Manna for Your Morning

Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in Judean, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. Thus says the king, ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you from his hand; and do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” — 2 Kings 18:28-30 (LSB) But the people kept silent and did not answer him, for the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.” (2 Kings 18:36 AMP) When the enemy throws fiery darts of threats and insults your way, hold your peace. Sometimes, the best approach is to remain silent. Instead of conversing with the enemy, take it to God. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says: there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Remain silent and listen for the still small voice of the LORD. The Word of God carries more weight than any other voice. In response to the king of Assyria’s threats, Hezekiah sought the LORD in prayer...

In my distress I called to Yahweh, and He answered me. — Psalms 120:1 (LSB) In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. (Psalms 34:6 NLT) The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. (Psalms 34:17-19 NLT) I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:1-3 NLT) I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.  — Psalms 142:2-3a (NLT)

Your godly ones will thank you no matter what happens. For they choose and cherish your presence above everything else! — Psalms 140:13 (TPT) What a great honor and absolute privilege that we get to dwell in the Presence of Almighty God. For He is the LORD Most High over all the earth; He is exalted far above all gods. (See Psalms 97:9 AMP) Let us choose and cherish His Presence over all others. Let nothing in this world stop you from pursuing His Presence. May we regard it as our highest priority and most significant blessing as children of God.  In His Presence, there is everlasting peace flowing like a river. There is an unlimited supply of His unfailing love, which He continually lavishes upon us. In His presence is fullness of joy; (See Psalms 16:11) Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name. (Psalms 97:12 NASB1995) Come to Him and He will give you rest. …repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing ...

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish. He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me! — Jonah 2:1-2 (NLT) Even though Jonah ended up in the belly of a great fish because he was trying to get away from the LORD, (See Jonah 1:3), Yahweh was still faithful to listen to his cries. If you are in great trouble, cry out to the LORD. He will listen and answer. Psalm 120:1 (AMP) says: In my trouble I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, he alone knows the way I should turn… (See Psalm 142:2-3 NLT) ...I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” (Psalm 142:5 NLT) May our greatest desire be for Yahweh, His Presence, His will and His ways.

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” — Luke 24:25-26 (NLT) The disciples were grieving and weeping after the events of the crucifixion. (See Mark 16:10) They had no hope because they did not believe the Word of God, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day. (See Luke 24:7) Let us not lose hope and become discouraged while we are in the waiting period, the seemingly silent Saturday, between the suffering and trials of Friday and the glory of the fulfillment of all that has been promised in the Scriptures. Always trust and believe in our risen Savior, the Living Word. Jesus said, blessed are those who believe without seeing Him. (See John 20:29) Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach...

But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. — 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT) Live for the one and only, true and living God. Our real identity and purpose are in the Lord. It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, ‘Our lineage comes from him.’ (Acts 17:28 TPT) “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27 NLT) You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)

“ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ” — Luke 15:20 (NLT) The prodigal son, demanded his share of his father’s estate, journeyed to a distant country and squandered his estate with loose living. (Luke 15:12-13). After he spent everything, he experienced hunger and hard times. Yet, no one gave him anything. But he came to his senses, and decided to return home as a hired servant. (Luke 15:14-19) The father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:22-24) Our heavenly Father is filled with love and compassion. And His arms are open wide to embrace us and hold u...

“ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you .” — John 15:15 (NKJV) If we want to be a friend of the Lord, obedience is the key. Jesus said, “ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ” (John 15:14)  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NLT) Jesus gave His life for us. Let us follow His example, and lay our lives down to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Be a friend to our risen Savior and to those God has placed in your sphere of influence.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. — Micah 7:8 (NKJV) A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again (Proverbs 24:16a). We may be struck down, but we are not destroyed. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4) Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1) 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)

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb (Matthew 28:1 NLT).  After seeing the empty tomb and speaking with the angel, the women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message, that Jesus was risen from the dead. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. — Matthew 28:6, 8-9 (NLT) Like Mary and Mary, let us diligently seek the Lord Jesus. Be filled with great joy knowing that as you seek Him, Jesus will meet you right where you are. May we bow down and worship the King of kings and the Lord of lord, Jesus, our risen Savior!

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”  — Matthew‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭(NKJV‬) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). He is still moved with compassion. It is in the heart of Jesus to be compassionate. While the disciples wanted to send the crowd away, Jesus wanted to take care of their needs. He is the great Physician who heals the sick. He feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. He is the good Shepherd who watches over the sheep and guides them along the path of life. He gives light to those who dwell in darkness. To the prisoners of life circumstances, He provides liberty. He lifts up the heads of those bowed down and fills our minds with peace and joy.

For we live by believing and not by seeing. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) When what you see with your eyes, doesn’t line up with the Word of God, what are you going to believe? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The temporary distractions of the enemy are designed to cause doubt and fear in our hearts and minds. Let us live by believing God and His Word which lasts forever.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. — Psalm 95:1-3 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: “Do not harden your hearts... (Psalm 95:6-8a). May all that we do and say this day reflect our adoration and devotion to our great God!

‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ — 2 Chronicles 20:9 (NKJV) In the face of disaster, we will stand, in His presence. Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit, who is in us. We belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we cry out to the LORD in any affliction or calamity, He will hear us and rescue us. He is the God of all comfort and His Spirit like a healing balm. Amen.

Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 1:30 (The Message) Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. God is about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? (Isaiah 43:18-19). God has given us a clean slate and a fresh start. Praise the LORD! Reach forward to those things which are ahead and don't turn back.

Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction. This is what I’m commanding you today: Love the Lord your God, follow his directions, and obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, your population will increase, and the Lord your God will bless you... Deuteronomy 30:15-16 (GW) Those who love the LORD and follow Him, will live life to the fullest. The choice is ours and in case anyone is confused, God gives us a hint. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God says, "choose life." The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus said, His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10, NLT). Choose life. Choose love. Choose the LORD!

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:7-8 (NLT) May the morning bring you word of the LORD's unfailing love. When deep depression threatens to come upon you, remember the constant flow of His love that covers you. Instead of wallowing in the darkness of depression, think about the bright new compassions He showers on you each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Give yourself to Him and the light of His love will show you the way to days of joy and peace.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Once you have given your concerns to God in prayer, enter into His peaceful rest. After you have done all you can, be still and look to Almighty God. Put your confidence in Him. All that needs to be done on this earth will be performed by the arm of the LORD, not mere human efforts. The battle is the LORD's. His mighty deeds will bear His signature and you will know that the LORD God Almighty has worked all things together for good. Praise Him, Creator of Heaven and earth. His name is great and greatly to be praised. God, your Maker and Deliverer is highly exalted above the earth.  Love, Jackie