Manna for Your Morning

‘‘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) When we go through difficult times, we never have to feel like we are all alone. Not only is our God with us, but He promises to help us and to hold us up. The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT). Every setback is a set-up for God to show Himself mighty and strong on your behalf. Persevere through the pain and the problems because He has a higher purpose a greater plan. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (James 5:11). The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before his troubles began. (Job 42:10)

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? — Numbers 23:19 (NIV) Some people in our lives may have made false promises or failed to do what they said they would, but our heavenly Father is not a man that He should lie. He fulfills every promise. The entirety of His word is truth… (Psalm 119:160 NKJV). And the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV). You can stand on His Word and all the wonderful promises He has spoken. Stand on His Word, believing with every fiber of your being and you will not be disappointed. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.” — Isaiah 30:15 (MSG) Christ Jesus died for us, was raised to life and is at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV). Our weaknesses create a vacuum for the power of God to fill. Lay your weaknesses on His altar and depend on God to raise yo...

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—  how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude  — Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) The Spirit of God made us, and the breath of the Almighty gives us life. (Job 33:4). It’s His breath in our lungs. Thank God for giving you today. James 4:14 (NASB) says we are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. May we make the most of each moment He has given us. Be true to the desires God placed in your heart: sing the song, dance the dance, play the music, etc. That is when our dreams become reality and we truly live the more abundant life. Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) LORD, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NLT)

Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence. — Psalm 140:13 (NLT) In Genesis 3:8, Adam and Eve heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. And Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3). The biggest mistake and most futile effort we could ever make is to try to hide or flee from the Presence of our great God. Without God’s help we are destined for failure. As children of God, we can praise His name because we have the most amazing opportunity and privilege to live in His precious Presence. In the shelter of the Most High there is protection and provision, and He lavishes His love upon us. In His Presence, His mighty power enables us to overcome the forces of evil and live in freedom and victory. In His Presence, we have a peace that cannot be moved by earthly circumstances. He fills us with joy in His presence. (Acts 2:2...

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, and blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD. — Proverbs 16:20 (AMP) Tired of the constantly negative news and posts? Tune into the Word of God and you will find the good and positive message that will revive you. When we wisely pay attention to His Word, we find good. His Word gives life. (Psalm 119:50) Through His precepts we get understanding. (Psalm 119:104). Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires (Psalm 37:3-4 NLT). Know that it is better to trust in the LORD than to put your confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NKJV) From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (Acts 17:26 NIV). God determined our appointed time in history, and where we were to live. We are here for a reason. God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. We are to take the territory He has given us, for His kingdom. The workplace He has called us to, the positions we occupy, and the neighborhoods we live in are to be influenced by the kingdom of God within us. As we let the power of His love work through us, His light shines brightly, beckoning all to come to Him. When we utilize the gifts, talents and resources He has bestowed on us, to enrich the lives of others, He light shines, drawing others to Him, for such a time as this. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way tow...

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. — Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV) Consider Jesus. He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and pain and acquainted with grief; (Isaiah 53:3 AMP). He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself]; (Isaiah 53:7 AMP). Just take a moment and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself. Hebrews 12:3 (AMP) says, “…consider it all in comparison with your trials, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plo...

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. — 2 Corinthians 7:5 (NKJV) The world has a way of wearing us out with daily dilemmas, conflicts and challenges. However, nothing is too difficult for our great God. Even though there’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:3-5 MSG) Keep your hope in Christ alive and continually draw your strength from Him.

“…because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD. — 2 Kings 22:19 (NKJV) May we be like King Josiah, and have a tender heart, and humble ourselves before the LORD. The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). It is more difficult for God’s love to permeate a hard heart, full of bitterness and unforgiveness, than a soft pliable one. God’s love is continually being poured out and with His love, comes His power and His peace. When our hearts are tender, we are able to receive His love, and freely share it with others. And His power can work in us and through us in a mighty way to change lives forever. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, cas...

