Manna for Your Morning

The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. — Luke 8:14 (AMP) May we have ears that hear and minds that understand the Word of God. May Yahweh open our eyes to see the wonderful truths in His instructions. (See Psalms 119:18 NLT) Let us treasure His Word in our hearts, that we may not sin against Him. (See Psalms 119:11) Never allow the cares of this life, nor fleeting pleasures, nor the desire for worldly riches to choke the living Word out of you. Trust God and be anxious for nothing. But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15 AMP) Patience is required because it takes time for seeds to grow into maturity and produce fruit. Hold firmly to the word of life, so that you may rejoice i...

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. — Luke 21:34 (NKJV) Don’t let the cares of this world distract you and choke the living Word out of you. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. (Luke 8:14 NLT) These people let the enemy steal the Word away from them and therefore, it does not bear any fruit in their lives. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV) As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, let us stay mission-minded and bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” — Matthew 17:5 (NKJV) There are many voices that go out into the world today. There is the voice of the medical professional with the bad report, but hear the Word, by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus is the great Physician. There is the voice of Scribes and Pharisees (religious people) who focus on rules and regulations instead of a personal relationship with the lord of Lord and the King of kings. There are the voices of the the news reporters, who speak gloom and doom, but in the Kingdom of God we have the Good News. May we have ears to hear Jesus, the Living Word. Jesus said: “ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. ” (John 16:33 NKJV) Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and h...

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. — Luke 2:15-16 (NKJV) Jesus calls each and every person to come to Him. May we be like the shepherds, and make haste everyday, to come to Jesus. They did not take any detours, they made their way straight to Him. Let there be a sense of urgency to seek His face and His will for your life. Make Him your first priority. May we look to Jesus, the Living Word, for the answers to the challenges we face. When we allow all of our earthly concerns to operate within and through our relationship with Christ, He gives us the direction and guidance we need to live a successful and victorious life. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first...

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” — Matthew 21:9-10 (NKJV) Let us be moved by JESUS, the living Word that was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1) He is the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) King of kings and Lord of lords! Be moved by His body, that was bruised and beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Be moved by the blood that trickled down the wooden cross; the blood that washes away our sins. (Matthew 26:28) Be moved by the statement Jesus made from the cross when He said, “ It is finished! ” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) In Him, we have already won the victory over sin and death. In Him, we have already overcome the world. Be moved by His tomb, that was found empty. He ...

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while”—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat. — Mark 6:31 (AMP) Have you ever been so busy you forgot to eat? If we forget to take in nutrition for our physical bodies, how often do we neglect to feed our spiritual beings with the Word of God? Jesus is the Living Word and He often withdrew from the crowds to spend time with the Father. Even God took a day of rest. Sometimes we have frantic, non-stop schedules and wonder why we have no peace. That's because Satan can use busyness as a tool to keep us drifting further away from God. Constantly being plugged into electronic devices will place demands on our time and energy 24 hours a day, if we let them.  May we maintain a proper balance between work, rest and play. Always take time to rest and spend quiet moments with God and in His Word. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the...

  casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) The worries of this world will choke the living Word right out of you and replace it with anxiety and fear. Instead, cast all your cares on the Lord. Don't believe the lies of the enemy, our heavenly Father deeply cares about you. No parent wants to see their child struggle under the weight of a heavy burden they were never meant to carry. In Hebrews 2:6 (AMP), the LORD is asked, “What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You graciously care for him?” His thoughts about you are more than can be numbered (Psalm 40:5). Cast all your cares on the LORD and know that He will take care of you.

There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved. — Luke 21:17-19 (MSG) Stand firm on your faith in Jesus, the living Word. Let us stay submitted to His will and His ways, knowing that He is able to take care of everything that concerns us. Our endurance will make the difference between being poor and pitiful or richly satisfied with all things that pertain to life and godliness. Holding onto our faith will take us from being weak and weary to being strong and being continually refreshed and made new. Instead of being victims of circumstances, we will be victorious overcomers. Instead of losing, we will win, in the eternal realm! Instead of being sorry, we will be saved! May we be courageous and remain confident in Christ and all He has done for us.

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...

Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. — John 2:7 (NKJV) Jesus told the servants at this wedding to fill the waterpots with water because they ran out of wine. The servants didn’t know what was happening, they simply followed the instructions of Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” (John 2:8). The Master of feast declared that it was not just wine, but good wine! As we faithfully fill our waterpots, cups, jars or containers, with the living water, Jesus will provide whatever we lack: peace, joy, love, strength, wisdom, etc. Let us fill our hearts and minds with the Living Word and our mouths with His praises and thanksgiving. He will fill in the gaps and our lives will be better and more fulfilled than ever. We may not always understand what is happening, but we know that He is working for our good.

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” — Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV) In Matthew 3:13, John the Baptist realized, he needed to be baptized by Jesus. In Matthew 3:16, he witnessed the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descend like a dove on Jesus. In Matthew 3:17, He heard God’s voice from heaven, say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” However, as he sat in prison, he lost confidence and began to question if Jesus really was the One. Don't let the disappointments and difficulties you face in life, cause you to doubt or get discouraged. Never put a question mark where God put a period. God said, Jesus is the One. Jesus is the way. Follow Him. Jesus is the truth, the living Word. Believe Him. Jesus is the life, one of everlasting peace, and abundant joy.

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — John 6:67-69 (NKJV) Jesus is the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:9). He is the Living Word and the Bread of Life, the very source of our strength. Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...(Philippians 2:9-10). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus is the answer. Why seek any other?

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me; — Psalm 119:92-94a (NAS) In the midst of troubles and afflictions, may we delight in His statutes and not forget His word (Psalm 119:16). God’s Word gives us life and revives us. The living Word of God is the sword that pierces the darkness and allows light to come flooding in, bringing hope, peace and joy. The LORD saves us from our distress. He sends out His word and heals us (Psalm 107:19b-20). Amen!

In the words of Joyce Meyer, “You don't have to live a weak, wimpy life in Jesus.” Instead of whining, murmuring, and complaining, declare the living Word of God over your life:  “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”  — Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!  — Psalm 107:20-21 (NKJV) Don't claim your sickness. Claim your healing! God sent Jesus, the Living Word, and by His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24).  Proverbs 4:21-22 instructs us to pay attention to the words of wisdom because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. Jesus is the Great Physician, His Words are wisdom. He heals ALL our diseases (Psalm 103:3)! In Jeremiah 30:17, the LORD says, ‘I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.’ Praise the Lord for His wonderful works!

Martha was upset about all the work she had to do. So she asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.”  — Luke 10:40-42 (GW) Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what He said, while Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Don't get distracted with the things of this world. Stay focused on the main thing. Jesus said there is only one essential thing and Mary made the right choice. Choose Jesus, the Living Word!

 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  — Mark 6:31 (NIV) Sometimes we need to go to a quiet place by ourselves, so we can spend time with Jesus and rest. Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, however, something special happens when we set aside all distractions and give our undivided attention to the Lord, the Living Word, the Bread of Life. Daily draw near to God, and you will find strength to face the day.