Manna for Your Morning

But You, O Lord, remain and reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations. — Lamentations 5:19 (AMP) In a world that is constantly changing, our Lord remains the same. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). When everything else and everyone else lets you down, you can count on our loving Lord to be there for you. He is forgiving and faithful. And He remains the same forever! God’s reign continues throughout every generation; it will not be shaken. In Him, we are more than conquerors; we are victorious. Hallelujah!

“I called out your name, O God, called from the bottom of the pit. You listened when I called out, ‘Don’t shut your ears! Get me out of here! Save me!’ You came close when I called out. You said, ‘It’s going to be all right.’ — Lamentations 3:55-57 (MSG) No matter how low you go, its never to late to call upon the LORD. When you call out,  He hears your voice and draws near. When you're at rock bottom, He will lift you out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire (Psalm 40:2 NLT). The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25 NKJV).

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” — Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) The LORD made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses (Jeremiah 51:15-16 NLT). With our mighty God ALL things are possible. (Matthew 19:26). Just keep believing!

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. — Isaiah 40:27-28 (MSG) Why would we ever complain or whine, as if God has forgotten about us? God Lasts! He is there, watching over us every second of every day. He doesn’t take a vacation and He never needs a break. He continually pours out His goodness and compassion on us. Know that God knows and He cares. And He is working everything together for good in your life.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NASB) So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace (2 Corinthians 4:16 MSG). Every day, God gives us new compassions and fresh mercies. Wherever you are today, with God, you are moving on to bigger and better things. Amen!

HELP! Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. — Psalm 55:1-2 (NLT) In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT), the Apostle Paul wrote, we were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God. In all of life’s challenges, may we learn to rely only on God. When we feel like we are about to drown in the sea of affliction, God is our life preserver. He will keep us afloat while He draws us into His safe haven. We can’t handle all that comes our way on our own, but praise God, we don’t have to.

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. — Psalm 62:5 (AMP) Frustration often comes when our reality doesn’t line up with our expectations. We expected something or someone to be a certain way, by a certain time and it has not happened yet. That is where we are to let patience work in us. May we continue to do our part and wait patiently for God’s perfect timing to bring about the desired outcome. Accepting where God has us right now, will keep us in His river of deep and abiding peace and we will just flow into whatever God has for us at the appointed time.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong firm and steadfast. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12 NLT). Look away from all the distractions and fix your eyes upon Jesus, the source of all our faith and hope. Persevere the struggles, and after you have suffered a little while, God will restore you and make you strong.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. — 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NLT) We are in a race, however we are not competing against each other, but against an enemy whose only desire to trip us up, and keep us from crossing the finish line. All he wants us to do is give up on God and quit. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 MSG). Let us run with purpose in every step!

Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. — 1 John 5:4-5 (MSG) The one who knows Jesus overcomes because, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Those who believe know that our God is bigger than any giant Goliath that dares stand in our way. Believers know that our great God is bigger than the IRS, He is bigger than the doctor's report. His power goes beyond what we can see with our natural eyes. The one who believes knows that we have already won the victory. Only believe!

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. — Psalms 46:1-2 (MSG) No matter what fierce storms come or how violently our lives get shaken, may we stand courageous and know, with every fiber of our being, that our mighty God is a safe hiding place. Be confident that He is always ready to help. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. — Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV) Whatever you are believing God for today, remember, nothing is too hard for our great God. No matter how impossible your situation may seem, with our heavenly Father, all things are possible.  You do your part and He will do the rest. Hallelujah and amen!

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG) We can thank God no matter what happens because we know that God 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 NLT) And in the meantime, you can be sure that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NASB) Amen. Now get your smile on!

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off?” — Jeremiah 23:23 (NKJV) Though He fills heaven and earth, our heavenly Father is near. He carries us close to His heart. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13 NASB). ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10 NASB)

For we live by believing and not by seeing. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) When what you see with your eyes, doesn’t line up with the Word of God, what are you going to believe? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The temporary distractions of the enemy are designed to cause doubt and fear in our hearts and minds. Let us live by believing God and His Word which lasts forever.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8 (NKJV) “Love is not a declaration, it is a demonstration.” —Pastor Matthew Pollock. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). What you say doesn’t count as much as what you do. Your actions speak much louder than your words. God never fails to show us the vast magnitude of the love He has for us. How will you demonstrate your love to those God brings your way today?

Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. — Luke 14:23 (NKJV) Jesus was sent to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He was sent to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come…(Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT). There are many lives yet to be saved. There are many who need to be touched with the love of God. There are so many who need to know He cares. Let us be compelled to share the good news and invite the lost and hurting into God's family.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out  before a single day had passed. — Psalms 139:16 NLT We often respond prematurely to an event that is only the current chapter, in the book of our lives. God knows the whole story. He wrote the book. So don't put a period after life's challenges present themselves. Instead, put a comma and a "BUT GOD!” We have not reached the conclusion of a matter until God says, it’s over. The enemy wants us to get discouraged and quit, but let’s continue to fight the good fight of faith, to the end. Our victory is etched onto the pages of eternity!

