Manna for Your Morning

Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.  — Proverbs 19:8 (MSG) Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. Everyone who obeys His commandments will grow in wisdom (Psalm 111:10). The Message version says: The good life begins in the fear of God. When we have the fear of the Lord, we honor, respect, value and reverence Him above anything or anyone else. That respect and adoration will draw us to align our actions with God's will. As we obey our Heavenly Father we will experience continual growth in spiritual wisdom and insight.  That is where we find the good life! Amen.

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!” — Matthew 21:9 (NLT) Jesus is to be the center of our lives. It’s all about Him. May everyone and everything else in our lives revolve around Him. As the Apostle Paul said in Phillipians 1:21, to live is Christ! He is our life (Colossians 3:4). Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11). Let us draw our strength, wisdom and unconditional love from the center of our being where Jesus sits on the throne of our hearts as Lord and King. And give thanks to God, who always leads us in victory in Christ!

I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. — Psalm 34:4 (AMP) When we make the Presence of the Lord a necessary requirement in our lives, above all else, that is where we will dwell. God is love and His perfect love drives out all fear and anxiety (1 John 4:18). Abide in the Lord and stand on the authority of His Word and you shall be delivered from all your fears.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, — Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) How do we run our race with endurance? The key factor in running well is to learn how to "let go." When we experience disappointments and setbacks in life and people don't measure up to our expectations, we have to let it go and move on down the road. Philippians 3:13 (NIV) says it this way: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Strip off that heavy weight of past hurts and bitter disappointments and keep running! The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger. — Job 17:9 (NLT)

Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. — Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV) Let us praise the LORD all of our days. Even in our darkest hour, we know that He is with us and His favor lasts a lifetime! He turns our mourning into dancing; He removes our clothes of mourning and clothes us with gladness (Psalm 30:11). Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah!

The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. — Psalm 29:10-11 (NKJV) The LORD gives us the strength to utilize the talents He has given us and to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Instead of relying on our own abilities, let us go in the strength of the Lord, our God. Then we will go from strength to strength, increasing in victorious power (Psalm 84:7) and from glory to glory. The LORD will also keep us in perfect peace, as we trust in Him and keep our thoughts fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Praise the LORD!

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  — Psalm 27:13 (NLT) The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 33:5). Give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for all His wonderful works! Trials and tribulations may come, and they will also pass, but God’s goodness lasts forever. He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with His goodness (Psalm 107:9). Surely His goodness and unfailing love will pursue you all the days of your life, and you will live in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6, NLT). We can be confident in His Goodness!

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. — Psalm 23:1-4 (NLT) The LORD is close beside you and He will give you rest on every side. He will renew your strength so you can spread your wings and soar like an eagle. With the LORD on your side, who can stand against you? You have all that you need. Amen!

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) No matter what storms are brewing in your life, cling to your faith and keep your conscience clear. Remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36) Let us look at every situation through eyes of faith, and know that God is able to bring us through whatever He allows to come into our lives. He will navigate you through the storms and get your vessel sailing on smooth waters again. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” — Mark 9:23

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”  — Mark 11:22-23 (NKJV) Two actions are required on our part: We have to believe and then we have to speak. Believe in God and in His power which dwells in you through His Holy Spirit. Then Jesus said speak to the mountain. Do you talk  “ to” your mountain or  “ about” your mountain (whatever challenges stand in your way)? Proverbs 18:21 says, death and life are in the power of YOUR tongue. Speak words of life and truth. If you don’t want it manifesting in your life, don’t speak it out of your mouth.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. —Psalm 18:18 (NKJV) When confronted with anything that is contrary to God’s Word, pull out your sword of the Spirit, (which is the word of God) and use it. Declare the Word in the face of the enemy’s lies. As for God, His way is perfect and His word is proven (Psalm 18:30a). It is the truth that will set you free, free from sickness, free from lack, free from whatever has you bound. Isaiah 59:19 says, when the enemy comes in like a flood,
 the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. That standard is His Word. When we believe it in our hearts and speak it out of our mouths, His Word is alive and active in our lives and opens the door for God’s will to done on the earth, as it is in heaven.

I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:8-9 (NKJV) Instead of focusing on the circumstances and challenges, always keep your eyes on the LORD, from Whom your help comes. With Him by your side, you shall not be moved. You have already overcome, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). That is why your heart can be glad and your soul can rejoice. Your body can also confidently rest, being secure in the hope we have in the LORD.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. — Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJV) The LORD is a safe sanctuary, in times of trouble. Keep your trust in Him and you will not be disappointed. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:12). Abide in Him, at all times, whether good or bad. The LORD is a strong tower and a mighty fortress. He will not abandon those who seek Him.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. — Psalm 5:3 (NKJV) Daily enter the throne room of God, with your heart as the living sacrifice. Let it be your voice the LORD hears every morning, giving thanks for another day and laying your requests and concerns before Him. When you don’t know what to do, look up, look to our mighty God and listen for His still small voice. He knows the solution to every problem. He has the answer to every question. And He will provide the direction and guidance that is needed for every situation you face. Amen!

