Manna for Your Morning

Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. — Zechariah 9:12 (NLT) Wherever the enemy has held you captive, remember that Jesus came to set us free. God sent Him  to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1 MSG). The Lord will comfort all who mourn. He gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; (Isaiah 61:3) He will restore double for your trouble. Take refuge in the safety of our mighty God. We may be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:10)

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the LORD will be exalted and safe. — Proverbs 29:25  (AMP) Giving more weight to what people say or think about us, than we give to the Word of God, is a snare: a trap or a pitfall. The Message Bibles says, “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” (Proverbs 29:25 ) As long as we are more concerned with what people say, than what God says, we will be disabled from fulfilling God’s purpose and plan for our lives. Close your ear to the opinion of people and keep your ear open to the voice of God. His Word will build you up and strengthen you. Trust Him and keep your confidence in Him always. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (1 Peter 2:6 NASB)

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. — Isaiah 40:11 (NLT) Our heavenly Father holds us close to His heart. Don't wander away. It is good for us to draw near to God; (Psalm 73:28). How precious are His thoughts about us, they cannot be numbered! We can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when we wake up, He is still with us! (Psalm 139:17-18) He leads us along the narrow path that leads to a fruitful land, full of promise and hope. A peaceful land, overflowing with His love and joy. The LORD leads us to an abundant and everlasting life. Follow Him. 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)

She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:39-42 (NASB) Psalm 46:10a (NASB) says, “Cease striving and know that I am God…” All of our striving and busyness is a distraction and a ploy of the enemy to disconnect us from our heavenly Father. Choose to stay close and intimately connected to our great, compassionate God. Keep your heart open to listen to Him, and receive His wisdom and truth. When we stop thinking it’s all about us, and acknowledge, it’s all about Him, the rest of Psalm 46:10 unfolds in our lives: “I will be exalt...

…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ — Acts 17:28 (NKJV) Why try to accomplish anything in your own strength and with your limited knowledge? ’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) Put on the yoke of the Lord Jesus and journey by His side. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30). So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. — Isaiah 40:28-31a (MSG)  Wait upon the LORD and He will give you fresh strength, to endure to the end. 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) God lasts through the storm. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.” — Luke 12:22-24 (MSG) “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all?” (Luke 12:25-26 MSG) And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (Luke 12:28 NLT) Why fuss or fret? We are in the care of our heavenly Father who lavishes His love on us.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. — Psalm 4:6-7 (NLT) We experience the best of times in the presence of the LORD. There is no greater joy than to delight ourselves in the presence of the Most High God. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He is the God of more than enough. The Message Bible says, “I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.” (Psalm 4:7) Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11 NASB)

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” — Psalm 122:1 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (Psalm 105:4) The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10) When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

“ The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. ” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22) When we cast ALL our cares on the LORD, He takes our anxious thoughts and gives us His peace. He quiets us with His unfailing love. He rejoices over us with gladness and singing. He is in our midst. He never neglects or abandons us. When the righteous cry out, the LORD hears, and delivers us out of all our troubles. (Psalm 34:17) This I know: God is for me. He is on our side!

Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  — Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV) Even though the vision God has given you seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it, because it will surely take place at the appointed time. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1). “… the just shall live by his faith. ” (Habakkuk 4 NKJV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NASB)

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. — Habakkuk 1:2-3 (NKJV) Habakkuk 1:3 (NLT) says, “I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.” When strife and contention arises, let us continue to call upon the LORD and abide in His perfect peace. Check out the LORD’s reply to Habakkuk’s plea, “Look among the nations and watch— Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” (Habakkuk 1:5 NKJV) No matter how circumstances appear, may we remember that the LORD is doing a work in our midst, and He is faithful to complete it. The LORD's purpose and His plan will prevail. We have Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Savior of the world. “ Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, becau...

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV) Great is the faithfulness of our awesome God. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. — 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV) No matter what storms blow into your life, keep your ear open to hear the still small voice of your heavenly Father. Don’t let the noise of this world, drown out the quiet whisper of God’s gentle voice. Never get distracted or discouraged by the contrary winds that may shake your world. The LORD will give you the direction, and guidance to keep you on the right path.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. — Micah 7:8 (NKJV) A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again (Proverbs 24:16a). We may be struck down, but we are not destroyed. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4) Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1) The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. — Psalm 100:4-5 (NASB) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:6-7 NKJV) The LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. (Psalm 95:3) He is El Elhohim, the all-powerful creator of the universe. He is El Shaddai, the all-sufficient source of all our blessings. He is Immanuel, God with us. Enter His gates with raised hands and an open heart. Receive Him today. Let His love, mercy, and grace fill your entire being. He is good to all generations and He has a plan for you that is good.  He is worthy of all our praise.

But in fact, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD … Micah 3:8 (AMP) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV) We are filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, like the prophet Micah. It’s a fact! When we walk on the path God puts before us, being led by His Holy Spirit within us, we walk in His peace and in His power. He enables us to do all that He has called us to do. “ The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. ” (Luke 18:27) He empowers us with inner strength through His Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16) As for us, we shall walk [securely] in the name of the LORD our [true] God forever and ever. (Micah 4:5b AMP)

He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart,” — 1 Kings 8:23 (NASB) There is no God like our heavenly Father. His covenant is not like a contract which can be broken. His covenant lasts forever. We can trust Him in all situations and seasons. He is faithful to fulfill every promise. Each challenge we face is an opportunity for us to believe our God. And know that He is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) “ For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD who has compassion on you. ” (Isaiah 54:10 NASB)

…a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  — 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a (NKJV)   In the Message Bible the Apostle Paul said, “I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.” May our limitations drive us to our knees and keep us from becoming proud. When we submit our lives to God, He will fill in the gaps where we fall short. When we can no longer deal with that difficult person or situation, His power and strength enables us to respond like our heavenly Father responds to us, with grace and lovingkindness. Don’t let the painful prick of the thorn distract you from the beauty of the rose, which is all the ...

For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. — Psalm 21:6 (NKJV) If we have allowed the enemy to steal our joy, we have probably been focusing on our problems instead of His Presence. Instead of external circumstances being the thermometer of our joy, may we continually draw our greatest joy from the presence of the LORD's Holy Spirit who dwells in us. And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold. (Nehemiah 8:10 AMP) He is the stability of our lives. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:11 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) In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that we will have many trials and sorrows, here on earth. But He also encouraged us to be of good cheer and take courage, because He has overcome the world. When faced with situations that seem impossible, rely on God to be your Champion. With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26). He empowers us to live above the circumstances, in His perfect peace. As we continually put our trust in our heavenly Father, He will show Himself strong on our behalf.  For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12 NKJV)

“ When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. ”  — Jonah 2:7 (NKJV) Always remember the LORD, our mighty God. When you are in distress, seek Him first. He is our source and strength. God is our helper and healer. He is our only hope. His name is above all other names. There is more power in His name than in the doctors report or the financial statement. When faced with troubles of any kind, let your prayers go up to the LORD Most High. Jonah said: “ I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. ” (Jonah 2:2) No matter where you are, when you call upon the LORD, He will hear your voice and answer.

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:9-10 (NASB) In Jonah 1:1-3, the LORD told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah went and got on a ship going in the opposite direction, to Tarshish, to get away from the presence of the LORD. Many times we are like Jonah and go in the opposite direction from the way the LORD has instructed us to go. However, His kingdom comes each time a heart turns from following the ways of the world, or the will of the flesh and commits to doing His will. Instead of being like Jonah, let us follow after Jesus. Knowing what He was about to suffer, He said, “ Father, …nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. ” (Luke 22:42 NKJV) Our heavenly Father has a beautiful plan of an abundant and victorious life for each one of us. We just have to let Him show us the way.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. — Psalm 37:3 (NKJV) No need to fret, because our God is able and He is faithful. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:23 NLT) Feast on His faithfulness. Take it in and let it soak into every fiber of your being. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11 NASB) Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:8 NASB) If He has not given it to you, it may not be a good thing for you, at this time. I will sing of the LORD’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. (Psalm 89:1 NLT) Make His faithfulness known to all generations.

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. — Psalm 36:5  (NLT)  Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations... — Psalm 119:90a (NASB) Thank the LORD for His continual faithfulness. He is faithful to get us through the difficult days and challenging situations. In faithfulness, He strengthens us when we are weak. He is faithful to love us unconditionally. When we cast all our anxiety on Him, He is faithful to give us His perfect peace. He will trade our sorrow for joy. He is faithful to always be with us and stand by our side. In faithfulness, He will complete the good plans He has for us. He is faithful to fulfill all His promises. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. (Psalm 33:4 NASB) He cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) and His word does not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Rejoice in His faithfulness today!

But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired. — Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) We gain new strength as we put our hope and expectation in God and stay close to Him. Trying to force situations to go a certain way in the strength of our flesh leads to frustration, weariness and disappointment. Pray and ask God to reveal His will. As we wait on the LORD for His direction, He gives us new strength to continue on, in spite of the challenges we face. As we wait for the LORD to give us the insight, to provide the answer, and to show us the way, we will run and not become weary and we will walk and not grow tired.

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. — Psalm 143:4-5 (NKJV) When life is overwhelming and you are losing all hope, ponder all His great works and think about the awesome things the LORD has done. When you are paralyzed with fear, meditate on His unfailing love. His perfect love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18). When you are in despair and your heart is heavy, stretch out your hands to our heavenly Father. Morning, noon, and night cry out to the LORD and He will hear your voice. (Psalm 55:17 NLT) I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain. (Psalm 143:5-6 MSG)

Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever. — Psalm 102:25-27 (NLT) The world around us is in a constant state of change, but we can count on the stability of our God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3 AMP). For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even until death. (Psalm 48:14 AMP)

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. — Psalm 139:7-10 (NLT) His Presence is always with us. No need to hide or run away from His Presence. He goes with us for good and not evil. His Presence is our protection, and our peace. His Presence is our source of strength and power. He is a mighty fortress, and a refuge in times of trouble. May we continually delight ourselves in His Presence.

“…this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope. I know you’ll never dump me in Hades; I’ll never even smell the stench of death. You’ve got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around.” — Acts 2:23-28 (MSG) Our Savior is raised up! The tomb is empty. Pitch your tent in the land of hope and walk on the life-path with Jesus. He is right by your side. … But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! (1 Corinthians 15:56-57 MSG)