Manna for Your Morning

For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray—pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! — Psalm  32:6-7 (AMP) Pray to the LORD at all times. His ear is always open to hear your voice. God is your hiding place, when the waters of trial come flooding in. He will preserve you from trouble. Our heavenly Father surrounds you with songs of victory (Psalm 32:7 NLT).

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. — Isaiah 40:29 (AMP) God makes strength available for every hardship, and every difficulty we face. When we are weary, we need to take our buckets and draw from the well of living water, where there is an endless supply of everything we need. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). We are empowered to overcome every challenge by allowing His power that dwells in us, to work through us. Amen!

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV) Goliath, the Philistine giant, challenged the armies of Israel for forty days. While the rest of the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid, David took a stand against his enemy. Instead of being fearful and intimidated, he activated his faith. He did not concern himself with the size of Goliath. David saw the situation from a higher viewpoint. He kept his eyes on God and trusted Him to deliver him from Goliath, just as God had delivered him in the past (1 Samuel 17:37). So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him (1 Samuel 17:50). If you want to conquer the giants in your life, adjust your line of sight. Instead of looking at the problem, shift your point of view. How you see the situa...

  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. — Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV) At one time we lived in this world without God and without hope. Through Jesus we both have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Now, therefore, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19). We are no longer outsiders, but sons and daughters of the Most High God. The only walls between us and our heavenly Father are the ones we have built. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). Amen!

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) Do not become sluggish, spiritually dull, or indifferent, but imitate those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance (Hebrews 6:12). Let no actions of the enemy bother you or set you back. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. After you patiently endure the trials, you will enjoy to the full all the wonderful promises of God. Hallelujah!

But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” — Luke 18:27 (NKJV) It does not matter how many seemingly impossible situations are in your midst, with Almighty God, all things are possible. Our wonder-working God knows no limits and He has no boundaries. Jesus said, “It is finished!” He has overcome the world and all that is in it. In His Presence, diseases flee, bondages are destroyed, and circumstances change; hearts are healed, and transformed. Keep the faith. Only believe. Nothing is too difficult for our great God!

Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. — 1 Samuel 12:24 (NKJV) Fear the LORD only. With the LORD on your side, what can man do to you? Let us faithfully serve God with all our hearts. May we be like Jesus, focused on the Father’s business, not giving attention to what others think of us, but fulfilling the mission He has given to us. And always remember what great things the LORD has done for you!

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. — Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV). Lift up your eyes. Your help comes from the LORD and nothing is impossible with Him. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom (Isaiah 40:28 NIV).

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. — John 10:2-3 (NKJV) I wonder if the secret to the popularity of Starbucks is that they call their customers by name instead of a number.  Our longing to be known and feel special, is a perfect complement to God's desire to have a personal relationship with each one of us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls His own by name. Another person, whether pastor, priest or parent, can only tell you about God. The way to know Him and develop a personal relationship with Him is to consistently have that one-on-one time with Him. As we spend time in prayer, in His Word, and in worship, we nurture an intimate relationship with the Lord that grows deeper each day. Jesus is calling your name. Just come and keep coming.

Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.” — 1 Samuel 12:20-21 (NKJV) No matter what mistakes you made in the past, confess your sins and move on with the LORD. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The exact moment you decide to take a detour off of the path the LORD has before you, you have decided to go after empty things. These things will be of no profit to you and they can never deliver you. Worship and serve the LORD with all your heart and soul, and pay no attention to the distractions of the enemy!

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.  — Psalm 31:19 (NLT) Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him (Psalm 34:8 MSG). The goodness of God endures continually (Psalms 52:1b NKJV). He is good (all the time) and He does good (Psalms 119:68). God has stored up His goodness for those who revere, honor and worship Him. Sincerely come to the LORD and be lavished in His extravagant goodness!

You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you. I’ve put my life in your hands. You won’t drop me, you’ll never let me down. — Psalm 31:3-5 (MSG) Whether good or bad, our times are in His hand (Psalm 31:15a NKJV). He will lead us and guide us along on the path that leads to freedom and life. The Most High God will give us strength to climb higher than the mountains that stand in our way. Our heavenly Father will never let us down. Praise the LORD!

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 30:5 (NKJV) Surely, the LORD, blesses the righteous and surrounds them with His favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:12). His shield protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy. Diligently seek what is good and you will bask in the glow of God’s wonderful favor. (Proverbs 11:27)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. — James 4:7-8a (NKJV) In today's world, submission is a foreign concept, but as children of God, we are called to submit to our heavenly Father. Submission is a continual process of re-aligning our hearts and attitudes to reflect the Most High God. Instead of pushing our own agendas, we learn to yield to His Ways. Yes indeed, His ways are higher and better than our ways. When we are submitted to God, our words, thoughts, and actions show His kindness, grace and compassion. In submission, we actually DO what His Word says: love, forgive, etc. Allow His Supreme authority to rule and reign in your life, today and forever!

