Manna for Your Morning

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” — Matthew 4:10 (NKJV) In Genesis 3, when the devil approached Eve, she began to question God and thus fell into the trap of the enemy. Satan tempted Jesus three times and each time, Jesus responded with “it is written,” and the devil left Him (Matthew 4:11). We overcome by the word of our testimony; respond to the enemy by speaking the Word of God. It is the sword of the Spirit and it’s alive and active. Confront the lies of the enemy, with the Word! Death and life are in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. — Psalm 5:1-3 (MSG) God is our helper. May we look to Him, each and every day to give us wisdom and guidance. Let us look to Him every moment of the day to be our strength and joy. As we expose every area of our lives to His light and love, He will bring about the healing and restoration that is needed. At His alter is where things get altered —changed forever!

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. — Psalm 23:1-3 (MSG) Be confident that God will bring to pass, at the appointed time, whatever He has spoken to you. His word does not return to Him without accomplishing the thing for which He sent it. Wait expectantly on the LORD. Don't lose heart and become discouraged. God is true to His Word. Amen!

“And now my life drains out, as suffering seizes and grips me hard. Night gnaws at my bones; the pain never lets up. I am tied hand and foot, my neck in a noose. I twist and turn. Thrown facedown in the muck, I’m a muddy mess, inside and out.” — Job 30:16-19 (MSG) Consider nothing about your life a mess. God works ALL things together for good. What may look like a mess, is just one color of the masterpiece God is painting of your life. All your days were written in His book, before you were born; there are no coincidences in God. There is purpose even in your pain. Embrace the place where you are today, knowing that it is part of the process of being perfected. God is at work, in you and through you, as you go from one glory to another. What today looks like a muddy mess, is really part of God’s magnificent masterpiece that is called, YOU.

“For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” — Malachi 3:6 (NKJV) Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). When the LORD is at the foundation of our lives, we are building on solid ground, because He does not change. We can count on Him to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His compassions never fail. His faithfulness and amazing love continues through the good times and through times of adversity. The LORD is good and He does good, always!

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV) The adversaries of the Israelites continually mocked, harassed and threatened Nehemiah, in an attempt to stop the work of God in their lives. Just as our enemy wants to pull you down and stop the work of God in your life. Don’t give place to the distractions. As you remain diligent to do the work God has given you, He will take care of all that concerns you. Whatever your God given assignment, whether big or small, it’s a great work. Arise and continue to build!

“And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” —Joshua 1:8-9 MSG As we meditate on the Word of God, we gain strength and wisdom to do what He has called us to do. And we will have good success. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT). Let every step you take toward your goals and dreams, be a step of faith knowing that He is with you!

Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. — Zechariah 9:12 (NKJV) When all things in  your life seem to be going awry, seek refuge in the strong fortress of our mighty God. Imprison yourself inside His walls of hope. Let your voice continue to sing His praises. Persist in prayer without ceasing and stand on His wonderful promises. As you praise, pray and remember His promises, you will keep your hope in our wonder-working God alive! May He give you double for your trouble.

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! — Habakkuk 3:19 (AMP) We are not to let the enemy terrorize us, nor allow fear to freeze us in our tracks. Instead, we are to make spiritual progress, upward and forward, to the high places God has designated for each one of us. Be courageous and continue to walk, and even run, for He is our strength and our personal bravery. Victorious we stand, not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit, working in and through us!

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. — Zechariah 3:1 (NKJV) As we endeavor to follow God, we will face opposition and accusations. Revelation 12:10 says, Satan, the accuser of the brethren, accuses us before our God day and night. But we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous (1 John 2:1 NLT). Fear not! We have already won the victory over the evil forces of darkness because the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Amen and Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) This is the day the LORD has made. Let us learn to be content and embrace the moment God has for us right now. May we enjoy the good God has made available to us and stop worrying about what we don't have. Face the challenges with the confidence that you can make it through anything and everything, as long as you stay in God.

‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. — Haggai 2:4 (NKJV) Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The rubber meets the road, in the life of a believer, when we take what we have learned and touch the lives of those around us, when we bring light into their darkness. God is with us and enables us to do all He has called us to. In Luke 8:21, Jesus said, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Be strong & do the work God has given you to do.

‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ — Haggai 2:5 (NKJV) God didn’t bring you out of the place where you were enslaved for you to aimlessly wander through this life. He brought you out, to take you to a better place, as you go from one glory to another place of glory, in Him. You were not saved to sit. God’s Spirit remains with us, because He wants to lead us to a certain place and He wants us to bring as many people with us, as are willing to come. He is there for us, no matter what we may encounter on the way. Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit, we prevail, progress and prosper.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. — Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV) Our process of preparation, is often perceived as an unnecessary delay. However, between the planting of the seed and the gathering of the harvest, is the element of time. While we are in this process of preparation, let us develop patience. Though the vision lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and it will not delay. The vision God placed in your heart will happen at the appointed time. The Message Bible says: It’s on its way. It will come right on time. Amen!

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;  even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT) When circumstances appear utterly hopeless, we can still rejoice in the God of our salvation, our protector and provider, knowing that He is working all things together for our good. God’s sovereign rule will prevail in your life. The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm (Nahum 1:3), and in any other adverse situation you face. He makes a way where there is no way. Amen!

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. — Micah 7:8 (NKJV)  When we fall, we shall get up again. We may be hard-pressed on every side, yet we are not crushed; we may be perplexed, but we are not in despair; we may be persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). In those dark moments of your life, the LORD will will enlighten your darkness and show you the way. Arise and walk In the light of the LORD!

Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three  days and three nights. — Jonah 1:17 (NIV) Even though Jonah initially ran away from the LORD and ended up being thrown into the sea, God was watching over him and provided what Jonah needed to survive. In the belly of the huge fish, Jonah remembered the LORD (Jonah 2:7) and God commanded the fish, to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Take comfort in knowing that our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need it. As Amos 5:6 (NLT) says: Come back to the LORD and live!

And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God], — Ezekiel 11:19 (AMP) It’s unnatural for children of God to have a hard heart because our heavenly Father is love (1 John 4:16). As members of God’s family, we are to have soft, healthy hearts, that are sensitive and responsive to the touch of God. Instead of cold, hard hearts infested with jealousy, envy and bitterness, our hearts of flesh are to be full of love, compassion and empathy, more concerned about the needs of those around us than your own. Have a tender heart that loves God and loves people. Amen!

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. — Joel 3:14 (NKJV) In spite of how you perceive yourself (your talents, your skills, and your abilities), you are a mighty in God. And no matter what career or profession you occupy, you have a call and purpose to fulfill in God. If we want to see God's wonderful plan manifest in our lives, we have to listen for His voice, and then we must respond with action. Don't waffle too long in the valley of decision. Make a dedicated decision to keep following God, wherever He leads, no matter what adverse conditions arise.

The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. — Joel 3:16 (NKJV) When your world gets shaken, take refuge in the LORD, our safe shelter. When all else falls away, the LORD will stand by your side and be your strength. You shall not be moved. He is our sure foundation, a mighty fortress in the time of trouble. 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 in every circumstance because we know that He is working all things together for good in our lives. The LORD has been with you from birth; from your mother’s womb He has cared for you (Psalm 71:6a NLT). May our mouths continually give Him praise. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8 NKJV).

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ — Hosea 10:12 (NLT) Let us plant good seeds by doing what we know is right, loving God and walkng in love with our neighbors. Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. (1 Peter 4:8 AMP). May we break up the unplowed ground of our hearts and pull out the weeds of offense, unforgiveness, and bitterness. Then we are able to enjoy a bountiful crop of unfailing love!

“Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” — Hosea 6:3 (NLT) Let us press on to know the LORD. He wants us to show love, not offer sacrifices. He wants us to know Him more than He wants burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” If we don’t cease all our striving to do things in our own might, we will never know our God. Stop and acknowledge His mighty power and great wisdom. Be still and know that God is good and everything He does is good. Press on to know the width, length, depth and height of His amazing love and grace.

When that day comes,” says the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. — Hosea 2:16,19 (NLT) The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy and when we do not place a high priority on getting to know our God, we assist the devil in our own destruction. Hosea 4:6 (NLT) says, “my people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” When we don't know the unfailing love and deep compassion God has for us, we are more likely to believe the lies of the enemy. God wants our relationship with Him to have the deep intimacy that exists between a husband and wife. Set your affections on God and spend time with Him. Our strength and faith comes as our hearts and minds connect with His.

…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. — Daniel 11:32 (NKJV) Our strength comes in knowing God and abiding in Hs Presence. When you know your God, you are confident that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). When you know your God, in spite of all opposing forces which come, you will stand strong and give thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV). Know that our God is good and He is working everything together for good in your life.

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. — Daniel 10:12 (NKJV) At times it may seem that our prayers hit the ceiling and come tumbling back down, but we can be confident that every prayer we utter is heard in heaven. Those things that we have been praying for awhile, were heard the first day we prayed them. Let us praise God for the answer while we patiently wait for it to manifest in our lives. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16 NLT). Keep praying at all times and in every situation.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. — Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) The Amplified Bible says, in all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths (Proverbs 3:6). As we spend time with the LORD, we grow in our knowledge of Him and His ways and we are able to recognize what is of God and what is not. When we seek His will in ALL that we do, He shows us which path is for us. The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day (Proverbs 4:18 NASB).

  Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. — Daniel 6:23 (NKJV) Daniel was thrown into the lions den for worshiping God. Because Daniel believed in his God, God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths, so they did not hurt him (Daniel 6:22). Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But our God has already given us the victory over him. Only believe. God rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27 NLT).

“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” — Daniel 3:17 (NKJV) Let us have the same mindset of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. They were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. They trusted God and the fiery furnace had no power over them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! (Daniel 3:27 NLT). No matter what fiery trials come your way, our awesome God is with you and He will deliver you!

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. — Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) Are you giving more attention to your circumstances than your mighty God? Look up, to the source of your help. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV). The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time (Psalm 34:19 NLT).