Manna for Your Morning

Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.  "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:27-28 (NIV) As true disciples of Jesus, we must leave everything and follow Him. In order to follow Jesus, we must keep our eyes on Him. Even when you don't understand the direction He is taking, keep putting your feet in His footsteps. When He stops, wait on the Lord. If you run ahead of Him you may take the wrong path and get lost. Just follow Jesus. Love, Jackie

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13 (NIV) Jesus was out in the desert for forty days being tempted by the devil. Jesus came against the devil by speaking the Word of God and the devil left him until an opportune time. The devil prowls about like a lion looking for someone to devour. When he comes your way, be prepared to speak the Word and He will flee. Love, Jackie

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then everyone deserted him and fled. Mark 14:45-46, 50 (NIV) There is nothing like the sting of betrayal or the pain of being deserted by those who professed to love you, but even Jesus Christ experienced betrayal and desertion. We can take comfort in knowing our heavenly Father will NEVER leave us or forsake us. He promises to be with us in the fiery flames and in the stormy flood waters. Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:35-36 (NIV) People often ask "What would Jesus do?" The Scripture above shows what Jesus did when he was deeply distressed and troubled (Mark 14:33) because He knew it was time for Him to go to the cross and experience separation from the Father for the 1st time as He took on the sins of the world.  First, Jesus humbled Himself before the Father by falling to the ground. Second, He prayed. He acknowledged the power of Abba Father, that everything is possible for Him. Jesus spoke His desire and then submitted to the will of our heavenly Father. When we are overwhelmed with the issues of this life may we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen. Love, Jackie

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on." Mark 12:43-44 (NIV) Do we give to God that which costs us nothing or do we make a sacrifice when we give? Jesus wants us to give our all, not just financial resources, but everything we hold dear. When we put it in the hands of the Lord and focus on Him, He blesses us with even more, souls that prosper, overflowing joy and peace, healthy bodies and sound minds. Put everything you have on the altar of God today and store your treasures in heaven.  Love, Jackie 

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25 (NIV) When someone has hurt us or offended us in some way, it may be difficult to think about forgiving them. However, we can choose to forgive the person and ask God to help us forgive from the heart. Let it go. Remember all you have been forgiven of and imitate our heavenly Father. Love,  Jackie

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:21-23 (NIV) Have your prayers ever included the words, "if you can"? Let us remember, with God ALL things are possible. When Jesus says, "everything", He means it. When the situation before you seems impossible, believe it is POSSIBLE, and seek GOD for the answer. Love, Jackie

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28 (NIV) May the Lord open our ears that we may hear His still small voice. In addition to hearing the word we are to be doers of the word. Hear and hearken onto the voice of the Lord. This honors God and gives us favor. Love, Jackie

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' " Mark 12:29-30 (NIV) How much time in energy do you put into loving the Lord your God? It is the greatest commandment of all. Make sure God is first in your heart.  May thoughts about our loving God occupy your mind more than anyone or anything else. Let your love for God be the driving force behind everything you do. May the love you have for our heavenly Father be a source of strength in your life.  Love, Jackie

Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9:12 (NIV) Have you been injured in this battle of life? If you are suffering in any way, call on the Great Physician, Jesus. Unlike the HMO's, Doctor Jesus makes home visits and you do not have to wait weeks before He sees you. Lay on His altar and receive the healing you need. Love, Jackie

And wherever he went - into villages, towns or countryside - they placed the sick in marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:56 (NIV) Jesus provides healing for all who touch Him. Reach out and touch the Lord to receive the healing you need - physical, spiritual or emotional. When you worship Him with all your heart you will contact Him and be made whole. Love, Jackie

Jacob said, "Please. If you can find it in your heart to welcome me, accept these gifts. When I saw your face, it was as the face of God smiling on me. Accept the gifts I have brought for you. God has been good to me and I have more than enough." Jacob urged the gifts on him and Esau accepted. Genesis 33:10 (The Message) We serve a God of more than enough . Jacob, with the favor of God, had all he needed. When the other nations were experiencing famine, Joseph had more than enough in Egypt. Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish. After all ate and were satisfied, there were twelve baskets full of broken pieces of bread and fish left over. In the presence of the Lord, there is overflowing joy and peace. Jesus has more than enough love, grace and mercy for every person. May you always experience the abundant life we have in Jesus. Love, Jackie

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:41-42 (NIV) Jesus is full of compassion and He cares about you. He is always willing to heal the sick and make the brokenhearted whole again. He comforts those who grieve and covers troubled hearts with a blanket of His peace.  Love, Jackie

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) As we walk in love and perform acts of kindness, others may be inspired and do likewise. Encourage the people around you. Give them hope by speaking an uplifting word. Utilize every opportunity to do good for others. Today, consider how you may spur someone on to walk in love and do good deeds from the heart.  Love, Jackie

