Manna for Your Morning

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him. — 1 Corinthians 2:9 (VOICE) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG) Remember, all things are possible WITH GOD. Stay submitted to His Holy Spirit at work within you.

My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. — James 1:2-4 (TPT) Consider opposition an opportunity for great joy (James 1:2 NLT). Difficulties test our faith and stirs up power within us. Rely on the power of God within you to get you through the difficulties and onto your destiny. Don't let your dreams die when disaster strikes. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT) Nothing is too difficult for Him.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) It’s by His Spirit that our battles are won. By His Spirit we overcome obstacles and triumph through trials and tribulation. We can experience joy on the job with the Holy Spirit as our constant companion. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit we can have peace in the midst of problems. He will strengthen you in times of sorrow and sadness. Instead of resisting the Holy Spirit, receive Him, with an open and humble heart. ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. ’ (Acts 2:17 NKJV)

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved … — Joel 2:32a (NKJV) Call on the name of the LORD and be saved, for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ (Acts 17:28) When you call, He will hear you. He is not far from each one of us; (Acts 17:27). “ And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. ” (Joel 2:28) God pours out His Spirit on all who believe in Christ and accepts Him as their Savior. He fills us and empowers us to fulfill the dreams and visions He has placed in our hearts. Call on His name today.

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. — Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV) Let us consider God faithful and receive strength to conceive and give birth to the dreams and desires He has placed inside our hearts. You may go through a barren season, like Sarah, but keep believing and trusting God. The Amplified Bible says Sarah considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word] (Hebrews 11:11).  Know that God is true to His Word. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose… (Philippians 4:13a AMP).

“…Stop doubting and believe.” — John 20:27 (NIV) In Exodus 15:1-21, the Israelites were dancing and singing praises to God because He led them through the sea on dry ground and drowned their enemies. In Exodus 15:24, just three days into the wilderness they were complaining, then in Exodus 17:7 (NKJV) the children of Israel were saying, “ Is the LORD among us or not? ” Wow! How quickly can we see God do a mighty work in one situation and then when faced with another difficulty retreat back to a place of little faith? May we never doubt. It is a tool of the enemy. Doubt is deadly. It is a slow leak in the balloon of hope. With doubt, dreams die and hope fades away. Doubt paralyzes faith. James 1:6 (NIV) says, the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. If you are constantly blown and tossed by the wind, it will be difficult to reach your desired destination. Know that God is with you and He is for you. He intentionally knit you together in your mot...

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. — Genesis 50:20 (NLT) What the enemy meant for your harm God will use it all for good. As the Amplified Bible says, “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17). Victory is ours because God has given it to us. It is our birthright for being born into His kingdom. The enemy cannot take it away from us. And we know [with great confidence] that God who is deeply concerned about us causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose (Romans 8:28 AMP). He is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more ...

He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.” — Genesis 41:52 (AMP) God gave Joseph dreams as a young boy, but Joseph had to persevere the pit and the prison before he progressed to the palace. Maybe what he went through in the pit and in the prison prepared him to be successful in the palace. Could it be that what you are going through is part of God’s plan for your dreams to be fulfilled? The adversities we face can very well be part of the process God will use to position us for fruitfulness and success. You will experience some troubles and uphill battles on the path of fulfilling your purpose, but rest assured that God can cause the land of your pain and suffering to be the exact place of your fruitfulness and success. Persevere and you will prevail to receive His precious promises. And just as Joseph’s success saved a nation, our favorable outcomes in life are designed to be a bless...

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. — Mark 15:37 (NKJV)  From the time Jesus died on the cross to the third day when the empty tomb was discovered, was a very dark time for the followers of Christ. The disciples had hoped that He was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21), but at this point, their hope was dead. We too will experience some dark days, in between the time we receive the promise, until our hopes and dreams begin to manifest into reality. Heaven will appear to be silent and you may wonder if God is aware of your plight. But hold on, the third day is coming! Don't bury your dreams. Remember God's Word. He is faithful to fulfill every promise. Just as the grave could not contain Jesus, the enemy cannot stop the purpose and plans God has for you.

So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?” — Luke 18:7-8 (MSG) Jesus told the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart. This unjust judge did not fear God, nor care about people, but he made sure a widow got justice because she kept troubling him with continual requests. (Luke 18:1-6). As disciples of Christ, may we have persistent faith. Never lose heart or give up. Surely, God will give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night. When faced with challenges, faithful men and women of God believe His Word and continually stand on it. We pray at all times. We keep showing God’s love and grace to those difficult personalities in our lives. We keep gi...

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.

“And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” —Joshua 1:8-9 MSG As we meditate on the Word of God, we gain strength and wisdom to do what He has called us to do. And we will have good success. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT). Let every step you take toward your goals and dreams, be a step of faith knowing that He is with you!

Begin Afresh! Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, — Philippians 3:13 (NKJV) Stop beating yourself up over the mistakes of days gone by! Rather than dwelling on the past, use your time and energy focusing on the here and now. God gives us new compassions and brand new mercies every morning, so we can begin afresh. Press on toward the dreams and visions God has placed in your heart! What has God called you to do today?

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.

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! — Psalm 103:1 (NKJV) Just as we want God to bless us, we are to bless our heavenly Father. How can we bless the LORD? We can give God our all —all that we are, all that we have, all that we hope to be, our dreams, our fears and our regrets. We bless the LORD with our tongues (James 1:9), as we sing His praises. We bless the LORD with our bodies as we walk in His ways. And as we worship Him with lifted hands, in total surrender and submission. We bless the LORD as we give Him all our cares and concerns, and totally trust in Him. We bless Him when we stand on His Word in the face of adverse circumstances and contrary reports. Bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in your mouth (Psalm 34:1). We will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore (Psalm 115:18). Amen!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. — Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) With God’s power at work in us and through us, He is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams (Ephesians 3:20 AMP). Live under the influence of His Holy Spirit, who lives in you. Be led by Him. God wants to do greater things in your life, in this world and in His kingdom. We serve a BIG GOD, think big!

Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” — Genesis 37:20 (NKJV) Joseph was a dreamer. It was because of his dreams that his brothers sold him into slavery. But his dreams came true. After Joseph favorably served in the palace and in the prison, he eventually became governor over the land of abundance, in the midst of a famine. No matter how circumstances appear right now, don’t give up on your dreams! Even the old men shall dream dreams (Joel 2:28). As long as there is breath in your nostrils it's not too  late. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. — Psalm 37:4 (AMP) God bless you as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. — Luke 2:21 (NKJV) Before you were conceived in the womb of your mother, God knew you, by name. His eyes saw your unformed body (Psalm 139:16a, NIV). Our heavenly Father created you in His image, with a plan and a purpose for your life. All the days ordained for you were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16b, NIV). Listen to the desires and dreams delivered to your heart by God, and fulfill your God-given destiny. Live in the full potential of all God created you to be! Mount up with wings like an eagle and soar toward your calling. As you keep your eyes on the Master, He will show you the way. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. —I saiah 40:31 (NKJV)

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.

As I see a flurry of halloween decorations and activities, I am reminded of the real horror in life. The truly horrific thing is to live without hope in your heart. Hope is the earnest  expectation that your future is better and more glorious than your past and your present; the belief that you will see the fulfillment of God’s promises and your dreams. To be alive and without hope is like being a zombie, the walking dead. Before we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we were in the world, dead in ours sins, and without hope (Ephesians 2:1, 12). But now in Christ Jesus we have been made alive and partakers of God’s wonderful promises. Put your hope in God and it will not be cut off. Hebrews 10:23 says, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV)