FRESH MANNA

Job 11:14-19 MEV if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;  [15] for then you will lift up your face without blemish; yes, you will be steadfast and will not fear,  [16] because you will forget misery, and remember it as waters that pass away,  [17] and your life will be brighter than noonday, even your darkness will be as the morning.  [18] You will trust because there is hope; yes, you will search about you, and you will look around and rest in safety.  [19] Also you will lie down, and none will make you afraid; yes, many will court your favor. Happy New Year! Welcome to the new year! Congratulations, we all made it! Unfortunately, we seem to think January alone or the first three months is the new year. Why can’t it be a new year always? A lot of people start the year by making “new year’s resolutions,” things they intend to either do or not do. Sadly, not many see this through. Some don’t even last until the...

1 Thessalonians 4:8 CSB Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Psalm 14:1 says, “Only a fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” This verse is often interpreted as a warning against the rejection of God, atheism, and a call to faith in God. It describes the fool as corrupt and evil, with none of them doing good. The verse is used to argue that belief in God is necessary for morality. People reject God daily, even professing Christians deny and reject God, His power, truth, and word. The main reason for this denial is that people often cherish their life on earth more than their future life in eternity. The times that Paul predicted in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, the times of difficulty that will occur in “the last days,” are already beginning to unfold. These are times of denying and rejecting the Lord and His truth, times when the unrighteous don’t want to hear the truth or anything about God. Why do people reject God anyway? Israel ...

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 CSB Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. [10] For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. There are people we mix with who bring us wisdom, courage, confidence, and more. Conversely, mixing with others may stunt, limit, or even stop us from fulfilling our purpose or achieving anything. The Bible is packed full of examples of those whose lives were transformed or changed by the people they associated with. Walking with the right person or people is called divine connection. A divine connection refers to a special relationship or bond orchestrated by God, often leading to significant spiritual growth, guidance, and the fulfilment of God’s purpose in one’s life. In the Bible, “walking with the right person” often refers to living in harmony and alignment with God’s will and choosing companions who share similar values and faith. These principles underscore the impor...

Exodus 4:2 TLB "What do you have there in your hand?" the Lord asked him. And he replied, "A shepherd's rod." Many people have experienced situations where they’re looking for something they already have or wanting to do something they don’t think they can, even though the skill or talent is already within them. Throughout the Bible, questions were asked to help people understand their standing with the Lord, delve deeper into the Word, and allow God’s hand to move freely in their circumstances. It would be great if we could say the first-ever question asked in the Bible came from God, but unfortunately, it didn’t. The first question in the Bible came from Satan in Genesis 3:1. The second question came from God in verse 9. “What is in your hand?” God’s question to Moses was meant to shift Moses’ focus from his perceived inadequacy to God’s choice and approval of him. God didn’t ask the question to gain information from Moses, but to draw Moses’ attention to what...

Numbers 1:2-13 NASB “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head [3] from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall count them by their armies. [4] With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household. [5] These then are the names of the men who shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; [6] of the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; [7] of the tribe of Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; [8] of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar; [9] of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon; [10] of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; [11] of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; [12] of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; [13] of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran; There are people and ...

Psalm 34:1-6 NLT I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. [2] I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. [3] Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt his name together. [4] I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. [6] In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. If there’s one thing we must do, it’s to praise the Lord without ceasing! We pray without ceasing, so how about praising God without stopping? Praise simply means to give thanks! Giving thanks to God is an obligation of every human. The Bible contains events and people praising God in diverse ways. Praise is commonly used to express awe and reverence for God and to honour Him for everything He is to us. Praise and worship are among the most used terms in churches, while “praise ...

Amos 3:3 AMPC Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? We can only walk with those we agree with; walking together is partnering with another to reach a goal agreeable to all parties. There are those with whom we’ve parted ways for personal, business, or spiritual reasons because we no longer agree and can no longer walk together. There are all kinds of partnerships, but every one of them is rooted in a relationship based on sharing, participation, and productivity, leading to a reciprocal relationship between those who receive a resource and those who give it out to attain a fruitful venture. What and who do you partner with? Ecclesiastes 4:9 says two are better than one, that a partnership is infinitely better than working alone because working together leads to more satisfying outcomes. A partnership has an advantage that a solitary person never has. The Bible teaches that true partnership is built on mutual respect and shared purpose. When two people wo...

