Manna for Your Morning

And rejoice before the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name - you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, the Levites in your towns, and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows living among you. Deuteronomy 16:11 (NIV) In the Old Testament, God's people had to go to a physical place to meet with the LORD. In the above Scripture the Israelites were instructed to celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD, wherever He chose to dwell.  Today,  the LORD has chosen to dwell in our hearts by His Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, whom we have received from God. We have much more reason to rejoice because of our constant fellowship with our heavenly Father, who loves us so very much. We don't have to journey to a specific location and meet with God at certain times of the year. We don't have to wait until Sunday morning and meet Him at church. May we rejoice and celebrate in the Pr...

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) Let us love not only with our words, but with our actions also. May we fill the empty cups of those around us until they overflow with love and compassion. May we not just love when we feel like it or when it is convenient. Overflowing love goes out of the way to show the other person how much you care, regardless of how you feel. May your love increase and overflow to those God has placed in your life. Amen. Love, Jackie

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:6-8 (NIV) Once we ask God for something, we must believe God is able and willing to do what we have asked of Him. Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God and anyone who comes to Him must believe that He rewards those who earnestly seek him. Another caveat to asking and believing is that we must stand firm in our faith and not doubt. We are not to let any report of bad news change our belief in the One who is greater than anything the world brings our way. Amen. Love, Jackie

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV) The LORD is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27:1) and He makes His face to shine upon us. The LORD our God is loving and His compassions toward us are new every morning. Rejoice in His glory today. Love, Jackie

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously too all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NIV) As we are faced with various situations in life, we all can stand to use wisdom. The Word says all we have to do is ask God, who gives generously to all and it will be given unto us. It is that simple. When you don't know what to do, just ask. Love, Jackie

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God... Deuteronomy 8:10 (NIV) Moses warned the Israelites not to forget to acknowledge and obey the LORD after they entered the Promise Land. May we praise the LORD for all the good things He has given us, for every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). Hallelujah! Love, Jackie

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God: The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV) If you have invited Jesus Christ into your heart, to be your Lord and Savior, you are His treasured possession. You belong to God and no one can take you out of His hand (John 10:29). 1 Peter 2:9 says, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. You are valuable to our heavenly Father. Let us worship God who cherishes us with an everlasting love and will be with us for all eternity. Love, Jackie

At that time I said to you, "You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone." But how can I bear your problems, and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?" Deuteronomy 1:9, 12 (NIV) In the above Scripture, Moses is talking to the Israelites. He is feeling the pressure of trying to lead the people. We will often feel overwhelmed with life when we think we are facing the challenges alone. God does not expect you to do anything all by yourself. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He tells us He will be with us in the fire and in the storm (Isaiah 43:2). He has given us His Holy Spirit to be our guide and our comforter. We are never alone. God is our help. Praise the LORD.  Love, Jackie

Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. Proverbs 27:20 (NLT) "More!" seems to be the cry of the human heart. Colossians 2:9 says we have been given fullness in Christ. If we have accepted Jesus and given our hearts to God, we have ALL that we need. The Apostle Paul said, "I've learned to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." (Philippians 4:12 The Message) I encourage you to find the recipe for your own happiness. You don't know how many days are ordained for you to live on this earth, so enjoy each and every day of your life. Loving Life, Joyful Jackie

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) Have you been struggling to know God's will for your life? Only after we have renewed our minds with the Word of God will we be able to discern the perfect will of God. As long as we conform to the ways of the world the things of God will remain a mystery. May we renew our minds according to the Word and allow ourselves to transformed to be more like Jesus Christ.   Love, Jackie

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) Are you in need of some guidance? Call upon the LORD and listen for His voice. He will answer and we need to be ready to obey. Sometimes, I think I close my ears so I cannot hear His answer because I do not really want to follow through with action. May we keep our hearts and ears open to hear, understand and follow His direction. Love, Jackie

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear... Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV) Almighty God, Creator of the universe and all that is in it, is always present to help us in times of trouble. He is a safe shelter in the storm.  We have nothing to fear because nothing is too difficult for our great God. Worship our heavenly Father. Love, Jackie

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) The words we speak are supposed to edify and build others up. If you are calling the people in your life, stupid, dumb, good for nothing, fat, greedy, etc., you are tearing them down and crushing their spirits. Instead of speaking negative into someone's life, make it a habit to speak loving, kind and uplifting words every chance you get to make a deposit into another person's life. May your words be beneficial to all who hear them. Love, Jackie

The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Numbers 14:18 (NIV) When they were traveling in the desert, the Israelites repeatedly rebelled and complained about God and the circumstances He was allowing in their lives. However, the LORD continued to deliver them by performing miraculous signs among them. Let us not whine and complain about the situations we face. Instead, may we count our blessings and remember all the good things the LORD has done in our lives. God abounds in love and He is working for our good. Love, Jackie