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” — Nehemiah 2:17, 18b (NKJV) Even though their enemies tried to stop the work of God, Nehemiah and his team successfully completed the wall. At times, our lives may seem to be no more than a pile of rubbish, broken pieces of debris scattered about. But God is in the business of restoration. He will use every piece of our broken lives and make something beautiful. Let us rise up and actively engage in what God wants to do in our lives. Out of the rubbish, Nehemiah re-built the walls of Jerusalem. What will you build for the LORD, with the rubble of your life?

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) Have you ever read this Scripture and wondered why you felt weary? I have found that I grow weary when I'm trying to accomplish a task or face a challenge, in my own strength. As we maintain our trust in the LORD, we will always find new strength. We are to let the wind of His love be the force that carries us above our current set of circumstances and keeps us in His perfect state of peace. As we surrender to God’s will and His ways, His mighty power works through us to fulfill all that He desires of us. That's when we are able to soar high.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. — Matthew 14:29 (NKJV) Stop lingering in the boat of yesterday, full of pain, disappointments, and regrets. We like to hide in the boat because that is where things are familiar and comfortable. Beloved friends, let’s follow Jesus! When He says “Come,” its time to stop playing it safe and venture out into the deep with Jesus. This allows space for our mighty God to do BIG things in your life. And even in the midst of contrary winds, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.” — Jeremiah 1:19 (NKJV) No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD (Isaiah 54:17). Lift up your voice to the LORD with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Let the sound of victory be heard in your home, for your your deliverance is drawing near. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37 NLT). Hallelujah!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you…” — Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)  Your eyes saw my unformed body; (Psalm 139:15 NIV). You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something (Psalm 139:15-16 MSG). Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4 NLT). We were created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Our heavenly Father loves us and chose us for plans that are good, to give us a future and a hope!

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. — Isaiah 63:9 (AMP) In love and mercy, the LORD carried the Israelites, during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still saves and redeems His people, in love and mercy. He is actively and intimately involved in our lives. He lifts up those who are bowed down and carries us through life’s challenges. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him (Isaiah 64:4 AMP).

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. — Isaiah 50:10 (NLT) When the storms of life come rushing in, instead of drifting away from God and allowing your faith to be shipwrecked, draw near and rely on your God. When your journey causes you to wander in the wilderness instead of the promised land, rely on your God. If life situations seem to have you imprisoned, realize that Jesus has proclaimed freedom to those held captive and given a pardon to all prisoners. When all you can see is darkness around you, look up and into the light of the LORD your God.

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” — Luke 24:6-7 (NKJV) Day One : Christ gave His life on the cross to bear the sins of many; to set the captives free from the penalty of sin and death. There was pain. There was blood shed and there was sacrifice. Day Two : There was sorrow and grief. To the disciples of Jesus, all appeared hopeless, but Jesus was taking care of business, behind the scenes. Day Three : Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was empty. He declared victory over death, and hell. He overcame the world. My beloved friends, let us patiently endure day one and day two of any trials and tribulations that come our way. For we know that the 3rd day is coming! God will deliver us from all our troubles. Jesus has given us the victory. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, ...

…God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are sad and humble. I give new life to those who are humble and to those whose hearts are broken.”  — Isaiah 57:15 (NCV) Our God is exalted on high and He is also a God who dwells with His people. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1 NIV). You are never out of His reach. He gives new life to those who humble themselves under His mighty hand. He restores crushed spirits and revives repentant hearts. “ I, even I, am He who comforts you… ”  Isaiah 51:12 (NKJV)

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!”  — Isaiah 49:15 (NLT) The enemy wants us to believe that God has forgotten about us, but the truth is He does not forget us for one second. So precious are His thoughts about us, they cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT). The very hairs on your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30 NLT). John 10:3 says, the Good Shepherd, calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He knows your name my friend, and He cares about you! You are never forgotten. You are always on His mind and in His heart.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) Our troubles are light, because they are momentary. They are temporary. Whatever you are going through today is a tiny speck on the face of the eternal time clock. This too shall pass. The Word assures us that no matter what we endure on this side of heaven, it cannot even begin to compare to our glorious future which will last forever. Here on earth we will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because Jesus overcame the world. (John 16:33) Hallelujah!

We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead  — 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT) In spite of the most difficult times, totally trust God! He changes circumstances for the better. The LORD will eventually bring about restoration and reconciliation, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem. And we know that God 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 (NLT).