Manna for Your Morning

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) God is doing a NEW thing! Do not dwell on the past. Instead of complaining about the door that closed, look for the new door of opportunity, that God is opening. Whether we are wandering in the wilderness or in the wasteland, our heavenly Father is making a way for us, where there seems to be no way. Hallelujah!

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) When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you (Isaiah 43:2 NLT). You may be going through extremely difficult times right now, but the LORD is with you, He will help you and He will bring you through.

Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” — Micah 4:2 (NKJV) Notice the Word says to walk “IN” His paths: it does not say “ON” His paths, which indicates a more superficial walk. When you are on something, its easy to jump off, or fall off. However, when you are in something, you have invested your all. As we walk with the Lord, we are to be sold out, —all IN! May we learn His ways and walk in His paths. For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever (Micah 4:5).

Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.” — 2 Kings 4:26 (NKJV) The son of this Shunammite woman had just sat on her lap and died. How could she say, it is well? She was not looking at the way circumstances appeared at the moment. She was looking with eyes of faith, that God would bring her son back to life. Because she believed in her heart, and didn’t speak the negative, but took action, her son’s life was restored. Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). No matter what you are going through today, “It is well!” Our God reigns and He is on your side.

“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. — Isaiah 38:5 (NKJV) When Hezekiah was sick and near death, he received word from Isaiah the prophet, to set his house in order, because he was going to die and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD (Isaiah 38:1-2). When you receive a bad report where do you turn? Hezekiah sought the LORD and instead of dying God added fifteen years to his life. Let us always seek God first and foremost when confronted with adverse situations. Be confident that, He not only hears your prayers and sees your tears, He will also answer and bring deliverance. Live with a sense of expectancy. We serve an mighty God and He is doing great things in our midst!

Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. — Isaiah 38:17 (NKJV) It is because of His great love for us that our heavenly Father delivered our souls from the pit of corruption, emptiness and ultimate destruction. When we were falling deeper and deeper into the pit of darkness and despair, it was the hand of the LORD that reached in and pulled us out. No matter how far you fall, you can always call on His name and He will hear you. Oh what an amazing love God has lavished on us!

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. — Isaiah 33:6 (NIV) No matter how unstable and volatile this world may be, our mighty God is the sure foundation. The Message Bible says: God keeps your days stable and secure (Isaiah 33:6). He has a rich store, an abundant treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge for those who fear and worship Him. The Amplified Bible says: the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is our treasure and His. Instead of being tossed to and fro by the circumstances of this life, stand strong on the sure foundation.

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, — Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV) When we wander off of the path the LORD has for us, our inclination is to run away from Him and hide, but our heavenly Father beckons us to return to Him. "Come," He says. He wants a close and intimate relationship with us. And as we quietly rest in Him and put our trust and confidence in the LORD, we are strengthened to continue our journey along the path that leads to abundant and eternal life.

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” — Isaiah 29:13 (NIV) These people were going to church and saying the right things, but God did not have their hearts. After being asked which is the most important commandment? Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” (Matthew 22:37 NKJV) Won’t you give Him your heart today?

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. — Psalm 9:10 (NKJV) His plan is wonderful, His wisdom is magnificent (Isaiah 28:29 NIV) and He stands by your side. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. (Isaiah 26:4 AMP)

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, even purposes planned of old [and fulfilled] in faithfulness and truth. — Isaiah 25:1 (AMP) We can praise the LORD at all times because He is faithful and true. No matter what storm rages around us, the LORD, our God, our El Shaddai (benevolent Blesser), is with us and He is faithful to bring us through, even if He has to carry us. The LORD is a wonder-working God and He will fulfill every promise He has spoken. He created us on purpose and for a purpose. As we continue to walk in His ways, we can be certain that  the good plans He has for us will be accomplished.

In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. — Isaiah 17:7 (NKJV) When you are overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, look to your Maker. The LORD displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm (Nahum 1:3 NLT). Let this be the day, you look to your Maker and give pre-eminence to Christ, our Savior. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care (Psalm 95:6-7 NLT).

God, investigate my life;     get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you;     even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back;     I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say     before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there,     then up ahead and you’re there, too—     your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—     I can’t take it all in! — Psalm 139:1-6 (MSG) Though people may say one thing and do another, our God does not lie. He will never leave us nor abandon us. He is intimately involved in every detail of our lives. We are never out of His sight. No matter what we go through, He is there to reassure us. His Presence empowers us enables us to live a victorious, and fruitful life!

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” — Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV) Because the LORD pours out new compassions and mercies upon us everyday, we are drenched in His goodness. His compassions toward us never grow old or dry out. Forget not all His wonderful benefits. He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4) Blessed be the name of the LORD!

“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” — Isaiah 12:2 (NLT) Instead of trying to do things in our own strength, let us draw from God’s endless source. When we trust God in all situations and circumstances, we walk in His strength, with peace of mind. The LORD is the song that we sing, because He gives us the victory. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul ( Psalm 138:3 NKJV ). The Message Bible says the moment we called out, He stepped in. Amen!

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.  — Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)  Although the land is full of darkness, the light of Lord shines ever brighter. In John 8:12 (NIV), Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As followers of Christ, let us live in His light and let it shine through us. May we illuminate this world, with the light and love of Jesus. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1 NIV).