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (NIV) May we always walk in love with our neighbors, that includes our spouses, children, relatives, in-laws, and co-workers. We are to show our love not only in word but also in deed. Let our actions reflect care and concern for others. Our love for others should be like the love Christ has for us, unfailing and unconditional. Happy Valentines Day! Love, Jackie

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV) When we stand firm in our faith and resist the devil he will flee. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear and He also provides a way out. Remember, sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay. Love, Jackie

Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV) When we come to God through Jesus He is able to completely save us. Jesus provides eternal life for us. However, He also came to give us a full, more abundant life on this side of heaven. He wants to make us whole, complete and lacking nothing. He heals us and gives us joy and peace. And Jesus always lives to intercede for us to the Father. Praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Love, Jackie

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 (NLT) Seek direction from the LORD and He will show you the way. In our limited perception what seems like the right way is not. God sees the big picture, He knows the whole story and He knows the plans He has for you. We cannot fail when we follow His lead. Love, Jackie

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV) God has called us to peace. Let us be men and women of peace. May the words we speak foster an environment of peace in our relationships with God and people. Proverbs 12:20 tells us there is joy in the hearts of those who promote peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God." Let the perfect peace of Christ rule in your heart today and always. Love, Jackie

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."  —Galatians 3:13 (NIV) We have been redeemed from the curse. Praise the Lord! In the place of death, He has given us eternal life. Instead of sickness, He has given us health. For poverty, He has made us rich. He has turned our sadness into everlasting joy and given us peace to replace fear. Let us be glad and rejoice in our redemption. Love, Jackie 

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. —James 2:14, 17 (NIV) For those of you who read my New Year letter, you may remember my favorite days are the ones when I KNOW I am right in the center of God's will. Well, yesterday was definitely one of those days. As I met with sisters-in-Christ from the Celebration of Womanhood ministry and listened to the guest Pastor at church last night, I was hearing God's message, loud and clear. And I made a commitment to minister to hurting women in my community. Lay aside the excuses about why you have not done what God has called you to. God wants results and not excuses. He wants us to reach out and help meet the needs of our neighbors and be witnesses for Jesus Christ. God is calling us to get busy, not at doing things that will not matter but at doing the right things, the things that will change this world for Christ. Amen.

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.   — Psalm 5:3 (NIV) After we have made our requests known to the LORD, let us patiently wait in full expectation that He will answer. While waiting for an answer, do not fret. Instead, keep your eyes on Jesus, speak the Word over the situation, and thank God in advance for the victory. At the appointed time, God will answer.  Love, Jackie

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" —Isaiah 61:1 (NKJ) Are you brokenhearted? Maybe it is a failing marital relationship, or an unhealthy relationship with a family member or friend. In Luke 4:21, after reading the passage above, Jesus said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted. If your heart is broken give it to Jesus and let Him bandage it up. Our Lord and Savior heals our brokenness. He loves us too much to see us hurting. Lay the pieces of your shattered heart in His hands right now and He will make it whole again.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  —Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV) We are to put on the new self and offer our bodies as slaves to righteousness which leads to holiness (Romans 6:19). As long as we do what we know is right we will have a clear conscience before God. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us, God has called us to a holy life. May we walk in truth and integrity as we love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Amen. Love, Jackie

"You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them." — Leviticus 15:31 (NIV) God's people have always been called to be separate and to be holy. Today, God's Holy Spirit dwells within us and we are His temple. James 1:27 tells us to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. We are to separate ourselves from the dark deeds of this world and be holy because the Lord, our God is holy. Hebrews 12:14 says, without holiness no one will see the Lord. Amen.  Love, Jackie

Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success. —Proverbs 3:6 (New Century Version) When we put the LORD first in all we do, we can be confident that the LORD will make us successful. God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). Those who rise up against us will be defeated before us (Deuteronomy 28:7). As long as we stick with God we cannot lose. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57) Praise the LORD. Love, Jackie

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him, who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. —Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) What the above Scriptures convey to me is that if we consider Jesus and all He went through, then we will not grow weary and lose heart. When we look at the final glorious outcome of Jesus it will give us courage to carry on and reach our final destination of victory and glory. If you are in the thick of tough times, consider Jesus and endure.  Love, Jackie

"The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out."  — Leviticus 6:12 (NIV) The Old Testament priests were instructed to keep the fire burning. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, the Apostle Paul instructs believers not to put out the Spirit's fire. In order to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us burning brightly, we are to continually offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, laying our hearts on His altar. As we crucify the sinful nature and let our minds be controlled by what the Spirit desires, the fire of the Holy Spirit will blaze in our hearts (Romans 8:5). Love, Jesus