Manna for Your Morning

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” — Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) When we restrain that fleshly inclination to strike back at those who come against us, and instead, love them with the unconditional love God has given to us, we allow His light to shine through us and draw others into His kingdom. Our peace is not based on the condition that people treat us the way we think they should. True peace and fullness of joy comes when we walk in the will and ways of our heavenly Father. In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. — Psalm 5:3 (NIV) Some people expected to touch the hem of the Lord’s garment and they were made perfectly well (Matthew 14:36). The centurion requested Jesus just speak a word and his servant was healed (Matthew 8:8, 8:13). He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). What is your level of expectancy? “You will never rise above your highest level of expectation.” —Pastor Jeff T. Osborne. When you have done all you can do, look to the LORD and wait expectantly. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him (Psalm 62:5 NKJV).

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; — Psalm 139:23 (NKJV) The LORD, examines our hearts and knows everything about us. He knows when we sit down or stand up. He knows our thoughts even when we are far away (Psalm 139:1-2 NLT). Our heavenly Father knows the heavy burdens we carry. He tells us to cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, (Proverbs 12:25a NKJV). Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (NKJV) Those who believe the Word of the Lord are blessed. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). No word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment (Luke 1:37 AMP). His word does not return to Him void. He causes the barren to conceive. He gives life to that which is dead. Your situation is not too difficult for God to handle. Only believe and stand on His Word.

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. — Romans 12:12 (AMP) Keep your hope in God alive. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Proverbs 10:28 says, the hope of the righteous will be gladness. As you face various trials, let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4). And devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart (Colossians 4:2 NLT). Instead of a prayer time, have a prayer life. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16b)

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You. — Psalm 143:8 (AMP) Each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon us, (Psalm 42:8a NLT). He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4b NKJV). Because His lovingkindness is better than life, our lips shall praise Him (Psalm 63:3 NKJV). His lovingkindness and His truth continually preserve us (Psalm 40:11b NKJV). Because His love never fails, we can lean on Him and trust Him. Open your ear to hear His voice, He calls each one of us by name. Lift up your soul to the LORD and He will show you the way.

And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” — Mark 14:36 (NASB) May we be so connected to the heart of the Father, that it's always about what He wills and less about what we want. Let us realize that everything is indeed possible for God and He loves us so much, that the path He tells us to walk on will always be the absolute best for us, even though, it may not appear that way. There are things we wish He would remove from our lives, but it's all according to His will and in His appointed time. Be committed to the cause of fulfilling the call of God for your life. Surrender your heart, your will, surrender your all, for His greater and higher purpose. Jesus gave His life on the cross and reconciled humanity back into fellowship with the Father. What great things will come out of your life, as a result of your obedience and sacrifice?

She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. — Luke 10:39-40 (MSG) Jesus told Martha she was anxious and troubled about many things; (Luke 10:41 AMP), but Mary chose that good part. Be careful not to let the cares of this world distract you and pull you away from daily sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His teachings. He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). And His word has given us life (Psalm 119:50). Hang on to every word.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 6:1 (NLT) Avoid the trap of being a people-pleaser and doing things for the sake of appearances. Let all that you do, be motivated by the love you have for our heavenly Father and a genuine desire to please Him. Live for an audience of One. ‘So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ (Mark 12:30 MSG). And serve Him only.

When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people warned the blind man to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Mark 10:47-48 (NCV) The crowd tried to silence Blind Bartimaeus, but he cried out all the more and received his sight. Had he listened to those around him, Bartimaeus, would have remained blind. It's important for us to know which voices to listen to and which ones to ignore. Don’t let the enemy of your soul, silence you from calling out to God and cause you to miss out on your blessing. Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV), tells us to call to the LORD, and He will answer us, and show us great and mighty things, which we do not know.

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. — Mark 7:24 (NIV) Jesus is Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us (Matthew 1:23). His presence is not meant to be a secret. His presence destroys yokes and breaks bondages. He sets captives free. Tell others what He has done for you. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11). Because we have His light in us, we are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14 NLT). Come out of hiding and declare the wonderful works He has done in your life.

