Manna for Your Morning

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) Every good and perfect gift is from our heavenly Father— our family and friends, our freedom, good health, our time, our talents and our treasures. May we not prize our possessions, which are temporary, more than the blessing of His Presence, which is eternal. Let us set our hearts and our hope on the giver of the gifts: El Shaddai, the all-sufficient, all-bountiful, Almighty God. He is our source. And cherish Christ. Jesus is the greatest gift every given. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: (Psalm 103:1-2)

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. — 1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG) We are loved, chosen and accepted by the Creator of the universe. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love (Ephesians 1:4 MSG). God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5 NLT). Our enemy wants us to feel rejected, belittled, small and insignificant, etc. to keep us from speaking out about our great God and Father. But we are sons and daughters of Almighty God, and we have been chosen for a high calling. Just as Jesus said in Luke 2:49,...

“And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” — 1 Samuel 9:20 (NLT) Saul went to Samuel to inquire about his lost donkeys, but God brought him to that place, at that particular time for a greater purpose. In 1 Samuel 9:19 (NKJV), Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.” The next morning Samuel took a flask of oil, and anointed Saul as ruler over the Israelites. While you may be worried about the intricate details of your day-to-day life, God has a larger perspective. And He is more concerned with getting you prepared and in the proper position to go to the high place He has for you. It’s time to get out of the valley of decision. Press on through the wilderness and dwell in your land of promise. ...

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. — Ruth 1:16 (NLT) When Ruth chose to go with her mother-in-law, Naomi, she committed her life to God and His people. Ruth chose to leave the land of her birth, her family and all that she knew. Sometimes we have to let go of what we know and leave our comfort zone to venture with God into the unknown. When Ruth chose to go with Naomi, little did she know, that God had Boaz, in position to receive her as his wife. Because of her wise choice and commitment to God, she and her son Obed are listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5) What a destiny she would have never known if she would have turned back to the familiar. May we stay committed to the LORD and the call He has for our lives.

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. — Hebrews 11:7 (MSG) The Bible doesn’t say that Noah questioned God. He didn't inquire about the what, why, and when. It doesn’t say that Noah had to think about a convenient time to undertake the massive project God gave to him. He just acted in faith and obedience and as a result many lives were saved. God’s Word is the instruction manual for our lives. When we do as He directs us, it will mean salvation not only for us but for others. Acting in faith and obedience sets us free from the bondage of the enemy and gives us good success in life. The task God has given to you may seem to big of an undertaking, but if you just focus on the next step, God w...

“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” — 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5 NLT). God takes great delight in His children. He is a good Father and as any good father, He takes care of His children. He wants nothing but the best for us. If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him  (Matthew 7:11 AMP). Our heavenly Father is loving and faithful. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7).

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 much when it comes to worldly possessions, but we are rich in God. What we do have is a God who chose us before the foundations of the world, to be in Him and do the good works which He prepared beforehand. We have a gracious and merciful God who sets our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. We have a God who gave us a Savior, Jesus Christ, that we might dwell in His Presence forever. He adopted us into His family, and gave us His Holy Spirt to be our Helper. We have a God who says, “I am with you.” “The battle belongs to Me,” declares the LORD. He fights our battles for us. Let the poor say, “I am rich, indeed!” May we give a lost and hurting world what we do have, Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords! Now is the time to rise up and walk in the strength, and power of our great God.

My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! — Psalm 16:5-6 (MSG) God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV). He adopted us and brought us into His family. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,  incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, (1 Peter 1:4 NKJV). When the enemy tries to tell you that you are a nobody and you don't matter, know that you are a child of God, chosen and loved by the Creator of the universe. Make Him your first and only choice!

Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” — Psalm 35:27 (NKJV) Our Heavenly Father has pleasure in the prosperity of His people. Prosperity is a all around state of well-being. It encompasses peace, good health, success in relationships, family and business, as well as wealth. John 10:10 says, Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly. He desires that we always have all sufficiency in all things, so we can have an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. — 3 John 1:2 (NKJV)

But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation. — 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (AMP) God knows the gifts, talents and abilities He has given to each one of us. And He has arranged us so that we can function well together and fulfill His plan. Whatever tasks you perform in your workplace or business and wherever you fellowship at, be confident that you have been equipped to do what God has called you to do, in that place. You have an instrumental role to fulfill in your circle of influence, in your marriage, family and every other place God called you to. So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].  — Romans 12:5 (AMP)   Let's value our differences and do our part!

