Manna for Your Morning

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”  Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. — John 9:1-3 (MSG) When things don’t happen the way we think they should, we often look for someone to blame. Instead, let us look with great expectation for what God is going to do in that situation. Nothing is too difficult for our mighty God. With our words, we can either bless or curse (speak negatively of someone). Let us bless others with our words. The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. (Psalm 33:6 NLT) What are you giving birth to with your words?

Christmas is one word that embodies so many things. It conjures up different images and emotions for each one of us. Reflecting on what 3 words I would use to say what Christmas is all about. #1 CHRIST It all starts with the birth of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. John 1:41 says, Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). May we find Christ in every moment of our day. Jesus said, “ I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” — Matthew 28:20b (NKJV) #2 LOVE  Christmas exemplifies the love God has for us. What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. — 1 John 3:1a  (MSG) When we understand we are children of a God who is love, we know how we ought to flow... in LOVE. #3 GIVE  The most perfect gift God gave to us was Himself, in the form of Jesus (God with us). Jesus continually gave of Himself, healin...

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. — Luke 10:41 (NKJV) This time of year so many people run around feeling like Martha, worried and troubled about many things. Let us prioritize our list of tasks and give more weight to the important things. And the most important thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing, that is to celebrate the birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior. He is Immanuel: “God with us.” The Eternal One. The Prince of Peace and the living Word. Don't let the worries and cares of this world and the distractions of this season, with its worldly pleasures and man-made traditions creep in and choke the word of life right out of you. Set your attention and your affections on Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! And touching others with His love, joy and peace.

Upon You have I relied and been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You.  My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long. — Psalm 71:6, 8 (AMP) God chose you and loved you before the foundation of the world. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. He has sustained you since you drew your first breath. Each day we live the more we have to be thankful for. Praise Him and bring glory to His name all day, every day!  But as for me, I will wait and hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14 AMP)

Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there. — 1 Samuel 1:28 (NLT) Hannah cried out to God for the desire of her heart, He heard her cries and gave her a son. When Hannah received the one thing she wanted most, she gave him back to the LORD. And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:21 NLT). May we live with our hearts and hands open to our heavenly Father. When we let go of what we have, God can use it for others and multiply it back to us. We can never out give God! It is more blessed to give than to receive.

“But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” — Genesis 17:21 (NKJV) Even though Sarah was in her nineties, well past childbearing years, she did conceive and bear Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (Genesis 21:2). It may seem like it is well past the time for you to have given birth to the dreams and aspirations God  placed inside of you. But things don't happen on our timetable. Just as there is a time for conception, growth and development, there is a set time for you to give birth. You don't want to push it out prematurely. Put your energy into what God has called you to do today. The manifestation of your desires and dreams will happen at the appointed time and it will be sweet. Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14a)

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. — John 16:21 (NIV) Just as a woman endures labor pains in order to deliver a baby, we too must persevere some trials and suffering, in order to give birth to the dreams and desires God placed inside of us. Once the labor pains begin, it's only a matter of time before a new life is born into this world, but the mother has to go through the process. Let us not quit in the process of realizing our dreams and goals. Don't let the pains of childbirth discourage you. We can look forward to the inexpressible joy that will be ours as we accomplish all that God has for us. If you are in the waiting room of life, patiently wait, full of expectation, knowing that your time will come.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG) We can thank God in every circumstance because we know that He is working all things together for good in our lives. The LORD has been with you from birth; from your mother’s womb He has cared for you (Psalm 71:6a NLT). May our mouths continually give Him praise. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8 NKJV).

By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You. — Psalm 71:6 (NKJV) Since the moment God created our inmost beings and knit us together in our mother’s wombs, He has watched over every detail of our lives. From the day we were born, until now, He has upheld us and been our support. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NAS). Let our praise be continually of Him, our Maker and Creator.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, — Luke 2:5-6 (NIV) When Joseph and Mary went to register in Bethlehem, the time came for her to give birth. In the course of going about your daily tasks, the time will come for you to give birth to the promises God has spoken to you. It's time for the fulfillment of the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart. First, we must go through the labor pains (another word for work). Let us persevere this phase and keep pressing onward and forward, regardless of any challenges.

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” — Genesis 18:14 (NAS) Today’s society has us geared for what’s fast and quick. We want the express lane in life. Waiting is an inconvenience. However, God is not moved by our timetable. He has an appointed time. There is a time for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Abraham waited more than 20 years from the time God promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5) until the birth of his son, Isaac. So, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:25). May we be like Abraham and patiently endure. We don't have to know when or how, just know that God does fulfill all of His promises! Nothing is too difficult for Him.

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!

Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. — 1 Corinthians 15:8 (NKJV) There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NAS). The Apostle Paul, persecuted the church of God, until the appointed time: that day on the road to Damascus, when the Lord opened his eyes to see the light of the truth (Acts 9). In due time, Sarah gave birth to the child of promise. What might you give birth to, in due time?  Do not grow weary in doing well. Passionately pursue your dreams, and in due time you will see the fruit of your labor.

By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.  — Psalm 71:6 (NKJV) Since the day He delivered you from your mother's womb, the LORD has been with you. He has taken care of you. We can  always lean and rely upon our mighty God. May our mouths be filled with His praise and with His glory all the day! (Psalm 71:8)

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  — Psalm 139:15-16 (NIV) We have been upheld by the LORD from birth; He brought us forth from our mother’s wombs (Psalm 71:6). Let us thank and praise the LORD for taking care of us from the day we were born to this very moment! If it had not been for God, who knows where we would be today. And Abba Father is so awesome, He has every single day of our lives all planned out. He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)! Glory Hallelujah!

“I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness. A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.” — John 16:20-21 (GW) Just as a woman must go through the painful process of labor, in order to deliver a baby, we will experience much travail, in order to give birth to the dreams God has put in our hearts. Just remember, the pain is part of the process that must be endured if we are to get to our desired destination. I encourage you to see your dreams through to the end! Fulfill the God-given purpose for which you were created.