Manna for Your Morning

“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” — Romans 13:11-12 (NLT) “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:13-14 NLT) “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Philippians 2:14-15 NLT) ...let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the bre...

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: — Lamentations 3:20-21 (NLT) The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. (Lamentations 3:22-25 NLT) So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! (Psalms 31:24 NLT) No matter what troubles or calamities come your way, dare to hope in Yahweh, the Everlasting, Almighty God, the great “I AM.” And your hope will not be disappointed.

Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with lovingkindness; Break up your fallow ground, indeed, it is time to seek Yahweh until He comes and rains righteousness on you. — Hosea 10:12 (LSB) It is time to seek and search diligently for the LORD day by day. Don't be hard-headed nor have a hard heart. “…God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives], because He has set a day when He will judge the inhabited world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed and destined for that task, and He has provided credible proof to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” (See Acts 17:30-31 AMP) Now set your heart and your soul to seek (inquire of, require as your vital necessity) the LORD your God.” (1 Chronicles 22:19a AMP) Seek the LORD [search diligently for Him and regard Him as the foremost ne...

“One day we will each be swept away into the sleep of death. We glide along through the tides of time— so quickly gone, like a dream that fades at dawn, like glistening grass that springs up one day and is dry and withered the next, ready to be cut down!” — Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭(TPT‬‬) The number of our days have already been determined. All of the days ordained for each person were written in His book before we drew our first breath. (See Psalms 139:16) I have five full decades behind me, and have embarked into the sixth. Sounds like a long time, but oh, how brief it seems. James 4:14 says: Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while , then it’s gone. What we do in that “little while” matters. May Yahweh teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (See Psalms 90:12 NLT) He will guide us with His counsel, and lead us to a glorious destiny. (See Psalms 73:24 NLT) Let us love God, love others and faithfully follow Him all the days of our l...

Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. — Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP) Listen to the Word of God and align your life to it. The Bible is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (Proverbs 16:20 NASB) Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear. (Psalm 119:105 TPT)

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. — Psalm 46:1-2 (TPT) ‘Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10 TPT) We need God every moment of every day. Look to Him always. God is your helper and the sustainer of your soul. (Psalm 54:4) He will accomplish what concerns you. His lovingkindness is everlasting. (See Psalm 138:8)

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! — Ephesians 2:7-8 (MSG) God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. (Ephesians 2:10 MSG) Since God woke you up this morning, He has a good work for you to join Him in today. He is calling you to a higher level. So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. (Hebrews 3:1-2a  MSG) Let us follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and be faithful in everything the Father has given us to do.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. — Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB) May we seek God's will in all we do. Put Him first in how you spend your time, use your finances and in how you utilize the talents and gifts He has bestowed upon you. Psalm 115:12 says, the LORD has been mindful of us. Let your mind be occupied with thoughts about His greatness and goodness more than anything else. Give Him your whole heart and full adoration.  Worthy is the LORD, our God, to receive all praise, glory and honor! You have been my constant helper; therefore, I sing for joy under the protection of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand reaches down and holds me up. — Psalm 63:7-8 (VOICE)

“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;” — Matthew 6:19-20 (AMP) The material things we accumulate in this life, will eventually disintegrate and become rubbish. Let us invest into the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus said: “ I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ” And in Matthew 25:40, He says, “... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me .”  Let's not only invest our finances, but our talents and time also. As we walk in love, peace and unity with others, we are expanding the Kingdom of God. When we show patience, kindness and gentleness...

