Manna for Your Morning

After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. Job 42:10-11 (NIV) When Job took his eyes off himself and prayed for his friends, God restored him. God gave him twice as much as he had before and Job had ten more children. Job didn't hold any grudges. He welcomed his relatives and friends into his home, those who had deserted him in his time of need. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. And Job saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. Let us take our eyes off of ourselves, our pain, our trials & tribulations and keep them on God and others. I pray God restore to you everything the enemy has taken away. May your tomorrows be even more blessed than your yesterdays, while you make the most of today. And may you live to see your children's children for ...

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. Job 38:1 (NIV) Job lost his flocks and herds, his sons and daughters died and his physical body was covered with painful sores. Job found no support or comfort from the words of his wife or friends. Out of the storm, Job heard the voice of the LORD. Sometimes in the midst of stormy times it seems like Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat (Mark 4:38). However, the LORD is always with us and He is very much aware of our specific situations. He wrote all our days down before one of them came to be. Even if our boat tips over and we are trying to stay afloat in rough waters, let us keep our ears open to hear the answer the LORD gives. He will answer, out of the storm. Love, Jackie

"And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.  Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest." Job 30:16-17 (NIV) When you are in the midst of pain and suffering, remember that no matter what comes your way God will give you the power and strength to get through it. He delivers you from all your troubles, whether they are physical, financial, emotional or relational (Psalm 34:19). When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned and when you pass through troubled waters they will not overtake you (Isaiah 43:2). Though you encounter days of suffering, hold on to the peace and joy of the LORD. Love, Jackie

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 (NIV) In the midst of his troubles, Job focused on God and the victory to be gained after all is said and done. He kept his hope alive. As we go through trials and tribulations in life, may we keep our eyes on the prize, eternal life with our Maker and our Redeemer. No matter what we endure in this life, we are assured of victory. "Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) In the end, we win. Love, Jackie

"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?" "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens." Job 28:20, 23 (NIV) If anyone lacks wisdom, James 1:5 says to ask God and it will be given unto you. Understanding also, comes from the LORD. Proverbs 4:7 instructs us to get understanding though it may cost all we have. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10); and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:28). Blessed is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. May we seek wisdom and get understanding in all circumstances.   Love, Jackie

When Job's three friends... heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. Job 2:11 (NIV) Job's three friends came to him when they heard about his troubles. When they saw Job from a distance they weeped aloud. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how greatly he suffered (Job 2:13). May we have compassion, and comfort others as they go through difficulties. Sometimes, no words are necessary, just the presence of a friendly face and a hand to hold. Let us be like Jesus, who is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Love, Jackie

His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job 2:9 (NIV) Four messengers bombarded Job with the bad news that he had lost all his livestock and all his children were dead. In response Job praised the name of the LORD. Job was afflicted with painful sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. And Job's wife spoke negative, harsh words to him. Still, Job did not sin in what he said. He maintained his integrity.  When you are bombarded with bad news or the loss of a loved one, when you don't have the support of those closest to you or when you are suffering in your physical body, maintain your integrity. Hold on to the truth of God's Word in all that you do and say. Believe in your heart these words of Job, "this will turn out for my deliverance." (Job 13:16) Maintain your integrity and know that He will deliver you out of all your troubles. Love, Jackie

On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. Esther 9:1 (NIV) The decree had been issued in the name of the king and sealed with his own ring to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews. All appeared hopeless. However, God turned the tables and gave His people victory of their enemies. When circumstances in your life threaten to destroy you keep looking to God to give you the upper hand. When situations appear impossible, God is able to make a way. Amen. Love, Jackie

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NAS) May we let our minds dwell on things that are worthy of praise. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If we want to be continually full of joy and peace, we need to be aware of what we allow our minds to feed on. Plant good seeds in your mind by dwelling on lovely things of excellence, honor and purity. Where the mind goes, your actions are soon to follow. Amen. Love, Jackie

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJ) God leads us but we must choose to follow Him. As we abide in Christ and follow God we can be certain He will lead us into victory. With all wisdom, God sees the big picture and causes us to overcome obstacles and triumph through trials. Thank God for giving us sweet success. Love, Jackie

