Manna for Your Morning

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. — Proverbs 16:9 (MSG) We plan and God directs. Listen carefully, those of you who make your plans and say, “We are traveling to this city in the next few days. We’ll stay there for one year while our business explodes and revenue is up.” The reality is you have no idea where your life will take you tomorrow. You are like a mist that appears one moment and then vanishes another. It would be best to say, “If it is the Lord’s will and we live long enough, we hope to do this project or pursue that dream.” (James 4:13-15 VOICE) Let us make the most of every opportunity the Lord gives us today, to glorify the name of Jesus and advance the Kingdom of God.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! — Psalm 8:9 (NASB) The great I AM, is the One true and living God. Blessed be the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Great and marvelous are His works. He set the sun, moon and stars in place. He knit each and every person together in the womb of their mother. He knows each person by name and knows the number of hairs on our head. God is intimately acquainted with all our ways. He desires continual fellowship with His children and wants us to reflect His glory on the earth. He created each one of us with a purpose and a good plan for our lives. He wrote all our days in His book before we drew our first breath. That means He has already gone into your future and made a way for you. Amen.

Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. — Mark 15:15 (NASB) Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd. Instead of trying to please people, may we seek to please our Creator. For He is our Maker and we are the people of His pasture. He created us with a plan and purpose. Let us stay on the path He set before us. He will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8) Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing. (Isaiah 58:11 TPT)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. — Genesis 50:20 (NLT) “For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NLT) People may plan evil against you but God will use those same plans for your good. When you endure hardship, the great and glorious outcome, is that the lives of countless people may be preserved. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. — Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. — Psalm 139:16 (NLT) Every moment of our lives matter because God took the time to record each day and lay our lives out moment by moment. He intentionally made all the delicate, inner parts of our bodies and knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He did this with purpose and His plan for our lives is good. Though our journey will take us through all kinds of seasons, we have a glorious destiny awaiting us. May we seek His will, as we plan our days and our lives. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.  (Psalm 33:11 NASB) Let us submit to the authority of God’s Word and be led by His Holy Spirit, in word and action, because every moment of life He gives us matter.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NASB) As it was in the days of Zerubbabel , so it is today. His Spirit is still at work in and through His people. We fulfill the purpose and plan God has for us, by His Spirit. It is not in our own power or might. As we rely on and draw our strength from the Spirit of God who dwells within us, the mountains before us will become molehills, and the stormy waves will become calm. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20 MSG) Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), and be led by His Spirit, in all that you do. “ Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not...

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) Every day of your life was written in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16) The LORD already has a solution for every situation that arises today. Our heavenly Father has a plan for your life. We can rejoice and be glad because it is a good plan. Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and His plan and purpose will prevail in your life. No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30 NLT)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. — Galatians 6:9 (NLT) We have an upward call of God on our lives. And no human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30 NLT) Keep pressing forward. In Hebrews 10:38 God says “… if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. ” Do not grow weary in well doing. Wait on the LORD and He will renew your strength. Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. — Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)

You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother’s body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old. — Psalm 139:13-16 (NCV) You are an amazing, unique creation of our Heavenly Father. When He wrote all of our days in His book, I don’t think He left any blank pages. He has a plan and purpose for every day of your life. God created us to worship Him, and love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Let us walk in the wisdom of His Word and be winners in life. God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), so we can overcome being victims, and walk in victory. We are more than conquerors! The enemy wants us to be poor and pitiful. But with God we are strong and m...

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) Whatever hardships we experience, we can know, without a doubt, that God will cause everything to work together for good to those who love God. The question is: Do we love God? True love for God means obeying his commands, and his commands don’t weigh us down as heavy burdens. (1 John 5:3 TPT) The second criteria for God to work everything together for good is to be called according to His plan and purpose. If we are doing what God called us to do,  we can be certain, ALL things will come together for good. So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. (Romans 8:28 T...

Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. — Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. (Proverbs 16:9 MSG) Let us respond to God’s will and do things His way, then we will experience good success. Once you have done your part, be patient, and let the power of God work in your situation. Things may not always make sense to us. that is why Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the LORD with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding. Circumstances may not be favorable or fair, but we have the Most High God working on our behalf. It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God. — Proverbs 16:20 (MSG)

Hosea put it well: I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living children.” — Romans 9:25-26 MSG Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “chosen of God,” They’d be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. (Romans 9:27-28 MSG)  God personally selected us to be called His living children. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Ephesians 1:4 NLT) He calls each one of us by name and He leads us, like a shepherd leads his sheep. (See John 10:3) In addition, He called us for a purpose. Beloved brothers and sisters, He has a wonderful plan for our lives. Don’t let the enemy keep you from fulfilling your purpose and livi...

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. — Habakkuk 1:2-3 (NKJV) Habakkuk 1:3 (NLT) says, “I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.” When strife and contention arises, let us continue to call upon the LORD and abide in His perfect peace. Check out the LORD’s reply to Habakkuk’s plea, “Look among the nations and watch— Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” (Habakkuk 1:5 NKJV) No matter how circumstances appear, may we remember that the LORD is doing a work in our midst, and He is faithful to complete it. The LORD's purpose and His plan will prevail. We have Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Savior of the world. “ Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, becau...

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:9-10 (NASB) In Jonah 1:1-3, the LORD told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah went and got on a ship going in the opposite direction, to Tarshish, to get away from the presence of the LORD. Many times we are like Jonah and go in the opposite direction from the way the LORD has instructed us to go. However, His kingdom comes each time a heart turns from following the ways of the world, or the will of the flesh and commits to doing His will. Instead of being like Jonah, let us follow after Jesus. Knowing what He was about to suffer, He said, “ Father, …nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. ” (Luke 22:42 NKJV) Our heavenly Father has a beautiful plan of an abundant and victorious life for each one of us. We just have to let Him show us the way.

Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. — Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) First, we need to have a plan and write it down. Where there is no vision, the people perish; (Proverbs 29:18a KJV). Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.” Then, if we want our plans to succeed, let us commit them to the LORD. A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. (Proverbs 16:9 AMP)  Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails . (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) Happy New Year!  May God crown your year with His goodness,  and your paths drip with abundance. ( Psalm 65:11)

‘Do not tremble nor be afraid [of the violent upheavals to come]; Have I not long ago proclaimed it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.’” — Isaiah 44:8 (AMP) Don't lose heart, be afraid, nor panic when trouble strikes. In spite of the violent upheavals, our God still reigns. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28 NKJV) It is God’s purpose and plan that will prevail (prove more powerful than opposing forces). Amen!

Seek and deeply long for the LORD and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually. — Psalm 105:4 (AMP) May the deepest cry and desire of our hearts be for the presence of Almighty God. In His Presence, we have access to His strength and power to overcome obstacles and triumph over the tricks of the enemy. In His Presence, we experience abiding peace that surpasses human comprehension and causes us to rise above earthly circumstances. In His Presence, His love, mercies and grace are generously poured into our hearts and made available for us to give to others. In  His Presence we are empowered to fulfill His wonderful purpose and plan for our lives. May we continually plug into His Presence.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) We may have to go through some stuff but our legacy, as children of God, is to conquer, overcome, persevere, and walk in victory. “ No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17 AMP) 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). Amen.

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. — Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) God has a purpose and a plan for every day that you are alive on the earth. Let there be no confusion, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6).  In Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) the LORD says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” May we continually seek God and His will for our lives and attend to what He reveals. Our Pastor is teaching us to “find God in everything and take Him everywhere.”

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NASB) Every day of your life was recorded in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16 NLT) Nothing that has happened in your life took Him by surprise. He has you here for such a time as this. The LORD is good, and He does good; (Psalm 119:68 NKJV). So we can rejoice, knowing that He has a plan for our lives and His plan is good. He woke you up this morning because He has a purpose and a destiny for you to fulfill today. Let go of the past, stop fretting the future and embrace the wonder of today.