“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD…”’” — 2 Kings 20:5 (NKJV) God spoke these words to Hezekiah, and He still speaks these words to His people today. Be confident that the LORD listens to your prayer. He hears the cry of your heart. Not only does He see your tears, Psalm 56:8 (NLT) says, He has collected all our tears in His bottle. He has recorded each one in His book. Psalm 126:5 (NKJV) lets us know that those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Hallelujah! Surely God heals! Our heavenly Father wants His children, healed and whole. He says: But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; (Malachi 4:2). In Matthew 9:35, Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and heali...

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. — Psalm 32:8 (NIV) When we don't know which way to go, we have God’s Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us.  His still small voice inside of you will guide you along the best pathway for your life. (Psalm 32:8 NLT) We also have His Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). God’s Holy Spirit in you and His Word is the best GPS system. Be led by His Spirit and He will get you exactly where you need to be.

He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. — Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP) If you have ever been in between a rock and a hard place, you know how beautiful it is when God works everything out, at just the right time. While we may not know the whole plan of God, we can rejoice and be glad in this day that He has given us and trust Him to reveal to us exactly what we need to know and do, at His appointed time. Things may not come together on our timetable, but God is always right on time!

But 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 (NKJV) Our relationship with God starts with believing that He exists and thrives when really understand that He is the Father, who truly wants the best for us. He is Elohim, the Creator of all things. He is El Elyon, the Most High God. He is highly exalted above all. He is El Shaddai, the Lord God Alimighty. All power and might belong to Him. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is Peace. Let His peace rule in your heart and mind. He is Adonai, Lord and Master. Have you made room in your heart for His throne? He is Immanuel, the God who is with us and that is the greatest reward of all. Believe that God is everything you need Him to be and diligently seek Him.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. — Jeremiah 18:4 (NKJV)  It’s not so much about being perfect as it is about being teachable and remaining on God’s wheel so He can mold us into the person He created us to be. When life events cause our vessels to be cracked and broken, our story is not over. God is not finished with us yet. Not only will He will make us new, He is also able to use us in whatever condition we are in. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).

But now, O LORD, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. — Isaiah 64:8 (NASB) Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel (Jeremiah 18:3 NKJV). When the potter goes to the wheel, it is intentional. He has a vision of something in his heart to make. When God formed you in your mother’s womb, He did it intentionally and it gave Him great pleasure. Psalm 139:14 says, marvelous are His works, that includes you. Our heavenly Father created you with a purpose in mind. You are not an accident and your life is not a mistake. All the days ordained for you have been written in His book (Psalm 139:16). You have a glorious destiny, a desired end. He created each one of us unique, and in all different shapes, colors and sizes. One does not take value away from the other. Only you can fulfill the purpose He created you for. Stay on the Potter's wheel and let Him continue His work in you...

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) Realize that the LORD alone is God. He made us, and we are his. We are his people and the sheep in his care (Psalm 100:3 GW). He carries the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. (Isaiah 40:11) We can rest, knowing that as our Shepherd, the LORD provides all that we need. He is our guide to keep us on the paths of righteousness. He protects us from the enemy. As we rest in Him, He refreshes and restores our souls. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said when we take His yoke upon ourselves and learn from Him, we would find rest for our souls. Find rest today.

“ …Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! ” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) As we fight the good fight of faith, we need strength to overcome the obstacles that come our way. Staying filled with the joy of the LORD is our greatest strength. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. If you are running low on joy, you can be made exceedingly glad with His presence. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful shout to the LORD. In His Presence our hearts are filled with joy. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 NKJV)

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) Do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV). Let us give thanks and praise to the LORD, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are His works, and my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14 AMP). It is Christ’s mighty power that works within us. (Colossians 1:29) And His power works best when we admit our weaknesses. The Apostle Paul said, “I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9b NLT). His unfolding grace is all we need to go from glory to glory. Each and every day His grace unfolds new life in us so we can persistently pursue all that God has for us. “ My grace is all you need...

“For the eyes of the LORD are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), but the face of the LORD is against those who practice evil.” — 1 Peter 3:12 (AMP) When we set our hearts to do what is right, the LORD is looking favorably upon us. Proverbs 11:27a (NKJV) says, He who earnestly seeks good finds favor. And his favor lasts for a lifetime! (Psalm 30:5) Not only are His eyes upon us, but His ears are open to hear us, so let us be unceasing and persistent in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP) because He is eager to answer. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 (NLT)

So Jesus said to the twelve [disciples], “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope].  — John 6:67 (AMP) In John 6:48 & 51, Jesus was teaching that He is the living bread that came down from heaven, the bread that gives life. He also said whoever eats this bread will live forever. But some of the people did not believe and from that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:64,66). But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69 NKJV). May you believe and know, without a doubt, that Jesus is our only hope. The only true hope we have to offer this world is Jesus, the giver of life.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 is the Father of compassion. He comforts us in all our trials and tribulation. He encourages those who are discouraged and lifts up those with heavy hearts. Psalm 94:19 (NLT) says, when doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. When you face troubles of any kind and anxious thoughts multiply, let our heavenly Father be your comforter. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another... Romans 15:5 (NKJV)

Seek and deeply long for the LORD and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually. — Psalm 105:4 (AMP) His Presence is truly the best present of all. It is the highest privilege and honor we have in this life. While all of our earthly possessions may be taken away from us, no one can remove His Presence from His People. The presence of the LORD enables us to overcome obstacles. His Presence empowers us to run with endurance the race that is set before us. It is God who arms us with strength, and makes our way perfect. He makes our feet like the feet of deer, and sets us on our high places. (Psalm 18:32-33). Let His Presence lead and guide you every moment of the day.

But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. — Matthew 26:58 (NIV) When they arrested Jesus, Peter followed at a distance. This distance eventually led to his denial of Christ. When we allow distance between us and the Lord, it leaves room for distractions, deception and detours off of the right path. It is beneficial for us to closely follow Jesus. His nearness is our good. May we continually draw near to God and He will come close to us. And instead of sitting back being a spectator, let us engage and be an active participant in what God is doing in our lives and in the world. Rather than wait to see the outcome, we can have a positive impact on the outcome. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; (Psalm 73:28a NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. — James 1:2 (NLT) The Message Bible says, t o consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides (James 1:2). When faced with adversity, it is an opportunity to learn that we should not trust in ourselves but in God. In 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV), the Apostle Paul said, “ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ” Troubles present an opportunity for our faith and trust in God to grow and be strengthened. They draw us closer to our heavenly Father. Let us see challenges as a set-up for our great big God to show Himself strong and mighty. We can be confident that God will cause all things to work together for good. We can also take joy in knowing that in Jesus we have already overcome!

So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” — 2 Kings 6:16 (NKJV) When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15 NLT). And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 NKJV) When the enemy seems to be coming at you from all directions, do not fear. There are more with us than with him. And the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4). We are on the victorious side! I pray that the LORD would open your eyes to see your situation with eyes of faith. Amen.

“ But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. ” — John 4:23-24 (MSG We don’t need to pretend before our heavenly Father. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace and present ourselves as living sacrifices, being real, open and honest, and available for Him to use. We worship God as we become the person He created us to be and live in the light of His grace, truth and love.

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. — 1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG) We are loved, chosen and accepted by the Creator of the universe. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love (Ephesians 1:4 MSG). God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5 NLT). Our enemy wants us to feel rejected, belittled, small and insignificant, etc. to keep us from speaking out about our great God and Father. But we are sons and daughters of Almighty God, and we have been chosen for a high calling. Just as Jesus said in Luke 2:49,...

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. — Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJV) May we totally trust and rely on the LORD, every minute of the day. Be confident in His faithfulness to do all that He has said. What He has said, shall come to pass. Cast all your cares on Him and delight yourself in Him. In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. — Philippians 3:15-16 (MSG) As we make our goals for the new year, may we set our hearts and minds to be totally committed to pursuing all that God has purposed for us. No turning back and no detours. After all, our heavenly Father only wants the best for us. Let us press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT). Let us keep the faith and run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). He is calling each one of us to higher ground, a holy ground, where we will experience a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you n ot perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Don’t waste time pondering past events. Today is the day the LORD has made. His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23 NLT). Be fully present in the here and now. Watch expectantly to see what new thing the LORD has in store for you today. “ I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. ” (Isaiah 42:8-9 NIV)