Manna for Your Morning

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah — Psalms 24:7-10 (NKJV) In Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Yeshua says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” His call is to anyone and everyone. Do you hear His voice? Respond to His call by opening the door of your heart and inviting Him to come in. He will not force His way in. Set your affections on Him and develop a deep and intimate relationship with our Savior and Redeemer, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Immanuel (God with us). (See Isaiah 7:14 AMP)

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:18-20 (NLT) Today, I’m thankful God woke me up to see another beautiful day of life on this earth. I’m thankful for a sound mind and a healthy body. I thank God for the roof over my head and the food in the cupboard. I thank God for my family and our friends. I’m thankful for the job, I get to go to today. I thank God for bringing you into my life. ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

After walking a little farther, he quickly bowed with his face to the ground and prayed, “Father, if it’s possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine.” — Matthew 26:39 (GW) Before Jesus was arrested, Him and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus became sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:37-38) When our souls are overwhelmed, may we humble ourselves before God, release our will, and embrace HIS will. In the midst of troubles, we must trust our heavenly Father, knowing that no matter how bleak the situation appears, God is working ALL things together for good. Amen!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJ) Death and life are in they power of your tongue. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth (Psalm 33:6). When we speak a word, we are either blessing or cursing. Our positive words release life and negative words bring death. Proverbs 12:25, (NKJ) says a good word makes the heart of a man glad. May we speak words of life and blessing to those within the sound of our voices.

I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (GW) We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Our heavenly Father began a good work in you, and He is faithful to carry it through to completion. For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:6-7 (NIV) Just like a mother is attentive to the cry of her newborn baby, the ears of the LORD are always open to hear the cries of His children. Our mighty God is the source of our strength. He is a protective shield around us. We can completely trust our heavenly Father to help us work through the challenges we face. Sing praise to the LORD and let your heart be filled with joy!

In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3 (NIV) Are you trusting in man, the strength of your flesh, or in God? David establishes right up front that he put his trust in the LORD and God consistently gave him victory over his enemies. When you trust in our heavenly Father, you put more faith in His Word than any bad report you receive. His Word tells us God will see us through whatever storms may come. No one who keeps their hope in the LORD will be disappointed. In Him, we already have the victory!

You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:28-29 (NIV) God changes our darkness into light. He is a God of transformation. The LORD makes us strong in our weakness. He turns our mourning into gladness and gives us comfort and joy in place of sorrow. In Christ, He does away with the old and we become new creations. Those doomed to death receive eternal life. He heals the sick and gives direction to the lost. Praise God for the power of change.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV ) Our heavenly Father guides us with His counsel. Because of His direction we have sound judgment and insight. Seek the wisdom of the LORD and He will make your plans succeed. With Abba Father right beside you, you will not be shaken. Keep looking to the LORD, and His wise counsel.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJ) The Apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan tormented him and kept him from becoming proud. When Paul pleaded with the Lord to take it away from him, the Lord said, His is grace is sufficient. The strength of our Lord is made perfect in weakness. May we let His power work in us and through us. For when we are weak, then we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). The glorious grace of the Lord be with you!

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Our heavenly Father loves you so much He doesn't want you weighed down with worries or all stressed out. He daily carries our burdens for us (Psalm 68:5), if we only let go and give them to God. Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you (Psalm 55:22).

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 (NAS) "May You, O God, search our hearts and make us aware of anything in us that is not characteristic of Your loving and kind nature. Help us to be more like You, heavenly Father. You are love. Lead us and guide us in Your truth and Your light. Teach us the way we should go, for You are our God. Take us by the hand and lead us beside peaceful, quiet waters. Lead us along the path of abundant and everlasting life. Amen."

Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there. Then he traveled through the wilderness for a day. He sat down under a broom plant and wanted to die. “I’ve had enough now, LORD,” he said. 1 Kings 19:3-4 (GW) How many times have we felt like the prophet Elijah and told God we have had enough? At times like these, remember that God will never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it (1 Corinthians 10:13, The Message). Elijah was fleeing for his life because he was fearful. His fear drove him into the wilderness. Instead of getting caught up in fear, let us faithfully follow the LORD. God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) Circumstances have you down? Look UP. Our help comes from the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth. He gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep His command. He satisfies the hunger of the wild animals. God subdues nations and raises up one king over another. Surely, God can handle everything that concerns you.

Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; Psalm 119:5-7 (The Message) May our steps be continually and securely set upon the Rock, our firm foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is a sure foundation and with Him, we shall not be moved. Standing on the Rock, we are high above our circumstances, not beneath them. When we stay on course with the LORD, we have no regrets. He will grant us success, a free, healthy and full life.

How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Psalm 116:5-6 (NLT) I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy (Psalm 116:1). In my time of great need, Almighty God reached down and helped me. God is so good, and so kind! He is full of mercy and grace. Call on Him as long as you have breath, because He listens! (Psalm 116:2)

Praise the LORD, my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty. You cover yourself with light as though it were a robe. You stretch out the heavens as though they were curtains. You lay the beams of your home in the water. You use the clouds for your chariot. You move on the wings of the wind. Psalm 104:1-3 (GW) Bless the LORD, O my soul! Let all that I am praise the LORD. Great is our God. He is clothed in glory, honor and majesty. Covered in a brilliant light, He is absolutely radiant. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). Many are His works. Give God all the praise and honor. Worship the LORD with all your heart.

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. Psalm 97:10-12 (NIV) The LORD guards our lives and delivers us from the hand of the enemy. May the light of the LORD brightly shine upon you. Let His joy fill your heart and spill over into the lives of those around you. Rejoice in the LORD and praise His holy name. He is WORTHY!

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV) The LORD rescues those who love Him. He protects those who acknowledge that His name is above all other names. God is with us in trouble and He delivers us. Love the LORD, our God with all your heart, mind and soul and He will honor you and give you a long satisfying life. Call on the LORD and He will answer.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. Psalm 86:12-13 (NIV) Great is God's love toward us. Nothing can ever separate us from His unfailing love. He has delivered us from the depths of hell. He is our helper and our comforter. Praise the LORD with all your heart and give glory to His name forever.