Manna for Your Morning

Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, lies which their fathers followed.” — Amos 2:4 (NKJV) Listening to lies will lead us astray. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. He does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. (See John 8:44 NASB1995) Know the truth and the truth will make you free. In John 8:31-32 (NASB1995), Yeshua said: “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” May we listen to, learn and live according to the Word of God. For the LORD has magnified His word above all His name. (See Psalms 138:2 NKJV) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness... (See Isaiah 5:20 NASB1995) I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate You...

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. — Proverbs 4:23-27 (MSG) Watch over your heart. Be careful what you allow to enter your heart. If you let junk in, your life will be messy and cluttered with useless things. When you open the door of your heart to Jesus, the Living Word of God, you will experience freedom and a more abundant life. And those around you will be blessed as well. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (AMP) Who do you believe, the lies of the enemy or our Heavenly Father? The fruit of believing the enemy’s lies is anxiety, fear, and worry. When we believe God’s Word, it increases our faith, gives us strength and keeps us in peace. Faith is staying in agreement with what God says, not with our circumstances! (From You Version Bible Study by Gary Kesee) Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) says, “ Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. ” God’s Word is the most encouraging Word of all and it stands the test of time. Let us believe God will fulfill all that He has said. And continue to speak the Word of God, no matter what our circumstances look like. Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have no...

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. — Psalm 34:17-18 (MSG) Never believe the lies of the enemy. Our heavenly Father is faithful. He has not forgotten about you and He will never abandon you. He hears your cry and comes to your rescue. The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17 NLT) The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. — Psalm 18:2 (AMP)

If we were at home, I don’t think any of us would allow a robber to come in and just take what belongs to us and walk out the door. However, many people allow Satan to do just that. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. — John 10:10a (NKJV) The enemy's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He goes to and fro on the earth (Job 1:7). Don't think that he is not coming. First Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly. — John 10:10b (NKJV) Our heavenly Father has given us so many precious promises and perfect gifts, but we let the enemy come and bind us up with his lies, and take what belongs to us. The minute you believe one of his lies, he steals your joy. Believe another lie and he takes your peace. He continues to steal from us until he has killed our hope and our trust ...

I know that I will live to see the LORD's goodness in this present life. Trust in the LORD. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the LORD. — Psalm 27:13-14 (GNT) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NKJV) Instead of believing the lies of the enemy, set your mind on the Word of God and His goodness. His Word and truth are dependable as ever; (Psalm 119:90 MSG) If it feels like you're down in a pit and don't see a way out or imprisoned by the enemy’s lies, don’t despair. God is good. When you know the truth, the truth will set you free. Joseph had to go through the pit and the prison, but eventually God placed him in the palace. Have faith and trust God as you persevere the pit and the prison. And know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

... but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. — Daniel 11:32b (NKJV) If you want to know your God, focus on Christ. Make Him the center of your life and He will fill the other areas of your life. He is the firm foundation, and the Chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). He is our strength, in weakness. If you never admit you’re weak, you will never rely on His strength. His light pierces through the darkness and crumbles mountains. He is our joy, in sadness and grief. He is our peace, in times of trouble. He is our physician, in sickness. He is our truth, when lies and deception abound. He sets us free when the enemy binds us up. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! The sweetest name I know. He is our GPS when we don’t know which way to go. When we walk with Jesus, we have a constant Companion, an Advocate, a Comforter, a Healer, a Counselor and a faithful Friend. When we know Jesus, we know love. Know your God. Be strong! And carry out great exploits.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He responded with the Word of God and overcame the devil. (Mathew 4:4,7 & 10). Satan makes war with believers (Revelation 12:17) and he is constantly prowling about seeking whom he may devour. He only comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10). When he throws fiery darts at you, use the Word of God to combat his lies. A good soldier never goes into battle without his weapons, but how often does the devil catch us in battle and not wielding our weapon? The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), that allows us to triumph over our enemy. Speak the Word and continually hold up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:16)

But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:18 (NLT) It’s hard for many to understand the magnitude of God’s love because somebody we knew once told us they loved us, then turned around and hurt us with betrayal, lies, etc. The LORD doesn’t love the way flawed humanity loves. His ways are higher and His love is perfect. He forms a covenant that He is faithful to uphold. His love is always and forever. When our heavenly Father says He will never leave us, He means it. Even though we may stray away from Him, like the father of the prodigal son, He is always on the look out for us to come home. When we turn to Him, He runs to us with arms wide open, to embrace us and hold us close to Him. God gives His all for love. He gave His Son because He loved us and desired to fellowship with us now and forever. He only wants the best for us. We can rely on God’s unfailing love.

