Manna for Your Morning

 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NASB) Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TPT) Joy will be our continual feast as we continually cast our cares on the LORD and always give thanks for what He has done, is doing and will do in our lives and in this world.

Keep on giving your thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever! — Psalm 118:1 (TPT) So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! (Romans 8:38-39 TPT) Our mighty God is faithful and His love is constant. He is with us in the fiery furnace, in the midst of stormy seas, in the valley and in the barren desert. He goes before us and makes a way for us.

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 (NLT) We are called to partner with Jesus the Christ, to be ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus. Rely only on Him and He will keep you strong and steady to the end.

You empower me for victory with your wrap-around presence. Your power within makes me strong to subdue, and by stooping down in gentleness you strengthened me and made me great! — Psalm 18:35 (TPT) Abide in His Presence, and receive strength and power from His Spirit within you. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 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 3:16-18 NLT) May we be rooted and grounded in the love of God.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) Let us remember to celebrate all the good things the LORD has done for us and the people He has allowed us to share our lives with. Times of celebration are refreshing and they make the heart glad. Taking time to reflect on what the LORD has done in our lives, helps us to have an attitude of gratitude. May we honor God as the true source of all we have. I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. — Psalm 69:30 (AMP)

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:18-20 (NLT) Be filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly guided by Him. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. (Romans 8:14 NASB) For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” (Romans 8:16 TPT) Amen!

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7 NLT May we continue our journey of faith, progressing further into our union with him! (See Colossians 2:6 TPT) Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, he himself will be there with you. He will not hide himself from you, for your eyes will constantly see him as your Teacher. When you turn to the right or turn to the left, you will hear his voice behind you to guide you, saying, “This is the right path; follow it.” (Isaiah 30:20-21 TPT)

  Yet, in spite of all this, you comfort me by your counsel; you draw me closer to you. You lead me with your secret wisdom. and following you brings me into your brightness and glory! — Psalm 73:23-24 (TPT) I believe, God will use everything that happens in our lives to draw us closer to Him. Never draw back from pursuing a closer and deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father. ...I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh, for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God! (Psalm 73:28 TPT) Let us come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out! (See Hebrews 10:22 TPT)

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “This is hopeless, my master! What are we to do?” And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” — 2 Kings 6:15-16 (NASB) Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 NASB) The circumstances of a child of God are never hopeless. The enemy wants you to believe that he has you surrounded, but we are surrounded by our great God and His mighty angels.  Remember, there are more with us than with the enemy. Who can stand against us, with God on our side? May you see every situation through eyes of faith.

We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! — Hebrews 12:2 (TPT) So don’t look at the troubles we can see now. Let us look away from all that will distract us and look to Jesus. Stop examining the problem and look to the One Who is the answer. My gaze is fixed upon You, Eternal One, my Lord; in You I find safety and protection. (Psalm 141:8a VOICE)  Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. — Psalm 34:5 (TPT)

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! — Romans 15:13 (TPT) Second Corinthians 7:4 (VOICE) says: I am completely confident and incredibly proud of you. Even in all this turbulence I am at peace—I am overflowing with joy. Even in times of trouble we can be filled to overflowing with joy and in perfect peace. For you will go out with joy and be led in peace; the mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 NASB) May you radiate with hope and let joy and peace spill over on everyone you come in contact with today.

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) It is not a matter of hide and seek with the LORD. In Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB), the LORD says: “And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. (Psalm 14:2 NLT) …they who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10b NASB) Amen. “ So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened .” — Luke 11:9-10 (NASB)

So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained. Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship. — Acts 16:24-25 (TPT) Paul and Silas did not let adversity stop them from praising and worshiping God. No matter what adverse circumstances you may be going through, keep praying, praising and worshiping our mighty God. How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through life by the light of Your face. Every hour of the day, they rejoice at the sound of Your name. They are lifted up and encouraged by Your righteousness. — Psalm 89:15-16 (VOICE)

For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (TPT) Our spiritual weapons are very effective. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:13 NLT) Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. (Ephesians 6:17a TPT) We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.  — 2 Corinthians 10:5  (TPT)

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ — Isaiah 41:10 (TPT) Our faithful God, who cannot lie, is always near and promises to help us in every situation. Let us look away from all that will distract us and focus our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith… (See Hebrews 12:2 AMP). 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)

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) May we clear away all the clutter in our hearts and the cares of this world. As we release our concerns and burdens, we become vessels that are able to receive. Our heavenly Father will fill you with His love, peace and joy. Be filled with His Spirit and you will be empowered to share all that you receive with those around you.

  I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. — Philippians 4:12 (AMP) The secret to getting along in any and every situation is to continually rely on our heavenly Father. Invest your energy into trusting God and believing His Word, instead of wasting energy worrying and trying to control circumstances that are beyond your control. Instead of letting your current situation determine your attitude and how you feel, connect your joy to His Presence, and experience fullness of joy because He is always with us. And remember Philippians 4:13.  I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anythin...

Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. — Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT) God has given us all we need to experience a more abundant life and to reflect God’s true nature on the earth. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3 NLT) However, we must receive it and walk it out. Let us put on the full armor of God, so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, (See Ephesians 6:11-18), and walk in the victory Jesus has gained for us. In Him, you are not powerless and pitiful but strong...

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. — Philippians 3:7-9a (NLT) Nothing of this world can compare to the glory and honor we have to know Christ, and be yoked together with Him as we fulfill our purpose. May we count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled. (See Philippians 3:8 AMP)

Today as we honor Veteran’s, those who have served in the military, I thought about their sacrifice and commitment. It naturally reminded me of Jesus. He made the biggest sacrifice of all. Jesus, our Savior, left the glory of Heaven to be born in a lowly manager, as a man. He lived a perfect, sinless life, but still became the sacrificial Lamb and bore all of our sins. He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NASB) He gave His life on a cross, to pay the debt of our sins. He was committed to do the will of the Father, at all costs. He was committed to His undying love for humanity.  May we make a dedicated decision every day, to be committed to execute the will of our heavenly Father in our lives. And the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others, as you love yourself. As Jesus exemplified, when you are committed to the cause, you are willing to give y...

Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will be made strong. But you refused.” — Isaiah 30:15 (TPT) I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. (Psalm 116:1-6 MSG) Our heavenly Father is waiting for His lost children to call on Him and come back home. He does not wish for any to perish. Just like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), His arms are always open wide to receive those who call upon His name.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” — John 14:27 (TPT) Jesus gave us the gift of His peace. Don’t let the enemy steal it away from you. Be courageous and keep on believing in God. “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 AMP) Jesus: “Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me.” — John 14:1 (VOICE)

I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me] — John 10:14 (AMP) The greatest pursuit in this life is to know Jesus, and to be known by Him. No one wants to hear Jesus say: “ Depart from Me. I never knew you. ” Realize your relationship with Jesus is not about rules. It’s about a deep and intimate relationship. Require His Presence as a vital necessity, in all of your coming and going. The more we know Him and spend time with Him, the more we grow to become like Him. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 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 29:12-13 (AMP)

This is what the LORD says, He who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, (Isaiah 43:16 NASB) …“ Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 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 43:1-2 (NLT) When we focus on the problems of this world, we let the enemy steal our peace and our joy, then we lose hope. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and remember what the LORD has done, His Presence and His power enables us to persevere and overcome. And we can stand strong in the storms of life because we know He is faithful and He will bring us through it all.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. — John 9:35-38 (NLT) The man who was born blind said “I want to believe…” First, we need a heart that desires to believe in Jesus. He occupies willing vessels. Then, after we genuinely believe in our heart, we humble ourselves and worship Jesus as Lord and Master. We worship Him with our lives, in how we use our tongues (to speak life or death), our time, our talents and how we steward the finances God has provided. May we be believers who worship God in all that we do and say. Amen. “Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD a nd whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD.. ” — Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” — John 7:37-38 (NLT) Step out of the crowd and be the one who comes to Jesus, every day. He is the source of living water, that nourishes and satisfies the deepest longing of the soul. In Matthew 22:1-2 (NASB), Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who held a wedding feast for his son. In Matthew 22:9, the king instructed his servants to go out to the street corners and invite everyone they see. You are invited. Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV) He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. He anoints your head with oil and your cu...

Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “ Don’t be afraid. I am here! ” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination! — John 6:18-21 (NLT) When life gets rough, let Jesus into your boat. When the great “I Am” is with you, He will get you safely to your desired destination, one of righteousness, peace and joy. In John 16:33 (MSG) Jesus says: “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. — John 1:4-5 (NLT) No matter what happens on this earth, the darkness of this world will never extinguish the Light of God. The life of Jesus is light for all humanity. In the depths of darkness, His Light blazes. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. (John 1:6-8 NLT) Instead of singing the gloom and doom of this world, be a beacon of hope. May we be His witnesses and tell others about the Light. 

Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. — Colossians 3:13 (TPT) Release the gift of forgiveness to those who have offended you or hurt you in any way. Freely we have received, let us freely give forgiveness, grace and love. When you extend forgiveness, it prevents the roots of bitterness from growing in your heart and allows healing and wholeness in your inner being. Jesus said: “ But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses. ” (Matthew 6:15 NASB)

“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.” — John 15:5 (TPT) Our union with Jesus is vital. He is the source of all that we need. In union with Him, we receive the living water that nourishes and satisfies. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing of lasting value. As we remain in Him, we receive strength to persevere and power to overcome the pitfalls of life. As we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit works in us and through us and we are able to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, in all situations and seasons. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Stay connected to Christ and be a fruit-bearer for the Kingdom of God.