Manna for Your Morning

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. — Psalm 62:5-6 (NLT) Let us wait quietly for God to work all things together for good in our lives. Philippians 2:14 (NKJV) instructs us to do all things without complaining and disputing. The Amplified Bible says: do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God].  Wait with expectation and confidence. Our God is faithful. He will fulfill every promise He has made. His word does not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NASB) So wait quietly, your hope in God will not be disappointed.

‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NKJV) Abide in the secret place of His Presence and there He will keep you and sustain you. Though you walk through the valley, you will not fear because He will protect you and guard you from the enemy. Abide in the secret place, and experience the blessing of His abundant favor, His unlimited grace and His everlasting peace.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. — Luke 19:5-6 (NKJV) Joyfully welcome Jesus into every area of your life. Don’t confine Him to your Sunday morning. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). He will be with you in the fire and in the storm. When you fall into a pit, it will be His hand that reaches down and pulls you out. He will set your feet on solid ground (Psalm 40:2). He will turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). Jesus alone is our hope. He is our joy and our peace. Jesus is the very source of our strength. In Him and because of Him, we have the victory! Receive Him with a joyful heart.

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. — Luke 19:3-4 (NKJV) Zacchaeus sought to see who Jesus was, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree to see Him. What steps are you willing to take to get in the right position to see who Jesus is? When we humble ourselves, bow down, and kneel before His throne of grace, we come face to face with His mercy and grace. As we seek His face and call upon Him, we find that He hears us and answers our cries. When we repent and turn away from our sins, we see Him as our Redeemer. He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. (John 4:42) He is our righteousness. May our hearts continually hunger to see who Jesus is. He is such a multi-faceted, marvelous wonder, the more we see Him, the more of Him there is to see. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is...

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence. — Psalm 140:13 (NKJV) Let us dwell in the Presence of the LORD. Surely, there is no better place to abide. In Psalm 139:7, the psalmist asks, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” My question is why would anyone want to turn away from the awesome honor and privilege we have to abide in His precious Presence? In His presence is fullness of joy; (Psalm 16:11). He makes us exceedingly glad with His presence. (Psalm 21:6). His Presence is comforting and soothing to our spirits, souls and bodies. His Presence is loving, gentle, and full of peace. In His Presence, we find strength to persevere, no matter what. The mountains that stand before you today, will melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. (Psalm 97:5) Only in His Presence, can we gain a proper perspective. Let us come before His presence with tha...

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. — James 1:17 (NKJV) As many begin the search for the perfect gift, here is a little reminder: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, and the most perfect gift the Father has given to us is His only Son. Jesus Christ is the Eternal One and He is our constant companion, when we open our hearts and let Him in. It’s all about Him, every day, not just this season. He is the gift that never grows old, fades or breaks. The most precious gift we can give another person is the gift of Jesus. We can touch others with His unconditional love and kindness. We can wrap them in the blanket of forgiveness. We can share His peace and joy with everyone that comes our way. We can offer a helping hand and a heart full of compassion. So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes...

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. 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 1:4-5 (MSG) You are the focus of God’s love. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT) Psalm 40:5 (NLT) says, His plans for us are too numerous to list. They include makings us whole and holy by His love. And He is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT) Amen and Hallelujah!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. — 1 John 3:1 (NIV) The Amplified Bible says, “See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God!” (1 John 3:1a ) I’m so thankful for this great, incredible love that the Father continually lavishes on us. What an honor and privilege to be called a child of God. 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) For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, wh...

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. — Romans 1:8 (NKJV) Before you do anything else, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:13) Thank God for His Presence, that He will never leave you, nor abandon you. You are always on His mind. Thank God that all your days are written in His book and the plans He has for you are good. Thank God, that He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6) Thank God for every good and perfect gift He has given to us from above. (James 1:17). The most important one being the gift of His Son, Jesus. Thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for all that He sacrificed to bring us back into fellowship with our heavenly Father. And yes, I thank my God for you all!