The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”  — Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)  When we pause for a moment and really tap into the depth and width of the tremendous love God has for us, all our worries and fears are calmed. His perfect love, casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Awareness of God’s love for us, will silence the voices of doom that lead to doubt and confusion and bring remembrance of God’s faithfulness, that He is with us and causes us to triumph over the troubles of this world. Be comforted with the knowledge that nothing in this world can separate us from the great love our heavenly Father has for us.

This morning, as I read my Bible, this portion of Scripture  spoke to my heart. “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.”  — Isaiah 2:3 (NKJV) My prayer: “Thank You, LORD, for Your wonderful Word. I pray that You would help us to be teachable. May our hearts be tender before You, that we may submit to You, to Your will and Your ways, in all that we do. Let us totally surrender —give up trying to do things our way and follow You. May we walk on the path that You set before us and not take any detours. For Your path leads to everlasting life, peace and joy. Let us not fall for any sideshow distractions of the enemy. Help us to remember: we MUST be about our Father’s business (Luke 2:49). In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! — Psalm 42:5a (NLT) When we follow our feelings, we may drown in despair, hopelessness and depression. Our feelings are fickle; they come and go, they are up, then down. The Word of God, however, stands forever. (Psalm 119:89). Our feelings can be led astray, but God’s Word is truth. Choose the way of truth. (Psalm 119:30). Your feelings may say, you are unwanted and God doesn’t care about you. The fact is that God loves you, and chose you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:5). He never leaves your side. Feelings say that your life is pointless —do what you want. Fact is that God created you with a higher and greater purpose than what you see right now. He reveals it step-by-step. You may be feeling down and defeated. Fact is God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). We overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We are more than conquerors! Stand on the facts of God...

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him. — Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NKJV) Regardless of the circumstances, this is the day the LORD has made. All of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be, so let us make the most of every moment. The present is what we have been given to work with. We cannot change the past and we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, seize every opportunity to follow God's purpose and plan for your life.

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. — Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) Instead of wandering aimlessly through life, give attention to what God has revealed to you. May we be about doing whatever God has called us to do, with a sense of urgency and priority in our lives. Blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction (Proverbs 29:18b NIV).  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you… (Ephesians 1:18 NIV).

I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. — Psalm 119:147 (NKJV) There is a proliferation of self-help books, and how-to guides, lining the shelves of bookstores today. However, for improvement and success in life, we need the original owners manual for our souls, the Word of God. The Word is a love letter from the One who created us. It’s pages bear the blood of our Savior, who loved us enough to give His life to save us. The Word of God is a road map. It will navigate us to a fruitful land of abundant life, peace that surpasses all understanding and a lovingkindness that will outlast any storm. He sent His Word and healed us, and delivered us from our destructions (Psalm 107:20). Hope continually in His Word!

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high. — Proverbs 29:25 (AMP) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NKJV). He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5b NKJV). Those who trust in, lean on, and confidently hope in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides and stands fast forever (Psalm 125:1 AMP).

For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. — Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV) What does it take to keep getting back up after being knocked down? Perseverance, endurance and dogged determination. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful (James 5:11 NKJV). When we get tripped up, let us rise again and run with endurance the race that is set before us, because the Lord has good intentions toward us. No matter how many come against you, it's God's purpose that will prevail in your life.

Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. — Proverbs 23:19 (NKJV) Let us not blindly follow our hearts, emotions and feelings. Instead, may we exercise self-control and set our hearts to follow God’s way. Let's meditate on His Word, so it can trickle down from our heads and into our hearts. Then, when we encounter trials of any kind, our hearts will not fail or grow faint because they are strengthened with the Word of God. Be wise and continually steer your heart in the right direction, and your actions will take the proper course. As a result, you will reach the desired destination.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. — Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) Where do you turn in times of trouble? Let us call on the name of the LORD. Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8). He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider and Jehovah Rophe, our healer. He is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. He is our strong tower and deliverer. Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! (Psalm 113:2)

“And you, because of my blood covenant with you, I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells. Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I’m declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over!” — Zechariah 9:11-13 (MSG) Anxiety, fear, or depression, no longer has dominion over you. The LORD has released us from any hopeless cells of despair the enemy had enclosed around us. No matter how hopeless your situation may appear, keep your hope in our wonder-working God alive. Come home to the Land of Hope! Be held captive by the hope you have in your heart for our living God and His mighty power to save and deliver. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us…(Romans 5:5 NLT).

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.  — Proverbs 16:16 (NKJV) Choose to get understanding rather than material gains or possessions. No earthly riches compare to understanding. Let us seek first to understand, then to be understood (7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey). He who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good (Proverbs 19:8b AMP). Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Good understanding gains favor, (Proverbs 13:15a NKJV). Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it (Proverbs 16:22 NKJV).

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) There is a way that seems right in man's eyes, but it leads to failure, destruction and even death. When we take our eyes off of Jesus in an attempt to do what He has called us to do, our own way, we can easily deceive ourselves or fall prey to a myriad of distractions and pitfalls. As we closely follow the LORD and walk in His ways, He will direct our steps and establish our plans.

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. — Nahum 1:3 (NKJV) No matter what storms may come, it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm (Nahum 1:3b NLT). The LORD, makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, (Isaiah 43:16 NASB). And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose ( Romans 8:28). Amen.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.  — Psalm 140:13 (NKJV) The presence of the LORD is to be our dwelling place, our home, the place where we live. In His presence is fullness of joy, everlasting peace and unfailing love. For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory (Psalm 149:4 NLT). The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV). Abide in His presence!