Manna for Your Morning

The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name. All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.” — Isaiah 65:1-2 (NLT) Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. (Isaiah 59:1 NLT) The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (Psalms 91:14-16 NLT) O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalms 86:5 NLT) Ask for His help today. His arms are open and He is ready to draw you closer to Him.

The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name. All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.  — Isaiah 65:1-2 (NLT) When you ask for Yahweh’s help, He is ready to respond. When you seek Him, you will find Him. (See Jeremiah 29:13) His arms are open to receive you. Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. (Proverbs 4:14 NLT) Instead, stay within the boundaries of the Word of God and follow His instruction. Going in the way of wisdom will help you avoid blind alleys and dead end roads. “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions. Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked fo...

Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction. — Zephaniah 2:3 (NLT) As believers, we want to seek the will of YAHWEH and open our hearts to Him, as the utmost priority, each and every day. Always seek His will and His ways, in the situations you encounter. As children of the Most High God, we are to reflect His nature and character. After we seek Him, let us be sure to respond in obedience to His instruction. Don't have a hard heart that resists His guidance. And don't be like Jonah, who went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. (See Jonah 1:3 NLT)  Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) says: 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]. The condition of our plans succeeding depend on our obedience to follow His direction. He knows the pl...

“ Listen to me, all you who are serious about right living and committed to seeking God. Ponder the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug. ” — Isaiah 51:1 (MSG) Our God is solid and immovable. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. (Psalm 62:7  NLT) “Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NASB) …just as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (Romans 9:33 NASB) Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you. Attention, Earth, I’ve got a mouth full of words. My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain, my words arrive like morning dew, like a sprinkling rain on new grass, like spring showers on the garden. For it’s God’s Name I’m preaching— respond to the greatness of our God! The Rock: His works are perfect, and the way he works is fair and just; A Go...

It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 (MSG) Cast 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) Diligently seek Him in the morning, stay aware of His Presence throughout the day, and thank Him for His faithfulness at night. Seek Him and He will respond. 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) Believe that God cares about you and that He will do infinitely more than you might ask or think.

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. — Romans 12:2 (MSG) As we focus on our heavenly Father and all His wonderful attributes, we will become more like Him (loving, kind, gentle, etc.). When we pay close attention to His Word, we allow God to transform us by changing the way we think. He will mold us and shape us and bring the best out of us. May we be captivated by His love and thankful for all that He is doing in our lives here and now.

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) Whatever goals or plans you have made for the coming new year, may you submit them to the LORD. Then, let us remember not to run off and do our own thing and end up turning to Him to fix a mess. Instead, continually seek the LORD and ask for His help and guidance along the way. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9 NLT). Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21 NIV).

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.” — Matthew 6:30-31 (MSG) God has given us so much, His Son, His Spirit, His peace, etc. How do you respond to God’s giving? Let us always give thanks for the many blessings our heavenly Father continually pours out on us, too numerous to count. I believe, a genuine heart, full of gratitude and appreciation for all He has done and is doing, is an awesome way to respond to our great God. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus says, “ Freely you have received, freely give. ” Another response to God’s giving is to become like Him and generously give to others. We are blessed to be a blessing!

It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 (MSG) Know that God cares more than enough to respond to every person who seeks Him. In Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) the LORD says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” In Psalm 8:4 David asks, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” God has made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:5). He cares enough to call us out of darkness and into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9). God cares so much, He accepted us and adopted us into His family. He gave us the right to be called children of God. As a loving parent, He watches over us and provides for all our needs. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he definitely cares about you! Seek Him to...

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.” — Luke 12:22 (NLT) “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Luke 12:29-31 MSG) “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32 NKJV). For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17 NIV).  What God is doing in our lives and on this earth (advancing His kingdom) is the only reality we need to be concerned about. He provides all we need.

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) It is wise to seek God’s will in all that we do. He guides us along on the path of life and will ensure we reach the desired destination. He knows what our future holds and He always prepares us for what is to come. If you stay attuned to His voice, Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NLT). Respond according to His guidance and your plans will succeed.

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. — Matthew 13:58 (NKJV) What mighty works are hindered in our lives by unbelief? He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7). Our faith is the hinge that opens the door to all God has for us. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The Message Bible says, anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6b).

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. — Joel 3:14 (NKJV) In spite of how you perceive yourself (your talents, your skills, and your abilities), you are a mighty in God. And no matter what career or profession you occupy, you have a call and purpose to fulfill in God. If we want to see God's wonderful plan manifest in our lives, we have to listen for His voice, and then we must respond with action. Don't waffle too long in the valley of decision. Make a dedicated decision to keep following God, wherever He leads, no matter what adverse conditions arise.

For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. — Hebrews 11:6b  (AMP) No matter what happens in this life, we must believe that God is the REWARDER of those who sincerely seek Him. God, richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV). The LORD has plans for you that are good and not for disaster, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, thoughts of peace toward you and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). And He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:20). Diligently seek Him out, knowing that He cares and He will faithfully respond to those who seek Him.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. — Romans 121-:2 (The Message) Fix your attention on God, and embrace all that He does for you. Readily recognize what His desire is for you and quickly respond to it. Then, you will be changed from the inside out and God will bring the best out of you. It all starts with us taking our eyes off of ourselves and putting them on God.

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. — John 10:27 (AMP) Jesus is the good shepherd and He calls His sheep by name. His sheep consistently listen for his voice. They recognize His voice and respond by following Him, wherever He leads. John 10:5 says, His sheep will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Be careful which voice you listen to and who you follow.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:14-16 (GW) Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He gives His life for the sheep and calls them by name. Jesus said, “ My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me ” (John 10:27, GW). Have you responded to the voice of the Lord? Have you gone straight, when He said turn left?  It's not too late to get back on the right path, the one that leads to a more abundant life. May we follow the Good Shepherd and always respond to His voice.