Manna for Your Morning

  we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.   — 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NASB1995) Yesterday, my ninety-one year old mother, went to her real home with the Lord. He has  wiped away every tear from her eyes, and released her from a tired body racked with pain and suffering. I’m sure she heard the words: “ Well done, thou good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord .” Today, I am reminded of the words Yeshua spoke to Martha in John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,” Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them]. (Psalms 116:15 AMP) The Spirit of God has made us, and the breath of the Almighty gives us life. (See Job 33:4) We are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (See James 4:14) But HOW we live matters, live well and close to our Heave...

I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed  me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place. — Psalm 31:6-8 (NLT) How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. (Psalm 31:19 NLT) Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:23-24 NKJV)

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:11 (MSG) Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:23-24 NKJV) Hope in the LORD continually and praise Him more and more (Psalm 71:14) Your hope will not be cut off. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19a NLT)  It will keep you from being tossed to and fro by the storms of life. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT)  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13  (NLT)

For from days of old no one has heard, nor has ear perceived, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and acts in behalf of the one who [gladly] waits for Him. — Isaiah 64:4 (AMP) Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. (Psalm 37:7) Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14) Our walk with the Lord is not a do-it-yourself project. Let us wait patiently, with gladness of heart and full of confidence that our God will work everything together for good. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. — Psalm 62:5 (NKJV)

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the LORD will be exalted and safe. (Proverbs 29:25 AMP) Worship instead of worry. Faith over fear. Make His Presence and praising Him your highest priority. We enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King! (Psalm 89:15-18 MSG)

For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! — Isaiah 64:4  (NLT) When you have done all you can do, wait patiently for God to act on your behalf. Wait with great expectation of the mighty work He will do in your midst. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14 NKJV) Instead of worrying about “when” and “how” while you wait, worship Him. The LORD favors those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], those who wait for His mercy and lovingkindness. (Psalm 147:11 AMP) Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (Psalm 62:5 NLT)

They will fight against you, but they will not [ultimately] prevail over you, for I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you,” says the LORD. — Jeremiah 1:19 (AMP) The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6) When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19b) With us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles. The battle belongs to the LORD and He has already won. Hallelujah and amen! Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God is with you.

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— the very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.” — Isaiah 30:15-17 (MSG) Let us turn to God, and rely on Him for all that we need, not only for our salvation, but with each and every day we live on the earth. He gives us the strength to do what He has called us to do. He provides the resources we need, at the time that we need them. He doesn't expect us to do it alone, He is our helper and guide. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV)

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope… — 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 (AMP) The Message Bible says, “It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us?” (2 Corinthians 5:7-8a) Let us live by faith, with our speech and our steps consistent with what we say we believe. Walk confidently believing in our God and in His goodness. He will work everything together for good, in your life. Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. — 1 Samuel 1:10 (NKJV) Hannah was sorrowful because she was not able to bear children. In her great distress, she poured out her soul before the LORD (1 Samuel 1:15). When we are in distress it’s best to go to the LORD, and cast our cares upon Him. First Samuel 1:19 says the LORD remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:20) Whatever you have asked of the LORD, whatever you have poured your soul out to Him about, know that He has not forgotten you. In the the process of time, the desires of your heart will come forth. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14) I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. (Psalm 130:5)

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. — Isaiah 40:29-31 (MSG) We get fresh strength as we wait upon the LORD. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14 NKJV) The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25) Blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:18) I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. (Psalm 130:5)

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. — Proverbs 23:18 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23 NIV). And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us...  (Romans 5:5a NLT). Let us continually look to our heavenly Father, full of expectation and hope, for our help comes from the LORD. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:24 NKJV).

Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes. — Psalm 37:7 (GW) When you have done all you can do, and you have no more words to utter in prayer, wait patiently and with great expectation on the LORD. Wait with hope for the LORD, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it (Psalm 37:34 GW). Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14 NKJV)

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV) The Message Bible says: Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God (Psalm 27:14). Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go (Psalm 16:8 MSG). The only good and lasting thing we have is our unconditional love relationship with the LORD. Pursue a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him and you will always have the strength to face another day.

Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God.” — 1 Chronicles 29:1 (NKJV) Just as God chose Solomon, He chose you. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Consider everything God puts on your heart to do, a great work. Though others may enjoy the benefit of your labor, do your work unto the Lord and for His kingdom. You may feel inexperienced, but our heavenly Father always prepares us for each step. So be strong and of good courage, and do the great work God has called you to!

Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight. — 1 Chronicles 19:13 (NKJV) Wikipedia says courage is the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. In God, we can be of good courage because we know He is able to conquer all that concerns us. Let us be strong for other believers; encourage one another and build each other up. May we work together in love and unity to take our cities for God! Our God is good and He will always do what is good in His sight. Amen!

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV) Remain confident that you will see the goodness of the LORD, while you are here in the land of the living. As you face difficulties and trials of all kinds, know that the LORD will strengthen your heart. Be of good courage and have great expectation to continually experience the goodness of our awesome God!

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Whatever we go through today, all we really need to remember is that God is with us and He has already gone before us and made a way. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Praise the LORD!

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” — Exodus 32:1 (NKJV) When Moses was delayed the Israelites quickly turned aside from the way of the LORD and made themselves a molded calf, worshiped it and sacrificed to it (Exodus 32:8). How do you handle delays? Isaiah 30:18 says, blessed are those who wait for the LORD. How are we to wait? Psalm 37:7 says to wait patiently for Him. Whenever you don’t know what to do, wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)

And I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they shall know [from personal experience] that I am the Lord their God, Who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God . — Exodus 29:45-46 (AMP) Just as God dwelt among the Israelites, He still dwells in the midst of His people today. We are to know our God through personal experience. And know that He is great! With our mighty God on our side, who or what can stand against us? He brings us out of whatever tries to hold us captive. Be strong and of good courage. For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods! (Psalm 135:5)