Manna for Your Morning

God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. — Psalms 18:30-32 (NLT) In 1 Samuel 30:3-4, David and his men came to the city, and it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and daughters had been taken captive. David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. But 1 Samuel 30:6 (NLT) says, David found strength in the LORD his God. In Psalms 18:6 (LSB), David said: In my distress I called upon Yahweh, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears. When you are distressed and in the midst of adverse circumstances, call upon Yahweh for help. He arms us with strength to stand strong through the troubles and challenges that come our way. …“I love You, O Yahweh, ...

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! — Psalm 8:9 (NASB) The great I AM, is the One true and living God. Blessed be the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Great and marvelous are His works. He set the sun, moon and stars in place. He knit each and every person together in the womb of their mother. He knows each person by name and knows the number of hairs on our head. God is intimately acquainted with all our ways. He desires continual fellowship with His children and wants us to reflect His glory on the earth. He created each one of us with a purpose and a good plan for our lives. He wrote all our days in His book before we drew our first breath. That means He has already gone into your future and made a way for you. Amen.

And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus. — Revelation 12:17 (NLT) Realize we are in a war. (Excerpt from The Book of Mysteries , Day 45 ) God’s Word is true. And the darkness will always war against the light. And the light must always war against the darkness. In the end, there is no neutrality. You either let the darkness overcome you, or you overcome the darkness. There is no middle ground. In John 12:35-36 (NLT), Jesus said, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  — Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. — Colossians 3:2 (NKJV) Let us elevate our thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. (Colossians 3:2 MSG) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].  — Phili...

“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD who has compassion on you. — Isaiah 54:10 (NASB) Our heavenly Father is so faithful. Our great and awesome God cannot lie. (Titus 1:2) Every word of God proves true. (Proverbs 30:5 NLT) He is committed to His covenant of love and peace. The LORD God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness); (Exodus 34:6 AMP). Confidently trust in the LORD, and through the lovingkindness (faithfulness, goodness) of the Most High you will never be shaken. (Psalm 21:7) Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6) “ Praise and give thanks to the LORD, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever. ” (1 Chronicles 20:21 AMP) All the paths of the LORD are lovingkind...

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. — Psalm 23:1-4 (MSG) With Jesus by our side, we have all we need. As the good Shepherd, He is true to His Word and continually cares for His sheep. He provides for all our needs. He leads us along on the right path. No matter what valley you go through, just keep following Jesus. He is the way. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NKJV)

So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you. They’ll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions of those who are lost themselves and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed, these losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity, traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends. — Proverbs 2:9-15 (MSG) The LORD has set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV) Avoid the detours and dead ends of the enemy. They only lead to death. Our heavenly Father will show you the path of everlasting life. Why be a wanderer when you can be a worshiper?

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. — Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV) Let us consider God faithful and receive strength to conceive and give birth to the dreams and desires He has placed inside our hearts. You may go through a barren season, like Sarah, but keep believing and trusting God. The Amplified Bible says Sarah considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word] (Hebrews 11:11).  Know that God is true to His Word. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose… (Philippians 4:13a AMP).

“ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ”  — John 15:13-14 (NKJV) Jesus showed Himself a faithful friend when He gave His life to set us free and bring us into eternal fellowship with the Father. When you need a friend, Jesus is always there. He is a constant companion, and will never abandon you. He is compassionate and continually cares for you. Take whatever concerns you have to Him. Jesus is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24b AMP). He is a loyal friend who loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17a NKJV) Let us show ourselves friendly to God, by doing whatever He commands: loving Him with all of our hearts and souls, and by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:37, 39) Amen.

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)

“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)

You have armed me with strength for the battle; — 2 Samuel 22:40a (NLT) Whatever battles you face today, press on, in the strength of the LORD. With us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles (2 Chronicles 32:8). “ O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”  (2 Samuel 22:29-31 NLT)

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NCV) Our thoughts are like a GPS that tells us where to go. If we meditate on God’s Word our actions and speech will align with His Word. If we think loving, and kind thoughts, we will be more likely to walk in love and kindness. If you are experiencing anxiety or fear, check out what you have allowed your mind to meditate on. When your thoughts are fixed on the LORD,  you will be kept in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (Philippians 4:8-9a MSG)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. — Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Entrust your life to our heavenly Father. He has searched you, and He knows you (Psalm 139:1). He loves you and pours out new mercies on you every morning. With God on your side who can stand against you? Nothing is too difficult for our great God! The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD. When you keep your trust in confidence in the LORD, you will not be disappointed. God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; — Matthew 5:14 (AMP) For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true (Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT). If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7 NLT). We don't have to hide. He called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In the light we have abundant life, peace, and joy. So let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16 AMP). Be the light of hope to those around you.

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me? — Hebrews 13:5-6 (MSG) To focus on gaining more material possessions is a poor investment in temporary things that make no real profits in the eternal bank account. However, true and lasting treasure comes when we focus our time and energies on loving God and being His ambassadors on the earth. Great profits come as we touch the lives of others with God's love. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19 NLT). Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. (Matthew 6:20 MSG).

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. — Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG) In the Lord we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:28, NKJV). In Him, a glorious destiny awaits each one of us. Be true to the call of God on your life. It is when we love God and respond to the call of His plan and purpose, that He works all things together for the good. (Romans 8:28). In Christ, we thrive and are triumphant. I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. ( Jeremiah 29:11, GW )

Blessed be God— he heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him. — Psalm 28:7 (MSG) Always trying to figure things out will lead us to question God and wander away from Him. Instead, go with what you know! His Word is true and it will last forever. Our God is rich in mercy and grace. His faithfulness has been tried and tested. He’s proven His lovingkindness to us over and over again. Know that God is on your side and He will work everything together for good in your life. Seek and deeply long for the LORD and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually. ( Psalm 105:4 AMP )

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. — John 19:30 (NKJV) When Jesus said, “It is finished!” it was a done deal. As Jesus bowed His head on that cross, all things were accomplished —our healing, our victory. Through His sacrifice we received everything we will ever need. What freedom we can experience when we really understand that it is already done. With this realization, we can stay in His perfect peace and fullness of joy. All of our days are already written in God's book. Instead of victims we are victors, more than conquerors. We just have to walk in the steps Jesus already mapped out for us. Everything else that happens in this life is just a sideshow distraction to get us off the path God has for us. Distractions are tools the enemy uses to get us to wander off the path and wonder if God’s Word is true. God made it simple, we complicate it. Don't let the enemy come in cause confusion. Inst...

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. — Psalm 23:1-3 (MSG) Be confident that God will bring to pass, at the appointed time, whatever He has spoken to you. His word does not return to Him without accomplishing the thing for which He sent it. Wait expectantly on the LORD. Don't lose heart and become discouraged. God is true to His Word. Amen!