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life. — Psalm 119:50 (AMP) God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT). God comforts us with His Word. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). May we not only speak the Word of God into our lives, but also into the lives of others that they be comforted and revived.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  — Psalm 68:5 (NIV) Some people don't know their biological fathers. Others have fathers who are absent from their lives for a number of reasons. And some earthly fathers were not healthy enough to be "good" fathers. However, The LORD sustains the fatherless (Psalm 146:9 NIV). Our Heavenly Father is perfect! He was there watching over us as children and He is always with us now. God is the helper of the fatherless (Psalm 10:14 NIV). He is the ultimate Provider and Protector. And He gives us wise guidance. Thank Abba Father for being the best Dad anyone could ever have.  “HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!”  to all the Dads. Know that your family needs you!

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped . ( Proverbs 11:25 MSG) We are blessed to be a blessing to others. But God is so good, that even as we bless others He blesses us even more. For whatever we sow, that we will also reap (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs  11:25  NIV). Let us focus on blessing and refreshing others and trust God to take care of us!

“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. It is your strength to go the distance with God. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is supposed to come in the morning. The joy of knowing that God is with you and He has brought you to another day. This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 AMP). Amen!

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV) Remain confident that you will see the goodness of the LORD, while you are here in the land of the living. As you face difficulties and trials of all kinds, know that the LORD will strengthen your heart. Be of good courage and have great expectation to continually experience the goodness of our awesome God!

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will  live in the house of the LORD forever. — Psalm 23:6 NLT) As long as we live, the LORD’s goodness and unfailing love pursues us. Praise the LORD for all He has done and rejoice in His great goodness. May we always be aware of His unfailing love. It is so expansive, it fills the earth (Psalm 33:5). Trust in God’s unfailing love and it will help you endure the hardships. It will empower you to overcome the challenges. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep you from stumbling (Psalm 21:7). Let His unfailing love draw you to Him and abide in His Presence forever. Be sure to boast of the LORD’s unfailing love and His great goodness!

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) Keep a firm grip on your faith. Don’t follow the world in thinking that anything goes. Instead, be led by the Holy Spirit within and you will maintain a clear conscience. I beseech you, my beloved brethren, don’t suffer shipwreck in regards to your faith. Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith!

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. — Psalm 20:7 (NKJV) Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8). “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved,” (Romans 10:13). The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Let us trust in and boast of the name of our Mighty God!

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. — Psalm 18:16-18 (NIV) When it seems like you are drowning, know that you are not out of God’s reach. He will take hold of you and draw you out of the floodwaters. The LORD is our support. If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31) He who dwells in us is greater than he who is in the world. Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37b). Amen!

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. — James 3:17 (NKJV) Jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15 NLT). Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others (Proverbs 3:17, MSG). It is also peace-loving, and gentle at all times. Instead of being combative and trying to force it’s own way, it’s full of compassion and willing to yield to others. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere (James 3:17 NLT). Let us walk in God’s kind of wisdom, the wisdom that is from above.

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” — Judges 6:12 (NIV) “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” At some point in our lives, many of us have probably asked God this same question. Gideon went on to say that the LORD had abandoned them. But notice that the angel of the LORD didn’t give place to Gideon’s misplaced perspective. The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). Instead of wallowing in self-pity and misery, stay focused on the mission at hand and GO in the strength of the LORD, you mighty man or woman of God. You have been sent with a purpose! The LORD is with YOU!

For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. — Psalm 18:31-32 (NKJV) The LORD is our strength. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to our mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within us (Romans 8:11 NLT). It is not in our strength that we accomplish anything significant, but by His Spirit. Our health may fail, and our spirits may grow weak, but God remains the strength of our hearts; he is ours forever (Psalm 73:26 NLT). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! — Psalm 16:5-6 (MSG) God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV). He adopted us and brought us into His family. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,  incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, (1 Peter 1:4 NKJV). When the enemy tries to tell you that you are a nobody and you don't matter, know that you are a child of God, chosen and loved by the Creator of the universe. Make Him your first and only choice!

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) Whether in a line at the grocery store or sitting in traffic on the freeway, most of us do not like waiting. Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. During his time of waiting, he had to endure some things. May we also learn the art of patient endurance. Let us be patient in trouble, and keep on praying (Romans 12:12). The Message version says, don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Do what God instructs you to do and leave the rest to Him. He will bring it pass at the perfect time, its appointed time.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) How can we be anxious for nothing? By abiding in our Lord and Savior, Jesus, and continually casting our cares on Him. There is peace in His Presence. Jesus said, “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) No matter what mayhem comes your way, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid because Jesus has given us His everlasting peace (John 14:27).

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” — Psalm 122:1 (NLT) So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching (Hebrews 10:22-25 MSG). Come and worship the King of kings and the Lord of glory!