Manna for Your Morning

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness. I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” — Ruth 1:20-21 (AMP) Naomi was very bitter at the loss of her husband and sons, but look how Yahweh blessed her life in the end. (See Ruth 4:16-17) May we let no root of bitterness spring up in our hearts during difficult times of loss and grief. Also, don’t judge a matter before it’s time. Everything happens at the time appointed by GOD. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP) Yahweh eventually works all things together for good, not on our timetable but on His. Naomi didn’t look at ...

And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is Yahweh of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory.” — Isaiah 61:3 (LSB) Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty and majesty of His holiness [as the creator and source of holiness]. (Psalms 29:2 AMP) For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. (Psalms 103:11 AMP) Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; Holy is He. (Psalms 99:5 NASB1995) He is the only One we are to worship. We are to worship Him not only with our words, but also in our behavior, and with a genuine heart. In addition, we worship Him with our minds by having thoughts that honor and give Him glory. Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood; Indeed, Yahweh sits as King forever. Yahweh will give strength to His people; Yahweh will bless His people with peace. (Psalms 29:10-11 LSB) All the ends of the ...

In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. — Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV) With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. (Ephesians 4:17 NLT) Let us live as children of light. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NCV) In Luke 6:35-36 (NCV), Jesus said: “ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. ” As we live our lives in the light and love of Jesus, we will dr...

So Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground. After giving thanks, he took the seven bread loaves, broke them into pieces, and gave them to his disciples so they could hand them out to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He pronounced a blessing over the fish and told his disciples to hand them out as well. The crowd ate its fill. Seven sacks of leftovers were collected. There were well over four thousand at the meal… — Mark 8:6-9 (MSG) When Jesus gave thanks and pronounced a blessing over the little they had, the Father multiplied it and fed over 4,000 people. Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, may we thank God and pronounce a blessing over what He has already provided. Our heavenly Father is Jehovah-Jireh, our provider. And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 AMP)

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. — Matthew 15:34-36 (NKJV) When everyone was full and satisfied, they gathered up the leftovers. And from what was once seven loaves and a few fish, they filled seven baskets! There were four thousand men who ate the food Jesus multiplied, and even more including the women and children!  — Matthew 15:37-38 (TPT) When we are grateful and give thanks to God for what He has already provided, the windows of heaven are open to pour out more than enough, to meet the need. However, this miracle feeding of over 4,000 people began in the heart of Jesus, when He had compassion. In Matthew 15:32, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “ I have compassion on the multitude, because they ...

“Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.” — Philippians 4:4 (NCV) May we be like the Apostle Paul who said:  “...I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough.” (Philippians 4:12 NCV) We will maintain our joy when we refuse to be moved by external circumstances. Draw your joy from the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of you. Continually delight yourself in the Presence of the LORD and have an attitude of gratitude for all that He has done for you. “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (Philippians 4:13 MSG)

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! — Psalm 31:19  (NKJV) The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (Psalm 33:5b) Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:21) The goodness of God endures continually. (Psalm 52:1) I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) “My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:14) The LORD is good to all (Psalm 145:9). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life; and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6) Let us proclaim, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6 NKJV).

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) Let us be content regardless of the circumstances. Don't be moved or disturbed in difficult situations. Instead, trust God that He is able to bring you through whatever comes your way. He has equipped us for victory. We are more likely to live a fulfilling life when we seek our heavenly Father first, while passionately pursuing the purposes for which we were created. We are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house… (Psalm 36:8).

