives us the road map. It says, "Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do." Love the Lord our God and walk in obedience to Him and you will live, increase and flourish in all that God has for you! (Deuteronomy 30:16) Amen.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. — 1 John 4:4 (NLT) I love this verse, because it says it's already DONE! Just as Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished!" He has already won the victory for us. Praise the Lord! We just have to walk it out and work it out, knowing that we overcome by the blood of Christ and the Word of our testimony. Amen.

Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7 (GW) The Father loves us so much that we are actually called God’s dear children, and that’s what we are! (1 John 3:1) Jesus wants all who are burdened and weary to come to Him. Anxiety weighs us down. Banish anxiety from your heart. Give all your cares to God and live in His peace that surpasses all understanding!

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV) We can endure the fiery trials that come, knowing that God will not allow more than we can bear. And after you have suffered a little while, God will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation (1 Peter 5:10). Amen.

 Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing. — 1 Peter 3:8-9 (GW) Let all who belong to the family of God, be of one mind and live in harmony and peace. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be sympathetic, kind and compassionate toward each other. Humbly put the needs of others ahead of your own. Let God avenge the wrongs that are done to you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called us to do, and He will bless us for our obedience.

However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. — 1 Peter 2:9 (GW) God chose you. He called you by name and brought you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. He took you out of the world and made you part of His royal family. While others may have rejected us, our heavenly Father accepted us, just the way we were. Declare His praises! Display His virtues. Tell others about the difference God has made in your life.

So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. —  James 4:7-8a (GW) God is calling us to come up higher and dwell close to Him. Our heavenly Father wants to be close enough to catch you, if you fall and support you when you are weak. Take refuge in the shadow of His wings and live life above your circumstances. As the psalmist said, “lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” (Psalm 61:2).

My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled. Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. — James 1:16-17 (GW) Our heavenly Father is good all the time. The plans He has for us are plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Everything He does is motivated by the great love he has for us, His children. God is love and He does not change. He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:4). Praise the Lord!

Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.  — Hebrews 12:1 (GW) Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. May we get rid of everything that slows us up and weighs us down. Focus on Jesus and allow nothing to distract you. Make it your only aim to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus gave you.

And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”  — Hebrews 10:38 (NLT) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). We are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved (Hebrews 10:39). Be assured that you will see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living. Do not lose hope. Keep believing!

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB) Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin. He overcame all obstacles and gained the victory! So let us draw near to the throne of God's grace to receive His mercy (unmerited favor), and find grace to help us when we need it most.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. — Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) In Psalm 55:2-3, the psalmist says, “My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying...” If you are overwhelmed and troubled, stop listening to the lies of the enemy and fix your thoughts on Jesus. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)! Our help comes from the Lord and nothing is too difficult for Him. Amen!

My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:1 (GW) In the midst of despair, grief, or suffering of any kind, may you draw strength straight from the source, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His grace. After everyone had abandoned him, the Apostle Paul said,   “the Lord stood by me and gave me strength” (2 Timothy 4:17). May you look to Him today, as He stands by you and know that His grace is all you need. When we are weak, He shows Himself strong.

Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (GW) Don't trust in the riches of this world. It is here one day and gone the next. Place your confidence in the living God! He is always with us. He is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth (Deut. 8:18) and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). May the God of hope fill you with His amazing peace and abiding joy as you trust in Him!

Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this . — 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (GOD'S WORD) Brothers and sisters, keep praying! The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it (1 Timothy 2:8-10, The Message). Amen!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4 (NIV) How can we be full of joy at all times? By casting ALL our cares on the Lord. Be anxious for nothing. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Philippians 4:6-7, The Message). And remember to thank God for all He has done!

Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. — Ephesians 5:8 (GW) No more stumbling around in darkness and confusion. We have the light of the Lord shining on us and dwelling in us. Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true (Ephesians 5:9). Light exposes the true character of everything because light makes everything easy to see (Ephesians 5:13-14a). Live in the life-giving light of the Lord!