Manna for Your Morning

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Endurance: the ability to sustain or withstand an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. The Word encourages us to run our race with endurance. That means we never give up and we don't quit! We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24 NKJV) May we be like the Apostle Paul, and let the power of God give us the inner strength to not be moved by external circumstances. Press on to reach the end of t...

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV) Just as God is always with us, we need to be continually with Him. Sometimes we get distracted by things of this world, and tend to drift away from our heavenly Father, but Psalm 73:28 says, it is good for us to draw near to God. Don’t just draw near with your mouth and honor Him with their lips. Draw near with your heart and honor Him in all that you do. Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… (Hebrews 10:22a NASB). When we draw near to God He draws even closer to us. And with Him we go from glory to glory.

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  — Hebrews 10:12 (NLT) On this Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who gave their all for our country and our freedom; those who sacrificed their lives. Let us also honor the One perfect sacrifice. Christ Jesus gave His all for our freedom. Isaiah 53:7 says, He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. He gave His life to set us free! He paid the penalty for our sins and triumphed over death. As the Message Bible says: “It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people.” (Hebrews 10:12) Jesus proclaims liberty to those held captive. (Isaiah 61:1) Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; (Isaiah 53:4a). He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Because He...

An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be blessed and prosper. — P roverbs 28:25 (AMP) Man may fail us, but we will never be disappointed when we trust in and rely on the LORD. “Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NASB) When we keep our confidence in His Word and follow His ways, we flourish and experience success in all areas of our lives. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. (Psalm 37:3 NLT)

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:10 (MSG) In the Amplified Bible, Psalm 46:10a says,  “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.” I hear the Psalmist saying, take a time out. Turn a deaf ear to all the voices in the world clamoring for your attention and tune in to the voice of the Most High God. Hit the stop button on the chatter in your mind that causes doubt and fear. Recognize that He is a great and mighty God, full of grace, mercy and compassion. Acknowledge His Presence in your life. When you go through the floods and the fire, He is there. Understand that even when the world shuns you, our heavenly Father loves and cherishes you. He continually draws us closer to Him. When you give attention to our great God, everything else comes into proper perspective. He is exalted above all else. He is bigger, stronger and wiser than anything or anyone that comes against us. “ I w...

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] — John 14:27 (AMP) Jesus, the Prince of Peace says: “don’t let your heart be troubled.” When challenges come, have the courage to persevere in the pursuit of all that God has for you. Go in the strength of the Lord God (Psalm 71:16). He has already established victory for us. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33b (AMP)

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind… — Job 38:1 (NKJV) Who do you call when your back is up against the wall? When you call upon the LORD, you can be confident, that He will answer. In the midst of your storm, listen for His still small voice. Isaiah 58:9 (NKJV) says: Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. (Psalm 118:5 NLT) The LORD says: ‘ Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV)

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  — Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) It's not enough to know the Word of God. We benefit most when we know how to use it. God's Word is a love letter to His children. It's an instruction manual for a successful and prosperous life. Open it up and let it speak to you. God's Word is alive and active. It goes where it needs to go and it does not return to Him void. It's a healing balm that soothes the brokenhearted and strengthens the weary. It brings healing to the bones. Confront the lies of the enemy by speaking His Word out of your mouth. His Word cuts as you speak it out, in the face of the devil's lies. When we speak the word of God out of our mouths, it goes to work. When the devil held me captive in a pit of depression, bombarded with suicidal tho...

“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19 (NASB) “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” (Isaiah 43:18 NASB) It is hard to press on to what God has for you if you keep looking back at the disappointments, hurts and regrets of the past. Just as His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23 NLT), the LORD is always doing something new. The Message Bible says: “Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.”

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV) If you are worried and bothered about so many things, cast all your cares on the Lord. Psalm 68:19 (NIV) says, He daily bears our burdens. Instead of putting all your efforts into things that have no eternal value, choose that good part. Mary, seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. (Luke 10:39 AMP) When we stay close to Jesus and follow His teaching we experience fullness of joy and peace. We will live the abundant life and draw others into the loving arms of God. That changes the world in the eternal realm.

When His lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness; — Job 29:3 (NKJV) How do we walk through the dark times in our lives? By His light. God is the LORD, and He has given us light; (Psalm 118:27). Let us walk in the light of the LORD. For He lights your lamp; the LORD your God illuminates your darkness, so you can see with clarity, the way you are to go. He smooths out the rugged places. He makes your feet like the feet of deer, and sets you on your high places. (Psalm 18:33)                                                                                                       I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light ...

Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’ “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses… — Luke 14:16-18 (MSG) In Luke 14:21-23 (NLT), the servant is sent out a second time. He went into the streets and alleys of the town and invited the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. There was still room for more, so the servant was told to go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone he could find to come, so that his master's house would be full. Whether you are on the city streets or the country roads, the invitation goes out to you today. Jesus says to “Come!” Daily, we are invited to open the door of our hearts to Jesus. He wants to come in and dine with each one of us. (Revelation 3:20) Everyday, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and our heavenly Father have a fe...

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”   — Mark 10:47-48 (NLT) When the world tries to silence you, lift up your voice all the more, to our mighty God. When the circumstances you encounter leave you speechless, cry out to our living God. He is abundant in mercy to all those who call upon Him (Psalm 86:6 NKJV). The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17). Cry out with your whole heart. Psalm 56:9 says, when you cry out to the LORD, then your enemies will turn back because God is for you. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. (Psalm 34:15 NKJV)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. — Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) When trouble comes, do you draw back from following the LORD? Or do you fall into pits of discouragement and defeat. When challenges come our way, we can run around aimlessly in doubt and confusion or we can run with purpose and determination to the name of the LORD. His name is above every other name. He is above any situation or circumstance that arises. Be willing to run and keep running, to the name of the LORD, until your race is won. He will deliver you from trouble. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. (Proverbs 4:12 NKJV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! — Job 19:25, 27 (NKJV) Job was in the midst of extraordinary pain and suffering. His wife was not supportive and his friends were critical and judgemental, but he persevered and clung to his faith in God. No matter what season of life you are going through, know that your Redeemer lives. He redeems your life from destruction, and crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4) You have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). He pleaded the case for your soul; He has redeemed your life. (Lamentations 3:58)

...He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” — John 11:43-44 (NKJV) When Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, his grave clothes still needed to be removed. Jesus has called us to come forth, out of the darkness and into the light of life. (John 8:12) We no longer need to be wrapped up in dead things. Things that do not lead to the abundant life Jesus came to give us. We have been called into a living hope. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 NASB). Psalm 84:2b says, “my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 42:2 says, “my soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Be loosed of dead things. Jesus is the living bread (John 6:51) Whoev...

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. — Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NLT) Our relationship with God is based on His love for us and our ability to trust Him, in all areas of our lives. We like to ask God “why?” but even more important than “why?” is “Who?” When we know that God is with us, that He is for us and that nothing is too difficult for Him, we can depend on Him. No matter what the question, challenge or situation, JESUS is the answer. He is our deliverer, refuge, and redeemer. He is our strength, our joy and our peace. He is a wonderful Counselor and mighty God! 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 angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” — Luke 1:28 NIV The angel came and told Mary that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she would conceive and bring forth a Son, and call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:31-35) Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38a NKJV) Let us have the same mindset as Mary and say, “let it be to me according to Your Word” God has spoken so many precious promises over us in His Word. Like Mary, may we believe His Word is for us. No matter what others may say about us, let us continue to stand on God's Word and what He says about us. His word does not return to Him void. It accomplishes what He pleases, and prospers in the thing for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) As a child of God, you are blessed and highly favored and the Lord is with you too!