I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. — 2 Corinthians 7:4b (NKJV) The Apostle Paul was beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked, in perils (serious and immediate danger) of waters, in perils of robbers, his own countrymen, and the Gentiles, in perils in the city, the wilderness, and the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Yet, in all these things, the Apostle Paul says he was exceedingly joyful. This shows, that our joy is not a matter of having the right circumstances in our lives. Our joy comes from knowing Who our God is and that He is able. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Our joy comes from knowing who we are. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. He chose us and accepted us into His family. We can hold onto our joy, knowing that no matter what trials come, they will also pass, and God ...

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (NLT) Every day we make all kinds of choices: what to wear?, what to eat?, etc. But the most important choice we make daily is whether to walk with God, or go along with the ways of the world. Choose wisely. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s table and at the table of demons, too (1 Corinthians 10:21). Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). Choose today whom you will serve.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) In the world, people put themselves first and insist on having things their own way. Selfish ambition and vain conceit are often rewarded. However, in the family of God, we are to follow the ways of our heavenly Father. His ways are higher. In God's house, we humble ourselves and value others, just as Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Let us forget ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:4, The Message).

I will give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart. I will tell about all the miracles you have done. I will find joy and be glad about you. I will make music to praise your name, O Most High.  — Psalm 9:2 (GW) Sometimes joy evades us, we have to seek it out. Let us find joy in the simple blessings of life: roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs. Find joy in the love of family and friends. We take all these things for granted, yet there are many who lack these needful things. Most of all, we can take joy in God, our Savior. Rejoice that our God loves you and that His Son, Jesus Christ died for us that we may have eternal fellowship with our heavenly Father. Find joy and be glad for all the wonderful works the LORD has done in your midst!

I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. — Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV) God created the heavens and spread out the earth. He gives breath and spirit to all who walk the earth (Isaiah 42:5). Let’s not spend more time on facebook or in front of the television, than we do in fellowship with our heavenly Father. He is our constant Companion. Let’s not set aside the BEST, in search of something better. God gave us His best when He claimed us as His own, brought us into His family and lavished His love on us. May we give Him all the glory and praise, He is so worthy!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. — Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV) At one time, we lived in this world without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12), but now we have been brought near to the throne of God, by the blood of Christ. We have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. Jesus, loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5). Because of the blood of Jesus, God has adopted us into His family. What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! Now we can boldly enter the Most Holy Place and fellowship with our heavenly Father, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hallelujah!

And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the  LORD  gave Job twice as much as he had before. — Job 42:10 (NKJV) Job lost everything and greatly suffered with painful boils, all over his body. But Job persevered through the adversity and prayed for his friends, who had made many accusations against him. Then, God restored him. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part (Job 42:12). After his troubles, Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations (Job 42:16). In the midst of whatever circumstances come our way, may we remember to take our eyes off of ourselves and pray for our friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  — Psalm 115:14-15 (NIV) In order to flourish (grow, thrive, prosper) in life, we have to be planted in the house of God (Psalm 92:13). Let us not just drop by from time to time like visitors. Abide in the house of the LORD; dwell with Him like the child of God that you are. You are a member of the Father's family, you belong in His house! May the LORD richly bless you and your children, as you abide in Him!

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus . — Galatians 3:26 (NKJV) When we invited Jesus into our hearts, we received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:15-16). We are not outsiders looking in. We BELONG to the family of God. We are members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19) and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Don't let the enemy steal your identity by saying you are anything less!

 Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing. — 1 Peter 3:8-9 (GW) Let all who belong to the family of God, be of one mind and live in harmony and peace. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be sympathetic, kind and compassionate toward each other. Humbly put the needs of others ahead of your own. Let God avenge the wrongs that are done to you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called us to do, and He will bless us for our obedience.