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NKJV)  When the storms blow into your life, remember they will also come to pass, but our God is with us forever. Our mighty God is an everlasting foundation. In Him, you are immovable and can stand firm. You will not be fazed by the momentary troubles, and light affliction.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18;2) He is a sure foundation. (Isaiah 28:16) O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction … (Jeremiah 16:19)

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. — Jeremiah 33:6 (NKJV) God desires for His people to be healthy and whole, in every area of our lives. “For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,” declares the LORD… (Jeremiah 30:17a NASB). He wants to show us peace and truth, so we can be set free by the truth and live in peace. Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. (3 John 2 AMP) Let us also seek the LORD for the healing of our land. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

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) Who can stand against you with the LORD on your side? No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17) In all these things we go through in this life, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) We overcome, because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Remember: “ The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. ” (Luke 18:27 NKJV)

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  — Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) As we wake up each morning, the LORD has given us new mercies and compassions. He does not hold grudges over the mistakes we made yesterday. Instead, the LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy. Once we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us and remember them no more. If He doesn’t hold our past against us, why do we sometimes have difficulty letting go and moving forward? Today, we have a fresh new start in Christ, let’s press on, toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (see Philippians 3:13-14) For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5 NIV)

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13   (NASB) Wow! This Scripture pricked my heart this morning. If we half-heartedly seek the LORD, we will miss Him all together. We can scurry around doing good things, trying to get an A+ on our Christian report card but our relationship with Jesus is not about trying to get a checkmark in a box. If that is all we ever do, we are in the classroom, but we are too distracted to learn the real lesson. Sit at the feet of Jesus and let Him instruct you. May we be motivated by a true love for God, to do the right things. Let us seek to please the Lord and be more like Him. We can learn about Jesus, or we can know Jesus by seeking Him wholeheartedly. Draw near to God in every area of your heart (all in) and He will draw near and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. My prayer this morning: Create in me a clean heart, O God… (Psalm 51:10 NKJV).

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation] . — Matthew 11:28 (AMP) May we set aside religious rituals and man-made rules and enjoy a genuine, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior. The One who gave His life to set us free. Instead of seeking a dead religion, enjoy a rich and satisfying relationship with a living God who loves you so very much. He is the Prince of Peace and He has given His peace to us (John 14:27). He is Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) Walk and talk with Him daily. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) This day has already been written in God’s book for your life. (Psalm 139:16) The fact that He woke you up this morning, means He has something for you to do today, places for you to go and people you are to meet. We are here for such a time as this. If you’re living your life in Christ, you are power-packed, strengthened and equipped to accomplish all that He has planned for you today. As you go, let His love and light shine through you, in action and in speech, and others will be drawn unto Jesus, our mighty Savior. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. (Jeremiah 31:3)

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. — Psalm 130:5 (NLT) “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. ” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV) In Isaiah 55:11 (AMP), the LORD goes on to say, “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” He may not do it the way we think it needs to be done. He may not do it when we think it should be done. But rest assured you can count on Him and put your hope in His Word. His word will be fulfilled in your life at the appointed time and it will be great and glorious.

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. — Proverbs 4:23 (MSG) Second Chronicles 16:9 says, the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth. What is He looking for? He wants to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. He is looking at our hearts. He is searching for hearts that are open to Him and He strengthens us and guides us through life, as we allow His Holy Spirit to come and dwell in the chambers of our hearts. Life, the way God desires for us to live, starts when we open our hearts to Him. May your heart always be open to His Presence. Guard against anything that would cause your heart to be cold, hardened or closed. Let your heart be soft and responsive to the touch of our Savior. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. — Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) Always listen for God’s voice. His voice is more powerful than any other voice. His voice carries more weight than what the doctor says. What God says about you is more significant than the negative words people say about you. Hearing God's voice and doing what He instructs will keep you on the right track. The voice of the LORDis over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. (Psalm 29:3-5 NKJV)

Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. — Proverbs 3:3 (MSG) Get a grip on love and loyalty and never let go. Jesus said, “ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself .” (Luke 10:27 NKJV) This the greatest commandment we have to fulfill. Therefore, let all that you do be done with love. (1 Corinthians 16:14 NKJV) Always walk in love toward God and people. And show yourself loyal, or faithful, to our heavenly Father. He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21 AMP) Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:6,8 NLT)

So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you. They’ll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions of those who are lost themselves and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed, these losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity, traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends. — Proverbs 2:9-15 (MSG) The LORD has set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV) Avoid the detours and dead ends of the enemy. They only lead to death. Our heavenly Father will show you the path of everlasting life. Why be a wanderer when you can be a worshiper?

