Manna for Your Morning

“And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” — Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NLT) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV) Instead of brooding over the past, take the steps today that are headed in the direction of where you want to be tomorrow. However, the reality is you have no idea where your life will take you tomorrow. You are like a mist that appears one moment and then vanishes another. (See James 4:14 VOICE) But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (Isaiah 26:19 ...

Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! — Psalms 32:2 (NLT) O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalms 86:5 NLT) Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude (Psalms 32:6-7 NLT) Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! (Psalms 32:10-11 NLT) Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. — Psalms 86:11 (NLT)

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (NASB1995) Who or what is your hope fixed upon? Is it material wealth, the government, a particular person, your physical appearance, or your possessions? Rich or poor, may we all center our hope on the living God, Who has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. (See 2 Peter 1:3) He is the God of more than enough, and He is our Source. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17 LSB) How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in Yahweh his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever; (Psalms 146:5-6 LSB) Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will prais...

I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. — Philippians 4:12 (AMP) Like the Apostle Paul, may we learn the secret of not just surviving but thriving in whatever kind of situation or circumstance that comes our way. In Philippians 4:4, he also instructs us to rejoice in the Lord always. So, no matter what set of circumstances you face today, don’t let the enemy steal your joy. Let us put more time and energy into trusting God and drawing near to Him than we do in trying to control our circumstances or manipulate people. The closer we are to Him the more likely we will see the situation from His perspective, a higher viewpoint.  Learn to be content and wait with expectation for God to lead you and guide you in the best course of action. And be confid...

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:23 (NASB) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (John 10:10 AMP) Even though our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (See 1 Peter 5:8), we do not have to fall for his evil schemes. As we focus on the fact that God is with us, we are more than conquerors, for all things are possible with God . (Mark 10:27).  He will make known to us the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; In His right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11) In His Presence, there is strength and power, peace and victory.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,  doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. — Isaiah 55:10-11 (MSG) In 1 Kings 8:24, King Solomon says to the LORD, “You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.” God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34). He does not lie and He does not change. He fulfills every Word He has spoken. You have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36 AMP) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them… — Genesis 1:27-28 (NLT)  Genesis 1:28 tells us the first thing on God’s heart after He brought human beings into existence was to bless us. The very fact that He created us, shows us that God had us on His mind. His thoughts of us are so great they cannot be numbered. (Psalm 139:17). He created us to enjoy a rich and deep love relationship with Him, one of continual fellowship. The best indicator of love is a desire to spend time with that person. God didn’t just put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and forget about them. Genesis 3:8, says He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day. God didn’t bring you into this world to forget about you. He wants a daily walk with you too. Let us nurture our relationship with the Lord. Make Him the number one priority in your life. Don’t let the lies of the enemy or worldly distractions keep ...

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NASB) When we let go of the regrets of yesterday and the worries about tomorrow, we are free to enjoy the present moment God has for us today. This is the day He has made. Every day of your life was recorded in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16). So, do all things without complaining and disputing, (Philippians 2:14). Instead rejoice and be glad for the new mercies and compassions, the LORD poured out on you this morning. He has packed this day full of purpose and power just for you. Amen.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. — Joshua 1:8 (NLT) To meditate on God’s Word means to give it careful, and deep thought. It involves a focus of one’s mind, for a period of time. My husband is the skilled cook in our home and there is a big difference in the flavor of the meat when he lets it soak in the marinade overnight versus a few minutes. Likewise, as we spend time in God’s Word (the marinade), it changes the flavor of our hearts and minds and in turn influences our actions. We can only enjoy the depth and richness of His Word as we spend time turning it over in our minds. We change the way we think by renewing our minds with the Word of God. Take time to meditate on the Word, treasure it in your heart and enjoy success in all that you do.

