Manna for Your Morning

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:6 (NIV) God is with you and He is mighty to save you. He is able to deliver you from all your troubles. The LORD delights in you, His child. He carries you close to His chest and quiets you with His love. He rejoices over you. Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

Now a man named Lazarus was sick.  When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 10:1, 4 (NIV) Jesus didn't say that Lazarus would not die. He said His sickness would not end in death. If you are involved in a life or death situation, remember, it will not end in death. Our great God has resurrection power. He gives new life to dead things. Maybe it is a relationship gone bad, a sickness or a situation you are in, or even the condition of your heart. Ask God to bring it back to life. Love, Jackie

I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. Nehemiah 7:2 (KJV) God calls us to be faithful men and women. Faithful believers do not look at the circumstances; they rise above them. They keep their eyes focused on Jesus and their minds are at peace because they trust God and follow Him at all costs. Are you being faithful to do what God has called you to? Love, Jackie

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him... Nahum 1:7 (NIV) If you are having any kind of trouble, seek shelter in the LORD. He cares for you. Love, Jackie

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Micah 7:7-8 (NIV) If you have fallen, God will pick you up. If you sit in darkness, draw near to the LORD. He is our light. There is no darkness in Him. Let us walk in the light and enjoy sweet fellowship with our Lord and Savior. Love, Jackie

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. Jonah 1:1-2 (NIV) Do you run away from the LORD when He sends His word to you?  Let us walk in obedience to the LORD, in full compliance with His will. As children of God the proper response to any direction our heavenly Father gives us is, "Yes, LORD." Remember, God is working for your good. Love, Jackie

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust - the other locusts and the locust swarm - my great army that I sent among you." Joel 2:25 (NIV) Our God is a God of restoration. He gave Job double for his trouble. He will restore what the locusts have eaten out of your life. Where there is sickness, He brings healing. He turns our mourning into joy and our lack into abundance. Give glory to God. Love, Jackie

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 (NIV) God wants our hearts, not some empty ritual like ripping your garments, an old Israelite practice. To put it in modern terms, He doesn't want shallow Sunday morning church attendance, after which He gets put on the shelf until the next week. Our loving God wants us to come to Him with our hearts open. He wants us to be real before Him and worship in truth and full of thanksgiving for His grace and compassion.  Humble your heart before the LORD today. Adore Him for who He is, the LORD our God, slow to anger and abounding in love. Love, Jackie

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV) Ecclesiastes 3 says there is a time for everything. Now is the perfect time to seek the LORD. We can approach the throne of grace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can enter the Most Holy Place and present ourselves at the foot of His altar and fellowship with the LORD God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. What liberty we have in Christ. May we take advantage of such a privilege and seek the LORD, first and foremost.  Love, Jackie

But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people... Hosea 10:13-14 (NIV) Let us learn a lesson from the Israelites. When we depend on our own strength or the strength of man, we are deceived and nothing good comes of it. Rely on the LORD. He is our strength. The battle is not ours, but God's and He has given us the victory. Hallelujah! Love, Jackie

Though it cost all you have get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) Consistently seek to gain an understanding of who the LORD is and what His will is for you. Hosea 4:14 says a people without understanding will come to ruin. Love, Jackie

"Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." Daniel 10:12 (NIV) Like Daniel, we have to set our minds to gain a greater understanding of God. We must set our minds to humble ourselves before God. It is not something that is going to happen automatically. It is not something the flesh is going to naturally seek out. It is a decision, a deliberate, intentional act of our will to humbly seek God. Set your mind today to draw near to God in humility and with an open heart ready to learn what He reveals of Himself to you. Love, Jackie

Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. Daniel 9:13 (NIV) If disaster is knocking at your door, seek the favor of the LORD. Give attention to His Word by obeying it and standing on His promises. Psalm 91:9 says, " if you make the Most High your dwelling - even the LORD, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent . " Love, Jackie

Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. Daniel 6:11 (NIV) Daniel got down on his knees and prayed three times a day and when the administrators tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel they were unable to do so. The only charge they could bring against him was that He prayed to his God.  How often do you pray and ask God for His help? God tells us to approach His throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Ask God for help. He doesn't expect us to do it on our own. Love, Jackie

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:23 (NIV) Daniel was thrown into the den of lions because he refused to pray to any god except the LORD. Daniel trusted in God, and He shut the mouths of the lions. When we trust God, the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion is rendered powerless. Our God rescues and He saves. Keep trusting God. Love, Jackie