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. — Mark 5:27-29 (NKJV) This woman had an issue of blood for twelve years. She suffered many things from doctors, and spent all that she had, but her condition only grew worse. (Mark 5:25-26) When she came to the end of her worldly wealth, she tapped into the true treasures of the kingdom of God and received her healing. Don’t let Jesus be your last resort. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. — Mark 4:38-39 (NKJV) When our wind-beaten boat is being tossed to and fro by the stormy waves of life, and we can’t see anything good happening, with our natural eyes, it may seem that Jesus has fallen asleep on the boat. But rest assured that He is awake, He cares and He is at work in your life. Instead of panicking, exercise great faith and speak the Word of God over your circumstances. Be still and know that He is God and He has given you peace that can endure throughout all situations.

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” — Mark 1:40-41 (NLT) The great I AM is always willing. He heals the sick, restores the broken, and gives life to that which is dead. Jesus is moved with compassion, to answer the needs of those who seek Him. Ask in faith and look expectantly to Him, our provider. He is the source of our strength, and hope. Give thanks and praise the Lord for his unfailing grace, mercy and compassion.

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” — Matthew 27:22a (NKJV) What do you do with Jesus? Our very lives hang in the balance of how we answer that question. Do you praise Him in private, but are an invisible and silent partner when it comes to taking a stand for Him in public? Are you a believer or follower? Followers are believers, who follow up what they believe with action. Are you a spectator or imitator? Spectators never win because they never get involved in the game. (1 Corinthians 11:1). If you shut Jesus in a closet, for six days of the week, there is not much of an investment being made and the result is surface level, lukewarm living. (Revelation 3:16). When we live our lives for Jesus, out in the open, seven days a week, then we store up treasures in heaven and enjoy a deeper, richer and more satisfying life. If you surrender your life to Him, He will make you a into new creation. When you give Him your heart, He will be your lo...

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:5 (MSG) When we feel depressed and overwhelmed, we have taken our eyes off of God and His promises and fixed them on our problems. However, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11 NLT). Fix your eyes on God and He will lift you out of the pit of despair and set your feet on solid ground. The LORD is our helper. May your hope rest on His unfailing love.

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. — Psalm 37:23 (NLT) As long as you are following the LORD, you can take every step in faith, knowing that He is with you and His plans for you are good, to give you a future and a hope. He delights to be involved in every detail of our lives. When it comes to us, He leaves nothing to chance. Though we may fall, we shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps our hand in support and upholds us. (Psalm 37:24 AMP). Let us be grateful that He cares enough to be concerned.

He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. — Matthew 22:3 (NIV) Jesus tells a parable about a king who is having a weeding feast for his son. But those who were invited made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. (Matthew 22:5 NKJV). They were too busy doing their own thing, to partake of what the king had for them. In Revelation 3:20 (NKJV), Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus is trying to get something to you. He has prepared the banquet table. Don’t make light of the privilege and honor to fellowship with the King of kings. Open the door of your heart.

…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’  — Acts 17:28 (NKJV) As God sustains us with His breath in our lungs, let us seek to live and move in Him. As we live in the LORD, we will experience the fullness of all He has for us, His peace, joy and love. We will think the way He thinks and our ways will become more like His ways. As we live and move in God, His wonderful plan for our lives unfold and we fulfill our purpose and reach our glorious destiny.

‘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) Don’t let the enemy hijack your hope, nor let your faith be shipwrecked. God is bigger than any challenge, circumstance or storm that comes your way. God is El Shaddai, the all sufficient One.  Nothing is too difficult for our Heavenly Father. You cannot fail with God on your side.

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” — Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) The LORD has been mindful of us (Psalm 115:12). What thoughts do we fill our minds with? The mind occupied with merely human concerns has a self-centered focus: what “I” want and what “I” need. The mind filled with the things of God focuses on the Kingdom of God. Those mindful of the things of God, have a heart for God and are able to see things the way God sees them, not merely from a human point of view. When our minds are full of God thoughts, we allow His Spirit to lead us and we are able to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Heavenly Father, may we fill our minds with thoughts of You. Where the mind goes, the man will follow.

