Manna for Your Morning

“And since we now have a magnificent High Priest to welcome us into God’s house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity, and we have been freed from an accusing conscience. Now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!” — Hebrews 10:21-22 (TPT) Being united with God is our highest good. (See Psalms 73:28 GW) Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP) In Matthew 15:8 (NKJV), Yeshua says: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Let us draw near to the throne of our graciou...

“ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ” — Matthew 7:24-25 (NASB) May we build our lives on the solid rock. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? (Psalm 18:31 NLT) God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life. (Psalm 62:1-2 MSG) Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” — Isaiah 28:16 (NASB)

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”  — Luke 5:18-20 (MSG) Bold belief is compassionate enough to carry those who cannot walk on their own. Bold belief makes a way to set others in front of Jesus. Bold belief doesn't turn back when met with difficulties, but presses in, and overcomes obstacles. As a result, lives are changed for all of eternity. Bold belief is love in action. May we exercise bold belief in our daily affairs. …the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NKJV)

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. — Matthew 12:25 (NKJV) If America (or any other country), doesn’t come together in unity we will fall. It all starts with the Church, the body of Christ. Believers are to unite in a bond of brotherhood, coming together under the banner of Jesus, as citizens of God’s kingdom. When others dish out hate we are to pile on love. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions. (Proverbs 10:12 NASB) Let us pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). James 3:9-10 (NLT) has this to say about the tongue: Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Be gracious in your sp...

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. — Luke 19:5-6 (NKJV) Joyfully welcome Jesus into every area of your life. Don’t confine Him to your Sunday morning. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). He will be with you in the fire and in the storm. When you fall into a pit, it will be His hand that reaches down and pulls you out. He will set your feet on solid ground (Psalm 40:2). He will turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). Jesus alone is our hope. He is our joy and our peace. Jesus is the very source of our strength. In Him and because of Him, we have the victory! Receive Him with a joyful heart.

It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; — Proverbs 24:3 (MSG) Exercise wisdom by seeking the face of God and keeping your ear open to hear His voice. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). By understanding and following the living Word of God, your life will be set on a firm foundation that will not be moved by heavy winds or floodwaters.  When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.  (Proverbs 10:25 NKJV) …knowledge, and wisdom for your soul— Get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock. (Proverbs 24:14 MSG) …and in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV).

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. — Psalm 27:4 (NKJV) Love the LORD  your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind… (Luke 10:27). And be fully committed to Him for the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT). It is good for us to draw near to God. (Psalm 73:28) When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us… — 1 John 4:17 (MSG) If we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! (1 John 4:12 MSG). Let the love of God be fully formed in you by taking up permanent residence in Him and allowing Him full access to every area of your life. As we open our hearts to God, the flow of His love from us to others will be constant. When people say or do something that offends us, we are able to respond with the love that God has poured into our hearts. It's God's amazing love that heals our hurts and strengthens our spirits. It's His perfect love that brings unity to the family of believers and draws unbelievers closer to Him. The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both (1 John 4:21 MSG).

LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. — Psalm 26:8 (NKJV) In the secret place where the glory of the LORD dwells, there is everlasting life, abiding peace and an extravagant love that never ends. In His Presence, there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. His marvelous light shines brightly, in His holy habitation. It illuminates our darkness and guides us along on the path of life. One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple (Psalm 27:4).

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. — Psalm 18:2 (AMP) The LORD is my Rock. When we build our lives on God, we are building on solid ground. When we stand on His Word, we have a firm foundation. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus said “…whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” When you build on the Rock you will have a home that withstands the storms of life and a God that never fails you. Build on anything else, and it's like building on sinking sand. The castle which you erect will crumble and fall down, in the midst of the storm.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) When the wise men found Jesus, they went into the house and worshiped Him. Don’t be an outsider, looking in. Eliminate the barriers and draw near to Jesus. Our heavenly Father adopted us and brought us into His family as His beloved children. Come in and worship the King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. — Psalm 84:4 (AMP) God adopted us into His family. As children of God, we belong in His house. We are no longer outsiders. 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). If you are on the outside, looking in, get back in the house of the LORD. Abiding in His Presence gives us reason to sing His praises! One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life...(Psalm 2:4).

And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God...  — 1 Kings 5:5 (NKJV) God prepared in advance, good works for us to do. What are you building for the LORD? For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). King Solomon purposed in his heart to build God a house. Be a contributing member of God's labor force. Purpose in your heart to do a good work, prepare and persevere. Let's rise up and build!  Why? To leave a legacy for our children’s children, to give glory to God, and to show the lost there is a place where they belong!

My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! — Psalm 16:5-6 (MSG) God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV). He adopted us and brought us into His family. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,  incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, (1 Peter 1:4 NKJV). When the enemy tries to tell you that you are a nobody and you don't matter, know that you are a child of God, chosen and loved by the Creator of the universe. Make Him your first and only choice!

Jesus said, “ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock ” ( Luke 6:47-48, NKJV ). But everyone who hears the words of Jesus and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sinking sand. If you are building on sinking sand, the moment floodwaters rise, what you have built will collapse into a heap of ruins. However, if you build on the solid Rock, what you’re building will not be shaken, when the storms of life hit.  For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? — Psalm 18:31 (NLT)

 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” — Luke 18:29-30 (NKJV) Whatever we considered as gains, let us now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:7-8, NIV). God has plans for our good, not just in the eternal world, but also here on this earth. Give all that your are and all that you have to Him and trust that you will receive much more in your lifetime, as you seek first His kingdom.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. — Luke 19:5-6 (NKJV) Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way (Luke 19:3-4). What kind of action are we taking to ensure that we can see the Lord? Let's not fall short when it comes to seeking God. Jesus does reside in our house, our physical bodies. Welcome Him into every room, with great joy and excitement. What a privilege to have His Spirit dwelling inside of us. Amen!

Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;  — Proverbs 24:3 (NKJV) It takes wisdom to build a house on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. He is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6). We have to dig deep into the Word of God and gain understanding, then we are able to establish our house on the solid rock of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And when the storms of life come, the floodwaters beat vehemently against the house, but it stands firm because it is well built. The house will not crumble or be washed away because it has a good, strong foundation (Luke 6:48).

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, — Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV) As children of God, our heavenly Father wants us to dwell in His house. He wants to spend time with us. Don't be like the prodigal son and leave the Father’s house in search of something better, only to find there is nothing. There is no greater love, no greater peace or no greater joy, than what the Father has for us, in Jesus. We go out to the world each day to perform our God given assignments and to bring back the lost, downcast and broken, that we find along the way. But never forget where you live, where you belong Child of God...in your Father's house!

May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  — Psalm 115:14-15 (NIV) In order to flourish (grow, thrive, prosper) in life, we have to be planted in the house of God (Psalm 92:13). Let us not just drop by from time to time like visitors. Abide in the house of the LORD; dwell with Him like the child of God that you are. You are a member of the Father's family, you belong in His house! May the LORD richly bless you and your children, as you abide in Him!