Manna for Your Morning

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:25-26 (NKJV) Don’t put your confidence in what you can do merely with your flesh. Outwardly we are wearing out (2 Corinthians 4:16), but God remains forever, a faithful and firm foundation. Trust God and the power of His mighty Spirit at work in you. The battle belongs to the LORD and He has already won the victory!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  — James 1:17 (NIV) Our lives are full of good and perfect gifts from our heavenly Father. The very breath of life in you at this moment, is a gift of God. Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God for all the wonderful things He has so graciously given to us.

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.  — Psalm 71:20-21 (NKJV) No matter what we go through in this life, the LORD has plans to give you a future and a hope. He promises to deliver the righteous out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17). Our heavenly Father will increase your greatness and lovingly comfort you, like no one else can.

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  — Psalm 71:14 (NIV) Psalm 27:13 (NAS) says, I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Our hope serves as a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary (Hebrews 6:19, NLT). Let's keep hope alive!

By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.  — Psalm 71:6 (NKJV) Since the day He delivered you from your mother's womb, the LORD has been with you. He has taken care of you. We can  always lean and rely upon our mighty God. May our mouths be filled with His praise and with His glory all the day! (Psalm 71:8)

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”  — Psalm 70:4 (NLT) Let us be filled with joy and gladness of heart, in the Presence of the LORD. For great is the LORD, our God. He is bigger than any mountain that stands in our way. When the enemy comes at you with his lies, remind him of the truth: our God is greater. We can rejoice because we have the victory, in Him!

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live.  — Psalm 69:30-32 (NKJV) The very essence of our lives is to sing the praises of our God and honor Him with thanksgiving. A humble heart giving glory to God, pleases Him more than anything we could give as a sacrifice. May your heart be encouraged and strengthened as you trust in and rely on God.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  — Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) No need to be discouraged or afraid, for our God is with us. He gives us the strength to endure and helps us to be victorious. He will hold you up above the circumstances of your life and cause you to be more than a conqueror. Amen!

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” — Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) Whatever God has done for us, let us be gracious and do the same for others. Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

 “with God all things are possible.” — Mark 10:27 (NKJV) I think the words “with God” are the pivotal point in making this Scripture a reality in our lives. We need to examine ourselves and see if we are really with God, in spirit and in truth. When we are with God, we are led by His Holy Spirit within us and we bring our mind, will and emotions (soul) into alignment. When we are truly with God, the world around us fades away and we get caught up in the absolute awe of Who He is. Even though we are “busy, busy, busy,”  God is always the center focal point, around which everything else revolves. He captures our attention and we are fully engaged in our relationship with Him. As long as we are WITH God, yes, ALL things are possible!

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” — Mark 9:49-50 (NKJV) As we give ourselves to God, as living sacrifices, we will all experience the fire of adversity. It takes the fire to burn out impurities. However, once we get through it, we are well-seasoned with salt. And salt is good, it gives flavor and distinction. Let us be all about the things that will outlast the fire: sharing the love of God, forgiving others, preserving peace and living in harmony with one another.

Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”  — Mark 8:4-5 (NKJV) What appeared to be lack to the disciples, fed four thousand people. They ate and were satisfied and the disciples took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments (Mark 8:8). We serve a God of more than enough. If you have been asking God "how?" look at the skills, talents and resources He has already given you. Thank God for them and start using them! He will provide whatever is lacking.

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas . — Psalm 65:5 (NLT) The LORD is faithful and righteous. He hears your prayers, and listens to your cries. Keep your hope hooked on the Most High God. He will answer with awesome deeds and awe-inspiring acts. Amen!

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”  — Isaiah 42:9 (NKJV) Let go of past failures, hurts and offenses. Those things have come to pass. The things that are going to happen tomorrow are greater than what happened yesterday. “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). New things are on the way!

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory and offer praise. — Psalm 64:10 (AMP) Those who are in the Lord can be glad because we know that in Christ, we have the victory! Rejoice in the fact that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We can trust Him because He is faithful, all powerful and full of grace. Praise the Lord!

When Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, to go to the other side, a windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping. The disciples woke Him up and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. — Mark 4:39 (NKJV) No matter what storms come into our lives, we can be sure Jesus is not sleeping and He does care. He is well aware of all that we are going through. When we bring Jesus into our situation, He will bring a great calm. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. My peace I give to you.”

I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.  — Psalm 63:6-8 (NLT) Cling to the LORD, your helper. He securely holds us in His strong right hand. Meditate on the glorious splendor of His majesty and on His wondrous works (Psalm 145:5). Contemplate His ways. How great is our God! Sing for joy in the shadow of His wings!

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.  — Psalm 63:3-4 (NIV) The LORD crowns us with love and compassion (Psalm 103:4). He pours His unfailing love upon us each and every day. If we didn't have His love, our lives would not be worth living. Praise God for His everlasting love and compassion!

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NLT) Sometimes, we get so focused on the process and trying to "do" the right thing that we lose sight of Jesus. If we are always thinking about what we did wrong and what we did right, we are self-focused. Please remember, it's not about us. It's all about JESUS! Keep your eyes on Him and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit within you.

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. — Matthew 28:17 (NKJV) Once we have truly seen Jesus, how can we do anything but worship Him? He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, clothed in grace and glory. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, He who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). In Jesus Christ, we have the victory, because He has overcome the world. Don't be one of those who doubt. Worship Him!

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.  — Psalm 63:1 (NKJV) May God be the first One you seek after your eyelids open in the morning. Seek His Presence, and His will, in the morning and all day long. His love is better than life itself and in His Presence there is joy forevermore! Let your deepest affections be directed toward our great God.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. — 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12). Instead let your faith be strengthened, and proven genuine. Remember, each trial is an opportunity for God to show Himself strong on your behalf!

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah   (pause, and think of that) — Psalm 61:1-4 (NKJV) When your heart is overwhelmed, call out to God. For the LORD is our rock, our fortress and deliverer; Our God, our strength in whom we can trust. (Psalm 18:2). He will calm your troubled soul and fill you with peace. Live forever beneath the safe shelter of His wings. Amen!

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.  — Psalm 60:11-12 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Be courageous, He is near! With God we will display great strength and do mighty things. He rescues us from our troubles and helps us triumph over our adversaries. Amen!

For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great, reaching to the heavens, and Your truth and faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.  — Psalm 57:10-11 (AMP) God's love is so deep, yet it reaches as high as the heavens. His lovingkindness is so great, it has no bounds or conditions. When we mess up, He does not love us any less. Our heavenly Father is so faithful, He simply loves us, as His children, right where we are. Be absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us (Romans 8:39, The Message).

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.  — Psalm 57:7-8 (NLT) The righteous do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly (Psalm 112:6-8, NLT). With strong and confident hearts, we can awaken the dawn with songs of praise to our great God!

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.   — James 1:19-20 (NIV) Slow your roll on anger and taking offense. The Message Bible says to post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. May we be quick to listen to others with the intention of gaining understanding, not to build our defense. Let us also keep our ears open to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit within us, as He leads and guides us. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!

Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!  — Psalm 57:1-2 (AMP) Hide in the shadow of His wings and hold on through the storms. Anchor your hope in the Most High and you will remain steadfast and immovable. You can be sure that our gracious God will fulfill His purposes for you!

God, you did everything you promised, and I’m thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life.  — Psalm 56:12-13 (The Message) Our God is faithful. He will do, in your life, all that He has promised. When circumstances were tumbling out of control and I felt my life was doomed, the hand of the LORD reached down and pulled me up and set my feet on the Rock. When you despair even of life itself, BELIEVE that you will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). Walk hand-in-hand with our Maker, in His life-giving light.

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!  — Psalm 56:9 (NLT) If you don't know anything else, know this: our mighty God is on your side. He is for you, not against. He wants you to trade your bitterness and sorrow for joy, and your desperation, for His peace. He will turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28, NLT). Great is God's goodness and it abounds toward you!