"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:5-6 (NIV) The LORD God is the giver of life. He breathes the breath of life into every living being. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3). Worship the Maker of heaven and earth. Not only does He sustain our very lives but He also provides everything we need to enjoy a glorious and victorious life. Hallelujah! Love, Jackie

They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:8 (NIV) When the enemies of the Israelites heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had proceeded and the gaps were being closed they were very angry. Sometimes, we meet opposition when we go forth with our assignments. When our enemies stir up trouble against us, may we pray to our mighty God and constantly be on guard not to fall into any snares. Love, Jackie

"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night..." Nehemiah 1:5-6 (NIV )   As followers of Christ, we have a covenant of love, a binding agreement, with the great and awesome God of heaven. It is written in blood, the precious blood of Jesus, the Lamb that was slain. In this covenant, God pledges His undying love to us. He promises that nothing can separate us from His love. He promises that His Presence will always be with us. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful and true to His covenant of love. Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

Then Secaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope." Ezra 10:2 (NIV) No matter how bad it looks, if we know the LORD, we can put our hope in Him. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18). When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. In the midst of your darkest days, keep hope alive. It is the anchor that keeps your soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). Hope inspires endurance (1 Thessalonians 1:3). When you hope in the LORD your strength will be renewed. Keep your hope in God all day long and you will not be disappointed. When all else fails, there is still hope. Love, Jackie

"So this Sheshbazaar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished." Ezra 5:16 (NIV) After being exiled to Babylon, the people of God were allowed to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the LORD, which had been destroyed. We are under construction also. First Peter 2:5 says we are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. Like the temple of God, we have been broken down but when we gave our lives to Jesus, God's construction project began. We are God's building and His Presence dwells in us. May we submit to the work of the Master Builder. With His hands He will make us into a beautiful and unique masterpiece. Love, Jackie

"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD." 2 Chronicles 34:27 (NIV) If you have humbled yourself before God and your heart has favorably responded to Him, know that He has heard you. If you have wept in His Presence, he heard your cries. Let your soul rest in peace as you listen for His reply. Love, Jackie

The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great rejoicing, while the Levites and priests sang to the LORD every day, accompanied by the LORD's instruments of praise. 2 Chronicles 30:21 (NIV) For seven days the Israelites ate their assigned portions, offered fellowship offerings and praised the LORD. After they celebrated for seven days, 2 Chronicles 30:23 says, they celebrated joyfully for another seven days. And this was only one of many feasts and festivals they celebrated.  May we be like the Israelites when it comes to celebrating. If God woke you up this morning, He has given you a reason to praise Him. Don't limit your worship to once a week during Sunday church services. We can celebrate the good things the LORD has done for us every day of the week. Delight yourself in the Presence of the LORD. May the LORD anoint you with the oil of joy each and every day. Love, Jackie

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely O LORD. Psalm 139:1-3 (NIV) We can fool some of the people some of time, but we never fool the LORD. He searches our hearts and knows our intentions. He is aware of all we do, say and think and nothing shocks Him. Before we speak a word, He knows what we are going to say. We are fully known by the LORD, yet He still loves us. We can be real with our heavenly Father. Fellowship with the One who knows the real you , accepts you just the way you are and always cares for you. Amen.   Love, Jackie

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; Isaiah 49:16 (NIV) The LORD loves you and will never forget you. Your name was not written in ink that can wash away over time. He engraved you on the palms of His hands, for eternity. You are on His mind and in His heart. When a tear falls from your face, He is there to catch it. He carries you in His arms when you do not have the strength to go on. He is an awesome God and He remembers you.  Love, Jackie

"See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chronicles 20:11-12 (NIV) When we don't know what to do, may we be like King Jehoshaphat and put our eyes on God. The LORD's reply to King Jehoshaphat was, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." We are not to be afraid or discouraged because the battles we face belong to God.  As God's people began to sing and praise, He set ambushes among their enemies. By the time King Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah came to the place that overlooked the desert all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Keep praising God and He will fight your battles. Amen. Love, Jackie

