Manna for Your Morning

One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. Acts 16:14 (NIV) What a wonderful reputation went before Lydia. May we leave a legacy of being a worshiper of God. Choose today to give glory to Him.  Love, Jackie

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16 (NIV) It is good to sing praises to our God (Psalm 147:1). Praise Him for waking you up this morning and giving you the strength to get out of bed. Praise Him for His great love which sustains us each day. His compassions never fail. He is always there for us, a shelter in the storm. Sing to the LORD. Praise Him for His enduring strength and amazing love. Love, Jackie

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus and who put no confidence in the flesh... Philippians 3:3 (NIV) May we put no confidence in the flesh or think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. Jeremiah 17:7 says, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." We enjoy peace and success when we fully rely on God (FROG). Love, Jackie

"What strength do I have that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Job 6:11 (NIV) In the midst of his trials and tribulations, Job asked, "What strength do I have that I should still hope?" You may be wondering the same thing. When we are bombarded with the circumstances that arise in our daily living, it is easy to feel like we don't have the strength to put our hope in anything. However, the Apostle Paul instructs us to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). Let us look for the joy in our lives and be like David who said his hope was in God all day long (Psalm 25:5). God is faithful and He will not fail us. Praise the LORD. Love, Jackie

And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 7:3 (NIV) Eighty percent of Americans call themselves Christians, yet our land is fraught with darkness of all kinds. May those of us who claim to be Christian, return to the LORD with all of our hearts. Instead of trying to resemble those of the world, may we let the light of God within us shine brightly for all to see. Commit yourselves to the LORD and sincerely serve Him only.  Love, Jackie

"Watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape..." Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (NIV) God is still speaking to me about idols, so I'm sharing with you. May we search our hearts and see if we have put anything before God. If you give more attention to following celebrities and emulating sports figures, instead of seeking God's will and His direction then you may have a problem with idolatry. Husbands, your idol may be in the form of a vehicle if you put more energy into keeping your vehicle spotless than you do glorifying God by loving your wives as Christ loved the church. Let us be like the Thessalonians who turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Amen.  Love, Jackie

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us." He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." Exodus 32:1, 4 (NIV) In Exodus 20:2, God says, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything..." The Israelites made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. What form do our idols have today? For some, the idol may be a rectangular-shaped box known as the TV. Anything we honor more than God becomes an idol in our lives. If we spend more time watching television than we do spending time singing praises to God, reading His Word or talking to Him in prayer, TV may be our idol. If we spend more time absorbed in our favorite shows than we do expressing our love for God and for our neighbors

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) I really appreciate the heart of God. He wants us to give Him ALL our cares. He doesn't say, "You take some and give Me some." He wants all of them. He cares for us so much, He does not want us weighed down with anxious thoughts and concerns. He wants us care-free. Also, the use of the word, cast, indicates that God doesn't just want us to lay our anxiety down and still be near it. He wants us to throw it and get as far away from it as possible. So let us be obedient and cast all of our anxiety on the LORD. Amen. Love, Jackie 

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV) Let us rejoice in the fact that Almighty God woke us up to live another day. Be glad because God made this day and He has something in it just for you. According to Nehemiah 9:10, the joy of the LORD is our strength. May our joy strengthen us to fulfill God's purpose for this day. Again I say, "Rejoice!" Love, Jackie

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:13-14 (NIV) If we meditate on the Word of God until it gets into our hearts we will be more likely to speak His Word. When we are thinking and speaking God's Word we increase the probability of following God's Word. This is pleasing in His sight. So let us seek to please our heavenly Father at all times. Amen. Love, Jackie

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103: 11-12 (NIV) So great is the LORD's love for us. He sent Jesus to pay the penalty of our sin so we could be cleansed of our sins and enter into fellowship with Him. His love is so great, nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God we have in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). No matter what happens, we can rely on the great love our Creator has for us. Praise God. Love, Jackie

Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them. Exodus 18:8 (NIV) May we be like Moses and tell someone about our hardships and how the LORD saved us. Each one of us are eyewitnesses to what the LORD has done in our lives. There is nothing like real life stories of going from darkness to light, from downtrodden to victory to encourage the heart of someone going through. Praise the LORD for His faithfulness. Love, Jackie

The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen - the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. Exodus 14:28-29 (NIV) God delivers His people. When your enemy is hot on your trail God will provide dry ground for you to walk on - a pathway of escape. Follow Him at all times. Love, Jackie

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96: 4, 6 (NIV) When we dwell in the LORD he becomes our strength and His glory shines upon us. May we make ourselves at home in His heavenly sanctuary and praise the LORD in the beauty of His majesty all our days. Love, Jackie

"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you...' " Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage. Exodus 6:6, 9 (NIV) Moses tried to give the Israelites an encouraging message from the LORD but they were so discouraged they did not listen.  Who are you listening to today? The news reporters? CNN? Make sure you keep your ears open to hear the good news in the Word of God. Love & Peace to you, Jackie

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them..." Exodus 3:7-8 (NIV) If you are crying out to God today, know that He hears you and He is concerned about your suffering. God will rescue you from all your troubles. Seek direction from the LORD and patiently wait for Him, faithfully standing on the Word. God is concerned and He always takes care of His people. Love, Jackie

