Manna for Your Morning

“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!” — 1 Samuel 12:20-21 (NLT) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12 NKJV) Now worship Yahweh with all your heart. “...be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24 NLT)

“So now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God ask from you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” — Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (LSB) “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by walking after other gods which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28 LSB)  …the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. (See Deuteronomy 30:14) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your...

“ If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh. ” — Joshua 24:15 (LSB) God has given us free will. Each person gets to choose for themselves, who they will serve. It's a choice between life and death, good and evil, blessing and cursing. (See Deuteronomy 30) Let us make a dedicated decision to follow Yahweh, and our Savior, Yeshua the Messiah, each and every day. Don’t waver between opinions. Be committed to follow Christ. There is no impartial position, nor a neutral gray area. In Luke 11:23, Yeshua says: “He who is not with Me is against Me…” “So now, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to Yahweh, the God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve Yahweh our God, and we will listen to His voice.” (Joshua...

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” — Daniel 6:21-23 (NASB1995) It was evident even to a pagan king that Daniel constantly served God. What a great witness and testimony! Nonetheless, Daniel was cast into the lions’ den for a night because he continued to kneel and pray and give thanks to his God, three times a day, after it had been forbidden by the king’s injunction. (See Daniel 6:10-12) At the break of day, the king went in haste to the lions’ den and found Daniel still among the living. Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of t...

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” — Mark 7:6-8 (NASB1995) Don't just go through the motions of serving Yahweh, truly seek to know Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. May we follow His Word and not the tradition of men. Call upon Him and come and pray to Him, and He will listen to you. Seek Him and you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart. (See Jeremiah 29:12-13)

“ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you .” — John 15:15 (NKJV) If we want to be a friend of the Lord, obedience is the key. Jesus said, “ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ” (John 15:14)  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NLT) Jesus gave His life for us. Let us follow His example, and lay our lives down to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Be a friend to our risen Savior and to those God has placed in your sphere of influence.

...but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. — Luke 2:10 (NLT) The birth of Jesus is good news that brings great joy to all people. Jesus didn’t come to save a select few. He came to save us all. The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) Jesus didn’t just save those who were around when He physically walked the earth. His righteousness is forever, and His salvation continues from generation to generation. (Isaiah 51:8) More good news is Jesus came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].  (John 10:10b AMP). Jesus gave us the ultimate victory over this world, sin and death. We can live free and full. Full of His love, and His light. Let that bring you great joy today. God will show his mercy forever ...

But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. — John 4:23 (AMP) There is no time like the present to worship God, the one who gives us the breath of life. And serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you… (1 Chronicles 28:9 NKJV) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. (Psalm 100:4 NASB)  Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV)