Manna for Your Morning

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. — Philippians 1:12 (NLT) Just as in the Apostle Paul’s life, everything that has happened to us can serve to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and all that He has done in our lives. No matter what you have gone through, the greatest testimony of God’s faithfulness is that you are still here! He has not allowed the enemy to take you out. Whether it was a fire or a flood, He brought you through it! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV) Sometimes we put a lot of time and energy into trying to figure stuff out on our own. As we take our eyes off of the situation or the person, and put them on the LORD, He will reveal things to us at the proper time and in His way. As we invest our time and energy into seeking His face, He shows us the solution. He gives us the answer to the problem. He exposes the root cause of an issue. As we look to Him, He will take care of ALL that concerns us. He is The Fixer. He makes old things new. He brings dead things back to life. He mends broken hearts and fractured relationships. He lifts up the heads that are beat down. Always look to Him!

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. — 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) When the Lord opens a door, there will be adversaries, but be strong and courageous. Y ou are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NKJV) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. (Proverbs 29:25 NLT) When our mighty God opens a door for us, no one can close it. “ I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ” (Revelation 3:8 NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ — Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV) We are called to love. Love God and love others. When we walk in love, we build a strong family and community of unity and faith. Division and deception are instruments of the devil. He attempts to draw us away from our heavenly Father, then deceive us about His goodness and the love He has for us. Don’t fall for the tricks of the enemy. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NASB) No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12) May we allow the love of God to be perfected in our hearts. Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfec...

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) In Genesis 3:8, Adam and Eve tried to hide themselves from the presence of the LORD God. At times, we may try to hide from God, but praise the LORD, our heavenly Father never hides from us! When we wholeheartedly seek Him, He promises that we will find Him. The Amplified Bible says, “ Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ” (Jeremiah 29:13) May we require Him as a vital necessity, and never stray away. Let the deep longing of your heart be for His Presence. The Message Bible says, “ When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. ” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. — John 15:4-5 (NASB) As we abide in Jesus, we bear much fruit. In Him, we are able to experience perfect peace. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ” As we abide in Him, we are able to walk in love, kindness, compassion and gentleness. When we remain in Him, His power is made available to us. It enables us to stand strong and exercise self-control. As we remain in Him, we live in strength and victory. “ Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. ” (John 15:4a MSG)

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) Let us be content regardless of the circumstances. Don't be moved or disturbed in difficult situations. Instead, trust God that He is able to bring you through whatever comes your way. He has equipped us for victory. We are more likely to live a fulfilling life when we seek our heavenly Father first, while passionately pursuing the purposes for which we were created. We are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house… (Psalm 36:8).

I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. — Leviticus 26:12 (NASB) Just as Almighty God walked with the Israelites, He walks with His people today. He has enclosed us behind and before, and laid His hand upon us (Psalm 139:5). He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts… (2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT). He has given us the Holy Spirit as our Helper, that He may be with us forever (John 14:16). He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let us always keep in step with Him. Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the LORD our God forever and ever. (Micah 4:5 NLT)

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. — Romans 12:11-12 (MSG) Let us be cheerfully expectant. Our God is faithful and His Word does not return to Him void. He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). Be on fire for Jesus and keep your hope in Him alive. Those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10b NKJV)

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) But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG) If you want good success in all you do and wherever you go, do it God's way and at His appointed time.

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. — 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NASB) The LORD shows Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. Be totally devoted to God, His Word and His ways. Be fully committed to following Him, wherever He leads, knowing that He shows us the best pathway for our lives. Rely on the LORD, first and foremost. Before you text a friend or delve into social media, seek the LORD. When we look to Him for help, He gives us the victory. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:8 AMP)

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. — 2 Samuel 22:33-34 (NIV) It is God who woke you up today. It is God who gave you ears to hear and eyes to see (Proverbs 20:12). As surely as the sun rises, He pours out fresh, new mercies on you each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). It is God who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion (Psalm 103:4-5). It is God who goes before you to show you the way, and acts as your rear guard to protect you from the enemy. It is the Lord who stands by your side, when all others abandon you. It is God who enables you to stand secure and confident on your high places. Let us worship Almighty God, who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory!

…in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP) As we put our confidence in the LORD, we are able to be thankful in spite of difficult or trying situations. Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 AMP) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. — Hebrews 3:1 (MSG) Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. (Hebrews 3:1 NIV). Give your focused attention to Jesus, the source of our help. He has overcome the world. God always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). Follow His call to the heights. He is the centerpiece of everything. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (Psalm 34:5 NLT)

…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. — Ephesians 6:16 (NASB) In addition to all the other weapons of our warfare, let us hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. No matter what the enemy brings your way, remember that He who resides in you, is greater than the one in the world. For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— (2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP) Jesus has already overcome the world. “ If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. ” (Mark 9:23) “ Do not be afraid any longer, only believe. ” (Mark 5:36 NASB)

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” — Mark 1:35-37 (NLT) Are you looking for Jesus? Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:66) God made us, every nation of mankind, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being… (Acts 17:27-28 NKJV) May we passionately and purposefully seek to follow the Lord, each and every moment that God gives us breath. It is only in Him that the good plans our heavenly Father has for us will be fulfilled.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, — Philippians 2:14 (NKJV) Numbers 11:1 says, when the people complained, it displeased the LORD. May we not grumble or complain. The Amplified Bible says, do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], (Philippians 2:14). Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! (Philippians 2:14 MSG) When we complain we remain, when we praise, we get raised (Joyce Meyer). May His praise continually flow from our lips, in all situations.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. — Psalm 36:7-9 (NKJV) Be captivated by the unfailing love the LORD has for us. What a privilege and a pleasure to have the precious love of God bestowed upon us! To abide in the shadow of His wings we have to draw close to our heavenly Father. In the shadow of His wings, we have plenty of provision, for there is no lack. We also find perfect peace and protection from the enemy, as we dwell in the shadow of His wings. 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. (Psalm 57:1 NKJV) Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will...

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. — Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB) We are never alone. The LORD is our constant companion. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MSG)  He delights in every detail of our lives. (Psalm 37:23b NLT) When we stumble He is there to catch us. When we cry, He puts our tears into His bottle (Psalm 56:8)  The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NLT) Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way. (Psalm 16:11 MSG)

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. — Psalm 55:22 (NASB) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. (Psalm 68:19 NIV) Release your burdens to the Lord our God and rely on Him. Rely on His unfailing love, to be your support. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!” (Psalm 91:2 AMP) Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ”  (Matthew 11:28 NLT) His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30). When we come to Him, we are refreshed and strengthened.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion,  “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV) Let us bring the good news of Jesus wherever we go. For God's kingdom is about righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) Our Savior invites everyone to come to Him. Our God is good and He fills our lives with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5) No matter what the current circumstances, our God reigns! He is a mighty God and nothing is too difficult for Him. “Trust [confidently] in the LORD forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the LORD God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. (Isaiah 26:4)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; — Isaiah 61:1 (NASB) Our heavenly Father sent Jesus to earth with Good News, for all people. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19) We may have many troubles, but the good news is that the LORD comes to the rescue each time. Jesus binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted and brings healing. If the enemy is holding you captive in any area of your life, Jesus has set you free. The doors of the prison are open, and He has pardoned all prisoners. You no longer have to remain bound or confined. He has shined a great light on those who walk in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Rejoice! “The time of the LORD’s favor has come.” (Luke 4:19 NLT)

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) Why worry? The LORD says, He will show us the way. He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (Psalm 55:22 AMP) As we cast our cares on the LORD and keep our thoughts fixed on our mighty God, we can experience perfect and constant peace, and fullness of joy in His Presence.

I say this because I know ·what [the plans] I am planning for you,” says the LORD. “I have ·good plans for you [plans for your peace/security], not plans ·to hurt you [for your harm]. I will give you hope and a good future. — Jeremiah 29:11 (EXB) God made a promise of restoration to the Israelites before they were about to go into 70 years of slavery (Jeremiah 29:10). Today, our heavenly Father is still in the restoration business. He is a good and loving God and the plans He has for His people are for peace, well-being and security. While current circumstances may not seem good, keep your hope alive because your future in Him is good. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28 NASB)

O LORD, You have searched me and known me. — Psalm 139:1 (NKJV) You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  — Psalm 139:1 (NLT) God knows everything there is to know about us, and He still lavishes His love on us. No sense in trying to pretend with our heavenly Father. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us less, His love is unconditional. The sins we have confessed, He does not recall them. He sees the best in us and wants to bring it out. Psalm 139:5 (NLT) says, He places His hand of blessing on your head. He loves you so deeply, His thoughts about you can’t even be counted; they outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore! (Psalm 139:17-18) Be captivated by His love for you and seek to become more intimately acquainted with Him.

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind… — Romans 12:2a (AMP) First Timothy 6:12 encourages followers of Christ to fight the good fight of faith. Realize that we are in a war, but always remember that Jesus has already given us the victory. So let us actively use the weapons we have been given. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:17). The helmet protects our heads from the lies of the enemy and the Word is full of power and very effective. In order to fight the good fight of faith, we must continually renew our minds with the Word of God AND speak it out of our mouths. As we do, it exposes the darkness around us, to His marvelous light. The sword of the Spirit, destroys bondages and strongholds of the enemy. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than...

Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. — Psalm 20:7 (NASB) If you are going to boast about anything, boast in the name of the LORD. Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8) His name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10) Trust in the mighty name of the LORD, our God. Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Interlude (Psalm 44:8 NLT) I don’t want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift—Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future—all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God. (1 Corinthians 3:21-23 MSG)

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture… — Romans 8:35 (MSG) When challenges come don’t draw back or drift away from our heavenly Father. And make sure you avoid taking any of the devil’s detours. Instead, draw closer to God, knowing that no trial, tribulation or trouble can separate you from the love of Christ. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (Romans 8:37-39 MSG)

But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. — John 4:23 (AMP) There is no time like the present to worship God, the one who gives us the breath of life. And serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you… (1 Chronicles 28:9 NKJV) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. (Psalm 100:4 NASB)  Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV)

“So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn, and He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” — Hosea 6:3 (AMP) Don’t just let others tell you about Him. Press on to know the Lord for yourself. He wants a personal relationship with each one of us. As we set our affections on the LORD, a Sunday morning sermon will just scratch the surface. It will not be enough to satisfy. Daily delight yourself in the  LORD, and you will experience fullness of joy in His Presence, and pleasures forevermore.. 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)

Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. — Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) First, we need to have a plan and write it down. Where there is no vision, the people perish; (Proverbs 29:18a KJV). Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.” Then, if we want our plans to succeed, let us commit them to the LORD. A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. (Proverbs 16:9 AMP)  Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails . (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) Happy New Year!  May God crown your year with His goodness,  and your paths drip with abundance. ( Psalm 65:11)