Manna for Your Morning

“I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. — Matthew 5:44-45 (MSG) A lawyer, asked Jesus a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:35-39 NKJV) Before we are able to love our spouse, our neighbors or our enemies we must love God. The love of God in our hearts gives us the ability to love others, the way our heavenly Father loves us. May the Lord make your lo...

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. — Romans 8:28 (NLT) What have I learned in 52 years of living? The most important lesson I have learned is that our great big God is indeed good all the time! And He does in fact cause everything to work together for good. All the things I stressed out about, came and went and yet I stand. He faithfully brought me through things I thought I would never make it through. Wherever you are in life, know that He will see you through the good and the bad, the fire and the flood. God’s plans for you are good. As you love God and continue to follow Him, His wonderful plans and purpose for your life will unfold. It may not always be pretty, but it will be powerful!

But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; — 2 Chronicles 13:10 (NKJV) No matter what happens in this life or how bad you mess up, never run away from the LORD our God. The LORD is a shield around us; He is our glory, the one who holds our heads high (Psalm 3:3 NLT). He is like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), He is filled with love and compassion for you. Our heavenly Father is always watching out for you. He is waiting with open arms, for you to come to Him and be embraced. He longs to hold you close to His bosom. Run to Him like a little child and let Him smother you with kisses.

You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you. I’ve put my life in your hands. You won’t drop me, you’ll never let me down. — Psalm 31:3-5 (MSG) Whether good or bad, our times are in His hand (Psalm 31:15a NKJV). He will lead us and guide us along on the path that leads to freedom and life. The Most High God will give us strength to climb higher than the mountains that stand in our way. Our heavenly Father will never let us down. Praise the LORD!

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. — Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJV) The LORD is a safe sanctuary, in times of trouble. Keep your trust in Him and you will not be disappointed. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:12). Abide in Him, at all times, whether good or bad. The LORD is a strong tower and a mighty fortress. He will not abandon those who seek Him.

“Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” — Genesis 31:42 (NKJV) Jacob was in his Uncle Laban’s house twenty years; he served him fourteen years for his two daughters, and six years for his flock. Laban deceived him and changed his wages ten times Genesis 31:7, 41).  In Genesis 31:29, Laban says God spoke to him and said, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.” Whatever hardships, troubles and afflictions you may be facing, know that God sees your affliction and He will deliver you. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles (Psalm 34:17, AMP). The Message Bible says it like this: Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NKJV) Let us refuse all doubt and live in what we know: ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one (1 Corinthians 8:4). Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31). And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:15). Throughout the good, the bad and the ugly, continue to lift up your petitions to God, knowing that He hears you and that He is working all things together for GOOD. Amen!

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. — 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV) Today we have the Word of God and His Holy Spirit living within us, to guide us. We can suffer serious consequences for making wrong decisions and bad choices. Fools die for lack of wisdom (Proverbs 10:21). Our God is all-knowing and all wisdom dwells with Him. Inquire of the LORD before you launch and seek His guidance in all endeavors.