Manna for Your Morning

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:5 (NLT) “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT) Set your affections on Yahweh. And keep your hope and your confidence in Him. ...our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. (See 1 Timothy 4:10) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (Ephesians 3:16:17 NLT)

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” — Luke 6:27-28 (NLT) Yeshua repeats this command. It is no mistake. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” (Luke 6:35-36 NLT) May we be willing to listen and eager to obey the teaching of Yeshua, our Savior and Lord. In Luke 6:46 (NASB1995), Yeshua asks: “ Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ”

“ Your own wickedness punishes you. Your own unfaithfulness rebukes you. Look deep into your heart and you will learn how evil and bitter it is to forsake me, YAHWEH your God, and have no awe of me. I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, have spoken. ” — Jeremiah 2:19 (TPT) May we learn from our wrong choices and bad decisions. Hold onto the faith, and never reject YAHWEH. To be indifferent to Him is like being lukewarm. In Revelation 3:16 Yeshua says: “…because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”  Life and death are set before us, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants… (See Deuteronomy 30:19). To choose YAHWEH is to choose life. All who desire real life, choose YAHWEH, and His Son. No one comes to the Father except through Yeshua. (See John 14:16 TLV) He came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (See John 10:10 AMP)

For they had not provided the Israelites with food and water in the wilderness. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing. — Nehemiah 13:2 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NLT) With our great and mighty God, what our enemy plans for evil against us, can be turned around for good. Just as Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (NLT): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” The difficulties, troubles and trials we go through could result in the salvation of others. We may sow some tears, but do not grow weary or become discouraged. There will come a time of joyful shouting. (See Psalm 126:5) Amen. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jere...

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?

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days…” — Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (CSB)  Each and every day we are presented with choices that either bring life or bring death. When we speak words of life, we transmit hope, peace and love. When we speak negative, critical words or engage in gossip, we kill joy, hope, love, peace, etc., not only in ourselves but in those who hear our words. It’s not just the words we speak, but our thoughts and actions either give life and blessing or lead to cursing and death. Choose life each moment of the day. Our heavenly Father instructs us to choose life and live under His cloud of blessing. As children of God, that is where we not only survive, but thrive. Examine yourself and see if your choices lead to life ...

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. — Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) Wisely choose the words you speak. The Amplified Bible reminds us that we bear the consequences of the words we speak. In Matthew 9:20-21, the woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself , “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” She received her healing. What are you saying to yourself? In Luke 7:7, the centurion told Jesus, “I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but j ust say the word , and my servant will be healed.” In Luke 7:10, his servant was found in good health. Speak words of life, and lives will be changed. James 3:9-10 says, with our tongues we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both bl...

By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. — Hebrews 11:20 (MSG) I beg to differ with the saying “Sticks & stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Words are very powerful. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! With our words we carry the potential to bless or curse, build up or tear down, bring together or create division. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose (Proverbs 18:21 MSG). Our words are like a bridge that creates the passageway from the present to the future. May we reach into the future with words of life and blessing. Let’s lift those who hear our words up and not drag them down or beat them up. Amen!

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” — Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV) May we counteract persecution with prayers and hatred with love. Speak a blessing over those who curse you. Let the absolute worst in others, bring out nothing but the best in you.

“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God,”  — Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NKJV) Every day we have a choice to make, whether to obey God and experience the fullness of His blessings or not. If we truly love God with all our hearts and souls and trust that He has our best interest in mind, then it should not be so hard to give up our Burger King, “have it your way” mentality and live God's way. He has set before us life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19). As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD! (Joshua 24:15)