Manna for Your Morning

This is what the Eternal One says, the One who does the impossible, the One who makes a path through the sea, a smooth road through tumultuous waters, — Isaiah 43:16 (VOICE) “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 (MSG) With our great and awesome God, all things are possible. Where there appears to be no way, He will make a way. Forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13) May we be alert to what God is doing and wanting us to do, in this present moment. I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, wh...

Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (TPT) Beloved brothers and sisters, let us be vessels of God’s love. As He continually pours His love into us, let us be devoted to unselfishly love and seek the best for one another. In Matthew 5:44-45 (TPT), Jesus says: “love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil.” Lavish the love you generously receive from God on all who come your way.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? — Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB) When we thirst for God, our souls will be fully satisfied. I was glad when they said to me, “ Let us go to the house of the LORD. ” (Psalm 122:1 NASB) God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. (Psalm 63:1-4 MSG)

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. — Proverbs 19:21 (MSG) God has a perfect plan for each and every person. And Jesus gave His life to save us and empower us to fulfill it. The LORD has a good plan for each one of us. He created us with purpose and a glorious destiny. As we follow His Word and are led by His Holy Spirit, He will take us from one glory to another level of glory. When we let the devil or our flesh, lure us off the path that leads to everlasting life and a more abundant life here on earth,  we are making detours away from His good and perfect plan. But no matter where we are today and no matter what poor decisions we have made in the past, God will work everything together for good. Choose today, to follow God and serve Him only.

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; — Ephesians 5:1 (AMP) As well-beloved children of God, may we follow His example. Abba Father loves us and gives us new mercies every morning, let us walk in unconditional love and show grace and mercy to others. Just as our heavenly Father has forgiven us of our transgressions, and set them as far as the east is from the west, may we forgive those who offend us and not hold grudges. Just as the LORD is long-suffering with us, let us be patient and compassionate with others. As we follow the example of our heavenly Father, we invade the darkness of this world with His glorious light and advance His Kingdom here on earth. Amen.

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name — — John 1:12 (AMP) What a privilege and honor to be called a child of God, to abide in the Presence of Almighty God. Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us—He calls us children of God! It’s true; we are His beloved children. And in the same way the world didn’t recognize Him, the world does not recognize us either. (1 John 3:1 VOICE) The Passion Translation says: Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children … (1 John 3:1) As children of God, let us abide with Him on a moment by moment basis, not just drop by one day of the week and then check out. With humble and grateful hearts, let us confidently and daily, draw near to the throne of grace, and spend ...

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. — James 1:17 (NLT) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above. And JESUS is the most perfect gift of all. Receive Him. Father God has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14 TPT) God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him (1 John 4:9 VOICE). Jesus is everything we need. He is the bread of life; he who comes to Him will not hunger, and he who believes in Him will never thirst (John 6:35). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is Wonderful Counselor. You can talk to Him 24 hours a day, every day. He is Mighty God. There is no problem too difficult for Him. He is an Everlasting Father. His love for us never fails. He always watches over and takes care of His children. Let us celebrate King Jesus, Savior of the world!

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 (CSB) Be a wise man or woman of God and fall to your knees and worship King Jesus, Savior of the world. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is Immanuel: God with us, so worthy of all our adoration, praise, and worship. Present to Him the gift of your heart, humble, open and willing to do His will. Let Him make your heart a vessel through which His love, light and life, can flow. His Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His peace, His power, and His Presence. Glory hallelujah! …I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship.  — Romans 12:1 (VOICE)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11 (NASB) The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem, after the angels delivered the message about the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:16 (NASB) says, they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. May we make spending time, alone, in His Presence every day, a top priority in our lives. If you delay seeking Him, there will be distractions and detours that will drive you further away from Him, instead of closer.  The Good News of our Savior's birth is for ALL people and all generations. Don't delay to seek Him today.

