Manna for Your Morning

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB) When the LORD is our Shepherd, He will provide all that we need. Our heavenly Father is a good Father, He always provides for the needs of His children, and constantly takes care of us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He laid His life down for the sheep (John 10:11). When the storms of life come, the LORD leads us beside quiet waters. He is our inner peace, in every chaotic situation. He leads us along on the right paths, however, we must choose to follow Him. When we make the decision to follow Him, He will take us higher and deeper, and from glory to glory. He continually restores and revives our lives, day by day. God pours out new compassions and mercies upon us, each and every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) If God is indeed the Lord of our lives, goodness a...

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. — John 20:19 (NLT) Jesus said to His disciples again, “ Peace be with you, ” in John 20:21 and John 20:26. It's pretty clear, He desires for His disciples to remain in peace. Peace is not an escape from the pressures of life. It is something Jesus tells us to have, even in the midst of the storms. In John 16:33 (AMP), He told us we would have tribulation, distress and suffering, but He also said, “T hese things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace .” How can we maintain peace in the midst of the storms? 1) By relying on the help of the Holy Spirit within us. 2) By believing and speaking the Word of God to every mountain (trial, situation, or circumstance). And 3) by remembering that our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory t...

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NKJV) 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) In Jesus, we have an everlasting foundation. Storms may come and go, but we have a firm foundation that lasts forever. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.  — Isaiah 28:16 (NLT)

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. — 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV) No matter what storms blow into your life, keep your ear open to hear the still small voice of your heavenly Father. Don’t let the noise of this world, drown out the quiet whisper of God’s gentle voice. Never get distracted or discouraged by the contrary winds that may shake your world. The LORD will give you the direction, and guidance to keep you on the right path.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. — Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) When we set our minds on the LORD, we are elevated above earthly circumstances and are kept in perfect peace. As we trust God, we are not moved by the mountains or the storms of life, because we know that our God is mighty and greater. He is higher than any mountain and more powerful than any storms. Fix your thoughts upon the LORD, and trust Him to take care of everything that concerns you.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. — Psalm 94:19 (NKJV) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression (Proverbs 12:25a). So when you are experiencing a multitude of anxieties, cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NASB). He will comfort your soul. When you are upset and beside yourself, He will calm you down and cheer you up. (Psalm 94:19 MSG) No need to be anxious when our God is on the throne. He is bigger than any mountain you face. He is higher than any hurdle in front of you. He is more powerful than the storms that come, and He will see you through each one.

The LORD will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. — Psalm 29:11 (AMP) The LORD has armed His people with strength for the battle. (Psalm 18:39) With the strength that He gives we can withstand the storms, overcome obstacles and triumph over tragedy. When we fall, it's His strength that allows us to get back up again and go forward to walk in victory. Always remember, the LORD is the strength of your life. (Psalm 27:1) He blesses his people with peace. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:7 AMP)

This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. — Colossians 1:26-27 (NLT) When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, He lives in us. We have the fullness of His glory residing in us. The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead is in us (Ephesians 1:19-20) and surely, it can raise us up out of the challenging circumstances we face. This power enables us to triumph over the troubles of this world. This exceedingly great power helps us to stand strong when the storms of life hit. Because Christ lives in us, we are able to walk in the wisdom, peace and perfect love of God. As we let go and let God, we will be victorious in all He has called us to do. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may b...

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. — Matthew 14:28-30 (NLT) As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. The moment he looked at the wind and the waves, fear gripped him and he began to sink. Let us be careful what we look at. When the storms come, do not let them be a distraction. As we keep our eyes on Jesus and continue moving closer to Him, He will enable us to do all that we are called to do. Instead of studying your storm, examine the living Word of God. Instead of worrying about your storm, worship the One who is greater and higher than any weather pattern. Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords and He reigns. Hallelujah! … keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who init...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 (NIV) As we put all our trust in God and stand on His Word, our hearts will overflow with hope. Our wonder-working God is the source of hope. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19a NIV). This living hope will hold us steady in the storms of life, and enable us to walk in perfect peace and abundant joy. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5 NLT).

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. — Psalms 46:1-2 (MSG) No matter what fierce storms come or how violently our lives get shaken, may we stand courageous and know, with every fiber of our being, that our mighty God is a safe hiding place. Be confident that He is always ready to help. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.  — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) The Message Bible says, Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him (Hebrews 6:15). We have to stick some things out. Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37). Whatever circumstances come in your life, will also come to pass. Our heavenly Father goes before us and navigates us through the storms. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14)!

For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah — Psalm 61:3-4 (NKJV) When the storms of life hit, our mighty God is a safe refuge. He is a strong tower to shelter us from the storm. We have been given free access and a standing invitation, let us dwell in Him at all times. Draw near unto the LORD and trust Him. Trust in His power to protect you from the adversary. In Him we are safe. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. — Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV) Lead me to the Rock! For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? (Psalm 18:31) “Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.” (Isaiah 44:8) Let us build our lives on the strong foundation of the LORD. Then we will be able to withstand the storms that come our way. The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:46).

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. — 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT) No matter what storms are brewing in your life, cling to your faith and keep your conscience clear. Remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36) Let us look at every situation through eyes of faith, and know that God is able to bring us through whatever He allows to come into our lives. He will navigate you through the storms and get your vessel sailing on smooth waters again. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” — Mark 9:23

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” — Isaiah 43:1-3 (NKJV) Let us be confident that our God stands by our side and He will see us through the storms. At times, it may seem that we are in over our heads, but He will not allow us to drown or be burned. If we continue to put one foot in front of the other, we will eventually pass through the difficult waters and through the flames of adversity. Rely on God to give you the strength and He will bring you through!

Jesus said, “ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock ” ( Luke 6:47-48, NKJV ). But everyone who hears the words of Jesus and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sinking sand. If you are building on sinking sand, the moment floodwaters rise, what you have built will collapse into a heap of ruins. However, if you build on the solid Rock, what you’re building will not be shaken, when the storms of life hit.  For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? — Psalm 18:31 (NLT)

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) God is well aware of all the things you do. Rest assured that any labor you have done in the Lord is not vain. You may have little strength because you have persevered through many storms, but take heart you shall overcome. Behold, God is doing a new thing! He has set before you an open door, a fresh start. And any door that God opens for you, no one can shut, but you must stop looking back, and walk through the open door in order to move on. Don't get stuck trying to force a closed door open that you miss out on the future opportunities that the open door has for you.

Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done.  — Psalm 73:28 (GW) It is good for us to draw near to God and stay connected to Him. Abide in the very presence of God and be led by His Holy Spirit. He is our safe place, our refuge, our shelter when the storms of life come. Tell everyone about the wonderful works He has done!

Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!  — Psalm 57:1-2 (AMP) Hide in the shadow of His wings and hold on through the storms. Anchor your hope in the Most High and you will remain steadfast and immovable. You can be sure that our gracious God will fulfill His purposes for you!