Manna for Your Morning

For as rain and snow can’t go back once they’ve fallen, but soak into the ground and nourish the plants that grow, providing seed to the farmer and bread for the hungry, so it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, but it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined. — Isaiah 55:10-11 (VOICE) Acts 17:11 (NASB) says, the believers in Berea received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily… May we be open vessels to receive the Word of God and let it soak into the good soil of our hearts. It will nourish our spirits and restore life to us. Then we can feed a good Word to the hungry and hurting in our sphere. The Word of God cleanses and refreshes, and it stands forever. Amen. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. — Psalm 119:92-93 (NKJV)

But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. — Genesis 25:22 (NKJV) When Rebekah sensed a struggle between the babies in her womb, she inquired of the LORD and received the answer she sought. The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, but the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness. (Proverbs 15:14 AMP). Don’t feed on the foolishness of worldly advice. When you sense a struggle, inquire of the One who knows it all. As you encounter puzzling circumstances, seek answers from the LORD. When you experience uneasy feelings that all is not well, ask for revelation from our heavenly Father and continually examine His Word for understanding.

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” — Luke 1:45 (NIV) Blessed are those who believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises. By faith Sarah received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised (Hebrews 11:11). You too will receive strength to give birth to all that God has placed inside of you. No matter how impossible circumstances may appear, keep believing and trusting in our faithful God and you will not be disappointed. God is not a man, that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). He will fulfill every single promise. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) Whether in a line at the grocery store or sitting in traffic on the freeway, most of us do not like waiting. Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. During his time of waiting, he had to endure some things. May we also learn the art of patient endurance. Let us be patient in trouble, and keep on praying (Romans 12:12). The Message version says, don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Do what God instructs you to do and leave the rest to Him. He will bring it pass at the perfect time, its appointed time.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) I came across this quote by W.T. Purkiser, that really spoke to my heart: “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” It reminded me of something I once heard in a sermon, that the cemetery is full of unsung songs because many people die, never having sang the song, God placed inside of them. We are so blessed! Each one of us has his own gift from God. Do not neglect the gift that is in you. When we use our gifts to their full potential, we magnify God with thanksgiving and bring glory to His kingdom.  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. —Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. — Acts 17:11-12 (NKJV) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character (Acts 17:11, NIV). They listened eagerly to Apostle Paul’s message, then they searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed. When we hear the Word of God preached, may we also search the Scriptures daily, so that we may believe and know the truth. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mark 13:22).

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!

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. — Luke 9:10-11 (NKJV) First, we follow Jesus. He still receives the multitudes. No matter what you have done, Jesus receives you too! He never turns anyone away. His arms are always wide open to accept all who come to Him. Never listen to any voice that says something contrary. Jesus loves you and He cares. And He still heals those who are in need of healing. Praise the Lord!

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” — Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) Whatever God has done for us, let us be gracious and do the same for others. Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

...they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. — John 6:19-21 (NKJV) May we eagerly receive Jesus, just as the disciples willing received Him into their boat. Let us receive Him in our hearts, and in our homes. May we take Him into our workplace and everywhere we go. With Jesus in our boat we can be certain that we will ENDURE the storms of life and arrive safely at our desired destination. With Jesus near, there is no reason to fear. Amen!