Manna for Your Morning

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  — James 4:8 (NKJV) As we make our New Year resolutions and set our goals for the coming year,  may pursuing the peaceful, yet powerful Presence of Almighty God be our number one priority. To know our heavenly Father and stay connected to Him, is truly our primary purpose. Allow the fullness of His Spirit, and the abundance of His love to fill your empty, broken places. Intimacy, let our wonderful Creator see into you and shape you into the unique, marvelous creation you were meant to be. He will perfect all that concerns you (Psalm 138:8). Amen.

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.  — Psalm 31:20 (NKJV) Trust in the LORD, for in the time of trouble He shall hide you in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide you; (Psalm 27:5). Stay in the secret place of His Presence, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. There is a peace that surpasses all understanding. Yes, dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever,  — Psalm 146:5-6 (NKJV) Happy is the person who has learned to rely on the LORD for help. He or she can lay down and sleep in peace because they know their heavenly Father is always working for their good. And they realize that nothing is too difficult for God, the Maker of heaven and earth! He is a faithful Father who fulfills all His promises. Rejoice because He has already given us the victory and made us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57) Don't worry, be happy!

“Why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” — Luke 6:41 (GW) Why is it so easy to see someone else's “stuff” and not our own? We conveniently make excuses for ourselves when we say something that should have been left unspoken. And we are able to justify and minimize our attitudes, when they are not right. However, the second greatest commandment is for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). So let us always look to see the good in the other person. Maybe they are just having a “bad” day. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — Mark 15:34 (NKJV) As Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He experienced separation from God. That was the most agonizing, gut-wrenching moment of all. More than the pain of having nails hammered into His hands and feet. More than the beating which ripped the flesh off His back and left Him unrecognizable as a human being. It was not being mocked and rejected by men. It was being separated from His Father that made Him cry out. He suffered all of this, to reconcile us back into fellowship with the heavenly Father. What a privilege we have, to fellowship with our heavenly Father, to have access to Him, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pursue His Presence today. Live in it every moment of every day!

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  — Psalm 145:17-18 (NIV) While we may not always understand the circumstances that God allows to come our way, we can be assured that the LORD our God is righteous and just in all the works which He does. As He says in Isaiah 55:9 “My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God is also forever faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. No matter what comes our way, our heavenly Father, will be with us and He will see us through it all. Amen!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11 (NIV) The good news about Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is a message that should fill everyone's heart with joy. Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1). Our Lord and Savior came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). That includes a healthy, prosperous life on this earth and for all eternity. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day (Psalm 96:2). Hallelujah!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11 (NASB) Jesus is God's gift to the world, every race, tongue, tribe and nation. God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34). The Lord does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10). Amen!

Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD and reflects on his teachings day and night. — Psalm 1:1-2 (GW) So often, we say, “God bless you!” However, if we want to be blessed, we have to be proactive. God has given us a gift, His Word. It is up to us, to unwrap it and gain understanding. When we read the Word and apply it to our lives, true blessings will follow. The Bible is a love letter to us from Almighty God. It speaks of His unending love, grace and faithfulness. Delight yourself in His Word and treasure it in your heart!

And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the  LORD  gave Job twice as much as he had before. — Job 42:10 (NKJV) Job lost everything and greatly suffered with painful boils, all over his body. But Job persevered through the adversity and prayed for his friends, who had made many accusations against him. Then, God restored him. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part (Job 42:12). After his troubles, Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations (Job 42:16). In the midst of whatever circumstances come our way, may we remember to take our eyes off of ourselves and pray for our friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.  — Psalm 145:15-16 (NKJV) God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He not only provides food for our physical bodies, He also gives us His Word to feed us spiritually. You can be sure that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He opens His hand, and we are satisfied. Keep your eyes on the LORD and patiently wait, with expectation. He does not disappoint. “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:14).

The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.  — Psalm 145:14 (NKJV) In Isaiah 41:10, the LORD says, “ Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” The LORD is our support. He is there to catch us if we fall. Our heavenly Father reaches down and lifts us out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire of life. He sets our feet on a rock and gives us a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2). Amen!

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.  — Psalm 145:8-9 (NIV) The LORD is full of grace and compassion, and He is good to all. He has compassion over all His creation. You are the handiwork of God, Himself and He has not forgotten about you. He showers you with compassion. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-23). Stand under the nozzle of His grace and get saturated with His love!

“There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways nor abide in its paths.”  — Job 24:13 (NKJV) Don't be one of those who fight against God. Who do you think is going to win that battle? Jesus came as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Him should not abide in darkness (John 12:46). We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Let us walk as children of light and He will lead us along on the path of life. For this light we have within us produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true (Ephesians 5:8-9). Abide in the light!