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) Jesus calls all who are tired of laboring and all who have heavy loads to come to Him. He will give you rest. In the Message Bible, He says: “ I’ll show you how to take a real rest. ” When we spend time in His Presence, He refreshes our souls and renews the right spirit within us. He fills us with His peace and gives us strength to persevere. If you are empty, let Him fill your cup to overflowing. (Psalm 23:5 NCV) Take a real rest and rely on His help. Wherever you are, His hand shall lead you, and His right hand shall hold you. (Psalm 139:10 NKJV) So, don’t be afraid, for He is with you. Don’t be discouraged, for He is your God. He will strengthen you and help you. He will hold you up with His victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. — Luke 2:15-16 (MSG) The shepherds wanted to see Jesus for themselves, and they ran to see Him, without delay. Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It had been just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:20 NCV) May we hurry  to see our Savior, and spend time with Him, every day that our heavenly Father gives us breath. Once we encounter King Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we cannot help but praise God and thank Him for everything He has done.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. — James 1:17 (NKJV) Every good and perfect gift is from our heavenly Father— our family and friends, our freedom, good health, our time, our talents and our treasures. May we not prize our possessions, which are temporary, more than the blessing of His Presence, which is eternal. Let us set our hearts and our hope on the giver of the gifts: El Shaddai, the all-sufficient, all-bountiful, Almighty God. He is our source. And cherish Christ. Jesus is the greatest gift every given. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: (Psalm 103:1-2)

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” — Genesis 8:22 (NKJV) This Scripture speaks of three seasons. A season of planting seeds, a season of harvesting, or gathering in the fruit that has been produced. And in between those two seasons, there is the season called TIME. How long? Only God knows. Some call this a time of waiting, but there are still things to do while you wait. If you have planted seeds of faith, the seed must be watered by speaking God’s Word over it. We have to keep weeds of doubt from growing, by guarding our heart and our ears to negative worldly opinions. (If it's not the truth of God's Word, it's an opinion.) We have to remain faithful to God and His Word and then the seed produces fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Unlike natural seasons, we are to be engaged in all three seasons at the same time, continually planting seeds by speaking God's ...

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NASB) When circumstances are less than optimal, remember that God will work all things together for good in your life. May we hold onto His perfect peace, as we develop patience and perseverance. Working all things together for good is a process that takes T-I-M-E. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. (James 1:3 AMP) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3 NLT) Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11 NKJV)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV) Sometimes we put a lot of time and energy into trying to figure stuff out on our own. As we take our eyes off of the situation or the person, and put them on the LORD, He will reveal things to us at the proper time and in His way. As we invest our time and energy into seeking His face, He shows us the solution. He gives us the answer to the problem. He exposes the root cause of an issue. As we look to Him, He will take care of ALL that concerns us. He is The Fixer. He makes old things new. He brings dead things back to life. He mends broken hearts and fractured relationships. He lifts up the heads that are beat down. Always look to Him!

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)

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. — Proverbs 30:5 (NLT) Every word of God has stood the test of time. His word stands forever. The word which goes forth from His mouth will not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11). His Word is our source of hope. (Psalm 119:114b NLT) Just as those with shelters for tornados and other harmful events flee with a sense of urgency to get in them when the storms are on their way, let us come to our heavenly Father for protection. He is our hiding place. Take refuge in Him, He is our mighty fortress. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11 NASB)

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. — Psalm 27:14 (NLT) Sometimes, we look at situations and try to judge them prematurely. While we only see a fraction of what is going on, God is at work behind the scenes bringing everything together for His good purpose and plan. Don’t critique the masterpiece before it is complete. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT). The element of time is involved in this process. So after we have done all that He instructed us to do, let us wait patiently and watch with expectation to see God work things out in wonderful ways that only He can.

…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. — Revelation 2:3 (NKJV) The dictionary says persevere means to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success. No matter how things may appear at this moment in time, we need to persevere. Let us always stand on God’s Word, persist in prayer and continually thank and praise God for victory and success in every area of our lives. Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! 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 5:10-11 MSG)

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—  how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude  — Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) The Spirit of God made us, and the breath of the Almighty gives us life. (Job 33:4). It’s His breath in our lungs. Thank God for giving you today. James 4:14 (NASB) says we are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. May we make the most of each moment He has given us. Be true to the desires God placed in your heart: sing the song, dance the dance, play the music, etc. That is when our dreams become reality and we truly live the more abundant life. Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) LORD, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NLT)