The men of Israel were subdued on that occasion, and the men of Judah were victorious because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18 (NIV) Despite the fact that there were 800,000 troops fighting for Israel and Judah only had 400,000 fighting men, Judah was victorious because they relied on the LORD. Judah served God and acknowledged Him as their leader. Statistics, probabilities and odds, don't mean a thing when God is in the equation.   Stop trying to do it by yourself. Look to the LORD as Leader in every area of your life, and you will live a victorious life. When we rely on the LORD, we put more faith in Him and His Word than we do in doctor reports, bank statements, negative words spoken to us, and anything else we see with our natural eyes. God makes a way for you that no man can stop. Amen. Love, Jackie

As a mother comforts her child so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13 (NIV) Just like a mother so lovingly comforts her child, our heavenly Father comforts us in all our troubles. May you receive all the comfort you need from the unfailing love of God. Love, Jackie

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity." 1 Chronicles 29:17a (NIV) Since our heavenly Father is pleased with integrity, let's make sure we are men and women of integrity. When we give our word, we are to keep it, even if it is no longer convenient for us. Integrity calls for us to adhere to the moral standards of God's Word, in every area of our lives. Integrity is doing what you know is right: loving God and loving our neighbors, no matter how unloving they may be. When you do this, know that you have put a smile on the face of God.  Love, Jackie 

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  Ephesians 3:17-18 (NLT) We gain strength as we become rooted in God's love. May we expand our understanding of God's great and magnificent love every day. Let us plunge the depths of His unconditional love. His love is so deep, no matter how low we go, it is there to pick us up. No matter how far away from God we go, His love reaches even further. The love of God is so high, even in death, the strength of His love draws us up into heaven. His love is so long, it continues throughout eternity. Love, Jackie

Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. 1 Chronicles 22:13 (NIV) King David spoke these words of wisdom to his son Solomon. True success hinges on obeying the LORD. God knows all and He will show you the way if you keep your eyes on Him. Be strong and courageous as you complete the tasks assigned to you by God. No weapon formed against you shall prosper for your righteousness is of the LORD (Isaiah 54:17). Love, Jackie

Glory in his holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-11 (NIV) Those who seek the LORD can rejoice because they find Him. And when they call on Him, He is there to help. Once we set our hearts to follow the LORD He will lead the way to victory. He will give us the power and strength to live a successful, joyful life. Love, Jackie

"For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33 (NIV) I need more of Jesus in me.  I need more of His unconditional love in my heart. I need more of His abiding peace coursing through my veins. I need His wisdom and discernment to cover my mind. I need more of His fortitude to always be about the Father's business. How about you? While many of us never miss a meal, I think we as believers starve ourselves of the Bread of Life. As much as we need physical food, we need to consume the Living Word, Jesus, the Bread of Life who gives life to the world. Amen. Love, Jackie

If  the LORD had not been on our side - let Israel say - if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Psalm 124:1-5 (NIV) If God were not on our side, many of us would not have made it thus far. God is on our side. If God is for us who can be against us? The One who dwells in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). The battle belongs to the LORD and nothing is too difficult for Him. Keep holding up your shield of faith and God will lead you to victory. Love, Jackie

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) God called you out of darkness and defeat. God calls His people out of this dark world and raises us up with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). If you have answered the call of God, you belong to Him. We are to be in this world but not of this world. Instead of being without hope, we can live a successful and abundant life, full of love, peace, joy and freedom. Let us declare the praises of our awesome God for choosing to share His marvelous light with anyone who believes.  Love, Jackie

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:1-3 (NIV) When you earnestly seek the LORD, when you desire His Presence more than your very life, you will behold His power and get caught up in His glory. Chasing after the cares of this world leaves our souls dry and thirsty. As we long for His love we encounter the Living Water and our souls are refreshed. Seek Him and Him alone. Love, Jackie

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) The Word of God continues to amaze me. How can one little Scripture contain so much power and truth that it can change your life forever? Jabez prayed a simple prayer and God granted his request. His life was transformed by the power of God.  This is Mark 11:24 in action: ask, believe and receive. Today, I ask God to bless you, to keep His hand on you and guide you along on the path He has for you. May he enlarge your area of influence, so others can experience the love of God through you. I ask God to protect you and keep you in perfect health. I pray your life would be transformed by the wonder working power of God and His Living Word. Amen. Love, Jackie