Manna for Your Morning

Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. — Zechariah 9:12 (NLT) You may be feeling imprisoned by circumstances, by hopelessness, by the walls of your home, etc. Don't let the enemy hold you captive and steal your hope, peace and joy. Remember, Jesus was sent to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. (See Luke 4:18-19). May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. (Numbers 6:26 NLT) Jesus is our only hope. Walk in the freedom Jesus has provided for us and claim double for your trouble.

...casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB) Live free from worry by casting every care, concern, and all of your anxiety on the LORD, because He most definitely cares for you. Destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5). If a thought does not line up with the Word of God it has no place in the mind of a Believer. The LORD will accomplish what concerns you because His lovingkindness is everlasting; (Psalm 138:8) Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. — Psalm 55:22 (NASB)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) Lust seeks self-gratification. Love is other-focused, not self-centered. Jesus was beaten, shed His blood, gave His life and was resurrected, to save us and reconcile us back to the Father. He set us free from sin and made it possible for us to live an abundant life on earth and an eternal life in His Presence. As we decrease and let Jesus occupy every crevice of our heart, His love will shine brighter and brighter through each one of us and we, as children of God, can illuminate the world.  He must increase, but I must decrease. — John 3:30 (NASB)

“ …And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” — Matthew 28:20b (NLT) Jesus is Immanuel, “ God with us .” (Matthew 1:23). He is all we need. If we hunger and thirst, Jesus is the Bread of Life and the Living Water. When bound by lies and deception, Jesus is the truth that sets us free. In times of sickness, Jesus is the great Physician. And by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). When we are perplexed or confused, Jesus is the Way, follow Him. When anxious and fearful thoughts come, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In the midst of the battle, we can raise a banner of victory, because  victory belongs to the LORD! (Proverbs 21:31) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  (Colossians 2:6 NASB)

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good … Proverbs 16:20a (AMP) Don’t treat the Word of God, like a book of fairy tales. It’s not just another bedtime story. It is the truth that will set you free (John 8:32). It is life and power (Hebrews 4:12). It contains precious promises from God. Not one promise from God is empty of power ... (Luke 1:37a TPT). The Holy Bible is a love letter from our Heavenly Father, declaring His unfailing love for us. It’s a road map to navigate you through life successfully. Psalm 119:105 NLT says,  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  Have you ever tried to get somewhere you've never been before without using a guide? The Word is a weapon, the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus used it to triumph through His time of temptation (Luke 4:1-13), and we can too. Meditate on the Word. Let it renew your mind. Speak it out of your mouth, and stand victoriously. Jesus replied, “ But even more blesse...

...God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones. — Proverbs 2:6-8 (MSG) When we are loyally committed to the Lord, we pay special attention to Him, and we put Him first in everything we do and say. Faithful followers give careful attention to His Word, they treasure it in their hearts and do what it says. Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you. (Proverbs 2:6 TPT) He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right. (Proverbs 2:8 TPT) So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths. It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with ...

“I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings. There’s nothing left of your sins. Come back to me, come back. I’ve redeemed you.” — Isaiah 44:22 (MSG) Jesus endured the cross for us. He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12  NASB) Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. (Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Hallelujah! “ I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. ”  — Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)

Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked... — Mark 5:41-42 (NKJV) This little girl was dead and when Jesus said, “ Arise ,” she came back to life. We were once dead in our sin and Jesus said to us, “ Arise! ” He set us free and gave us new life! If you're discouraged, feeling down and defeated, Jesus says, arise! You are more than a conqueror. We were full of darkness, but now we have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Ephesians 5:8 ) He gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1 NKJV)

“ And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” — John 8:32 (NKJV) The truth will make you free, however, you have to know the truth before it can set you free. We grow in our knowledge of truth as we meditate in the Word of God, day and night. Joshua 1:8 says, this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, (Proverbs 23:23). Treasure His Word in your heart. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:5  NKJV)

“ Take a good look at my servant.     I’m backing him to the hilt. He’s the one I chose,     and I couldn’t be more pleased with him. I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.     He’ll set everything right among the nations. He won’t call attention to what he does     with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt     and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,     but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right. He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped     until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands     wait expectantly for his teaching. ”  — Isaiah 42:1-4 (MSG)  Jesus is Lord of all. Acknowledge His power, authority, and majesty. He is our mighty Advocate. We can trust in and rely on Him, the truly righteous One. With all that has gone wrong in the world, He’ll set everything righ...

We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. — 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (MSG) Let there be nothing between you and God. Only our Creator knows us better than we know ourselves. He formed us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) Open the door of your heart and let God enter those rooms that you have padlocked shut. Let His glory bring light to the dark areas. We become more and more like Him as we allow Him to enter the crevices of our hearts and perform His restoration project. He takes lives that have been seemingly reduced to rubble and transforms them into lives full of His beauty and glory, as we allow Him to work in us, and through us.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; — 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) We are God’s special people. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1 NIV) He called us out of darkness and into His light. He called us out of bondage, sin and death. Jesus set us free and put before us, the path that leads to everlasting life. He called us out of lack, to live a full, more abundant life. He called us out of discouragement and defeat. Instead of being a victim, we are called to success and victory! Whenever God pulls us out of something, it is to give us something even better. We are the generation God has chosen to be here now, for such a time as this. Let us proclaim the praises of God and invite others to live in the light of His extravagant love and grace.

You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. — 2 Samuel 22:29-30 (NIV) As followers of Christ and ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, let us advance and take territory for His kingdom. As a good soldier of Jesus Christ, let us not draw back, but continually seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We take ground for the Kingdom of God as we invade the darkness with His light and His love. We take ground for the Kingdom as we combat the forces of darkness with love, peace, and the Word of truth, that sets people free. “ Prepare your shields, and advance into battle! ” (Jeremiah 46:3 NLT) For the battle belongs to the LORD and He has given us the victory!

It is because of the LORD’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23 (AMP) It is because of the LORD’s lovingkindness that He woke us up this morning. There is a continual flow of His compassions toward us. Great is His faithfulness! Because the LORD's compassions are new every morning, we don’t have to dwell on the shortcomings of yesterday. Today, we get a clean slate. We can press on, making the most of every opportunity He gives us. Because of His lovingkindness, He gives us wisdom, when we ask for it, and guides us along on the best pathway for our lives (Psalm 32:8). Because of His lovingkindness, we are free to live in fullness of joy, love, and peace.

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. — Jeremiah 33:6 (NKJV) God desires for His people to be healthy and whole, in every area of our lives. “For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,” declares the LORD… (Jeremiah 30:17a NASB). He wants to show us peace and truth, so we can be set free by the truth and live in peace. Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. (3 John 2 AMP) Let us also seek the LORD for the healing of our land. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  — Hebrews 10:12 (NLT) On this Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who gave their all for our country and our freedom; those who sacrificed their lives. Let us also honor the One perfect sacrifice. Christ Jesus gave His all for our freedom. Isaiah 53:7 says, He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. He gave His life to set us free! He paid the penalty for our sins and triumphed over death. As the Message Bible says: “It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people.” (Hebrews 10:12) Jesus proclaims liberty to those held captive. (Isaiah 61:1) Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; (Isaiah 53:4a). He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Because He...

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind… — Job 38:1 (NKJV) Who do you call when your back is up against the wall? When you call upon the LORD, you can be confident, that He will answer. In the midst of your storm, listen for His still small voice. Isaiah 58:9 (NKJV) says: Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. (Psalm 118:5 NLT) The LORD says: ‘ Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV)

No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound. — Proverbs 3:25-26 (MSG) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, were bound and cast into a fiery furnace that was seven times hotter than usual. (Daniel 3:19-21). But the Son of God was with them in the midst of the fire and they were loosed (Daniel 3:25). When they came out of the fire, they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. (Daniel 3:27) Though we will have trouble in this world, we are to let the peace of God rule in our minds and hearts. Things may get a little hot for us, but God is with us and He will keep us safe and sound. And Jesus, our Savior, has set us free from any bondages of the enemy and given us the victory! Hallelujah and Amen!

“The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” — Ruth 2:12 (NKJV) May we all come and continually dwell in the shadow of the LORD’s wings. Come, not to seek a reward, but just to delight yourself in His Presence. Come with a sincere desire to know Him and be more like Him. Psalm 61:4 (NKJV) says, I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah. We can confidently trust in the protective shelter and absolute security of His wings. There is healing power, in His wings. In Malachi 4:2 (NLT) He says, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. As we fellowship with Him, we can experience emotional, physical and spiritual healing that truly sets us free and fills us with joy. Live your life under His wings and allow Him to carry you with the win...

But as for me, I will look expectantly for the LORD and with confidence in Him I will keep watch; I will wait [with confident expectation] for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. — Micah 7:7 (AMP) Out of my distress I called on the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me free (Psalm 118:5 AMP). When we reach out to God, He responds. When we call upon Him, He hears and answers. Don’t pray half-heartedly just to be going through the motions. When you pray expect great things of our great big God. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLT). ’Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ (Jeremiah 33:3 MSG)