Manna for Your Morning

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. — Acts 24:16 (NIV) May we be like the Apostle Paul, and do our absolute best to maintain a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. That means we walk in God's ways, loving all people and showing partiality to no one.  We bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Colossians 3:13). And we do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Amen!

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. — Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) It is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) God has called us with a holy calling. Let us strive to live holy lives. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness (Romans 6:19, NIV). We are to be presented to Jesus as a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that we should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27, NKJV). Let us press on to maturity and holiness!

But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. — Psalm 22:3 (NKJV) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful (Psalm 147:1). No matter what mayhem comes, continue to sing praises to the LORD Most High. His Presence inhabits the praises of His people. And in His Presence, the mountains before you will melt like wax (Psalm 97:5). Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. — Acts 17:11-12 (NKJV) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character (Acts 17:11, NIV). They listened eagerly to Apostle Paul’s message, then they searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed. When we hear the Word of God preached, may we also search the Scriptures daily, so that we may believe and know the truth. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mark 13:22).

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  — Acts 16:24-25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off, were beaten with rods and then thrown into prison, yet at midnight, they were praying and singing praises to God. They did not get caught up in doubt, unbelief or fear. On your worst day, when it seems as though the enemy has you imprisoned, what sounds come out of your mouth? Hebrews 12:1 says, we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Let us fight the good fight of faith by praying and praising God always, no matter what the circumstance. You don't know whose salvation is hanging in the balance as they see and hear your faithfulness or lack of it. Amen!

And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God], — Ezekiel 11:19 (AMP) A stony heart is a stubborn heart that insists on doing things it's own way. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are a new creation and we receive a new heart. We receive an undivided heart of flesh, that is full of life, and the power of God's Holy Spirit. May we submit our minds and our flesh, to this new heart that stays sensitive and responsive to God's touch.

In the words of Joyce Meyer, “You don't have to live a weak, wimpy life in Jesus.” Instead of whining, murmuring, and complaining, declare the living Word of God over your life:  “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”  — Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. — Acts 11:22-23 (NKJV) I encourage you all, to continue with the Lord, each and every moment of your life. No matter what, stay solid in your commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, with your whole heart. Be totally devoted to doing the will of our heavenly Father and fulfilling the mission He has given to you. Then when we see the grace and favor of God at work in our lives, it will make us glad!

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;  — Isaiah 1:18-19 (NKJV) Psalm 84:11 tells us that the LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. To know what the right thing to do is and not do it, is sin. Let us consistently do what is right, with a willing and obedient heart and we shall eat the good of the land.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. — Acts 9:15 (NKJV) A vessel is a hollow container used to hold something. Just as Saul was chosen, you are vessel, chosen by God that His Holy Spirit may dwell in you. Without the Spirit of God living inside of us, we are all empty vessels. Before He formed you in the womb, the LORD knew you (Jeremiah 1:5). He created you on purpose and with a purpose. You are not a mistake and God has not forgotten about you. Let us be vessels for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; — Acts 3:19 (AMP) When we repent, change directions, from going our own way to follow God's way, we are revived. We experience the Presence of God in a whole new way that refreshes our spirits, minds and bodies. And we can be at peace, knowing that we will fulfill our purpose in this life, as long as we follow the guidance of our heavenly Father.

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! — Psalm 103:1, 5 (AMP) Let us praise the LORD, with hearts of gratitude. He fills our lives with good things (Psalm 103:5, NLT) and renews our youthful spirits. As we continually hope in the LORD, He renews our strength, so we can soar on wings like eagles; we can run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31, NIV). Like eagles, we can be strong, overcoming and soar high above the circumstances of our lives. Amen!

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.  — Philippians 3:13 -14 (AMP) Sometimes it is a strain to move forward, but when we lay aside the disappointments and regrets of the past and throw off everything that hinders us, we are able to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. So let us press on, with our eyes on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus! Let there be no turning back or getting side-tracked.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” — Acts 3:6 (NKJV) We may not have the resources to help someone in need, but we can give them what we do have, Jesus the Christ, the Great Physician. He is the only hope for a lost and dying world. Let them know, Jesus came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 10:10 AMP). He was sent to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1). To comfort and console all who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:2-3). If any are sick among you, pray for them. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up (James 5:15).

His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?  — John 9:2 (AMP)  I suppose it's human nature to want to point fingers and place blame. That started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Adam blamed his sin on the woman God gave Him and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13). However, the response Jesus gave the disciples takes our focus away from placing blame to a more productive approach. Jesus answered, “It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him.”  (John 9:3) With that response in mind, we can now ask ourselves, “ What can I do, to let love cover a multitude of sins?” (1 Peter 4:8) Or, “ What actions can I take, in this situation, that the glory of God should be revealed?”

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  — Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) In EVERY situation, let your requests be made known to God, by prayer and petition, always giving thanks to our great God for Who He is, all He has done and all He will  do in the future. When we give all our worries and cares to God (1 Peter 5:7), our burdens become lighter and we find rest for our souls. Also, the perfect peace of God settles upon our hearts and goes to the very center of our being. This peace goes above and beyond the realm of human understanding and keeps you completely calm in the middle of chaos and crises. It shields your heart and mind against anxiety, as you as you live in and trust Christ Jesus.

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.  — Psalm 121:5 (NLT) When calamity comes, people have a tendency to ask, “Where was God?” He is where He always is, right by your side. His eye constantly watches over you. He is there to catch every tear that rolls down your cheek. When someone does you wrong and you are devastated, all the broken pieces of your heart fall in His hand. He is there to bring healing and restoration. He carries you when you don't have the strength to walk. Our heavenly Father turns your sorrow into joy. Every tear that was sown reaps a harvest of joy. Those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing (Psalm 125:6, The Message).