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. — Revelation 8:4 (NKJV) First Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) tells us to pray without ceasing. Our prayers go up before God, like a sweet smelling incense. “For the eyes of the LORD are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer)…” Never let adverse circumstances or lies of the enemy silence your voice to your heavenly Father. Cry out to Him day and night. Engage in a continual conversation with Abba Father. As Colossians 4:2 (NLT) says, devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. He is faithful answer, so wait with expectancy. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. (Psalm 143:1 NKJV)

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” — Revelation 4:11 (NLT) It was God’s will to create you. You are not a mistake or a piece of junk; those are lies of the enemy. It pleased God to create you. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). In him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (Acts 17:28 NLT), Psalm 8:4 says, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Never think for one minute that God has forgotten about you. He loves you and you are always on His mind.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. — James 4:7-8 (MSG) Say “no” to the devil and his lies. Don’t fall for his tricks, distractions and temptations. When we cry out to God, He hears us and comes to the rescue. Just as a loving parent listens for the cry of their child, our God loves and us and keeps watch over us. Say “yes” to God, His ways and His will. Resist the devil and submit to our heavenly Father. He only wants the best for you. And He is able able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” — John 4:42 (NKJV) At first many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the word of the woman who testified about Him. After they came to Him, and heard Him, they got to know Him for themselves. In order to believe in Him and totally trust Him, you have to know Him. You have to know that He is with you, and develop a personal relationship with Him. Know that He is a God who will never fail you. Two co-workers told me about Jesus, then I had my own experience with Him and continue to pursue a deeper more intimate relationship. When I was believing the lies of the enemy, He opened my eyes and showed me truth. When I was down, and turned to the Living Word, He lifted me up out of that pit of depression. When I get overwhelmed, He is my peace. When I was on my sick bed, feeling like I was going to die...

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.

Then 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) In Genesis 3, when the devil approached Eve, she began to question God and thus fell into the trap of the enemy. Satan tempted Jesus three times and each time, Jesus responded with “it is written,” and the devil left Him (Matthew 4:11). We overcome by the word of our testimony; respond to the enemy by speaking the Word of God. It is the sword of the Spirit and it’s alive and active. Confront the lies of the enemy, with the Word! Death and life are in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

When that day comes,” says the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. — Hosea 2:16,19 (NLT) The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy and when we do not place a high priority on getting to know our God, we assist the devil in our own destruction. Hosea 4:6 (NLT) says, “my people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” When we don't know the unfailing love and deep compassion God has for us, we are more likely to believe the lies of the enemy. God wants our relationship with Him to have the deep intimacy that exists between a husband and wife. Set your affections on God and spend time with Him. Our strength and faith comes as our hearts and minds connect with His.

Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. — Psalm 106:44-45 (NIV) Even though the Israelites forgot God their Savior (Psalm 106:21) and did not believe His word (Psalm 106:24), He was still merciful and compassionate toward them. Psalm 106:43 says, many times He delivered them. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy, when you miss the mark. God takes note of your distress. He still loves you and He still has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:22 NIV). When you fall, repent, get back up and keep fighting the good fight of faith. Nothing can separate us from His great love!

I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. — Psalm 85:8 (NKJV) Listen carefully to what the LORD speaks. Turn a deaf ear to the noise of other voices. The enemy speaks lies, but our God is full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15). He speaks peace and love to His people. He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:14). He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go (Psalm 32:8). Listen to Him!

O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? — Psalm 10:1 (NLT) When we are in the midst of troubles, the enemy would have us believe that the LORD is no where around, but do not believe his lies. When we are overcome with life's difficulties, it is the LORD, who carries us through them. During the Israelites 40 years in the desert, they often felt abandoned, but the LORD provided everything they needed and brought them safely to the promised land. When you are overwhelmed with all that life brings your way, rest in the arms of the LORD and He shall renew your strength and carry you through.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. —Psalm 18:18 (NKJV) When confronted with anything that is contrary to God’s Word, pull out your sword of the Spirit, (which is the word of God) and use it. Declare the Word in the face of the enemy’s lies. As for God, His way is perfect and His word is proven (Psalm 18:30a). It is the truth that will set you free, free from sickness, free from lack, free from whatever has you bound. Isaiah 59:19 says, when the enemy comes in like a flood,
 the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. That standard is His Word. When we believe it in our hearts and speak it out of our mouths, His Word is alive and active in our lives and opens the door for God’s will to done on the earth, as it is in heaven.