Manna for Your Morning

Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. — Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NASB1995) When Nehemiah heard about the broken down condition of Jerusalem and the survivors being in great distress, he wept and mourned, but he also fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (See Nehemiah 1:3-4) In Nehemiah 2:4, when the king asked Nehemiah what was his request, Nehemiah prayed before he responded. (See Nehemiah 2:4) And the king granted him all that he requested because the good hand of his God was on him (See Nehemiah 2:8) Throughout the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah continually prayed to God when dealing with their enemies. In Nehemiah 4:20, ...

  Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. — Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) Choose very carefully the words that come from your mouth. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) Words contain power to build relationships and bring healing to a hurting heart. Encouraging words strengthen and give life, but negative, critical words hurt and wound the spirit. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. (Proverbs 16:24 TPT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NASB) No matter how strong the wind or how hard the shaking, the righteous have an everlasting foundation, Jesus Christ. Build your life on the Rock, and who is a rock, except our God. (Psalm 18:31) In Proverbs 10:25, The Message Bible says “ When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed .” Don’t be fazed by the storms of life. Trust God and stand on His Word. When all the dust settles, you will still be standing. Proverbs 10:6a (NASB) says, “ Blessings are on the head of the righteous …” Proverbs 10:9a (NASB) goes on to say: He who walks in integrity walks securely … Our God is great and awesome, more powerful than any storm. He is also a loving Father and He always takes care of His children. Amen!

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NKJV) In Jesus we have a sure foundation. We don’t have to fear when the storms come because the godly have an everlasting foundation. Jesus is our firm foundation, and we will not be moved. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11) In Luke 6:47-48 (NKJV), Jesus said: “ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. ” Build on the Rock!

He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. — Matthew 12:30  (NASB) Let us gather, in love, peace and unity. Tear down the walls that separate and build bridges that connect us. In John 17:20-21 (MSG), Jesus prayed: “I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.” “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse. ”— Matthew 12:30 (MSG)

It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; — Proverbs 24:3 (MSG) Exercise wisdom by seeking the face of God and keeping your ear open to hear His voice. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). By understanding and following the living Word of God, your life will be set on a firm foundation that will not be moved by heavy winds or floodwaters.  When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.  (Proverbs 10:25 NKJV) …knowledge, and wisdom for your soul— Get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock. (Proverbs 24:14 MSG) …and in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV).

You can’t find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm. — Proverbs 12:3 (MSG) Why live in Camp Swampee, when you can dwell on the firm foundation? It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. (Luke 6:48 NLT) Let us build our lives rooted in God. The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 AMP) The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. (Hebrews 11:1 MSG)

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NLT) Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. (Isaiah 28:16 NLT) When we build our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, we will not be moved by the storms of life. Build on the foundation that will last forever. When the rain descends, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat on that house, it will not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (Matthew 7:25)

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV) The adversaries of the Israelites continually mocked, harassed and threatened Nehemiah, in an attempt to stop the work of God in their lives. Just as our enemy wants to pull you down and stop the work of God in your life. Don’t give place to the distractions. As you remain diligent to do the work God has given you, He will take care of all that concerns you. Whatever your God given assignment, whether big or small, it’s a great work. Arise and continue to build!

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. — Isaiah 33:6 (NIV) When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25 NLT). The LORD is the sure foundation for our times. Let us build our lives upon Him and utilize the resources He abundantly provides for us: a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Whatever we build in Him will last forever, and not be shaken. He is the sure foundation that will last throughout all generations. Amen!

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” — Nehemiah 2:17, 18b (NKJV) Even though their enemies tried to stop the work of God, Nehemiah and his team successfully completed the wall. At times, our lives may seem to be no more than a pile of rubbish, broken pieces of debris scattered about. But God is in the business of restoration. He will use every piece of our broken lives and make something beautiful. Let us rise up and actively engage in what God wants to do in our lives. Out of the rubbish, Nehemiah re-built the walls of Jerusalem. What will you build for the LORD, with the rubble of your life?

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. — Psalm 18:2 (AMP) The LORD is my Rock. When we build our lives on God, we are building on solid ground. When we stand on His Word, we have a firm foundation. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus said “…whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” When you build on the Rock you will have a home that withstands the storms of life and a God that never fails you. Build on anything else, and it's like building on sinking sand. The castle which you erect will crumble and fall down, in the midst of the storm.

Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight. — 1 Chronicles 19:13 (NKJV) Wikipedia says courage is the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. In God, we can be of good courage because we know He is able to conquer all that concerns us. Let us be strong for other believers; encourage one another and build each other up. May we work together in love and unity to take our cities for God! Our God is good and He will always do what is good in His sight. Amen!

And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God...  — 1 Kings 5:5 (NKJV) God prepared in advance, good works for us to do. What are you building for the LORD? For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). King Solomon purposed in his heart to build God a house. Be a contributing member of God's labor force. Purpose in your heart to do a good work, prepare and persevere. Let's rise up and build!  Why? To leave a legacy for our children’s children, to give glory to God, and to show the lost there is a place where they belong!

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. — Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV) Lead me to the Rock! For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? (Psalm 18:31) “Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.” (Isaiah 44:8) Let us build our lives on the strong foundation of the LORD. Then we will be able to withstand the storms that come our way. The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:46).

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!

Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;  — Proverbs 24:3 (NKJV) It takes wisdom to build a house on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. He is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6). We have to dig deep into the Word of God and gain understanding, then we are able to establish our house on the solid rock of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And when the storms of life come, the floodwaters beat vehemently against the house, but it stands firm because it is well built. The house will not crumble or be washed away because it has a good, strong foundation (Luke 6:48).

Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.  — Jeremiah 2:32 (NKJV) Have you forgotten your God, days without number? Do you go days without giving God a thought? When we turn aside from following the LORD, we go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing (1 Samuel 12:21). Does Jesus ever have preeminence in your life? He is more important than football games, your children's sports, shopping, etc? Instead of just fitting God in wherever we can, let's build our lives around God.

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” — Luke 18:8 (NKJV) May you never suffer shipwreck with regard to the faith. (1 Timothy 1:19) Hold on to faith and a good conscience, because without faith it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Through faith we are shielded by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5, NIV). Our faith is the victory that has overcome the world (1 John 5:4) So build yourselves up in your most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith!

Some people are like seeds on rocky soil. They welcome the word with joy whenever they hear it, but they don’t develop any roots. They believe for a while, but when their faith is tested, they abandon it. — Luke 8:13 (GW) Rocky soil believers receive the word with joy when they hear it, but when their faith is tested it withers because they have no root. No matter what is going on in your life, never abandon your faith! Live your life in Christ Jesus. Sink your roots in Him and build on Him, then your faith will grow strong  (Colossians 2:7). May the word be planted on the good soil of your heart. The seeds that fell on the good soil represent those who hear the word with a noble and good heart, cling to it, and produce a huge harvest, despite what life may bring (Luke 8:15).