Manna for Your Morning

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. — Psalms 63:1 (NASB1995) Sincerely seek the LORD our God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Because His lovingkindness is better than life, may our lips praise Him. Let us bless the LORD as long as we live and lift up our hands in His name. He satisfies our souls. Offer praises to Him with joyful lips. He is our help, and in the shadow of His wings we sing for joy. May our souls cling to Yahweh. His right hand upholds us. (See Psalms 63:3-5 & 7-8) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? — Psalms 42:1-2 (NASB1995)

A mind focused on the flesh is doomed to death, but a mind focused on the Spirit will find full life and complete peace. — Romans 8:6 (VOICE) May we be led by the Holy Spirit in our thoughts and actions. …for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. (Romans 8:13 AMP) “For no matter how hard they try, God finds no pleasure with those who are controlled by the flesh. But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit. And if you are not joined to the Spirit of the Anointed One, you are not of him.” (Romans 8:8-9 TPT) And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:2 NLT)

                                                                                                                              So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. — Romans 8:12-13 (AMP) If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit...

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! — 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB1995) Concerning this thorn, Paul says, three different times, he begged the Lord to take it away. And the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul adds: “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (See 2 Corinthians 12:8-9) What kinds of challenges may God be allowing in our lives to keep us from becoming prideful and arrogant? What prickly situation is calling for patience and perseverance? May we never think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. Everything we have, and all of our talents and abilities, we have received from Elohim, our Creator. And He imparts His grace to empower us and give us strength in the midst of our struggles.

Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; — Romans 8:6 (AMP) Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. (Romans 8:5 TPT) …the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Roman 8:7-8 NASB1995) However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Roman 8:9 NASB1995) Let us set our mind on things of the Spirit, and experience  life and peace. May we continually renew our minds with the Word of God, and walk closely with Yahweh.

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” — Matthew 26:41 (NASB1995) Temptation may come, but we do not have to enter into it. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NLT) In Genesis 4:7, the LORD said to Cain: “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” We must rule over the flesh. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (Galatians 5:16 NLT) …walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. (Galatians 5:16 AMP) It is the Spirit who gives life; the fle...

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.   — Romans 13:14 (NLT) Every morning we get up, we choose what clothes to wear on our physical body. However, let us also choose to spiritually clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord. The Passion Translation says to fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One… (Romans 13:14a) In other words, think His thoughts, speak His Word and do things His way. Instead of putting on the ways of this world or following the desires of our flesh, may we reflect the character and nature of our loving heavenly Father. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.   — Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. — Proverbs 19:21 (MSG) God has a perfect plan for each and every person. And Jesus gave His life to save us and empower us to fulfill it. The LORD has a good plan for each one of us. He created us with purpose and a glorious destiny. As we follow His Word and are led by His Holy Spirit, He will take us from one glory to another level of glory. When we let the devil or our flesh, lure us off the path that leads to everlasting life and a more abundant life here on earth,  we are making detours away from His good and perfect plan. But no matter where we are today and no matter what poor decisions we have made in the past, God will work everything together for good. Choose today, to follow God and serve Him only.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  — Galatians 5:16 (NLT) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (Romans 8:5-6 NASB) When we are habitually led by the Holy Spirit, we live a more abundant life and we have peace that surpasses understanding. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper and our Guide. Always be responsive to His guidance. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14 NLT)

“ Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. ” — Isaiah 60:1 (NASB) The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, the Light will shine on them. (Isaiah 9:2 AMP) So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 TPT) When we are led by the Holy Spirit in us and not by our flesh or the world, His light is shining brightly. As we do everything in love, forgive, make peace with others, the light of life in us, shines through. When Believers dwell together in unity our light shines even brighter. “ Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you! ” — Isaiah 60:1 (TPT)

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. — Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) The ways of this world and the feelings of our flesh go against God’s ways. The flesh is selfish and wants what it wants, when it wants it, but as children of God, we are not to live our lives in subjection to the world or our flesh. God’s ways are higher than our ways. Let us choose to be led by the Holy Spirit of God. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14 NLT) Going against the Spirit is like trying to walk against the wind. It's hard to go in the direction you want to go. When we walk in the direction of the wind, we find the ...