Job 8:14 TLB A man without God is trusting in a spider's web. Everything he counts on will collapse. If someone had told me that spiders or their webs were mentioned in the Bible, I would have either said, “go look again” or searched for myself. But behold, all of God’s creations are mentioned in the Bible. We all know what a spider’s web looks like and how far they can reach and cover. They can create a slightly scary look and sometimes, in some places, may be a sign of untidiness and uncleanliness. (I swept the other day and, hey, a few days later, there was a fresh web. Where do they come from?) Of course, let’s not forget that anything ghoulish loves to spread man-made spider webs around, like during Halloween. In this instance, the spider’s web is seen as something weak, since it can be easily swiped away. The spider’s web reinforces how a person who performs evil deeds weaves “spiders’ webs” for themselves, not being able to hide their deeds. Isaiah 59:3-8 recounts the mostly...

Habakkuk 2:3 (AMP)  For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.  If you have ever been stuck in traffic when you are in a hurry or a slow-moving queue, then you may know something about patience and waiting. There is patience in waiting!  Waiting and patience go hand in hand, they are interchangeable, you cannot do one without the other. According to the Bible, patience is a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 and a virtue and it is what allows us to respond to frustrating circumstances with grace and self-control. Anything of value is worth waiting for according to the bible, every notable event of the scripture needs time to mature into manifestation, from Abraham waiting for Isaac to David waiting for the throne, the Israelites in slavery waiting for deliverance and from the ...

Romans 8:23-25 TPT And it’s not just creation. We who have already experienced the first fruits of the Spirit also inwardly groan as we passionately long to experience our full status as God’s sons and daughters—including our physical bodies being transformed.  [24] For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have?  [25] So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfilment. We talked about waiting patiently on the Lord, but God wants us to be eager in our waiting, anticipating His wonders and goodness towards us. We are not the first generation to be asked to wait. Paul says believers in his days groaned in frustrated longing for God’s intervention and deliverance in their case. Many of us have been waiting continually and patiently on the Lord for certain things, but how many of us are eagerly waiting for the m...

Psalm 37:7 (KJV)  Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. WAIT! This is a command. Waiting! I am waiting! You’re waiting! Everyone is waiting! Waiting for something or someone, waiting patiently or impatiently for whatever it is one is waiting for! God commands us to “wait,” to be still, calmly resigned, and leave things (all things) in God’s hands. What are you waiting for? For marriage? Exam results? Babies? Jobs? Health improvement? Whatever we are waiting for may be important enough for us to wait for however long it takes for the manifestation. The dominant sense of waiting is that of "hope,” and as Romans 4:18 says, against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement. So, Hope! We can’t wait for anything without hope. Hope, the desire for some good, accompanied by an expectation of o...

Romans 16:1-16 NASB I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, [2] that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. [3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; [5] also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. [6] Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. [8] Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. [10] Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet thos...

Isaiah 50:7 NLT Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Determination is the quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions over a situation, a mind that has become resolute despite the obvious circumstances. As believers, our determination to remain righteous and holy in a sin-infested world is sustained by the strength of God. We are therefore confident of our victory over the enemy. We must be determined not to get sucked into the world as it is now, which makes Christianity seem like an anomaly. There are so many things clamouring for our attention and interest, and they all seem to be more interesting, more straightforward, in fact, more of everything that we think Christianity isn’t. But we must be confident of who and what we believe in and be determined to remain firm in that belief according 1 Timothy 1:12. Daniel knew where he was coming...

Romans 5:2 AMPC Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. By whom we have access! Jesus declares in John 14:6 that he is the way, the doorway, the entrance and in most cases the exit, making him the ultimate access by which we enter the spiritual realm. Divine access is not gained using a key or physical lock but by the authority in Christ Jesus and the blood of the lamb. As Jesus gave authority to Peter to act on His behalf, so he gave to every believer. Jesus, in Matthew 16:19 describes the authority He delegated to us as the "keys to the kingdom of heaven." He says that whatever we bind or loose on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven.  Only the most trusted servant in the household would be given the keys to the doors of the estate.  In handing them over, the master of the...

Titus 2:12-14 AMP It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age,  [13] awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,  [14] who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good. Zeal means to be committed and devoted to someone or something. Zealousness is to be warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of a matter. It is the passion or fervency we exhibit over an issue or relationship. Zeal should be a characteristic of our life. All the spiritual priorities that Paul lists in Romans 12:9-21 are dedicated service. Love is to be sincere. Evil is to be ...

Psalm 126:1-6 NASB When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, We were like those who dream.  [2] Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”  [3] The Lord has done great things for us; We are joyful.  [4] Restore our fortunes, Lord, As the streams in the South.  [5] Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.  [6] One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. God has never failed, and His word does not fail. What He does for one, He will do for another again and again. What He did before, He can do again and again, more than once. The same God who did all the wondrous things in the Bible, who performed all the miracles in your life before, who healed you from sickness before, who delivered you before, who saved you before, and who helped you ...

 Matthew 12:37 TLB Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.” Accountability means answering to somebody, being responsible, or obliged to report to someone else. It means to give an account of ourselves—where we’ve been, what we’ve done or are doing, what we’ve said, and our motives. It also means that the one holding you accountable has the freedom to ask for an account of your actions. We will appear alone before God, and each person is accountable to Christ, not to others. While the church must be uncompromising in its stand against activities expressly forbidden by Scripture (adultery, homosexuality, murder, theft), it should not create additional rules and regulations and give them equal standing with God’s law. Many times, Christians base their moral judgments on opinion, personal dislikes, or cultural bias rather than on the Word of God. When we stand before God’s court of justice, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:10, we...

Philippians 3:12-14 TLB I don't mean to say I am perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. [13] No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. If you have ever been on a trip with a child (or even a teenager or some adults), you have likely heard the question, “Are we there yet?” Sometimes, you hear it so often that you get sick of hearing it. “Are we there yet?” We are like these little children when we are waiting for God to do what we’ve asked Him to, and it seems to take forever to materialize. “Are we there yet? Is it time, Lord? Can I have it now, Father?” These questions all point to our imp...

Titus 2:11-12 AMPC For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.  [12] It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, Applying the message of grace in your life can be transformative. We must first acknowledge and accept the grace of God for it to function properly to transform us. Approaching God boldly as Hebrews 4:16 encourages, with confidence in prayer is important to receiving grace and trust that He is ready to offer us mercy and grace in times of need. Acknowledging that our natural abilities are limited and that we need God’s strength to accomplish spiritual tasks. Remember Zechariah 4:6 and Philippians 4:13, which remind us that we must rely on God’s strength, as it is by God’s Spirit and strength ...

Hebrews 4:16 TLB So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive His mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need. We cannot do God’s work with our natural strength; we do not have the abilities needed to do spiritual activities. As stated in Zechariah 4:6, it’s not by power nor by might but by the Spirit of God. What is grace then? Grace is the favourable influence of God in renewing hearts through the application of Christ’s righteousness. Grace is much more than unmerited favour! Grace is God’s adornment of His people. It’s God’s decoration of His children, dignifying and beautifying His chosen ones when they least qualify for it. Believers are encouraged to approach God boldly because of what our high priest Jesus Christ has done for us. He sympathizes with our weaknesses because He too was tested in every way as believers are daily tested. However, Jesus did not sin, and so we believe that by the grace bestowed upon us, we can confidently and b...

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 CSB especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.  [8] Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.  [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast even more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. Some situations and people will task our strength, patience, endurance, and anything else they can sap from us. No matter how patient we are, there will always be that person or thing that will make us wish, pray, or cry for more patience. We often find ourselves doing so when we face storms of life, we look for a quick and easy fix when it seems like either God has forgotten us or is ignoring us. Wherever we are right now in life, be it on the mountain, the valley or t...