Manna for Your Morning

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  — 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) We are a chosen generation. God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… (Ephesians 1:4). We are to be in the world but not of the world. What communion has light with darkness? He called us out of darkness. As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Jesus said, “ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ” (Matthew 5:14) May we proclaim His praises and let His light shine brightly through us. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord....

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! — Psalm 105:4 (NKJV) Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered— (Psalm 105:3-5 MSG). When we seek His face, we draw closer to Him. It is the best way to become more acquainted with our heavenly Father. He already knows everything about us, including how many hairs we have on our head. He desires a personal and intimate relationship with you. He woke you up this morning and poured fresh new mercies and compassions on you. Make Him the source of your joy and you will live a happy life. Knowing that nothing is too difficult for Him.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) 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) Worship instead of worry. Faith over fear. Make His Presence and praising Him your highest priority. We enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King! (Psalm 89:15-18 MSG)

...behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” — Matthew 9:18 (NKJV) When Jesus went in and took the ruler’s daughter by the hand, the girl arose. (Matthew 9:25)  When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened… (Matthew 9:27, 29-30) In Matthew 8:14-15, Jesus saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. A touch from Jesus makes dead things, come alive again. Those with blind eyes are able to see again, after a touch of His hand. His touch brings healing, strength and restoration. What or who in your life needs to be touched by Jesus? May we humble ourselves, worship the King, and acknowledge that we need to live with the touch of His ...

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB) Our security is not found in our possessions, but in His Presence. The richest resource we have is the presence of Almighty God dwelling in us. For in Him we live and move and have our being… (Acts 17:28 NKJV). In His Presence, we have fullness of joy, everlasting peace and a wealth of wisdom. Treasure His Presence above all else. In His Presence is protection and provision of all that we need. Any investment into His kingdom is one that will pay back full dividends.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. — Luke 15:20 (NLT) The prodigal son demanded his inheritance and then journeyed away from home and wasted everything he had with loose living. When he came to himself and returned home. His father welcomed him with open arms, and told his servants, “We must celebrate...” This parable is just a glimpse of the kind of love our heavenly Father has for His children. God's love transcends all of our bad decisions and prideful attitudes. His love never gives up on us. The love of the Father is always calling us to come closer to Him. Let us release the things of this world. Return to Him in our minds, hearts and actions, and receive the unconditional love of Abba Father.

Trust in the LORD forever, for in Yah, the LORD, is everlasting strength. — Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) The LORD is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him. (Psalm 28:7 AMP) Depend on God and keep at it because in the LORD God you have a sure thing. (Isaiah 26:4 MSG) We have an endless supply of strength when we look to God as our source. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7 NKJV) And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10  NKJV)

“Behold, I am with you and will keep [careful watch over you and guard] you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this [promised] land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” — Genesis 28:15 (AMP) No need to worry because God is watching over you. The LORD is with you and He keeps careful watch over you. He is faithful to fulfill all His promises, because He watches over His Word to perform it. Instead of putting your mental energy into worrying about problems, set your mind on our mighty God, and His faithfulness. Then you will trust Him to handle your concerns and you can enjoy the pleasure and privilege of His Presence. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. — Psalm 34:19 (NASB) We may face many hardships and difficult circumstances, but we are not defeated. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NKJV). Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NASB) With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. (1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG) God will cause you to be fruitful in the land of your affliction.

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” — Matthew 7:14 (NKJV) Jesus tells us the path that leads the way to everlasting life is difficult. In Matthew 6:34b (NASB), He says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” John 16:33a (NLT) says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” So, 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) Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. (1 Peter 4:12 MSG) The good news is that Jesus has already gained the victory for us. Our battles belong to the LORD. Cast your cares on Him and trust God. Jesus said, “… in Me you may have peace. ” He goes on to say, “… be of good cheer, I have overcome the world .” — John 16:33 (NKJV)

I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. — Romans 12:3 (MSG) Remember, God brings it all to us. He gives to us freely and generously. Let us be forever grateful for the goodness and grace of God. He gives us every perfect gift, not because of something we have done, but because He is good and He does good. Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! (Psalm 118:29a)

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 (NKJV) Not only does the Presence of God go with us, like He did with Moses, we have the presence of His Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He gives us all we need to accomplish His will on the earth.  The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.  (Psalm 29:11 NKJV) Let the peace we have in His Presence, override the chaos of this world. Rest in the fullness of joy that we have in His Presence.

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. — Proverbs 19:21 (MSG) Instead of getting upset and frustrated when things don’t work out as you had planned, keep a positive perspective. God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). What appears to be a setback, may actually be a set-up for God to show Himself mighty on your behalf. Just as Joseph went into a pit and in prison, before he made his way to the palace, the plans the LORD has for us are good. Be assured God will do abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. — Psalm 116:5-7 (NASB) Our God is full of grace and compassion. When difficult circumstances bring you down, look up, to Abba Father. He is an ever-present help. The Message Bible says, God takes the side of the helpless... (Psalm 116:6). He will right the wrongs.     Our heavenly Father shines His light, in times of darkness. Keep your trust in Him and He will deal bountifully with you. And the Eternal watches over the naive. Whenever I was knocked down, He reached down and saved me. O my soul! Return and relax. Come to your true rest, for the Eternal has showered you with His favor. —Psalm 116:6-7 (The Voice)

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 8:35-36  (MSG) Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT) 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)

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) We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. (Proverbs 16:9 MSG) Let us respond to God’s will and do things His way, then we will experience good success. Once you have done your part, be patient, and let the power of God work in your situation. Things may not always make sense to us. that is why Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the LORD with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding. Circumstances may not be favorable or fair, but we have the Most High God working on our behalf. It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God. — Proverbs 16:20 (MSG)

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) Don’t let the worries of this world weigh you down and trip you up, because 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) So run your race with passion and persistence. Actively pursue His purpose for you. We serve a great God and we are made in His image. Therefore, our Creator placed greatness inside of you. Never doubt the precious promises of God, which leads to the sin of unbelief. Instead, expect the extraordinary and don’t settle for less than God’s best. No matter where you are in your race, God has more in store for you! … we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spi...