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV) Let us give thanks to the LORD and praise His holy name. In His everlasting love He woke us up this morning and poured out new compassions on us. God is good all the time and faithful to fulfill all of His promises. Glory to God. Love, Jackie

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17 (NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a blazing furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. Not only did they come out unharmed, but the smell of fire wasn't even on them. The God we serve is more than able to do the same for you. If the flames of adversity are threatening to consume you, keep trusting in God and He will bring you through. Love, Jackie

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Ezekiel 47:12 (NIV) This Scripture reminded me of how God wants us to bear fruit. Jesus is the Living Water and His water flows in us. We are to be like trees planted by the water yielding fruit (Psalm 1:3). We will not wither or be fruitless if we keep our roots steep in the Living Water.  Love, Jackie

Happy are those who are strong in the LORD, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains! Psalm 84:5-6 (NLT) Happy are those who draw their strength from the LORD and set their minds on finishing the course God has placed before them. No matter where our personal paths take us, we are on a journey and if we continue to walk with God, we will get through it. And our low valleys will become places where God pours out His blessings and refreshes us. Praise the LORD.   On the journey with Him, Love, Jackie

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV) Let us remember all the wonderful benefits the LORD bestows upon us. He is forgiving and gracious. He heals all our diseases. He lifts us up out of the pits and puts us in heavenly places in Jesus Christ. He has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. Praise His holy name. Love, Jackie

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJ) May we embrace each season of our lives that God graciously gives us. He created the spring season with its new life and growth as well as the fall season with its maturity and wisdom. Recognize there is a God ordained time for every purpose on earth. God made Esther queen at just the right time to save the Jewish people. And at just the right time God sent His only Son to save a fallen world. God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NKJ) . May you enjoy all the seasons of your life. Love, Jackie

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:3-5 (NIV) Let us call to the Lord all day long because He is forgiving and He is good. His love flourishes upon all who call to Him. His ear is always open to our cries and He is faithful to answer each one. Love, Jackie

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 (NIV) As we continually walk according to God's will, we can be confident that no good thing will be withheld from us. He will give us favor and honor. He will open doors for us that no man can shut. Those who walk with God will be respected in their families, on their jobs and in their communities. Praise the LORD! I encourage you to keep your walk on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. Live your life within the margins. Love, Jackie

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:27-28 (NIV) It is good to be near God. In His presence there is fullness of joy. As long as we dwell near Him, we are under the mighty arm of God and His protection. When we are near Him, peace floods our souls and His marvelous love fills our spirits. The Presence of God breaks through confusion and brings clarity. When we are by His side, He can chase away all sickness and pain, sorrow and grief. Close to Him is where I want to be every moment of every day. Love, Jackie

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) When our flesh fails us and our hearts grow weak, God is our strength. I have not been feeling well since last Wednesday morning when I started having muscle spasms in my upper back and then I caught a cold in addition. But God sent me this word this morning to remind me that even though my flesh is failing, He will always be my strength and my portion. Let us thank God for every day He gives us on this earth. Love, Jackie

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:20 (NIV) Even though you may face many bitter trials in this life, rest assured, God will restore your life. He will refresh your weary soul. No matter how far down you go, He will raise you up. Amen. Love,  Jackie

God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:19-20 (NIV) Sometimes when we disappoint people, they may withhold their love as a form of punishment. Husbands call this being "in the dog house." But one thing we can really rejoice about is that God never withdraws His love from us. And He never closes his ear to our prayer. God pours His love out on us every day. Make sure you get under the spout. Love, Jackie

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:12 (NIV) God doesn't say we will never have trials but He does promise to bring us through them. When the flames of adversity are burning all around you, remember God will provide a way of escape. When stormy floodwaters threaten to drown you, the hand of God will be there to pull you out. He will bring you to a place of abundant peace and joy.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind... Romans 7:21-23 (NIV) Be on the alert, we are in a war. Fight the good fight of faith. Evil with its temptations is always lurking about. We consistently have to choose to follow God and delight in doing His will.  Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory in Jesus Christ. Love, Jackie

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV) May your soul rest in God alone. As you rest in Him, He will refresh your weary mind and renew your frazzled emotions. As you rest in God, you are more likely to let go of what you want and pursue the will of God for your life. When we stop fighting against God, our souls will truly rest in Him. Love, Jackie