And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." Genesis 47:9 (NIV) Even though Jacob felt his life had been difficult he didn't let that stop him from worshiping God. When Jacob was 147 years old, Genesis 47:31 says he worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. May we worship God all the days of our lives, whether they be difficult or easy. Love, Jackie

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV) We are under the care of Almighty God. We can be in no greater hands. His hand is more mighty than cancer. His hand is more powerful than this world economy. His hand reaches beyond the mountain that stands before you. Nothing is too difficult for Him. The LORD our Maker knit us together in our mother's womb. We are His people and He is interested in whatever concerns us. Let us bow down and worship our great God. Love, Jackie

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV) Joseph spent years being mistreated and hated by his older brothers. Then he sat in a jail cell day after day. I would imagine he felt forgotten by God. But the whole time God had a plan for deliverance and not just for Joseph but for all of the Israelites.  Let us not be so quick to judge by appearances. When someone intentionally harms us in some way, know that God will use it for good, to accomplish His purpose. Many times the events in our lives will look negative in the beginning but will end up blessing many. Love, Jackie

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." Genesis 41:51 (NIV) Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave. Then Joseph spent years in prison when he had committed no crime, but God was able to make him forget all his trouble. God will deliver you from all your troubles. He will turn your sorrow to joy and your wailing into dancing. Psalm 30:5 says, weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone." Genesis 35:2-3 (NIV) Jacob instructed his family to change clothes as part of their preparation to worship God. Similarly, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to take off the old self with its evil practices and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). Let us clothe ourselves as children of the light and worship our heavenly Father. Love, Jackie

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV) Through Jesus Christ we are able to enjoy fellowship with our heavenly Father. May we take up residence in God and not in this world. Let us seek to develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with Abba Father each and every day. Love, Jackie

Now there was a famine in the land - besides the earlier famine of Abraham's time - and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you." — Genesis 26:1-3 (NIV) Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him (Genesis 26:12). This is a perfect example of how God causes His people to be victorious. As we walk with God and follow His direction, we rise above the circumstances of this world. The stock market may be down, unemployment up, and the world economy failing, but God's favor lifts His people up, to a higher place, above it all. And we can experience increase and abundance in a time of famine. Praise the LORD!

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  — 2 Corinthians 2:14 ( NIV) God always leads us in triumph as we abide in Christ. Keep following God and He will give you the victory.

The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you..." Genesis 22:15-17 (NIV) Abraham bound his only son Isaac, laid him on the altar and was ready to sacrifice him to God, following the instructions he had received from the LORD. May we hold all that God has given us in our hands with an open palm before God. Let us not hold on too tightly to anyone or anything the LORD has blessed us with. He must be first in our hearts. Love, Jackie

Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." — Genesis 18:13-14 (NIV) Stand on the Word and keep believing that God will fulfill all of the wonderful promises He has made to you. There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and God chooses the appointed time to carry out His master plan. His time may not line up with our timing, but it is always the perfect time. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, the Apostle Paul tells us to judge nothing before the appointed time. Patiently wait upon the LORD for your dreams and desires to be accomplished and remember: NOTHING is too difficult for the LORD?

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him" Psalm 91:14-15 (NIV) God doesn't tell us we won't go through any trouble but that He will be with us in it and He will deliver us out of it. In 1 Peter 4:12, the Apostle Peter tells us not to be surprised at the painful trials we suffer. Psalm 34:19 says, a righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. When you are in the midst of a fiery trial remember, the LORD is faithful and He will get you through it. Love, Jackie

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 6:9 (NIV) God warned Noah to build an ark because He was going to flood the earth. Due to Noah's obedience, him and his family was saved from the calamity that came upon the earth. Likewise, God is able to protect you from the situations of this world. When we walk with God and trust Him to guide us along on the path He has for us everything will be okay. Love, Jackie

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1 (NIV) Eve got into a conversation with the devil about what God said and was deceived. We should not get into any discussions with the devil about what God said. When the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded by stating, "It is written..." (Luke 4:4, 8) Let us be like Jesus and speak nothing but the Word, when the devil comes knocking at our door. Love, Jackie

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (NIV) For six days, "God said" and it was so (Genesis 1:3,6,9, 11, 14, 20, 24 & 26). God created the world by the words He spoke. We can create a beautiful life by the words we choose to speak. Proverbs 18:21 says the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Our inmost beings will rejoice when lips speak what is right (Proverbs 23:16). Fill your world with life and energy by speaking kind, positive, and uplifting words. Love, Jackie

Happy New Year to All! I want to share my New Year letter with you. “Why?” you may be asking yourself. I want to share for accountability, out of obedience to God and because we are family. We share our love by sharing our hearts. So, as the Apostle Paul said in one of his letters to the Corinthians, “Put up with me for a little while.” Reflections on 2008 As I reflected on the highlights of the past year the things that stood out most to me were the times I knew I was right on target with the will of God. One of those moments was at my first book signing at Promise Land Books. God opened the windows of heaven and poured out His blessings in abundance. For me it was a time of reaping so much joy after the years of discipline and work that went into Manna in the Morning. The name of the bookstore was so appropriate because I definitely felt like I had entered a special promise land that God had prepared for me. To arrive, I just had to take the steps of obedience as God led me. I almost