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  — Psalm 145:1-3 (NIV) As long as we have the breath of life, let us praise the LORD! Worthy is the LORD to receive all honor, glory and praise! There is no one like Him! Our great God is most high above all the earth, let us exalt His name together!

“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.  — Revelation 3:20 (The Message) Jesus wants to occupy your whole heart, but He doesn't force His way. We must open the door and invite Him in. Don’t just open the door, let's roll out the red carpet and invite Him into every room. He will help us remove the clutter and clean out those areas that are not quite right. So answer the call of Jesus and let Him rule and reign in your heart!

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  — Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Because of the LORD's great love for us, we are not consumed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-23). We can trust our heavenly Father to show us the way we should go, because His love for us goes on and on. Every morning, His compassions begin afresh. May we lift our souls up to Him and open wide the door of our hearts to His Presence.

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah  — Psalm 143:5-6 (NIV) Are you journeying through a dry land? When your soul thirsts for the Lord, it shall be satisfied. He is the Living Water. Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink,” (John 7:37). He is the spring of living water. Let him who thirsts come and drink!

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. — Job 13:15 (NKJV) Job says, even if God were to kill him, he would still trust God. Trust transcends circumstances and our desire to understand everything that goes on in our lives. No matter what comes our way, let us continue to keep our trust firmly planted in God, knowing that He will work all things together for good. Confidently rely on our faithful God, and you will not be disappointed!

Oh, that you would be silent, and it would be your wisdom!  — Job 13:5 (NKJV) Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us that there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Sometimes silence is golden. When Job's friends learned of his troubles, they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great (Job 2:13). Wisdom is not only speaking the right word, but also speaking at the right time. A word spoken in due season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)

LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.  — Psalm 143:1 (NIV) Because He is faithful and righteous, our heavenly Father comes to our relief. Even when our backs are turned toward Him, our God remains faithful. For He is the LORD, He does not change (Malachi 3:6). He delivers the righteous out of all their troubles. In Psalm 50:15 God says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; — Daniel 1:8 (NKJV) As children of God we have to purpose in our hearts that we will not defile ourselves with the things and/or ways of the world. May we make a dedicated decision to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). As the Message Bible says: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Loudly, I cry to the LORD. Loudly, I plead with the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaints in his presence and tell him my troubles. When I begin to lose hope, you already know what I am experiencing . — Psalm 142:1-3 (GW) Whatever challenges you are facing today, the LORD already knows. He has all of our days written in His book. Don’t lose hope, because He has already made a way out for you. Our heavenly Father will see you through. Amen!

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. — Philippians 3:13-14 (The Message) As we begin to put closure on this year, let us forget those things which are behind us and press on. Where we are going is much more important than where we have been. May we move onward and upward, to Jesus and the call that God has on our lives. Don't turn back. Keep your eye on the goal!

“Stand up, and thank the LORD your God: From everlasting to everlasting your glorious name is praised and lifted high above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD.
 You made heaven, the highest heaven, with all its armies. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the armies of heaven worship you.” — Nehemiah 9:5-6 (GW) Let everything that has breath, thank the LORD! He is the giver of life. Our heavenly Father is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:17). And His faithful love never runs out on us. Thank You, LORD!

And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. — Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP) Need more joy? Draw closer to our heavenly Father. In His presence is fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Delight yourself in the LORD, rejoicing always before Him and your strength will be continually renewed. He will be your stronghold: a fortified place that protects against attack.

Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. — Nehemiah 8:3 (NKJV) Do you give attention to the Word of God? For the Word of God is living and powerful, (Hebrews 4:12). God has magnified His word above all His name (Psalm 138:2). Joshua 1:8 tells us to always have the Word on our lips and to meditate in it day and night, to do according to all that is written in it. Then we will make our way prosperous, and have good success. Amen!

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil...  — Psalm 141:3-4 (NIV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Let us speak edifying words of life, over our lives and over others. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24, NLT).

But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.  — Psalms 141:8-9 (NKJV) Fix your eyes on the Lord and do not get distracted by any of the sideshows. They are only there to get you to take a detour off the path God has for you. Ttrust and take refuge in the Lord. He will not leave you destitute. He will protect you through the fire and through the storms.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) The LORD leads us beside quiet waters, He refreshes our souls. He guides us along the right paths for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:2-3). The LORD shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11). Let us faithfully and humbly follow our heavenly Father and He will lead us into a future that is exceedingly abundantly above all that we dare ask or even imagine.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.  — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression (Proverbs 12:25). Don't cast only part of your concerns upon God. We are instructed to give ALL of our cares to Him, once and for all. Don't turn around and take them back again. Our Heavenly Father cares for you. If it concerns you, it concerns Him. Our God is able. Let go and let God be God!