…a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  — 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a (NKJV)   In the Message Bible the Apostle Paul said, “I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.” May our limitations drive us to our knees and keep us from becoming proud. When we submit our lives to God, He will fill in the gaps where we fall short. When we can no longer deal with that difficult person or situation, His power and strength enables us to respond like our heavenly Father responds to us, with grace and lovingkindness. Don’t let the painful prick of the thorn distract you from the beauty of the rose, which is all the ...

But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired. — Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) We gain new strength as we put our hope and expectation in God and stay close to Him. Trying to force situations to go a certain way in the strength of our flesh leads to frustration, weariness and disappointment. Pray and ask God to reveal His will. As we wait on the LORD for His direction, He gives us new strength to continue on, in spite of the challenges we face. As we wait for the LORD to give us the insight, to provide the answer, and to show us the way, we will run and not become weary and we will walk and not grow tired.

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.

My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. — Psalm 84:2 (NKJV) Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah. — Psalm 84:4 (AMP) A single day in His courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10 NLT) No matter what life may bring our way, if we dwell in His presence, we can continue to praise the LORD. He is a living God! The tomb where Jesus was laid is empty, and He has gained the victory for us. Let us enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and come into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. — Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) Faith is to have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. We all have faith, Romans 12:3 says, God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. The key is where, what or who we invest our measure of faith in. Some have faith in their bank account or jobs, to answer all their problems. Others put faith in other people, but it is better trust in the Lord, than man. He is the only One who will always be there for you, never will He abandon you. Jesus is the answer to every problem or challenge before you. To get the highest and most beneficial rate of return on our faith we are to deposit it in the Son of God. By faith in Christ we conquer sin, sickness and disease. By faith in Jesus, we can have and enjoy the rich and satisfying life, He came to giv...

“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 (NKJV) Without a vision the people perish. In spite of the difficulties that arise, let us actively pursue the dreams God has placed inside of us. John 2:24-25 says, Jesus knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. Jesus knew everything about us and still gave His life to save us. Stop listening to the lies of the enemy and beating yourself up. God created you unique and extraordinary. You are of great value to Him. God calls us to come to a higher place in Him and His Spirit dwells in us to help us. The LORD has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Keep your dreams alive!

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... — Joshua 24:15 (NIV) Every day we make a decision to follow the LORD, the world, or our flesh. We choose to walk in the love and grace of God, with every action, and reaction. Let’s challenge ourselves to consistently make better choices. As we grow and mature, we can make better choices with the use of our time, our talents and our money. We can make better choices in the attitudes we display and the words we speak. Choose to speak positive, uplifting words of life. Praise God that He will do the amazing, spectacular things He does, but it is always our responsibility to make better choices. Choose wisely!

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. — Psalm 63:1 (NKJV) When we hunger and thirst for God, we shall be satisfied. Seek Him early, before you get caught up in the spiral of daily events. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail (Isaiah 58:11 NIV). As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2a NKJV)

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NLT) The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, to keep him from becoming proud. Three different times he begged the Lord to take it away and each time, the Lord directed Paul’s attention back to Himself. (2 Corinthians 12:7-8) We all have some thorny things in our lives that continue to prick us and make us uncomfortable. They constantly call for our attention. Sometimes we pay too much attention to our weaknesses, those things that consistently challenge us. That will cost us our peace and our joy. Instead, let us remember what the Lord said, (His grace is all we need), and shift our focus to the Lord. Then, His power is able to work in us and through us, to bring about God's perfect will in our lives. His grace strengthens us to be and do all that we are called to be and do. His grace gives us what we need to live a successful and fulfilled life. In His grace, we r...