“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) 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). No matter what you go through in this life, remember that God has already given us victory. In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Continue, moving forward in faith toward all that God has for you. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. (1 John 5:4 AMP)

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” — Matthew 14:28-30 (NKJV) Peter didn’t get into trouble until he looked at the conditions around him. The Message Bible says, he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet… Don’t let the enemy distract you by getting you to focus on external circumstances. Keep moving forward with your eyes of Jesus.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. — Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT) Whatever you do, keep your hope in God alive! 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) As we wait upon Him, He will show us the right path and lead us with His truth, the Word. He fills our lives with good things and renews our youth like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:5 NLT)

Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. — 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (MSG) As we pray, we let go of the worries of this world and embrace the power of God that is able to move mountains and destroy yokes. Prayer and praise release the power of God to change circumstances. It ushers in His Presence and opens our hearts to Him, so the Holy Spirit can work in us and through us. Psalm 33:1 (NKJV) says, praise from the upright is beautiful. As we pray and praise our heavenly Father, we let the light and love of God shine through us, and we illuminate the world around us with the beauty of the LORD. Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is ...

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. — James 1:5-8 (MSG) Don’t be tossed to and fro with each wave. The enemy wants you to drift. Let your hope and trust in God be an anchor that keeps you close to Him. He will help you stay firm and secure in Him. Instead of wavering away from His will, seek His wisdom and guidance always.

“But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” — Job 8:20-21 (NLT) Our heavenly Father is a turn around God. He will turn your sorrow into joy. He turns our mourning into joyful dancing. (Psalm 30:11) No matter what you are going through today, keep your eyes on Jesus, our only hope and the source of our help. Remember, the LORD's plans for you are good. As Pastor Matt said in his message yesterday, “what’s ahead of us is greater than what is behind us.” To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number. — Job 9:10 (NKJV) God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? (Job 9:4 NKJV) He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea; (Job 9:8 NKJV) Many, O LORD my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of your wonders, they would be too many to count. (Psalm 40:5 AMP) You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. (Psalm 77:14 NLT) The Message Bible says, He’s the God who makes things happen; (Psalm 77:14) If you need a miracle today, look to our great God. Nothing is too difficult for Him!

Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good. — Job 7:7 (NKJV) Job made the above statement in the midst grief and suffering. However, God had another plan for him, a triumphant plan that was good and full of hope. Job 42:10 (NASB) says, the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. In Job 42:12, the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. Job 42:16-17 says, after this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days. God has all the days ordained for us written in His book. (Psalm 139:16) When you are in a chapter that contains tragic life events, remember, your story is not over. Don’t make a final conclusion based on a temporary condition. Know that our heavenly Father is with you in each chapter. He is taking you from one glory to the next as each chapter unfolds. God has a plan for you th...

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) The Message Bible says, 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). You are the focus of God’s love. When this world has you feeling battered and bruised, remember God loves you and He chose you. He pours out new compassions and mercies on you everyday. His thoughts about you are too many to count. Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12 AMP) 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...

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) Let us pray for all people; that we may influence the world for good and not evil. Pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT) This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NASB)

Never stop praying. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Today, people are more into texting, but back in the day, when in a “dating” relationship, boys and girls would spend hours talking on the phone, because it made their day just to hear that person’s voice. In much the same way, our heavenly Father lavishes His love on us and He wants to hear our voice. Some people think there is a specific time for prayer, but the Word instructs us to pray without ceasing. We may spend the first part of our day locked away in a prayer closet, but the conversation with our heavenly Father is to continue as we go about our day. This continual conversation keeps the channels of communication open and we are much more likely to hear His still small voice when engaged in conversation. As we persist in prayer our relationship with Abba Father grows stronger and more intimate. Never stop praying.

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. — Job 3:25 (NKJV) Why did Job live in fear? Job 1:10 says, God made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he had on every side. He blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions increased in the land. Instead of walking around in fear and dreading what may come, we can thank God that no matter what comes, He is with us and He is for us. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). First John 4:18 says, there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. The love God has for us in Christ Jesus is the most perfect and powerful love of all. Have no fear, our God is near.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever (Psalm 125:2). The LORD will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. — Job 1:20 (NKJV) After being told that all his livestock were gone, his servants killed, and his ten children were dead Job fell to the ground and worshiped God. Job 1:22 says, in all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. After being struck with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head (Job 2:7), Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10) When faced with trials and adversity may we continue to draw near to God and worship Him. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psalm 95:6) Never let the schemes of the enemy draw you away from our heavenly Father. He is our strength and refuge in time of trouble. May we worship Almighty G...