Manna for Your Morning

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. — Psalms 139:1-5 (NLT) You can fool some of the people some of the time. But you “ain’t” fooling God at any time. Yahweh sees the real you, inside and out, with no filters. We do not have to pretend with Him. He sees into our very heart. Not only does He see you, but He knows you better than you know yourself. He saw who He created you to be before you became you! Before you ever seen the light of day, the number of days He planned for you were already recorded in His book.” (See Psalms 139:16 TPT) And He loves you with an everlasting love.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways and thoughtfully reflect on your conduct! — Haggai 1:7 (AMP) The Word of God instructs us to examine ourselves. In Matthew 7:5 (NASB1995), Jesus says: “…first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Galatians 6:4 (NASB1995) says, each one must examine his own work… First Corinthians 11:28 says: a man must examine himself before partaking of communion. Don’t let the world woo you into following their wicked ways. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 NASB1995) Let us ensure that our words and actions are in alignment with the Holy Scriptures. We are to reflect the loving, and compassionate nature of our heavenly Father, at all times. Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] be...

Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands [in prayer] toward God in heaven; — Lamentations 3:40-41 (AMP) We tend to examine the lives of others and give unsolicited commentary. However, the Word of God tells us to examine ourselves. Second Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) says: Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! “Now your souls will be strengthened and healed if you hold steadfast to your faith…” (See 2 Corinthians 13:5 TPT) For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.” But you were not willing, (Isaiah 30:15 AMP). Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to Yahweh, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7 LSB)  ...

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Invite the LORD into every crevice and corner of your heart. Let Him examine each area and expose it to the light of His love. As His Presence inhabits more of your heart, anxious thoughts cease and peaces flows. He will soften and warm the cold, hard areas of your heart. Any bitterness will be turned to sweet. God will nurse the wounded parts and bring healing. He will restore the shattered broken pieces. Invite Him into those dark closets you hold under lock and key, and watch the wonderful work our God will do when we truly open our whole heart to Him.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. — Acts 17:11 (NKJV) May we, like the people of Berea, be open-minded to receive the Word with great eagerness, and examine the Scriptures daily. The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). The entrance of His Word gives light and understanding (Psalm 119:130). It strengthens us, and comforts us in any affliction. The Word of God gives us life (Psalm 119:50). His Word is settled in heaven and endures to all generations. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). May we delight ourselves in the Word of God.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NKJV) Let us examine our hearts. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (Romans 10:10a). Do you have great faith like the centurion who said to Jesus, “…but only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8). Or are you more like the disciples who panicked and awoke Jesus, in the midst of a storm. He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Jesus, in His compassion took care of both. Even if you had little faith in the past, it's not too late, faith is now. Faith is for the present time, today. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:26). “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

“I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” — Psalm 132:4-5 (NKJV) We make room in our lives for our favorite sports, T.V. shows, Starbuck runs, workouts, etc. Be sure to find a place for the LORD in your life. Make a home for Him in the chambers of your heart, where He will have preeminence, first place. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). Let us examine ourselves and see what or who has our hearts?

Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. — 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) In the parable of the lost son, the older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in to the celebration of the return of the prodigal son (Luke 15:28-30). Even though the older son stayed with his father and served him, while the younger son did his own thing, his heart was not with him. Likewise, we can be in church every week and still have a heart that is far from the heart of God. May we examine our hearts and make sure the affections of our hearts are in perfect alignment with the things that please our heavenly Father. Amen.

 “with God all things are possible.” — Mark 10:27 (NKJV) I think the words “with God” are the pivotal point in making this Scripture a reality in our lives. We need to examine ourselves and see if we are really with God, in spirit and in truth. When we are with God, we are led by His Holy Spirit within us and we bring our mind, will and emotions (soul) into alignment. When we are truly with God, the world around us fades away and we get caught up in the absolute awe of Who He is. Even though we are “busy, busy, busy,”  God is always the center focal point, around which everything else revolves. He captures our attention and we are fully engaged in our relationship with Him. As long as we are WITH God, yes, ALL things are possible!

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth his eyes examine them.  — Psalm 11:4 (NIV) The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the inward condition of the heart. His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9). God is constantly looking for those with hearts that are loyal to Him, so He can show Himself strong, on their behalf. Be fully committed!