Manna for Your Morning

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. — Psalm 112:1-3 (NKJV) Blessed is the man or woman of God who fears (reveres, honors and worships) the LORD. Their descendants will be blessed also. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! (Psalm 111:10, NLT) As we greatly delight in doing things God's way, He will show us the path we should choose. We will live in prosperity, and our children will inherit the land (Psalm 25:12-13, NLT). What better legacy to leave your children and grandchildren than a foundation of faith and following after the LORD?

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 108:12-13 (NKJV) When trouble strikes, whom do you seek first, mom or dad, a friend, your pastor? Let God be the first One you run to for help. Human help is limited, but God knows the whole story and He holds the power for your deliverance. God tells us to cast all our cares upon Him. With God we gain the victory, for it is He, who will trample down our adversaries. The battle has already been won by the blood of Jesus. We are just walking it out. Amen!

Awake, harp and lyre; I myself will wake very early—I will waken the dawn! I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; and I will sing praises unto You among the nations. For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great and high as the heavens! Your truth and faithfulness reach to the skies! — Psalm 108:2-4 (AMP) Just as the Lord is faithful to wake us up each morning, let us praise and give thanks to Him, when we rise and begin our day. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to the name of the Most High God (Psalm 92:1). See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a) Praise and thank the Lord!

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. — Psalm 107:28-30 (NKJV) In the midst of any trouble call out to Almighty God. He always hears our, “LORD, help me!” prayers. As we journey through life, the storms will come, but praise God, He faithfully bring us through each and every one. Eventually, the raging waters that threatened to knock our boat over will be stilled. And the LORD will lead and guide us to our desired haven.

“...Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” — Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (NIV) Every day we are engaged in a battle because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We need to stay alert and of sober mind (1 Peter 5:8). The Message Bible says, the Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. John 10:10 says, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But praise God, Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full!

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! — Psalm 107:1 (AMP) The Lord is good and He does good. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth (Exodus 34:6, AMP). He loves us with an everlasting love, a love never runs out on us. It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not (Lamentations 3:22, AMP). Keep your eyes on the Lord, for He will perfect that which concerns you; (Psalm 138:8, AMP)

Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. — Psalm 107:4-8 (MSG) Abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). Dwell in the light of His love. Oh, let us give thanks to the LORD, for in Him, we have a good place to live!

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:19 (AMP) “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare;” (Isaiah 42:9, NKJV). God is doing a new thing! Stop studying past events. They cannot be changed. No longer cling to what is old and familiar. The Apostle Paul said, “one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:13b-14, NKJV). Today is a new day! May we press on and look forward to what lies ahead!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. — Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV) God did not say we would never go through anything, but He does promise to be with us through it all. Our heavenly Father is faithful and He will not allow more than we can bear. We may go through fire and through water; but God will bring us out to rich fulfillment (Psalm 66:12b, NKJV). Even in the midst of the flames and in the floodwaters of adversity, we can find fulfillment of joy and peace in Him.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! — Psalm 105:4 (NKJV) When you face various challenges, look to the LORD and His strength. Expectantly watch for Him to perform marvelous works in your midst. Seek His face at all times. In His Presence mountains melt like wax (Psalm 97:5). In Him, we have power to overcome adversity. As we abide in the LORD, His grace enables us to live victoriously. We overcome because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Hallelujah!

  But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. — Matthew 28:5-6 (NKJV) When the women told the apostles about the empty tomb, their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them (Luke 24:11). In order for the power of the resurrection to have any effect in our lives, we must believe. Followers of Jesus can rejoice in the resurrection. The fact that Jesus defeated death and rose again, gives believers the power to live in freedom and victory. His resurrection infuses in us renewed strength and hope. Just as Jesus triumphed and overcame the world, we too can be victorious. He made a way for us. Thank you, Jesus!

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. — John 20:13-14 (NAS) How many times have we been like Mary? Jesus came near and we did not recognize Him. We did not know the time of our visitation. Thank God that He is relentless. He is the God of a second chance. He continues to pursue us and does not give up on us. In Luke 13:34 (NIV), Jesus says to Jerusalem, “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Today, Jesus yearns to gather each one of us under His wings and hold us close to Him. Open your heart to Him and be willing. Stop fighting. Stop running and allow yourself to melt in His warm embrace. He absolutely loves you, just the way you are!

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. — John 19:30 (NAS) When Jesus gave up His spirit, on the cross, it was a complete work. He paid the debt for all our sins, past, present and future. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5, NKJV). Let us walk in the freedom and victory that Jesus established for us.

“...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28 (NKJV) Jesus was anointed to proclaim good news to the poor. He 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 gave His life to fulfill His mission. What are we willing to give to fulfill the call the Father has placed on our lives? May we model after Jesus and live a life of sacrifice, to serve those whom God has placed in our sphere of influence. We never know whose freedom is tied to our obedience, our willingness to answer the call.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. — Psalm 95:1-3 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: “Do not harden your hearts... (Psalm 95:6-8a). May all that we do and say this day reflect our adoration and devotion to our great God!

... in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] — John 16:33 (AMP) Jesus has conquered the world and deprived it of power over you. Praise the Lord! No matter what you are going through today, remember that we have the victory. Let us abide in Jesus, and His perfect peace will continually abide in us.

If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.  — Psalm 94:17-19 (MSG) When life events, knock us off balance, God's unfailing love will hold us up. He will set your feet on solid ground and establish your steps. If doubts fill your mind, His comfort will give you renewed hope and cheer (Psalm 94:19, NLT). Hallelujah!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage. — Psalm 94:12-14 (AMP) The fact that our great God will never abandon us or reject us gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the midst of adversity and troubling times. May the center of our being remain in perfect peace, no matter how challenging the circumstances appear. As you keep calm, listen for and follow the direction of the Lord.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NKJV) All of what God provides is not for our own consumption. We are to invest some into the Kingdom of God and into others. Our heavenly Father insures a return. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7, NKJV). Be a wise steward of all that you have received from God. Give generously of your time, your talents and your finances, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34). Amen!

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, — Psalm 92:12-14 (NKJV) Cedars of Lebanon have been growing for 1000 to 2000 years. They are stable and experience continuous growth. No matter what your age, if you are alive on this planet at this time, God has a plan and a purpose for you! May we continually grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and bear fruit for His Kingdom. Let’s stay fresh and continue to flourish in the courts of our God!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, — Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV) The Amplified versions says, it is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord! Let us always give thanks and May we proclaim His unfailing love at daybreak. Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-22). Declare His faithfulness each and every night. His faithful Presence is with us throughout the day and all through the night. Sing His praises!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) If you live in the shelter of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty, surely He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. (Psalm 91:1,3). Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you (Psalm 91:5-7, NLT).

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation . — Psalm 91:14-16 (AMP) And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30, NKJV). Aim all of your affections, devotion and desires toward our heavenly Father and you shall experience true satisfaction and everlasting peace!

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV) When we make the Lord our dwelling place, we stay and settle in Him. We reside in His loving Presence and know that He is always with us. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone (Psalm 91:9-12, NLT).

“...drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” — Numbers 33:52-53 (NIV) The children of Israel were to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land and destroy everything that belonged to them. Anyone they let remain would be irritants in their eyes and thorns in their sides, and they would harass them in the land (Numbers 33:55 NKJV). God has given us a promise land to possess. If there are some harassing things going on, some thorns in our sides, then there remains some things that need to be destroyed, in order for us to occupy the land and settle in it. Is it pride? Offense? Self-pity? Rebellion? Whatever it is, drive it out and take possession of your promised land!

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. — Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) God's doing a new thing in my heart. I desire more of Him, but more importantly I want Him to have more of me. He will cherish every broken piece of ourselves that we give to Him. And when the Master has fashioned it with His hands, we will be amazed at the masterpiece He has made! The Apostle Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Let us die to self and live for Christ, where we lay all our concerns on His altar and live for an audience of One. Let Him do something new in you! He will create rivers of living water in dry wastelands.

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. — Psalm 85:8-9 (NLT) The voice of the LORD speaks peace. God will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You (Isaiah 26:3, AMP). Our land is filled with His glory as we follow His ways of peace and grace, and allow His light to shine through us!

O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!   — Psalm 84:12 (AMP) Trust in the LORD and be totally committed to Him. Blessed are those who keep on believing that God is good and that He 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). No matter what contrary circumstances are in your midst, keep leaning on the LORD and confidently look to Him!

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. — Psalm 84:10-11 (NLT) One day in the Presence of God, cannot compare to a lifetime without Him. And He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4, NKJV).

The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. — Psalm 29:3-4 (NLT) In the beginning, God said and it was so. Let us listen for His voice, the only voice that matters. The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in His Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 30:10, NLT). Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4, NLT). Amen.