Manna for Your Morning

“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!” — Proverbs 14:23 (NLT) “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (Proverbs 13:4 NLT) “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” (Proverbs 13:11 NLT) Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT) “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT) “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23 NLT) “So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life… (See Ecclesiastes 3:22 NLT)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “ that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it.” — Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV) Feast on the Word of God daily, while it is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. (See Roman 10:8). Treasure His Word in your heart, that you may not sin against Him. (See Psalms 119:11) The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (See Psalms 119:105) The Holy Scriptures show us the way to go. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalms 119:103 NASB1995) I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. (Psalms 119:147 & 162  NLT)

“They come to you as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their greedy gain.” — Ezekiel 33:31 (LSB) The scattered remnants of Israel living among the ruined cities went to hear the word of the LORD from the prophet Ezekiel for entertainment. They heard the word but they had no intention of doing as the LORD instructed. (See Ezekiel 33:24,32 NLT) In Matthew 7:26-27 (NASB1995) Yeshua says: “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” However He says: “…everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against tha...

And 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 seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) In order to please God we MUST the Word says, believe that God exists AND that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Let us (Believers) love the LORD, with all our hearts, minds and souls and earnestly and diligently seek Him, at all times (not just on Sunday morning or when we are in trouble). “ No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. ” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT) “ However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? ” — Luke 18:8b (NASB)

Now God has offered to us the same promise of entering into his realm of resting in confident faith. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it. For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted.” — Hebrews‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭(TPT‬‬) Instead of doubting join your faith to His Word. His precious promises will be fulfilled for all who believe. No matter what you are going through if you love God and are called according to His purpose, He will work all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. — John 1:1-4 (NLT) Jesus brings light to everyone. He receives everyone who comes to Him. If you open the door of your heart to Him, He enters. He comforts the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). He brings Good News to the poor (Luke 4:18). He sets the captives free. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “ I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ” Let us live in His light. As we abide in His light, sadness is turned to joy and we experience everlasting peace. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells believers: “ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden .” Don’t try to hide the light of the Lord within you. Let it shine! ...

The seed that fell on rock is like those who hear God’s teaching and accept it gladly, but they don’t allow the teaching to go deep into their lives. They believe for a while, but when trouble comes, they give up. — Luke 8:13 (NCV) Let the Word go deep and permeate your heart, your mind and your life. Then you will not be inclined to give up. Don’t let the troubles and cares of this world choke the Word of life out of you. Instead, be like those who receive the Word on good ground. They hear God’s teaching with good, honest hearts and obey it and patiently produce good fruit. (Luke 8:15 NCV) You know we call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. — James 5:11 (AMP)

He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. — Proverbs 16:20 (NASB) For good success in life, let us give attention to the Word of God, in what we believe, what we speak, and what we do. His word revives us and gives us life. It is our comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:50)  Rejoice at His word as one who finds great treasure. (Psalm 119:162) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you  shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ( Joshua 1:8  NKJV )

“ If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss. ” — Luke 6:48-49 (MSG) In Luke 6:47 (MSG), Jesus said: “ These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. ” Let us build our lives on Jesus, the Living Word, the strong foundation. When we build on Jesus, the solid Rock what is built will last forever.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. — Psalm 42:5 (NASB) Sometimes we tend to focus on the things that are not right, which often leads to feelings of frustration and anger. But Psalm 37:1 says, “Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers.” Instead of trying to figure out the wrongs, let us be students of the Word and truth. Let’s look at what is right and fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. May we thank God for all He has done and continually praise Him for all He is doing right now. Trust Him to right the wrongs, and work it all together for good. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2 NASB)

“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” — Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV) Once you have heard the word, don’t let the worries and cares of the world choke it out of you. Psalm 119:165 says, great peace have those who love His law, and nothing causes them to stumble. The entrance of His words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130) The Word of God gives us life. (Psalm 119:93) His word is a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path. (Psalm 119:105) Unlike the things of this world that are temporary, the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Instead of being distracted with concerns about all the things you have to do and all the things you want to get, be like those who receive the word on good ground. “…they hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold...