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. — Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV) What was it about the gentile woman that caused Jesus to tell her she had great faith? 1) She had a need and sought Jesus. May we have the wisdom to know that Jesus is the answer to every problem. 2) She asked Him to have mercy on her, then she made her request. Let us humble ourselves, and ask the Lord for help. 3) She worshiped Jesus and made another plea for help, after He informed her, that He was only sent to the house of Israel. When circumstances don't appear to be going in your favor, persist in prayer and praise. 4) She did not take offense, when  He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” She stayed focused on her daughter's healing, and received the desires of her heart. Keep the main thing, the main thing and don't take a detour on the roa...

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. — Matthew 14:14 (NKJV) The compassion of Jesus moved Him to take action. In compassion, Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the sick and cleansed the lepers. Jesus made the deaf, able to hear and brought the dead back to life. Our Savior saw humanity dying in sin and moved with compassion, Jesus gave His life on the cross, and reconciled us back into an eternal fellowship with our heavenly Father. His compassions never fail. As children of God, let us be a people who are moved with compassion. May we add the light of life, to the darkness of this world, wherever we go.

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. — Matthew 13:58 (NKJV) What mighty works are hindered in our lives by unbelief? He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7). Our faith is the hinge that opens the door to all God has for us. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The Message Bible says, anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6b).

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” — Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV) In Matthew 3:13, John the Baptist realized, he needed to be baptized by Jesus. In Matthew 3:16, he witnessed the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descend like a dove on Jesus. In Matthew 3:17, He heard God’s voice from heaven, say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” However, as he sat in prison, he lost confidence and began to question if Jesus really was the One. Don't let the disappointments and difficulties you face in life, cause you to doubt or get discouraged. Never put a question mark where God put a period. God said, Jesus is the One. Jesus is the way. Follow Him. Jesus is the truth, the living Word. Believe Him. Jesus is the life, one of everlasting peace, and abundant joy.

Freely you have received, freely give . — Matthew 10:8b (NKJV) God has so generously given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3). May we also be givers. What great love the Father has lavished on us. Let us give love and forgiveness as generously as we have received it. Just as we have received joy and peace from our Father, let us spread joy and pursue peace wherever we go. God has so abundantly blessed us, let us be a blessing and help meet the needs of those around us.

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” — Isaiah 43:19 (MSG) Let us be alert and present to what God is doing today. Jesus warns in Luke 17:32, Remember Lot’s wife! She looked back, and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). God gives us brand new mercies every morning because He is doing a brand new thing. If we expect God to do things the way He has done them in the past, we are trying to box Him in. Dear brothers and sisters, let’s focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. May we press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT).

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. — Galatians 5:13 (NIV) Once we have been set free, it is our responsibility to make wise choices, to ensure that we live free. Every day we make decisions that lead to life or death. The LORD set before us life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15 NKJV). Choose to love, laugh, and forgive. Choose to be kind and walk in the light of the LORD! Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.  — Galatians 5:1 (MSG)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NKJV) Let us examine our hearts. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (Romans 10:10a). Do you have great faith like the centurion who said to Jesus, “…but only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8). Or are you more like the disciples who panicked and awoke Jesus, in the midst of a storm. He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Jesus, in His compassion took care of both. Even if you had little faith in the past, it's not too late, faith is now. Faith is for the present time, today. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:26). “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31-32 (NLT) Know the truth and be liberated from the traditions of man. Know the truth, and it will set you free from worrying about what other people think. Liberate yourself from self-defeating thoughts, by learning the truth of God's Word. When you know the truth of how much God loves you, how His grace enables you to live victoriously in this life and that the name of Jesus is above every other name, sickness, disease or any other condition, then you will be free indeed.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. — James 1:2-4 (MSG) Don’t despise the day of trials and tests. In the rubble of our troubles, we find a wealth of hidden treasures: patience is produced, knowledge and wisdom gained, and persistence is developed. As we work through the debris of our difficulties, our faith is strengthened, we experience a fuller, deeper level of love and trust in God and we grow in maturity. These are the qualities that enable us to fulfill our purpose and realize our dreams.