If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (AMP) Let us all be inspired by the love God has shown to us. For God loved the world so much that He intentionally gave his one and only Son, so everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Love is an action word. To show love and truly serve humanity is something we have to purpose in our hearts and actually follow through with our “DOING.” Are you just going to make a lot of noise or are you going to intentionally touch others with the sacrificial, genuine love of Christ? It’s your choice. Choose wisely!

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. — Psalm 3:5 (NKJV) No matter what we faced yesterday, the LORD brought us through. (Hallelujah!!!) He watched over us as we slept and gave us the strength to get up out of bed this morning. Let us give thanks and praise the LORD! Not only did He wake us up, but He also poured out new mercies and compassions upon us. Whatever life brings your way today, remember to release the weight of all your cares and burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail) (Psalm 55:22, AMP). Amen!

Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the LORD’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t die. Everything they do will succeed. — Psalm 1:1-3 (NCV) Treasuring God’s Word in our hearts and aligning our actions to it, are the infallible ingredients of good success. Let us thrill ourselves with God’s Word, and chew on Scripture day and night (Psalm 1:2, MSG), then God will establish His purpose in us and we will experience great success in all that we do!

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. — Psalm 145:18 (NKJV) If you have been calling on God with a sincere heart, know that He is near. He hears your voice and will answer. He is close enough to know every thought you have before you speak a word (Psalm 139:4). When it seems your day is overcome with darkness, He is the light that envelopes you. Keep calling on His name. He will see you through. In Jesus Christ we have the victory!

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) We can rejoice because our help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. With us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles (2 Chronicles 32:8). Nothing is too difficult for Him! God is our strength and our shield; our hearts can trust in Him, and we will find the help we need. Keep your hope anchored in the LORD, our helper.

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)  Sometimes when confronted with the issues of life, we can forget about the goodness of the LORD. Let us remember all His benefits. He opens His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion (Psalm 103:3-4). No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). Let's stand on His Word, not matter how the situation appears right now. Amen!

But my eyes are toward You, O God the Lord; in You do I trust and take refuge; — Psalm 141:8a (AMP)  No matter how challenging our circumstances appear, we can fix our eyes on the Lord and take refuge in Him. He is a safe shelter, and strong tower from the enemy (Psalm 61:3). Look to our mighty God for help. Our battles are not won in our own strength, but in the strength and wisdom that God gives.

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) May our hearts and minds be open to the LORD, for He searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. (1 Chronicles 28:9) He knows the thoughts that make you anxious, that’s why Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing. And 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) instructs us to cast all our anxiety on him because He cares for us. Then with peaceful hearts and minds we can follow the LORD as He leads us along the path of everlasting life.

Then he passed in front of Moses, calling out, “The Lord, the Lord, a compassionate and merciful God, patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. — Exodus 34:6 (GW)  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, NIV). Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4, NLT) God is faithful. He has chosen you and called you into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9, NKJV). He will never leave you nor abandon you. When all others walk out on you, the Lord will stand by your side and strengthen you (2 Timothy 4:17). Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13a, NKJV). Even when we turn our backs toward Him, He still continues to watch over us. Hallelujah!

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord! the Lord! a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, — Exodus 34:6 (AMP)  How good and precious is the lovingkindness of the Lord! (Psalm 36:7, 69:16) He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4). Because God’s lovingkindness is better than life, may our lips praise Him! (Psalm 63:3) His lovingkindness and His truth will continually preserve us (Psalm 40:11). His truth is like a shield that protects us (Psalm 91:4). When we know the truth, it makes us free - free from addiction, free from bondage, free indeed! May we walk in His truth and let it lead us along on the path of life.

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, — Exodus 34:6 (NKJV)  The LORD is abundant in mercy to all who call upon Him (Psalm 86:5). His mercy holds us up when we slip (Psalm 94:18). It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22, AMP). The LORD is gracious in all His works (Psalm 145:17). From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another (John 1:16, AMP). And He is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you may have an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Let’s proclaim His name throughout the earth!

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” — Exodus 32:1 (NKJV) When Moses was delayed the Israelites quickly turned aside from the way of the LORD and made themselves a molded calf, worshiped it and sacrificed to it (Exodus 32:8). How do you handle delays? Isaiah 30:18 says, blessed are those who wait for the LORD. How are we to wait? Psalm 37:7 says to wait patiently for Him. Whenever you don’t know what to do, wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)

...in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed. — Exodus 31:17b (NKJV) Are you tired or totally burned out? Let us follow the LORD’s example and take one day out of the seven God gives us to rest. God rested after creating the heavens and the earth, certainly we can rest from all our works. When we take time to rest, in the LORD, He will refresh us. A time of refreshing gives us new strength and energy; it reinvigorates. Hit the pause button and let your mind and body be still. Rest in the knowledge that He alone is God. It's all about Him!

And I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they shall know [from personal experience] that I am the Lord their God, Who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God . — Exodus 29:45-46 (AMP) Just as God dwelt among the Israelites, He still dwells in the midst of His people today. We are to know our God through personal experience. And know that He is great! With our mighty God on our side, who or what can stand against us? He brings us out of whatever tries to hold us captive. Be strong and of good courage. For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods! (Psalm 135:5)