Manna for Your Morning

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB1995) ABBA Father knows the plans. That is such a powerful and liberating fact. The GOD Most High knows . We do not. We don’t have to waste time and energy trying to figure it out. Nothing that happens on this earth, is a surprise to the LORD God Almighty. He had all our days written in His book before we even drew our first breath. (See Psalms 139:16) Our part is walk faithfully with Him, following Him as the Holy Spirit leads us. We must walk by faith, not by sight. (See 2 Corinthians 5:7) May we have the faith to take the steps as He reveals the way. Faith to run when He says run, faith to walk when He says walk. Faith to move when He says to move and faith to be still when He says: “be still.”  Even when disaster strikes, keep your trust in our mighty GOD. And take refuge in the shadow of His wings until the calamities h...

“O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave.” “My eye wastes away because of affliction. LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You.” — Psalms 88:1-3, 9 (NKJV) When overwhelmed by troubles, keep crying out to Yahweh. Know that He is with you. He knows the challenges you face and He will deliver you from each and every one of them. Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. (Psalms 42:11 NASB1995) This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], (H...

I called on Your name, O Yahweh, out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice, “Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help.” You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!” — Lamentations 3:55-57 (LSB) Call on the name of the LORD and He will hear you. In Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV), He says: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
 Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Yahweh is for me among those who help me. When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. In God, whose word I praise; In God I have put my trust; I shall not fear. What can mere man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 AMP)

“ I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. ” — Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) 

Just as the LORD knew Jeremiah before he was formed in his mother’s womb, He knew you. Oh yes, He shaped you first inside, then out; He formed you in your mother’s womb. He knows you inside and out, He knows every bone in your body; He knows exactly how you were made, bit by bit, how you were sculpted from nothing into something. (See Psalm 139:13, 15-16 MSG).  Yahweh created each one of us with a plan and a purpose. He knows the plans He has for you (See Jeremiah 29:11), and He will reveal them to you step by step. A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. (Proverbs 16:9 AMP) Seek His will in all that you do and follow the lead of His Holy Spirit within you. This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, w...

Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” — Genesis 16:13 (NLT) Just as the LORD saw Hagar as she wandered in the wilderness, He sees you. He knows exactly where you are and the struggles you face. Our mighty God, is El Roi, the God Who Sees me. He watches over His people, like a good shepherd, watches over and cares for his flock. The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (See Psalm 32:8 NLT) Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NLT) May we, like Hagar, truly see the One who sees us. And strive to follow Him all the days of our lives. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.  — Psalm 34:14 (AMP)

“ My flock strayed through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them. ”— Ezekiel 34:6 (NASB) Isaiah 53:6 says, all of us, like sheep, have gone astray. Let us stay close to our loving Shepherd. Our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (See 1 Peter 5:8) Jesus is the good shepherd, Who lays down His life for the sheep. In John 10:14 (NASB), He said: “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me,” Jesus is the good Shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost. Closely follow Him. He will lead you beside quiet waters. He will restore your soul and guide you in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. (See Psalm 23:2-3)

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. — Proverbs 3:5 (TPT) The Word of the LORD stands forever. Trust God completely. He is faithful to fulfill every word He has spoken. The word which goes out of His mouth will not return to Him void, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it. (See Isaiah 55:11). For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15a NASB) O LORD of hosts, how blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation].  — Psalm 84:12 (AMP)

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. — 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (MSG) Even when it seems things are falling apart, we can count on His amazing grace. We have forgiveness for our failures. And He gives us strength to persevere through the hard times. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6 NLT) Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. (Proverbs 4:25-26 MSG) Keep moving onward and forward, in spite of the challenges. We are more than conquerors!

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. — Isaiah 40:11 (NLT) Our heavenly Father holds us close to His heart. Don't wander away. It is good for us to draw near to God; (Psalm 73:28). How precious are His thoughts about us, they cannot be numbered! We can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when we wake up, He is still with us! (Psalm 139:17-18) He leads us along the narrow path that leads to a fruitful land, full of promise and hope. A peaceful land, overflowing with His love and joy. The LORD leads us to an abundant and everlasting life. Follow Him. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. (Psalm 23:1-3 NLT)

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:9 (NKJV) Matthew 6:10 reads: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Before Jesus endured the cross, He prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done .” (Luke 22:42) That Friday before the resurrection, the situation did not look too good, but resurrection day came and Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, full of glory and majesty. God has a master plan and everything He does, is glorious, spectacular, and awe-inspiring. Instead of trying to force our own way, may we trust in the LORD with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) When things do not appear the way we think they should, let us know in our minds (be confident) and believe in our hearts (be joyful) that God’s plan is good and what He has purp...

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) Why jars of clay? Like jars of clay we are unique. We come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes and we each have a unique God-given purpose to fulfill. However, the focus should not be on the container. As fragile clay jars, we may get cracked and broken, but the value comes from the treasure that is inside of us. The power of God working within us through His Holy Spirit to bring about His wonderful plan for our lives. Like clay we are to allow ourselves, our hearts and our lives to be shaped by the Master Potter. But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” — Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) The LORD made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses (Jeremiah 51:15-16 NLT). With our mighty God ALL things are possible. (Matthew 19:26). Just keep believing!

Awake, harp and lyre; I myself will wake very early—I will waken the dawn! I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; and I will sing praises unto You among the nations. For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great and high as the heavens! Your truth and faithfulness reach to the skies! — Psalm 108:2-4 (AMP) Just as the Lord is faithful to wake us up each morning, let us praise and give thanks to Him, when we rise and begin our day. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to the name of the Most High God (Psalm 92:1). See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a) Praise and thank the Lord!

Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.  — Psalm 33:20-22 (AMP) May your heart and soul rejoice in the Lord, our Help and our Shield! Abiding in His Presence will make your joy complete. He is everything we need!

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. — 2 Corinthians 7:10 (The Message) Never let distress drive you away from God. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, and a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). The LORD is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer. When the enemy strikes, lift up the shield of faith and press in, with even more determination, toward God and His will. Blessed are all who take refuge in the LORD (Psalm 2:12). Let distress drive you into the arms of Jesus Christ, our Savior and you will have no regrets!

But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. Psalm 66:19-20 (NLT) When we pray, we are simply engaging in conversation with our heavenly Father, the Creator of the universe. We can be confident that the LORD is attentive to our pleas. He never turns a deaf ear to our voices. Talk to Abba Father from the heart. He wants to hear from you, today. And remember to give God some praise for the constant outpouring of His unfailing love upon us.

...but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.' " Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:21-22 (NIV) In Jesus, we become heirs of a better covenant, one that provides for the forgiveness of sins. 1 John 1:8 says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. In Matthew 26:28, Jesus said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Praise God for His forgiveness and grace.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV) Walk in the light. The truth that sets us free is found in the light. In the light, love, peace and joy abounds. In the wonderful light, we are cleansed by the wonder working blood of Jesus. It is in the light, where we fellowship with the Father and behold His glory. Love, Jackie