Manna for Your Morning

“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!” — 1 Samuel 12:20-21 (NLT) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12 NKJV) Now worship Yahweh with all your heart. “...be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24 NLT)

Now the LORD had told Samuel the previous day, “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.” — 1 Samuel 9:15-16 (NLT) Our heavenly Father looks upon His people in mercy, and He hears our cries. Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve. When we repent and confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9) For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:11-12 NKJV) I reiterate the words of Samuel as he reassured the people: “Don’t be afraid. You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to wors...

As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. — Micah 7:7-8 (NLT) In any and all circumstances, look to the LORD for help. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 TPT) In the midst of all the challenges we go through in this life, our mighty God is with us. He is El Elyon, the Most High God. He is above our enemies, and over every trial, and temptation. His power finds its full expression through our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT) Yahweh is able to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; (See Isaiah 61:3) And He has provided...

“ For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… ” — 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NASB1995) In Revelation 3:20 (NASB1995), Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Once you open the door and let Him in, have a humble and teachable heart, that is responsive to His touch. Let Him mold it and shape it. He who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster. (See Proverbs 28:14 AMP) Be sure to guard your heart from things and people who draw you away from Yahweh. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Have a heart that is fully committed to Him. Desire His Presence more than anything. Cherish the Word of God and be devoted to doing things His way. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:...

As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. — 1 Samuel 10:9 (NLT) After the LORD appointed Saul to be ruler over Israel, God gave him a new heart. First Samuel 10:10 says, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul. In addition, Saul was changed into a different person. (See 1 Samuel 10:6) Second Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) says, that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! When we accept Christ, as Savior, the Spirit of the LORD comes to dwell within us. We are in Christ, joined to Him by putting our faith in Him. We are renewed by the Holy Spirit. Our previous moral and spiritual condition passes away, new things come because spiritual awakening brings a new life. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP)  Don’t let the enemy lure you back to the old life. Make a daily decision to follow Christ. The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. They begin a...

“ Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. ” — Isaiah 55:3 (NLT) There are many voices in the world today, some lead to fear and despair, others to peace and life. Let us discern which voices receive our attention. And in all situations, first seek the voice of God. Come to the LORD with your ears wide open. May we be like Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. (See Luke 10:39 NLT) Listen and heed His instruction. Yahweh is the one who makes a way in the sea, a pathway in the mighty waters. (Isaiah 43:16 TPT) As we listen to Him, He will lead us along the right path. First Kings 19:12 (NKJV) says: …and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. Don't get distracted by external circumstances, continue to listen for the voice of the LORD. 

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;  The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5 (NASB) JESUS has borne our griefs, and He has carried our sorrows and pains. (Isiah 53:4) He was beaten and bruised so we could be whole. And by His stripes we are healed. It was His love for us that held Him to the cross. He gave His all to save us. Like wayward sheep, we have all wandered astray. Each of us has turned from God’s paths and chosen our own way; even so, Yahweh laid the guilt of our every sin upon him. (Isaiah 53:6 TPT) JESUS is the Way back to the Father. Isaiah 53:1 asks: “ Who has believed our report?” Believe today. JESUS invites all people to come to the Father through Him, and be made whole.

For this reason He says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light.” Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. — Ephesians 5:14-16 (AMP) In Luke 22:45-46, when Jesus rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, “ Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation .” As believers, do not let us be found sleeping. May we stay awake, arise and live with honor, purpose and courage. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first...

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. — 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that we will have many trials and sorrows, here on earth. But He also encouraged us to be of good cheer and take courage, because He has overcome the world. When faced with situations that seem impossible, rely on God to be your Champion. With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26). He empowers us to live above the circumstances, in His perfect peace. As we continually put our trust in our heavenly Father, He will show Himself strong on our behalf.  For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12 NKJV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! — Philippians 4:4 (NASB) This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 NASB). For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)  “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. — Psalm 139:1-4 (MSG) God knows everything about us, every thought and every secret and yet, He still loves us. If our holy and righteous God loves us, why do we have difficulty loving ourselves? While we should always strive to grow and be better people, we still need to love and accept ourselves for who we are today, and forgive ourselves for past mistakes. The 2nd most important commandment is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If you are having difficulty loving your neighbor, make sure you love the person in the mirror, inside and out. If you don't like what you see, lay on God's altar and let His Spirit work in you, a new creation.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. — Matthew 14:29 (NKJV) Stop lingering in the boat of yesterday, full of pain, disappointments, and regrets. We like to hide in the boat because that is where things are familiar and comfortable. Beloved friends, let’s follow Jesus! When He says “Come,” its time to stop playing it safe and venture out into the deep with Jesus. This allows space for our mighty God to do BIG things in your life. And even in the midst of contrary winds, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, — Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV) The Amplified versions says, it is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord! Let us always give thanks and May we proclaim His unfailing love at daybreak. Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-22). Declare His faithfulness each and every night. His faithful Presence is with us throughout the day and all through the night. Sing His praises!

In my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.  — Psalm 18:6 (NLT) The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (Psalm 34:15). Whatever you are going through today, our heavenly Father is right there with you and He will deliver you out of all your troubles. Just call upon Him. Psalm 18:6, in The Message says: my cry brings me right into his presence— a private audience! Amen.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. — Romans 13:12 (NKJV) God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). We are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Let us put on the shining armor of light: joy, compassion, kindness, goodness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace and love!

GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (AMP) God is always ready to help, in times of trouble. In our weakness, He shows Himself strong. He has a proven track record of helping His people gain the victory. When the Israelite's enemies pursued them, God divided the Red Sea and they walked through on dry ground but their enemies drowned (Exodus 14). God helped Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were thrown in the fiery furnace, so that they were not harmed (Daniel 3:27). God shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. (Daniel 6:21). Seek the refuge of our mighty God. With His help you shall be victorious. When you pass through the waters, they will not sweep over you. And when you go through fiery trials, the flames will not consume you (Isaiah 43:2). Amen.

Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. 1 Samuel 15:22 (The Message) When the LORD told King Saul to attack the Amalekites, He told him to destroy everything they own. However, Saul and his army let Agag, their king, live along with the best sheep, fat cattle, and lambs. This act of disobedience caused Saul to be rejected as king and the kingdom of Israel was taken away from Him. God takes great delight in our obedience. He doesn't care about empty rituals performed for show, or because it's a family tradition. Plain listening to the what the LORD says is the key to success in life. May your ears be open to hear His voice and your heart be willing to obey. Amen.

By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours - a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46 (The Message) Let us be like Jesus and place our lives into the hands of the Heavenly Father. Instead of trying to force our own way, may we submit to the will of God. When we let go and let God, He will lead us into victorious living. At the times when we seem to be experiencing a total blackout, the light of God floods our soul and He causes us to triumph over our enemies, like He did with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Remember, Friday is here, but Sunday's a coming....  Love, Jackie