Manna for Your Morning

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) … we are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18b AMP)  The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. (Proverbs 4:18 NASB) In God, the best is yet to come. Don't give up. For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. — Isaiah 64:4 (NASB)

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. — Ephesians 6:13-18 (MSG) When we clothe ourselves with the full armor of God, we are prepared and protected. Amen!

…all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. — Psalm 139:16 (MSG) God prepared all of our days and recorded them in His book, before we were even born. Each day is a gift from God, and is packaged with purpose and promise. The book of our lives, has many chapters and we go through many stages in life, but we have at least 3 things that are stable and constant. We have the Presence of God, His love for us and His Word. I am so thankful for the 55 years He has allowed me to live on this earth. No matter how old or how young you are, we can ALL praise God that our lives get better and better, as we allow His light to shine brighter and brighter in us and through us. Each one of us can see and reflect the glory of the Lord, as we are progressively being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to even more glory. Amen! Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts...

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. — Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV) God made you, uniquely you and He made you wonderful! His workmanship is marvelous. He sculpted you from nothing into something. Like an open book, He watched you grow from conception to birth; all the stages of your life were spread out before Him, the days of your life all prepared before you had even lived one day. (Psalm 139:14-16 MSG) God already knows what this day holds for you and He has prepared you to walk in victory. He goes before you and follows you. He places His hand of blessing on your head. (Psalm 139:5 NLT)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. — Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) Just as God had a set time for Jesus to be born to Mary and Joseph, He has a set time for you to walk in the fullness of what He has prepared for you, as His child. He is a faithful promise keeper. He fulfills every promise. In Isaiah 55:11 (NLT), He says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” The good plans the LORD has purposed for you will come to pass, in due time. Until then, keep fighting the good fight of faith, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2a)

“And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” — 1 Samuel 9:20 (NLT) Saul went to Samuel to inquire about his lost donkeys, but God brought him to that place, at that particular time for a greater purpose. In 1 Samuel 9:19 (NKJV), Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.” The next morning Samuel took a flask of oil, and anointed Saul as ruler over the Israelites. While you may be worried about the intricate details of your day-to-day life, God has a larger perspective. And He is more concerned with getting you prepared and in the proper position to go to the high place He has for you. It’s time to get out of the valley of decision. Press on through the wilderness and dwell in your land of promise. ...

“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.” — Exodus 23:20 (NLT) When we walk on the path the LORD has for us, He will lead us safely to the places He has called us to be. As we walk under the umbrella of His protection, we can remain in peace, knowing that He will guide us through every storm. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (Psalm 91:9-11 NIV). The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them (Psalm 34:7 NKJV). Amen.

He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.” — Genesis 41:52 (AMP) God gave Joseph dreams as a young boy, but Joseph had to persevere the pit and the prison before he progressed to the palace. Maybe what he went through in the pit and in the prison prepared him to be successful in the palace. Could it be that what you are going through is part of God’s plan for your dreams to be fulfilled? The adversities we face can very well be part of the process God will use to position us for fruitfulness and success. You will experience some troubles and uphill battles on the path of fulfilling your purpose, but rest assured that God can cause the land of your pain and suffering to be the exact place of your fruitfulness and success. Persevere and you will prevail to receive His precious promises. And just as Joseph’s success saved a nation, our favorable outcomes in life are designed to be a bless...

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. — Genesis 2:1 (NKJV) Just as the LORD God prepared a place for Adam and Eve, He has prepared a place for you. There is a mountain with your name on it. A place that you were destined to occupy, a place where you will thrive as you tend and keep it. And as you activate the gifts and talents God placed inside of you, others will be blessed also. Follow God and He will lead you to place He has for you. He will enable you to overtake the giants in the land, whether it is fear, doubt, etc.  You can recover all the enemy has stolen and occupy the place prepared for you. “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20 NIV)

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. — Luke 24:1 (NIV) The women prepared spices and fragrant oils for the body of Christ. Jesus is the Bridegroom and we, the church, are His bride. Every bride prepares herself for her groom. Are you preparing your heart, as a home for Jesus? Open the door of your heart and let His grace and mercy flood every room. Continual housecleaning is needed, to make sure it does not become cluttered with unforgiveness and bitterness. Toss out the rubbish of offense and envy. Let Christ occupy every area. Allow Him to fill the chambers of your heart with His love and His light, until it overflows and radiates out of the windows and onto those around you. When He resides in your heart, joy and peace fill the atmosphere, and compassion and kindness adorn the walls. Make your heart, a pleasant place for Christ to reside. Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and conti...

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!

You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. — Psalm 139:15-16 (MSG) Whatever stage of life you are in, be confident that God has prepared you for it and He will provide exactly what you need to get through it gracefully. He comprehends your path and your lying down, and is acquainted with all your ways (Psalm 139:3 NKJV). God is shaping you into a marvelous, awe-inspiring masterpiece. Let the Master Sculptor complete His perfect work in you.

 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” — Exodus 23:20 (NKJV) The LORD sent His Angel before the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and eventually, they took possession of the land God promised them. As we journey through this life, God’s Angel goes before us and empowers us to reach the place He has prepared for us, our land of promise. Don't grow weary, nor faint. March on with passion and purpose, fully pursuing all that God has for you. For the LORD gives His angels charge over those who make the LORD, their refuge and dwelling place, to keep them in all their ways. (Psalm 91:9,11)

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. — Acts 9:15 (NKJV) A vessel is a hollow container used to hold something. Just as Saul was chosen, you are vessel, chosen by God that His Holy Spirit may dwell in you. Without the Spirit of God living inside of us, we are all empty vessels. Before He formed you in the womb, the LORD knew you (Jeremiah 1:5). He created you on purpose and with a purpose. You are not a mistake and God has not forgotten about you. Let us be vessels for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. — Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) When we stay on the path God shows us, we can remain in peace knowing that He has planned and prepared the way for us. No matter how many obstacles you encounter, be confident that our heavenly Father has already navigated a way over or through each one. As long as we abide in Christ, we are living the good life, which God prearranged and made ready for us to live. Glory Hallelujah!

“When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” — Matthew 25:1-2 (GW) The five foolish bridesmaids didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, their lamps started going out. While the foolish bridesmaids were buying more oil, the groom arrived. The wise bridesmaids who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut. Let us be like the wise bridesmaids and be prepared to keep our lamps and hearts burning for the Lord! And stay alert because we don't know the day or the hour the Son of Man will come (Matthew 25:13).