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,  doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. — Isaiah 55:10-11 (MSG) In 1 Kings 8:24, King Solomon says to the LORD, “You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.” God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34). He does not lie and He does not change. He fulfills every Word He has spoken. You have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36 AMP) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. — John 1:14 (NLT) Christ Jesus makes His home among His people. He dwells within us. He is full of unfailing love and faithfulness. That means that His love will never fail us. If everyone in your life deserts you, know that the Lord will stand by you. If you're not feeling loved by the Lord, then you have been listening to the lies of the enemy. Nothing will ever stop His flow of love to you. We do not have to earn His love. He loves us because it is who He is. No matter how you feel emotionally or how circumstances may appear, continue to rely on His love. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. (1 John 4:15 MSG) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (1 John 4:16 NIV)

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”  — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) First, Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons died. In Ruth 1:13, she said, “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!” Sometimes, our pain has a way of distorting our perspective of God. Despite the bitter life events you may face, remember that God is for you and He is with you. His Holy Spirit who dwells within us, is our comforter and helper. Naomi’s story is one of perseverance. Even though she returned to her home town empty, she had more than she realized. God was with her and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, stood by her side and listened to her instruction. As a result, Ruth married Boaz and bore a son, and Naomi was able to care for her grandchild. Then the women said to N...

Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. — John 21:3-6 (NKJV) The disciples went fishing and that night they caught nothing. But in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. Even though they had been fishing all night, when Jesus told them to cast their net, they followed His instruction. As a result, their net was so full, they had to drag it. John 21:11 says, it was full of large fish, not tiny, skimpy ones. We may feel like we have been toiling all night and catching nothing, not seeing the results we hoped for. However, when we continually follow Jesus and listen to His directions, He will lead us to more than enough and good success. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (causing lack and scarcity), but Jesus came that we may have and enjoy lif...

Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 (AMP) When it comes to God’s promises, we want to enjoy them to the fullest extent possible. In order to get there, the writer of Hebrews says we need to develop patient endurance, perseverance, a stick-to-it-ness. Patient endurance —not just waiting, but continually doing the will of God in all situations, without caving in or giving up. Thank God that His grace gives us the power and strength to successfully do that. Amen!

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). — John 10:10 AMP Two things we know about our enemy: he is a liar and a thief. Refuse to listen to his lies and don’t let him steal anything that your heavenly Father has given to you. He wants to rob you of joy and peace. He wants to lure your heart away from God. Close the door to the tricks and distractions of the enemy. Allow him to burglarize you no more. He will steal the present, with regrets about the past or worries about the future. Let’s enjoy life in the presence of our God, every breathing moment.

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) This is the day the LORD has made. Let us learn to be content and embrace the moment God has for us right now. May we enjoy the good God has made available to us and stop worrying about what we don't have. Face the challenges with the confidence that you can make it through anything and everything, as long as you stay in God.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. — Psalm 136:1 (NAS) A mouth full of giving thanks begins with a heart full of grateful appreciation for all that God has done and is doing in your life. Every good and 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). Let's be mindful of all the GOOD things we have to be thankful for!

  Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. — Hebrews 11:11(AMP) May we be full of faith, knowing with all of our hearts and minds that our God is true to His Word. He is absolutely reliable and totally trustworthy. He is faithful, even when we are not. Jesus said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Be certain that whatever you go through today, God is with you. His Presence with us, is mighty and powerful. With God on our side, all things are possible!

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. — Romans 5:3 (AMP) Regardless of any troubles and sufferings, we can be full of joy right now, knowing that patient endurance is the outcome. Patient endurance is what we need now, so that we will continue to do God’s will. Then we will receive all that He has promised (Hebrews 10:36 NLT). When our endurance is fully developed, we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:4 NLT). Therefore… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).

Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.” So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.” — 2 Kings 4:22-23 (NKJV) The son of the Shunammite woman had just sat in her lap and died, and yet she responds to her husband that “It is well.” What living hope, what blind faith, what reliance on God and His extravagant goodness. May we have the eyes to look at adverse circumstances, full of faith. Let us keep our hope alive, and anchored in the LORD, no matter how dead situations may appear to our natural eyes. And may we always trust in God and rely on Him to revive that which seems utterly hopeless. Blessed is the man or woman who trusts in the LORD! (Psalm 34:8)

Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. — Psalm 34:10 (MSG) Those who seek the LORD and His will, with all their heart, find Him and walk in His ways. They shall not lack any good thing. No matter how many troubles you face, the LORD comes to the rescue each time (Psalm 34:19, NLT). Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him (Psalm 34:8, MSG).