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. Matthew 15:25 (NIV) The Canaanite woman humbled herself before the Lord and pleaded for help. As a result, her daughter was healed. When you need help (which is always), kneel down before the Lord and ask Him. James 4:2 says you do not have because you do not ask God. Love, Jackie

"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean." Matthew 15:17-18 (NIV) If you want to know what is in your heart, pay very close attention to the words that flow out of your mouth. Are your words kind, loving and compassionate? Or are you cursing, complaining and backbiting? May we continually speak the praises of our heavenly Father and bring glory to His kingdom in all we say and do. Love, Jackie

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:29-31 (NIV) Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water until he began to look at his adverse circumstances, the wind. Once he took his eyes off of Jesus he was afraid and started to sink. If you doubt that God is working in your situation, you have been looking at the circumstances too long. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will lift you above the challenges that blow into your life. Love, Jackie

The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Matthew 13:10-11 (NIV) I am amazed at how much time and energy people spend running from one thing to another, looking for the secret formula to success. We are bombarded with information that promises to help us live longer, look younger and weigh less. God has given us the secrets to obtain health, wealth and happiness throughout His Word. Anything we attempt to do without God will not last. When searching for the answers to the challenges in your life, look in the Word and you will find the secret. Love, Jackie

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow." Matthew 13:3-5 (NIV) When our main focus is on outer appearances rather than what is in the heart of a person, our ground may be a little shallow. If the balance of our bank account is more important than obeying God, we are standing on shallow ground. Concerns of this world are rocks that will stop God's Word from taking root in our hearts.  When loving God and loving our neighbors is our main concern, God's Word will fall on good soil, take root and bear good fruit. Ask God to remove any rocks hidden in your heart. Love, Jackie

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. Matthew 9:28-30 (NIV) Do you believe Jesus is able to take care of what concerns you? Jesus came to this earth, teaching, preaching and healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35). He brought the dead back to life. He is able. Nothing is too difficult for our God to handle. Pray and ask God to forgive your unbelief. As Jesus told Thomas, "Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27) Love, Jackie

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Matthew 9:20-21 (NIV) Draw near to God. If we only get close enough to touch the edge of His garment we will receive the healing we need, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Sit and relax in His Presence. Enjoy the fellowship with our amazing and awesome God. He is so WONDERFUL. Love, Jackie

Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:24-26 (NIV) Fear not. We are in the boat with Jesus and He is NOT asleep. He will completely calm the storms in your life. Love, Jackie

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 (NIV) For me some of the scariest words in the Bible are found in Matthew 7:23: "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Jesus speaks these words to believers who were supposedly serving Him, yet He says they never knew Him. Let us not be deceived. We need to make sure the things we put all of our time and energy into are God's will and not our own. Even then, it is not wise to get so involved with our "stuff" that we forget to draw near to God and get to KNOW HIM more.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14, 16 (NIV) Let your light shine before men. This dark world needs your light. I believe, our light shines the brightest when we walk in love with others, beginning with those in our own homes. Be a model your children can follow. Let your beams of light touch those on your job. If you are a little low on watts, hook up to the Source and let Him shine through you. Amen. Love, Jackie

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, God with us. Matthew 1:23 (NIV) No matter where we are, God is with us. We are never alone or destitute. When you get the results of that test in the doctor's office, He is with you. When you fall, He is there to catch you. In times of weakness, He is there to be your strength. Praise, Immanuel. Love, Jackie

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him... Hebrews 5:8 (NIV) Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered and the result was eternal salvation for all who follow Him. May we learn to obey God in every challenge we face. God is faithful to work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Love, Jackie 

Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12 (NIV) The LORD is a God of restoration. He restores joy to those who sorrow. He repairs broken relationships. Once God restores something, the latter condition is better than the former. Praise the LORD. Love, Jackie

As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.  Zechariah 9:11 (NIV) The LORD is a God of freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). If you are held captive by fear, anger, depression or any addictive behavior, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Jesus came to set the captives free. Glory Hallelujah! Live in the freedom of the LORD. Love, Jackie

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.' Zechariah 7:9-10 (NIV) Let us show mercy and compassion to our Christian brothers and sisters. We are all part of God's family. Forgive one another and turn the other cheek. Jesus said, all men would know that we are His disciples if we love one another. Instead of thinking evil of one another, may we think the best of fellow believers. Love, Jackie

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (NIV) A divided heart is torn between the things of this world and the things of God. Set your affection completely on the LORD, and put nothing before Him. May we be fully and deeply devoted to Him alone. Draw near to God with a sincere heart. Love, Jackie