Manna for Your Morning

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness. I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” — Ruth 1:20-21 (AMP) Naomi was very bitter at the loss of her husband and sons, but look how Yahweh blessed her life in the end. (See Ruth 4:16-17) May we let no root of bitterness spring up in our hearts during difficult times of loss and grief. Also, don’t judge a matter before it’s time. Everything happens at the time appointed by GOD. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP) Yahweh eventually works all things together for good, not on our timetable but on His. Naomi didn’t look at ...

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. — Psalms 30:11-12 (AMP) Yahweh turns situations and circumstances around. He turns our mourning into dancing. In Exodus 15:23-25, the LORD made the bitter waters sweet, providing water for His people to drink. In 2 Samuel 22:29 (NLT), He is our lamp, Who lights up our darkness. God can cause you to be fruitful and very successful in the land of your suffering and affliction. (See Genesis 41:52) The Father raises the dead and gives life to them. (See John 5:21) “...With God all things are possible.” (See Mark 10:27) Let us praise Him and give thanks to Him forever.

That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? — 2 Corinthians 5:6-8a (MSG) Don’t stop. Make a continually pursuit of God, His Kingdom, and the wonderful plans He has for you. Where you began will seem unimportant, because your future will be so successful. (Job 8:7 NCV) Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. The LORD is a turn around God. He will turn your mourning into dancing. Your beginning might have been bitter, but God will turn it to sweet. You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. (James 5:11) He will give you double for your trouble. Keep pr...

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! — Psalm 119:103 (NKJV) Unless we delight ourselves in the LORD’s instructions, we will perish in our affliction. Never forget His precepts, for by them He has given us life (Psalm 92-93). The Message versions says: If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words (Psalm 92-93). Amen!

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter . — Exodus 15:23 (NKJV) When Moses cried out to the LORD, He showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet (Exodus 15:25). Our heavenly Father is a God of change. He turns our weeping into rejoicing (Psalm 30:5). He turns our mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). If any wrongs that have been done to you made your waters bitter, open wide the channel of your heart and let the LORD's cleansing waters freely flow. They are full of love, forgiveness and strength. He will take those bitter waters and make them sweet.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.  — Isaiah 55:2 (NKJV) Let us feast upon the Word of God. Psalm 119:103 says, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” May we take in the Word of God and treasure it in our hearts, for His Word is life and it does satisfy!

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.  — Isaiah 38:17 (NIV) Our great God has lovingly delivered our souls from the pit of corruption (Isaiah 38:17, NKJV). In His love, our bitter experiences are changed to sweet. He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). The magnitude of His love is so large, nothing can separate us  from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In His love, we are able to love our neighbors and our enemies. In His love, there is patience, forgiveness and kindness. Always, live your life in His LOVE!

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. — Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) Let us do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14, GW). Ephesians 5:19-20 instructs us to speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing, and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before you speak a word consult with the Holy Spirit who dwells within you and choose your words wisely. Speaking negative, critical words is like hitting a board with darts. You can apologize and pull the dart out, but like the hole that is left, the damage done with negative words is still there. Let your speech always be with grace (Colossians 4:6).

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD . — Psalm 104:33-34 (NKJV) As we meditate on the LORD and His wonderful Word, our meditation will be pleasantly sweet to Him. Let all those who seek God rejoice and be glad in Him, because 1) He is with us, 2) He is working for us and 3) we have the VICTORY! Hallelujah and Amen! And a bonus #4, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1) Let's go!

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil...  — Psalm 141:3-4 (NIV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Let us speak edifying words of life, over our lives and over others. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24, NLT).

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:103-104 (NIV) How sweet are the words of the LORD! His words for us: beloved, friend, a chosen people, and a royal priesthood. He speaks of brand new compassions every morning, amazing grace, tender mercies, everlasting love, and eternal life. Get understanding from His Word. Blessed are those who gain understanding. Whoever has understanding keeps a straight course (Proverbs 15:21).