Manna for Your Morning

“Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.” — Psalms 125:2 (NLT) In 2 Kings 6:15,17-18 (NLT), Elisha’s servant could only see the enemy troops surrounding the city, but Elisha prayed: “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.  You may feel that the enemy has you surrounded, but remember the words of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:16, “Don’t be afraid!” “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” May Yahweh open your eyes to see the situation with eyes of faith. GOD stands with you and gives you strength. He has already given us the victory. Praise the LORD!

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. — 1 John 2:16-17 (NASB1995) In Matthew 4:1, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. In Matthew 4:4 (NKJV), Jesus answered the devil by saying, “ It is written , ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” In response to the devil’s second temptation, Jesus said to him, “ It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” (See Matthew 4:7 NKJV) The third time, Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written , ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matthew 4:10 NKJV) “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” (Matthew 4:11 NLT)  Yeshua shows us that in times of te...

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 (NKJV) Never forget the goodness of our great God and all the wonderful ways He blesses His people. He is everything that we will ever need. He is a constant Companion and a Faithful Friend forever. He is our GPS, as He leads us and guides us along on the path of life. He is our Healer, and the One who makes us whole. He is our Champion; our battles belong to Him and He has given us the victory! Because of Jesus, we are more than conquerors, we overcome. The LORD is kind and compassionate, full of mercy and grace. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:10 NKJV) He delivered us out of the domain of darkness and brought us into His family. Oh what manner of love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! He loved us first and chose us bef...

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice,  in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD. — Hosea 2:19-20 (NKJV) In order to get to know someone on a deeper, more intimate level, we have to spend time with them. As we spend time with our heavenly Father, we become intimately acquainted with the power of His love and faithfulness. God wants a covenant relationship with us that lasts forever, not a contract that can be re-negotiated and dissolved. May we steadily grow in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; (Colossians 1:10b AMP) “ Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. ” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! — 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NLT) So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT). So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9 NLT). Fight the good fight of faith. Finish the race. Keep the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) In a world that is constantly changing, we have One that remains the same. Jesus is the good Shepherd (John 10:11); He is always good. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the answer to every challenge you face. Trust Him to show you the way. Jesus loved us so much He gave His life for us, and He still loves us today and will love us forever. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33) and we have the greater One dwelling inside of us. So we can be of good cheer because He has given us the victory!

But You, O Lord, remain and reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations. — Lamentations 5:19 (AMP) In a world that is constantly changing, our Lord remains the same. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). When everything else and everyone else lets you down, you can count on our loving Lord to be there for you. He is forgiving and faithful. And He remains the same forever! God’s reign continues throughout every generation; it will not be shaken. In Him, we are more than conquerors; we are victorious. Hallelujah!

For we live by believing and not by seeing. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) When what you see with your eyes, doesn’t line up with the Word of God, what are you going to believe? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The temporary distractions of the enemy are designed to cause doubt and fear in our hearts and minds. Let us live by believing God and His Word which lasts forever.

…God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are sad and humble. I give new life to those who are humble and to those whose hearts are broken.”  — Isaiah 57:15 (NCV) Our God is exalted on high and He is also a God who dwells with His people. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1 NIV). You are never out of His reach. He gives new life to those who humble themselves under His mighty hand. He restores crushed spirits and revives repentant hearts. “ I, even I, am He who comforts you… ”  Isaiah 51:12 (NKJV)

  Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. — Psalm 138:7-8 NLT) The LORD will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8 NKJV). Every day of your life was written in His book before you were even born (Psalm 139:16). He has thoughts of peace toward you and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV). Nothing can thwart the good plans the LORD has for you. He will not abandon the good work He is doing in you. He goes before you and follows you. He has placed His hand of blessing on your head (Psalm 139:5 NLT). Amen!

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever . — Psalm 125:1-2 (NLT) Whatever you go through today, remember, the LORD has you surrounded NOW and forever! He has you covered on every side. Psalm 5:12 (NLT) says, He blesses the godly and surrounds us  with His shield of love. He is our hiding place; He protects us from trouble and surrounds us with songs of victory (Psalm 32:7 NLT). In His care, we are surrounded and secure. Hallelujah & Amen!

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! — Psalm 107:1 (AMP) The Lord is good and He does good. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth (Exodus 34:6, AMP). He loves us with an everlasting love, a love never runs out on us. It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not (Lamentations 3:22, AMP). Keep your eyes on the Lord, for He will perfect that which concerns you; (Psalm 138:8, AMP)

Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations. — Psalm 135:13 (NKJV) Why do we place so much emphasis on things which are here today and gone tomorrow? These are the things the Apostle Paul counted as rubbish when it came to pursuing his relationship with Christ. (See Philippians 3:7-9) Don’t look at the troubles you see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen (God’s eternal love and mercy, etc.). For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT). Fellowship with our heavenly Father is the one thing that is above all and nothing in this world can take Him away from us. Amen!

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) Thank God for waking us up this morning, to live a life full of His grace. Praise God that His compassions never fail. Today we have received brand new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23). The LORD is our God, and we will praise Him; He is our God, we will exalt Him. Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His mercy endures forever (Psalm 118:28-29).

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” — John 14:1 (NKJV) Do not let your hearts be troubled, distressed or full of anxiety. In order to be kept in perfect peace we must believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Completely trust in and rely on our heavenly Father and our Savior. Our God is mighty and powerful and above all. He is above all of your circumstances. Everything we go through in this life has come to pass, but our God stands forever. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). And this is the victory that overcomes the world —our faith, our strong, immovable and fixed belief in God, the Father and the Son (1 John 5:4). Amen!

And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” — Luke 18:7-8 (NKJV) Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a widow who kept coming to him, to show that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, (Luke 18:1). Jesus ends this parable by asking if He will find faith when He comes. I believe He asks this question because it takes faith to keep persistently praying and standing on the Word when everything we see with our eyes and hear with our ears says otherwise. Remember, this is the temporary stuff that will pass away. God's Word however, stands forever and God cannot lie. Sometimes, speedily doesn't come quick enough, on our time clock, but we have to exercise our faith and believe God. He will bring about justice for His people, who cry out to him day and night. Always pray and neve...

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:25-26 (NKJV) Don’t put your confidence in what you can do merely with your flesh. Outwardly we are wearing out (2 Corinthians 4:16), but God remains forever, a faithful and firm foundation. Trust God and the power of His mighty Spirit at work in you. The battle belongs to the LORD and He has already won the victory!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.  — Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV) Weeping may last for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). If we don't have anything else, we can always rejoice about our salvation. We are saved! The devil can't touch this. Psalm 51:12 says, “ Restore to me the joy of Your salvation .” Give thanks to the LORD and sing praises to Him forever!

For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.  — Psalm 21:6 (NKJV) The privilege of just being in the LORD's Presence is a source of extreme joy. Psalm 16:11 says, in His presence is fullness of joy. We can have this joy and hold onto it all the days of our lives, because the LORD is always with us. Complete joy can fill our hearts because of our salvation. God chose us to fellowship with Him forever! We get to spend eternity in the Presence of our heavenly Father. That is indeed, something to rejoice about. It was the joy that was set before Him, that allowed Jesus to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Like everything else that comes from the Father, joy is a gift. He has given it unto us. We must open our hearts and minds to receive the gift of gladness and let it infiltrate our very beings.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  — Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV) Keep your eyes on the LORD, that's where your help comes from. Don't pay any attention to the smoke show of the enemy. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). We don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT). Hallelujah!