Manna for Your Morning

Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. — Nehemiah 4:1 (NASB1995) When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of Nehemiah’s arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel. (See Nehemiah 2:10) Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem proceeded to mock the Israelites. Instead of replying to his enemies, Nehemiah turned to Yahweh and prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! (Nehemiah 4:4 NLT) Know that when you engage in a good work, the enemy will always attempt to discourage, distract and halt the work of Yahweh anyway he can. May we remember that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in ...

“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.” — Proverbs 19:3 (NLT) Many lives are ruined because people choose “to do their own thing” instead of seeking and yielding to the will of our heavenly Father, Who created us and knows the plans He has for us. His plans are for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope. (See Jeremiah 29:11 AMP) “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21 NLT) “No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30 NLT) Second Samuel 22:29 (NKJV) says: “…You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.” When we walk in the light, with Him, He will show us the right path to take. The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” — Psalms 32:8 (NLT)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) Let us devote ourselves to loving one another and pursue peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14a NASB) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)  “Be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26A NKJV) “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22 NLT) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins ...

Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack . — Psalm 31:21 (NLT) Let us rejoice in the unfailing love of the LORD. Because the Most High God is a God of forgiveness, grace and mercy. He is slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38 NLT) You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care. (Job 10:12 NLT)  I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. (Psalm 31:7 NLT)

And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus. — Revelation 12:17 (NLT) Realize we are in a war. (Excerpt from The Book of Mysteries , Day 45 ) God’s Word is true. And the darkness will always war against the light. And the light must always war against the darkness. In the end, there is no neutrality. You either let the darkness overcome you, or you overcome the darkness. There is no middle ground. In John 12:35-36 (NLT), Jesus said, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  — Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. — Genesis 45:5 (NKJV) Perspective, “ how ” we choose to look at a situation is so important. Joseph could have looked at his brothers selling him into slavery as a betrayal and an attempt to destroy him. This perspective would have led to bitterness and unforgiveness. Instead, Joseph recognized that God used the events in his life to put him in the right position, to serve as a life preserver for His people. So don’t look at the troubles you can see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things which are seen are temporary. (2 Corinthians 4:18). They will come to pass. However, when we fix our eyes on our mighty God, and His faithfulness and trust Him day by day, we will maintain a proper perspective. And He will get us in the right place at the right time, regardless of the circumstances that come and go.

Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. — Nehemiah 4:9 (NKJV) When the Israelites were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, their adversaries were very angry and conspired together against them to cause the work to cease. God’s people responded in prayer and also in arming themselves with swords, spears and bows. Whatever work you engage in, for the Lord, know that you will encounter adversaries, who want nothing more than to stop the work of God. When enemies rise up against you, don't be afraid of them, remember the Lord, great and awesome! (Nehemiah 4:14). May we arm ourselves, with prayer and with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Then we can rely on the power and protection of our great God.

And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. — Genesis 45:4-5 (NKJV) What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, God used for good and the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20). Isaiah 54:17 says, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. The Word doesn't say the weapon would not be formed, just that it will not prosper. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeals that come (1 Peter 4:12), just keep trusting God to work it all together for good.

Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. — 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) In the parable of the lost son, the older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in to the celebration of the return of the prodigal son (Luke 15:28-30). Even though the older son stayed with his father and served him, while the younger son did his own thing, his heart was not with him. Likewise, we can be in church every week and still have a heart that is far from the heart of God. May we examine our hearts and make sure the affections of our hearts are in perfect alignment with the things that please our heavenly Father. Amen.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.   — James 1:19-20 (NIV) Slow your roll on anger and taking offense. The Message Bible says to post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. May we be quick to listen to others with the intention of gaining understanding, not to build our defense. Let us also keep our ears open to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit within us, as He leads and guides us. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!

Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Joel 2:13 (NLT) When you don't know what to do or where to go, run to the LORD our God. He is full of grace and mercy, always ready to forgive. He crowns us with love and compassion (Psalm 103:4) and His compassions never fail. They are brand new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Our God is extremely patient and extravagant in love. And nothing can separate us from His great love. Amen!