Manna for Your Morning

"A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." Luke 6:43-45 (NLT) Ephesians 4:29 says, 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. Let the love of God fill your heart and you will speak the truth in love and kindness and your words will produce good fruit in your life. Love, Jackie

Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" Luke 4:17-19 (The Message) Jesus came to this earth to set those who are burdened and battered free. He said, " Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest, " (Matthew 11:28, NCV). If you are burdened and battered, the good news is that you can be set free from the load you are lugging around by giving it all to Jesus. Let go of your load and lay your head on the shoulder of the Savior. And you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29, NIV). Now is the time to walk in the freedom of the Lord. Love, Jackie

Pushed to the wall, I called to God ; from the wide open spaces, he answered. God 's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me? God 's my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies. Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people ; Psalm 118:5-8 (The Message) It is better to take refuge in God than to depend on man. When circumstances push you up against a wall, call upon God. Our God is always with us and He leads us into victory. Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:34-37 (NIV) With God, nothing is impossible. He makes that which is barren fruitful. God brings that which is dead back to life. He gives sight to the blind. If something in your life is not producing any fruit, put it in the hands of the living God. As we abide in the Lord, the impossible becomes possible. Love, Jackie

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 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 14:33-36 (NIV) When you are deeply distressed and troubled, when you are so overwhelmed you could just lay down and die, follow the example of Jesus and go to our heavenly Father in prayer. Do not try to force your own will, but surrender to God's will for your life. Amen. Love, Jackie

The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate - that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!" Mark 12:32-33 (The Message) Passionately loving God with all your mind and energy is better than anything else you can offer to God. He does not delight in sacrifice, but in a compassionate heart where His love can bloom. Whatever we do, let it be done with a deep love for God and with unconditional love for others. Love, Jackie

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 (NIV) Jesus said, " All things are possible for him who believes ." He didn't say some things are possible, but all . Whenever the world tells us we "can't" we must believe we can. With God on our side, the impossible becomes the possible. Know that God is able and do not doubt. Amen. Love, Jackie

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of the synagogue leader. They said, "Your daughter is dead. There is no need to bother the teacher anymore." But Jesus paid no attention to what they said. He told the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:35-36 (NCV) When people speak words that are contrary to the Word of God, it is best to pay them no attention and keep walking with the Lord by faith. Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, ignored the negative report that had been given to him and kept believing. When Jesus spoke the Word his daughter was brought back to life (Mark 5:41-42). I say to you, "Don't be afraid; just believe. God still works miracles" Love, Jackie

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJ) "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit in me." That is the cry of my heart this morning." When we have the right spirit, we are loving, above all else. We are kind, gentle and forgiving. Too often, we are tarnished by the world and our spirits become critical, judgmental and bitter. We need to return to the cross everyday, lay our burdens down and let God cleanse us from our sins. Amen. Love, Jackie

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11 (NLT) You are no stranger to God. His eyes saw your unformed body. He has been with you since the day He knit you together in your mother's womb. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Draw near to God and He will draw even closer to you. Love, Jackie

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (The Message) Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't let the things of this world distract you. Cast off anything that hinders you from running your race. You may have to put up with a lot, but keep running. Never lose sight of the finish: a glorious and eternal life in the Presence of Almighty God, Himself. Love, Jackie

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV) One of the many blessings that God promises to those who obey His commands is that we will always be at the top. Choose to fully obey the LORD our God and His blessings shall come upon you and overtake you ( Deuteronomy 28:2, NKJ ). You will be blessed in the city and in the country. Your children will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out. Choose this day, whom you will serve. God only wants the best for you. He has called us to mountaintop living. Love, Jackie

"Then he who who had received the one talent came. 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' " Matthew 25:24 (NKJ) In the parable of the talents, Jesus tells the story about a master who before going on a long journey, gave his servants talents, each according to his own ability. The one he gave five talents made another five talents and the one who received two made two more talents. Upon the master's return, these two heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." The one who received the one talent buried it in the ground. The master called him a wicked and lazy servant. God has given us financial resources that we are to manage as good stewards. However, He has also given us talents, and skills, each according to our own ability, that we are to expend for the glory of ...

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108:1-4 (NLT) Let your heart be confident in God. When we completely trust in the LORD, we will sing His praises and thanksgiving will continually be on our lips. Rely on God for His love never fails and there is no end to His faithfulness. Sing to the LORD, your God. Love, Jackie

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT) Instead of being impressed with what you think you know, seek the wisdom of God. Bless the the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding. Proverbs 8:35 says whoever finds wisdom finds life and receives favor from the LORD. Seek God's will in all you do and He is faithful to show you the way. 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!" Matthew 14:29 (NIV) When we take our eyes off of the Lord and look at the circumstances around us, we may end up sinking into a pool of troubled waters, like Peter. Stay focused on Jesus, His power, and His strength. He will lead you through any difficulty. Praise the Lord! Love, Jackie

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love - so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. 1 John 4:7-9 (The Message) Jesus said the two greatest commandments is to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). In 1 Corinthians 13:13, the Apostle Paul declares that love is the greatest. God modeled the sacrificial love we are to have when He sent His Son as a sacrifice to pay the price for our sins. When spouses, children, relatives, friends and co-workers don't live up to your expectations, continue to show them unconditional love, the same unfailing love God shows us when we miss the mark. Peter says, " above all, love each oth...

