Manna for Your Morning

“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.” — Exodus 23:20 (NLT) Yahweh will lead us safely to the place He has prepared for us. He equips us, provides what we need and puts us in the right position at the right time, to fulfill His purpose and plan for us. However, we must follow His lead. Psalms 91:9-12 (NLT) says: If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. Bless Yahweh, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless Yahweh, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. — Psalms 103:20-21 (LSB)

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said…” — Matthew 28:5-6 (NASB) In Luke 24:5, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.” Don’t seek the living One among the dead. Jesus is the Resurrection and Life  (John 11:25). Jesus is Immanuel, God with us! Christ is our risen Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords. His tomb is empty and He is seated on the throne. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  — 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

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.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” — Matthew 28:5-6 (NLT) Who do you look for? Seek Jesus, the Messiah, our Risen Savior, the One who touches and transforms lives. Look for Christ, the One who conquered sin, death and the grave. Matthew 28:1 (NLT) says:  Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.  May we seek Jesus early. Don’t get started on your day until you spend some time with the Lord, dine with Him, feed on His Word and seek His will. Engage with Him,  not just early, but continually throughout your day. Luke 24:1, says the women came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. Today, let us bring our hearts to Him. May we prepare our hearts to receive our King. Let Him fill your heart with the sweet fragra...

...but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. — Luke 2:10 (NLT) The birth of Jesus is good news that brings great joy to all people. Jesus didn’t come to save a select few. He came to save us all. The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) Jesus didn’t just save those who were around when He physically walked the earth. His righteousness is forever, and His salvation continues from generation to generation. (Isaiah 51:8) More good news is Jesus came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].  (John 10:10b AMP). Jesus gave us the ultimate victory over this world, sin and death. We can live free and full. Full of His love, and His light. Let that bring you great joy today. God will show his mercy forever ...

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” — Luke 1:28 (NKJV) The angel Gabriel spoke these words to Mary, but we can rejoice also because the Lord is with us too. She carried Jesus for nine months, but He abides in us forever. We are indeed blessed and highly favored! And with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, enables us and empowers us to do all that He has called us to do. In His strength we can crush an army; with our God we can scale any wall. (Psalm 18:29) Rejoice! He has already gained the victory for us.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” — Luke 1:28 NIV The angel came and told Mary that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she would conceive and bring forth a Son, and call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:31-35) Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38a NKJV) Let us have the same mindset as Mary and say, “let it be to me according to Your Word” God has spoken so many precious promises over us in His Word. Like Mary, may we believe His Word is for us. No matter what others may say about us, let us continue to stand on God's Word and what He says about us. His word does not return to Him void. It accomplishes what He pleases, and prospers in the thing for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) As a child of God, you are blessed and highly favored and the Lord is with you too!

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb (Matthew 28:1 NLT).  After seeing the empty tomb and speaking with the angel, the women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message, that Jesus was risen from the dead. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. — Matthew 28:6, 8-9 (NLT) Like Mary and Mary, let us diligently seek the Lord Jesus. Be filled with great joy knowing that as you seek Him, Jesus will meet you right where you are. May we bow down and worship the King of kings and the Lord of lord, Jesus, our risen Savior!

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; Luke 2:10 (NASB) The good news about who Jesus is and what He has done for us, is for everyone, people all over the world, of every race, color and tongue. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13 NIV) Let us continually call on the name of Jesus, our Savior. He brings great joy and a deep abiding peace, as we trust in Him.

“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.” — Exodus 23:20 (NLT) When we walk on the path the LORD has for us, He will lead us safely to the places He has called us to be. As we walk under the umbrella of His protection, we can remain in peace, knowing that He will guide us through every storm. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (Psalm 91:9-11 NIV). The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them (Psalm 34:7 NKJV). Amen.

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. — Acts 12:5 (NKJV) Peter was in prison, bound with chains, between two soldiers and sentries guarded the entrance. In response to the prayers offered by the church, God sent His angel, the chains fell off, Peter walked out of the prison and when they came to the city's iron gate, it opened for them all by itself.  Never underestimate the power of prayer! No matter how hopeless a situation may appear, stay in constant prayer. I believe when we take our eyes off of ourselves and fervently pray for others, miracles happen. Chains of bondage fall off of people, doors open and our enemies cannot hold us down. Let us continue in prayer for one another and expect great things from our mighty God!

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (NKJV) Just as the angel told Mary, you are blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] when you believe that the Lord will do what He said. For the word of God will never fail. (Luke 1:37 NLT) Live in faith, being confident that what you hope for will actually happen, at the appointed time. “ I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. ” (Job 42:2 NKJV)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” — Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) …we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19 NLT). Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star. He brings light to dark situations and dark places. In His glorious light there is hope, joy, peace and freedom. Let the light of His love shine in your heart. Let it permeate every fiber and illuminate those around you. Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1 NKJV)

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. — Revelation 8:4 (NKJV) First Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) tells us to pray without ceasing. Our prayers go up before God, like a sweet smelling incense. “For the eyes of the LORD are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer)…” Never let adverse circumstances or lies of the enemy silence your voice to your heavenly Father. Cry out to Him day and night. Engage in a continual conversation with Abba Father. As Colossians 4:2 (NLT) says, devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. He is faithful answer, so wait with expectancy. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. (Psalm 143:1 NKJV)

  Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. — Daniel 6:23 (NKJV) Daniel was thrown into the lions den for worshiping God. Because Daniel believed in his God, God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths, so they did not hurt him (Daniel 6:22). Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But our God has already given us the victory over him. Only believe. God rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27 NLT).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. — 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV) So the LORD sent an angel and saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of their enemies. He took care of them on every side (2 Chronicles 32:21, 22). May we be strong and courageous, because there is a far greater power with us. The LORD our God is with us to help us and take care of us. Our battles belong to the LORD! Give thanks to God, who always leads us in triumph, in Christ!

 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” — Exodus 23:20 (NKJV) The LORD sent His Angel before the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and eventually, they took possession of the land God promised them. As we journey through this life, God’s Angel goes before us and empowers us to reach the place He has prepared for us, our land of promise. Don't grow weary, nor faint. March on with passion and purpose, fully pursuing all that God has for you. For the LORD gives His angels charge over those who make the LORD, their refuge and dwelling place, to keep them in all their ways. (Psalm 91:9,11)

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” — Luke 1:34 (NKJV) When the angel told Mary she would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son, her first response was to ask how. When we are presented with difficult situations, that seem impossible, our first inclination may be to ask God, how He is going to work it out. Sometimes, we even wonder when? When is that promise going to manifest in our lives. What is more important than knowing how or when is knowing WHO. We serve a great big God and nothing is too difficult for Him. With our God, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Luke 7:22). For with God nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37). Amen!

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” — Luke 1:28 (NKJV) We are highly favored and blessed because the Lord is with us. He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalms 103:3-5, NIV). See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1a, NIV) His unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth (Psalms 103:11, NLT). Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, all the days God gives you!

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. — Luke 1:30-31 (NKJV)  You, my beloved, have found favor with God. May you continue to believe the wonderful promises God has spoken to you beyond the point of their conception in your heart. Just as Mary continued to carry the Baby within her until the days were completed for her to deliver, we have to carry our seed of promise and regularly nurture it with the Word of God. Once it is fully developed, we have to endure the pains of labor and keep pushing on until the time of delivery. Then comes that appointed time, when that which is conceived in us is birthed into reality. Amen and Hallelujah!