Never stop praying. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Today, people are more into texting, but back in the day, when in a “dating” relationship, boys and girls would spend hours talking on the phone, because it made their day just to hear that person’s voice. In much the same way, our heavenly Father lavishes His love on us and He wants to hear our voice. Some people think there is a specific time for prayer, but the Word instructs us to pray without ceasing. We may spend the first part of our day locked away in a prayer closet, but the conversation with our heavenly Father is to continue as we go about our day. This continual conversation keeps the channels of communication open and we are much more likely to hear His still small voice when engaged in conversation. As we persist in prayer our relationship with Abba Father grows stronger and more intimate. Never stop praying.

You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.’ — Deuteronomy 3:22 (NKJV) Have no fear of the giants that stand before you. Mountains are molehills to our great God.  So don’t be discouraged by the fiery trials and tribulations that come, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Second Chronicles 20:17 says, You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you…   For victory and success in the battles of life, humble yourself under His mighty hand, keep your heart in a position of prayer, and stand on His Word.

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. — Psalm 34:8 (MSG) God is good, all the time! Run to Him in every situation. The Word says to “run” versus “walk”, that means we are to have a sense of urgency. Don't get blown away from God by the winds of adversity. Instead, RUN to Him. When fears and doubts arise open your eyes and see the great goodness of our heavenly Father. The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe (Proverbs 18:10 NLT).

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. — Acts 13:51-52 (NKJV) When the Jews persecuted the Apostle Paul and Barnabas for preaching the Word to the gentiles, they shook the dust from their feet and moved on to the next town. When we are walking in the will of God and others refuse to accept us, we have to know when to shake the dust off our feet and move on down the road. Refuse to let the enemy steal your joy!

...He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ — Acts 13:22 (NKJV) God said David was a man after His own heart, who will do all His will. Do you follow God wholeheartedly, doing ALL His will, or do you pick and choose what part of the Word, you will follow? My response to God this morning was, “Ouch!” Are we following Philippians 2:14, do all things without complaining and disputing? Do we cast all our cares on the Lord? Are we forgiving and letting no root of bitterness grow, in our garden of unconditional love? When challenged to do all His will, let us remember this: God was ALL in, when He gave His only Son as a sacrifice to save our souls from eternal damnation. Let’s be sold out for Jesus and be about the Father’s business 100%.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) We all have a race to run, but our courses are not exactly the same. In order to complete our race, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Don’t set your eyes on the person who stands in the pulpit and preaches the Word. Don’t look at the brother or sister running next to you and start comparing your races. These are distractions that will slow you down or make you stop running and sit on the sidelines of life, just being a spectator. Keep your eyes on Jesus and run, to the end!

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” — John 14:1 (NLT) In John 14:27 (NKJV), Jesus gives us another reminder: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” If Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is our Lord, why do we get so upset and distressed when troubles come our way? Jesus said He gave us His peace. Do we believe the world more than we believe the Word of God? While the disciples thought they were perishing, Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of the storm because He trusted in our heavenly Father. (Mark 4:37-38). “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. (John 14:1 AMP) [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] (John 14:27 AMP excerpt)

Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. — John 4:50 (NKJV) The nobleman believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and his son was healed in the same hour that Jesus spoke. Do you believe the Word Jesus speaks to you? As you go on your way and troubles come, do you keep believing the Word? Believe and you will live. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 NKJV) The Word of God stands forever, it will not return to Him void.

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. — Acts 17:11 (NKJV) May we, like the people of Berea, be open-minded to receive the Word with great eagerness, and examine the Scriptures daily. The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). The entrance of His Word gives light and understanding (Psalm 119:130). It strengthens us, and comforts us in any affliction. The Word of God gives us life (Psalm 119:50). His Word is settled in heaven and endures to all generations. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). May we delight ourselves in the Word of God.