As I watched secret santa gifts being exchanged at a Christmas party, I realized one simple thing. Once a gift has been offered, it is on us to accept it, neglect it, or reject it. We choose to accept it and unwrap it. Some choose to complain about the gift. Some discard the gift and therefore never enjoy the benefits the gift may bring. Others receive gifts with grateful hearts. They embrace them and cherish them, as a result, their lives are changed. God gave us the most precious gift —His Son! If you neglect Him or reject Him, you will never know the benefits. Accept Him. Unwrap the mysteries that surround Him, by getting to know Him (reading the living Word and spending time with Him). Invite Him into your heart. Jesus gives us the gift of grace, peace and a more abundant life. Accept His gift and walk in it every moment of the day. Accept the wonderful gift of His Presence. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our L...

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV) Let us not trust in the temporary things of this world. Keep your confidence, trust and hope in the living God. He is above all else. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17 NKJV). In Him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). In Him, we have everything we need to enjoy a rich and fruitful life.

Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 (AMP) When it comes to God’s promises, we want to enjoy them to the fullest extent possible. In order to get there, the writer of Hebrews says we need to develop patient endurance, perseverance, a stick-to-it-ness. Patient endurance —not just waiting, but continually doing the will of God in all situations, without caving in or giving up. Thank God that His grace gives us the power and strength to successfully do that. Amen!

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. — James 3:13 (MSG) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10 NASB). So let us live wisely by walking in His ways and according to His Word. Live humbly in the Presence of God, with a heart full of gratitude. Live well, by fighting the good fight of faith and continuing to the end. Let’s enjoy the rich and satisfying life Jesus came to give us. (John 10:10 NLT). God has placed this rich and satisfying life inside of you. It is not in our external circumstances.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. — John 10:10 (NKJV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Walk in wisdom and don't fall into the enemy's traps. Ignore the noise of his distractions and focus on the voice of our Savior and Shepherd, who came that we may enjoy life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows (AMP)!

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. — 1 Chronicles 22:19a (NKJV) Now is the time, today is the day. Set your heart and soul (mind, will and emotions) to seek the LORD, our God! He is always there, waiting for us to acknowledge Him, and enjoy the pleasure and privilege of His Presence. When you open your eyes in the morning, let your first thought be of the God, who watched over you while you slept. Thank Him for His goodness, His grace and His brand new mercies. Seek God's will for your day and respond accordingly. Make place for Him, in your heart, today. He is able to perform all that concerns you! When we seek to fulfill God’s agenda in our lives, moment by moment, then the work of our hands will be prosperous and successful.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” — John 14:27 (NLT) My beloved, stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled (John 14:27 AMP). If you are preoccupied with the things of this world, don’t expect to experience the deep and lasting peace that only Jesus can give. If we accept the Lord’s gift, then we can enjoy the benefits inside. And we open the gift by abiding in His Presence. We maintain peace, by giving ALL our worries and cares to God, and keeping our eyes on Him for the answer, the solution and the deliverance. Amen!

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. — Psalm 37:3-4 (NKJV) I appreciate that this Scripture says to feed on “ His ” faithfulness because we know that the LORD is always faithful. Sometimes our faith may grow weak, but His, continuously stands strong for all eternity. As we daily enjoy the benefits of God’s everlasting faithfulness toward us, we learn to trust in and lean on Him, at all times. Delight yourself in the Presence of Almighty God and feed on His faithfulness forever.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” — Acts 3:6 (NKJV) We may not have the resources to help someone in need, but we can give them what we do have, Jesus the Christ, the Great Physician. He is the only hope for a lost and dying world. Let them know, Jesus came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 10:10 AMP). He was sent to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1). To comfort and console all who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:2-3). If any are sick among you, pray for them. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up (James 5:15).

The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  — Psalm 37:18-19 (NIV ) The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is right, and who speaks the truth from their heart, abide under the LORD's care. They will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. When disaster strikes, they do not wither, instead they grow stronger and stronger. Even though the world may experience lack and famine, God's children will have more than enough. Hallelujah!

Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. — 1 Timothy 6:17 (GW) Don't trust in the riches of this world. It is here one day and gone the next. Place your confidence in the living God! He is always with us. He is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth (Deut. 8:18) and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). May the God of hope fill you with His amazing peace and abiding joy as you trust in Him!