The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. — Psalm 27:4-5 (NLT) Our heavenly Father is not a dead beat dad. He is alive. He is willing and He is able to handle all of your concerns. He is the ultimate source of all we need, want and desire. While others may cast you aside, the LORD adopts you as His child. Psalm 27:10 (MSG) says, “ My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in. ” Don’t despair when people mistreat you. Abide in peace, because we have God’s protection, His provision and most important of all, His Presence. Circumstances may not always be perfect, but our heavenly Father is, and He has a good plan for your life, to give you a future and a hope. I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness ...

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) We can be broken and yet blessed. As we admit our weaknesses to God, He activates His strength in us. The beauty of our brokenness, is that it allows the light of the LORD to work in us and shine through us. Our cracks allow His love, mercy and grace to enter our hearts. The more broken we become the brighter His light can shine. Then when others look at us, they see the greatness and glory of God. The battles we experience, can actually make us better instead of bitter. When you are battered by troubles, let them produce God's best in you, and that is what will come out of you. But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NASB) My beloved, don’t appraise the masterpiece ...

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NASB) The LORD will be found by a heart that is genuinely seeking Him. In Jeremiah 29:14 (MSG), He says, “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” May our ears be open to hear His still small voice beckoning us to come to Him. As Jesus said in John 10:27 (NKJV), “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we can run with endurance the race God has set before us, knowing that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” — Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)   O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced. They will be buried in the dust of the earth, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water. — Jeremiah 17:13 (NLT) “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;” (Isaiah 55:1 NKJV) Drinking from the wells of this world, will leave you empty and thirsty. When we drink of the Living Water, we are richly satisfied, and experience the abundant life. In John 4:13-14 (NKJV), Jesus said, “ Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. ” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Begin...

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NKJV) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT) In Jesus, we have an everlasting foundation. Storms may come and go, but we have a firm foundation that lasts forever. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.  — Isaiah 28:16 (NLT)

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. — Psalm 84:10 (NLT) One day in the Presence of our heavenly Father is better than a thousand anywhere else. May we prioritize His Presence and honor the privilege of being allowed access to fellowship with our holy God. O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.   (Psalm 63:1-4 NASB) Let us continually praise the LORD, because His unfailing love is better than life itself.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. — Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV) When the enemy comes in like a flood, remember, God is on our side and there are more with us than with the enemy. The battle belongs to the LORD, and He has given us the victory! “ Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NKJV) Be strengthened by His Word today.

God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. — Luke 1:79  (MSG) In spite of the tense times we live in, as believers, we can experience everlasting peace. In the midst of the turmoil, we have the Prince of Peace, the One who has overcome the world. In the severe storms of life, we have the strong tower as a refuge. Stay tuned in to His Presence, and be led by His Holy Spirit. He will guide us along the right paths, one step at a time. He shows us the way of life and fills us with joy in His Presence. (Acts 2:28) 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) Amen.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV) When we submit and surrender to the Lord’s will, we can be confident that He will show us the way over every mountain and the way out of any storm. He will lead us and guide us along the best pathway, to the abundant life. 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) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”   (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

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) Every good and perfect gift is from our heavenly Father— our family and friends, our freedom, good health, our time, our talents and our treasures. May we not prize our possessions, which are temporary, more than the blessing of His Presence, which is eternal. Let us set our hearts and our hope on the giver of the gifts: El Shaddai, the all-sufficient, all-bountiful, Almighty God. He is our source. And cherish Christ. Jesus is the greatest gift every given. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: (Psalm 103:1-2)

Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. — Matthew 26:58 (NLT) When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Him at a distance. This separation was followed by Peter denying three times that he even knew Jesus, to the point of cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:74). If we follow Jesus at a distance, we allow room for doubt. Distractions will come and cause us to detour off the path of everlasting life. Let us faithfully, follow Jesus closely. Live in the light and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Don’t get sidetracked, and all will end well for you. Jesus is the way! Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way. (Proverbs 4:27 GNT)

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. — Hebrews 4:16 (MSG) As Believers in Christ, we have ready access to our heavenly Father. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP) Amen.

But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. — Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)      May we faithfully follow the Lord Jesus, not just on Sunday, but Monday through Saturday also. Passionately follow Him with your whole heart and in everything you do. Let your mind be fixed upon HIm. Let us be loyally committed to our Savior, who gave His life to save us.      As we continually follow Jesus, we experience fullness of joy and abiding peace. In Jesus, we are more than conquerors, for He has overcome the world. In Him we have gained the victory! Fully follow Christ and you shall inherit your promise land.

So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” — Mark 9:21-22 (NKJV) A concerned father brought his son to Jesus, so he could be healed of an evil spirit. The father said to Jesus, “If You can do anything…” In Mark 9:23, Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Let us rest assured, Jesus can do anything, His heart is full of compassion and He is always willing to help us. Believe that Jesus can handle all that concerns you today!