Manna for Your Morning

…casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) I like this verse in the Amplified Bible, because it says “ once and for all ”. That means once we cast our cares, we need to leave them in the “something for God to do” box and not pull them out again. This morning, as I was casting all my cares on the Lord, He reminded me that we are to wait on Him, instead of picking up our concerns again. Isaiah 40:31 (NASB) says, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. May we come out from under the circumstances, and continue to soar high, letting the power of His love be the wind beneath our wings, that carries us from glory to glory. Amen!

“ For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… ” — 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NASB) The eyes of the LORD search for sincere hearts, not physical appearances, or lofty titles. When our hearts are fully committed to the LORD, we can rely on Him to strengthen us. We can do all things [which He has called us to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers us. (Philippians 4:13) Realize, it's through Him. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:8 AMP) God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. — 2 Chronicles 16:9a (MSG)

  As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. — James 5:10-11 (NASB) When it comes to suffering, let us remember Job and how God brought it all together for him at the end. Also, consider Jesus, … who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God . (Hebrews 12:2 NASB) Our Heavenly Father is faithful to fulfill every promise and He will cause everything to work together for good in our lives. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen . — 1 Peter 5:10-11 (NL...

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) The Amplified Bible says: Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7) Let us be deeply rooted in Jesus, the everlasting Rock, and bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God. …and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. — 1 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. — Psalm 139:16 (NLT) Every moment of our lives matter because God took the time to record each day and lay our lives out moment by moment. He intentionally made all the delicate, inner parts of our bodies and knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He did this with purpose and His plan for our lives is good. Though our journey will take us through all kinds of seasons, we have a glorious destiny awaiting us. May we seek His will, as we plan our days and our lives. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.  (Psalm 33:11 NASB) Let us submit to the authority of God’s Word and be led by His Holy Spirit, in word and action, because every moment of life He gives us matter.

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) Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. (Psalm 111:1-3 MSG) The LORD is full of grace and mercy. He is a God of love and compassion. The happiness we seek is found in Him. Psalm 16:11 says: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” We have the peace we long for, when we fix our thoughts upon Him. (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) May we keep our minds and lives clear of clutter, so we can worship the LORD with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Wholehearted devotion, with no distractions or detours. Amen.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. — James 4:8 (NLT) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. How can we draw near to God? We are drawing closer to God when our first thoughts, after we awaken, are of Him and His goodness, for giving us another day. We draw near to God when the deepest desire of our hearts is for more of His Presence living in us, occupying every crevice. We draw near to Him, when we acknowledge that we can do nothing without Him. We come closer to our heavenly Father when we worship Him, with humble hearts and attitudes of gratitude, grateful for even the air He gives us to breathe. We draw near to God when we realize that He is the only One who can fulfill us, the only One who can mend the broken pieces of our lives. He is the One who completes us. No matter where we are, in our walk with God, He is always calling us to come closer.