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV) Those who trust in the LORD will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8 NIV) Send out your roots to the stream of living water. The LORD alone is our hope in the day of disaster. (Jeremiah 17:17b NLT) And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5 NLT) So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! (Psalm 31:24 NLT)

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. — Proverbs 1:7 (MSG) The first step in learning to live a truly abundant, peaceful and joyful life is in surrendering it all to God. It all begins with God, the one who created us; the one who knit us together in our mother’s womb. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (Psalm 95:6a NIV) Bow down in acknowledgement that He is Almighty God, without Him nothing came into existence. He is our source. We are under His care. He is our provider. Bow down in worship with a grateful heart. He woke you up this morning and poured out new mercies and compassions on you. Worship Him for Who He is. Be thankful for all He has done and is doing in your life. Start your day by seeking God, His guidance and His wisdom.

“…and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you,” says the LORD. — Jeremiah 15:20 (NKJV) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me.  He shall send from heaven and save me; (Psalm 57:1-3a NKJV) For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:2 NKJV) There is nothing higher or greater than our mighty God. He is the Most High God, exalted far above anyone or anything that stands against you. Stand with Him and you shall overcome.

‘Do not tremble nor be afraid [of the violent upheavals to come]; Have I not long ago proclaimed it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.’” — Isaiah 44:8 (AMP) Don't lose heart, be afraid, nor panic when trouble strikes. In spite of the violent upheavals, our God still reigns. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28 NKJV) It is God’s purpose and plan that will prevail (prove more powerful than opposing forces). Amen!

But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. — Revelation 2:4 (AMP) When Jesus spoke about end times, in Matthew 24:12, He said, the love of many will grow cold. May your love for Christ grow deeper and stronger each day. Let your love for Him be hot, passionate and actively growing. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT) Just as Christ's love for us caused Him to respond by giving His life to save us. Let us respond to His love by giving our lives and hearts to Him.

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) May the deepest cry and desire of our hearts be for the presence of Almighty God. In His Presence, we have access to His strength and power to overcome obstacles and triumph over the tricks of the enemy. In His Presence, we experience abiding peace that surpasses human comprehension and causes us to rise above earthly circumstances. In His Presence, His love, mercies and grace are generously poured into our hearts and made available for us to give to others. In  His Presence we are empowered to fulfill His wonderful purpose and plan for our lives. May we continually plug into His Presence.

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. — Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV) Let us consider God faithful and receive strength to conceive and give birth to the dreams and desires He has placed inside our hearts. You may go through a barren season, like Sarah, but keep believing and trusting God. The Amplified Bible says Sarah considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word] (Hebrews 11:11).  Know that God is true to His Word. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose… (Philippians 4:13a AMP).

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. — James 1:2 (AMP) When crazy comes your way today, hold on to your joy and know that God has your back. Every day of your life was recorded in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16). Be joyful, knowing that He already has an answer to every challenge you encounter. He goes before you and He follows behind you. He places His hand of blessing on your head.  (Psalm 139:5) With God, you shall overcome!

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. — Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV) Our greatest pursuit in this life is to truly know the LORD. The most valuable and precious thing we can possess is an ever growing understanding of who He is;  His gracious and merciful nature. He is love, therefore everything He does, demonstrates His unfailing love for us. He is loyal, forgiving and faithful. He brings justice and righteousness to the earth. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities; (Isaiah 53:5). He shed His blood and gave His life to set us free and give us eternal life in the presence of our heavenly Father. Let us press on to know Him and make Him known...