“ For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. ” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) Our God is Immanuel. He is alive and He lives among His people. He is a mighty Savior. Jesus saves us from the penalty of our sins. The LORD is a good Father, Who delights over His children with gladness. His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Be strong, and courageous, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). “I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me.” — Isaiah 43:11 (NASB)

Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10 (AMP) When we pause from the hustle and bustle of life, and sit in the throne room of Almighty God, we are able to catch a glimpse of His glory. As we quiet our thoughts, and focus on our heavenly Father, we gain a deeper revelation and appreciation of our great God. Cease striving and experience the fullness of joy that comes in His Presence. Be captivated by His love and grace. Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. — Psalm 46:10 (TPT)

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” — Matthew 2:1-2 (NASB) Jesus is always beckoning us to come to Him. Let us be like the wise men and come to bow down and worship King Jesus. Come to receive rest. In Matthew 11:28 (NASB), Jesus said,  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Come to cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. Come to receive salvation and be made whole. Let us be like the one leper in Luke 11:15-16, who was healed, and came back glorifying God and fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Jesus.

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. — Psalm 95:6-7a (NLT) May you yearn for His Presence more than you desire to possess any earthly thing. Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. (Psalm 95:1-3 NLT) They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” — Revelation 7:12 (NLT)

Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; — Deuteronomy 7:9 (NASB) Know without a doubt that our God is a faithful Father. While people may disappoint you and let you down, our heavenly Father is forever faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise He has spoken. Trust and rely on His lovingkindness and faithfulness; Rejoice and delight in His salvation. (Psalm 13:5) Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you. (Psalm 91:4 VOICE) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. — 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT)

“ What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! ” — Matthew 10:29-30 (MSG) Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me. (Psalm 139:17-18 TPT) May we give God greater attention. Let us pay more attention to our Mighty God than to our cell phones, our social media posts or our favorite sports team. Give greater attention to the One we celebrate, than to the activities and events themselves. Be intentional in your thoughts of our heavenly Father and Christ our Savior. Cherish Him constantly.

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” — Luke 1:28 (NLT) Believers have the favor of God, because the Lord is with us. With God on our side, who can stand against us? When Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, were tied up and thrown into the midst of the fiery furnace, that was seven times hotter than usual, they were delivered because the presence of the LORD was with them. Not only were they loosed but the fire had no effect on their bodies—their hair was not singed, their clothes were not scorched or damaged, even the smell of smoke was not on them. If you are experiencing a fiery furnace ordeal, know that the LORD is with you and He will bring you through. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.  — Psalm 5:12 (NASB)

You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me. — Psalm 139:5 (TPT) Our heavenly Father formed us in our mother’s womb and brought us into this world. When our days on this earth are done, He will be the One who welcomes us into a glorious eternity. And each day in between, He will be by our side, as we journey through life. We have the blessing of His Presence and His hand of love, gently leads us along the pathway that leads to life and life more abundantly. His hand of love is our protection and our peace. Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night. — Psalm 139:10-11 (TPT)

With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God! — Psalm 103:1 (TPT) O come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer]. (Psalm 95:6 AMP) Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised! Our mighty God is good, His is abundant in grace and mercy. He is love and full of  light. There is no darkness in Him. The LORD is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27:1). Bow in wonder at the throne of God. Those who walked in darkness have seen a radiant light shining upon them. They once lived in the shadows of death, but now a glorious light has dawned! — Isaiah 9:2 (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) There are no set of circumstances that are too difficult for our great God to handle. He has every one of our days already written in His Book (Psalm 139:16), so whatever you face today, know that God already has a record of the the answer or solution. Keep looking to Him and wait patiently for the appointed time of delivery.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. — Psalm 23:4 (NLT) God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax;  (Psalm 9:9 MSG) Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. (Psalm 9:10 NLT) Seek the LORD every moment of the day. Daily determine to do His will. For He has not forsaken those who genuinely seek Him. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. — Psalm 23:4b (TPT)