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) God is well aware of all the things you do. Rest assured that any labor you have done in the Lord is not vain. You may have little strength because you have persevered through many storms, but take heart you shall overcome. Behold, God is doing a new thing! He has set before you an open door, a fresh start. And any door that God opens for you, no one can shut, but you must stop looking back, and walk through the open door in order to move on. Don't get stuck trying to force a closed door open that you miss out on the future opportunities that the open door has for you.

“The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.” — John 8:29 (The Message) Jesus said, “I always do those things that please Him,” (John 8:29, NKJV). May we imitate Christ and ALWAYS do those things that please the Father. Let's make it our highest aspiration. When we stay away from those things that grieve the heart of God, we live in peace of mind and heart. There is joy in being in perfect harmony with the God of the universe. We can sense His glory shining upon us and we are warmed from the smile upon His face. He knows that as we continue to be in sync with His will, we will live the life of abundance and freedom that Jesus came to give us. Amen!

You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.  — Psalm 4:7 (NKJV) The LORD has put gladness in our hearts. If you don't have any joy today, you have allowed the enemy to steal it. Take it back. Psalm 16:11 says, in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Abide in His Presence, and He will fill you with joy, for the joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. — Romans 121-:2 (The Message) Fix your attention on God, and embrace all that He does for you. Readily recognize what His desire is for you and quickly respond to it. Then, you will be changed from the inside out and God will bring the best out of you. It all starts with us taking our eyes off of ourselves and putting them on God.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT) Before time began,  we were chosen and called by God. He has a purpose and a plan for each and every person. If we don't know our heavenly Father and seek to do His will, then we will live by chance instead of choice. We have to choose to answer the call of God in our lives and passionately pursue the dreams and desires He has placed within our hearts, if we are going to be men and women of destiny and purpose.

‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.’  — Isaiah 45:2-3 (NKJV) May the LORD go before you and make the crooked places straight. May He break whatever confines you, whatever is trying to hold you back. As we go through the dark places, we discover the true treasures of life in the secret places of our hearts: love and appreciation for God and others, a peace that surpasses understanding and an indescribable joy, because we know our heavenly Father and we are known and loved by Him. We know that He is with us, and He is able to bring us through all of our troubles. Amen.

So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” — John 6:12 (NKJV) After Jesus fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish, He had the disciples pick up the broken pieces, so that nothing would be lost or wasted. Likewise, God gathers up the broken pieces of our lives and uses them to prepare us for a greater purpose. Joseph had to endure the pit and the prison, before he got to the palace. In the midst of our pain and disappointments, God’s power is working all things together for good. If we keep moving on, and stay on the path He has for us, we will see the manifestation of all God’s wonderful promises, in our lives.

O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the LORD! — Jeremiah 22:29 (NKJV) Since faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), let us continually hear the Word. His Word says: No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment the LORD shall condemn (Isaiah 54:17). Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). No good thing will the LORD God withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). You will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). The LORD will give strength to His people; He will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:11). Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Hallelujah!

He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] — John 3:30 (Amp) John the Baptist speaks a great truth. To live an abundant life, full of joy, peace and freedom, Jesus must increase in our lives, while we decrease. The Message translation says, this is the assigned moment for Jesus to move into the center, while we slip off to the sidelines. May we humble ourselves and allow Jesus to occupy more and more of our hearts. Prepare a place of prominence for Him to sit on the throne of your heart. Let His mighty power work in you and through you to bring about the perfect will of our heavenly Father, for His plans for you are for good, to give you hope and a future.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  — Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) Seek the LORD's guidance in all that you do. He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go (Psalm 32:8). Those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). Amen!

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” — John 2:4-5 (NKJV) Many times, I have wished that I listened to my mother. Sometimes it's the mom's who speak the simple truths. The words Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke to the servants are words that transcend the ages. They are timeless words of wisdom. If we just do whatever Jesus tells us to do, we can be assured that we will have favor and good success in our lives. No more excuses, it is a call to action. DO whatever He says to you. Then you will be able to speak the words of John 17:4, “I have glorified You down here on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.”

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! — 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (The Message) The enemy wants to keep you small and fenced in, to minimize the impact you will make for the kingdom of God. Don't give in to the limitations and restrictions you think you have. You can live above and beyond! We serve a BIG God, enter into the wide-open specious life He has prepared for you. A life lavished with the love of God, His perfect peace and exuberant joy.

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”  — John 1:48 (NKJV) No matter what you are under today, Jesus sees you too! Don't think He has forgotten about you. The Lord is aware of whatever weighs heavy on your heart. He knows every situation you face and He was there before you even knew it was coming. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all (Psalm 34:19). And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Persevere and let God perfect that which concerns you. He will take all your pain and suffering and use it to fulfill a higher purpose and bring glory to His kingdom. Amen!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” — John 14:1 (NKJV) Do not let your hearts be troubled, distressed or full of anxiety. In order to be kept in perfect peace we must believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Completely trust in and rely on our heavenly Father and our Savior. Our God is mighty and powerful and above all. He is above all of your circumstances. Everything we go through in this life has come to pass, but our God stands forever. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). And this is the victory that overcomes the world —our faith, our strong, immovable and fixed belief in God, the Father and the Son (1 John 5:4). Amen!