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way: Lamentations 3:28-33 (The Message) In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When life is heavy and hard, don't let it get you down. In Jesus, we have overcome. When trouble comes, be still and sit in silence, seek God in prayer and renew your hope in the loyal love of God. Love, Jackie

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 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 9:27-30 (NIV) Believe that God is able to work everything together for good in your life (Romans 8:28). Believe that He is able to deliver you from all your troubles. Know that if you ask God for wisdom to make the right decisions, He will generously give it (James 1:5). God loves you and He created you with a purpose and He has a wonderful plan for your life. Only believe. Love, Jackie

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJ) Be a person of great wisdom and build your life on the rock. Anyone who listens to the words of Jesus and practices them has a strong foundation. Those who build their lives on the solid rock of Christ will not cave in or collapse during stormy times. They will be able to stand strong in spite of the flood waters and strong winds. Praise the Lord. Love, Jackie

I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. Matthew 5:43-45 (The Message) Our flesh naturally wants to retaliate when someone persecutes us, but Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us. When we do this, Jesus said, we will be true children of our Father in heaven. In this way, our actions will mirror the character and nature of our loving God. Love is the higher way, love is God's way. May we love our God, ourselves, our neighbors and yes, even our enemies. Amen. Love, Jackie

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. - Matthew 2:9-11 (The Message) The wise men were in the right place at the right time! Any time we are in the Presence of the Lord, we are in the right place. May you come to the throne room of Jesus and bow down and worship Him. In His Presence you find inexpressible joy and overriding peace. Will you present Him with the gift of your heart today? Love, Jackie

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV) The LORD has been good to you. If He woke you up this morning, you have reason to rejoice. If you have a healthy body and a sound mind, He has been good to you. If you have a roof over your head and food on your table, He has dealt bountifully with you. The LORD has been good to you because He first loved you and chose you to be a part of His family. God is good all the time! Rejoice in your salvation and sing to the LORD. Love, Jackie

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NLT) When it seems as though everyone has abandoned you, the Lord stands by your side. You are not alone. Like the Apostle Paul, God will deliver you from every evil attack and bring you safely into His heavenly Kingdom. Amen. Love, Jackie

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT) Fight the good fight of faith. The devil is intent on stealing your faith. We must keep the faith and complete our race. When the situations you face oppose the Word of God, choose to believe God's Word. Matthew 13:58 says Jesus did not do many miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith. When you walk in faith the windows of heaven are open for the power of God to manifest in your life. Keep the faith and receive the prize the Lord has for you. Love, Jackie

"The LORD your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you." Zephaniah 3:17 (NCV) Rest in the love of the LORD your God. Rest, knowing that He will deliver you from all your troubles. He is the answer to any challenge. He is mighty to save. Relax and trust in the all-sufficient, all-bountiful, eternal God. He is with you when you go out and when you come in. He is by your side as you sleep and when you rise. Rest in His love, knowing that nothing can ever separate you from the unfailing love of God. Love, Jackie

Fig trees may not grow figs, and there may be no grapes on the vines. There may be no olives growing in the field. There may be no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the LORD; I will rejoice in God my Savior. The Lord God is my strength. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NCV) If we have God, we have all we need. He sent bread from heaven to feed His people while they wandered in the desert for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). He ordered the ravens to feed the prophet Elijah when he was in hiding (1 Kings 17). Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 with five loaves and two small fish (John 6). God will take care of you. Rise above the circumstances of this world and rejoice in God our Savior. Hallelujah! Love, Jackie

The LORD has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God. Micah 6:8 (NCV) In order to live humbly and walk in obedience with our God we must know His will. The prophet Micah makes it clear. Let us continually do what is right, not just talk about it but put it into action. In all that we do, we are to be kind to others, and show them the love of God at all times. Psalm 84:11 says, " No good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly. " Praise the LORD! Love, Jackie

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (AMP) Satan, the thief, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He will steal your joy, and your peace, if you let him. Jesus came that we may enjoy an abundant life. In 1 Timothy 6:17 the Apostle Paul says that we are to put our hope in God, Who has richly provided us with everything for our enjoyment. May you seek first the kingdom of God and partake of a full life on earth and an eternal life in heaven. Glory to God. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (KJV) Love, Jackie

"God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!" Jonah 4:2 (The Message) The prophet Jonah knew God was full of grace and mercy. Our great God is not angered easily and His rich love toward us never fails. When we repent and confess our sins to God, we are instantly forgiven. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Love, Jackie