Manna for Your Morning

There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. — Luke 21:11 (AMP) “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NLT) Have faith in Him in all circumstances, dear people. Open up your heart to Him; the True God shelters us in His arms. [pause] (Psalm 62:8 VOICE) …He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. (Proverbs 30:5b AMP)

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. — John 20:19 (NLT) Jesus said to His disciples again, “ Peace be with you, ” in John 20:21 and John 20:26. It's pretty clear, He desires for His disciples to remain in peace. Peace is not an escape from the pressures of life. It is something Jesus tells us to have, even in the midst of the storms. In John 16:33 (AMP), He told us we would have tribulation, distress and suffering, but He also said, “T hese things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace .” How can we maintain peace in the midst of the storms? 1) By relying on the help of the Holy Spirit within us. 2) By believing and speaking the Word of God to every mountain (trial, situation, or circumstance). And 3) by remembering that our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory t...

“ When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. ”  — Jonah 2:7 (NKJV) Always remember the LORD, our mighty God. When you are in distress, seek Him first. He is our source and strength. God is our helper and healer. He is our only hope. His name is above all other names. There is more power in His name than in the doctors report or the financial statement. When faced with troubles of any kind, let your prayers go up to the LORD Most High. Jonah said: “ I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. ” (Jonah 2:2) No matter where you are, when you call upon the LORD, He will hear your voice and answer.

“…Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” — Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG) When Jesus invites us to come to Him and put His yoke on, it's an invitation to be connected to Him. When two oxen are yoked together, they work side by side. Jesus wants us to walk and work alongside of Him. He wants us to watch how He lives and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart. (Matthew 11:30 NIV). He says, when we keep company with him, we will learn to live freely (not in bondage), and lightly, not worried and under the weight of heavy burdens.

In light of all this… I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. — Ephesians 4:1 (MSG) The moment a train is derailed, it is headed for destruction. It has to progress steadily, on the tracks, and allow the tracks to guide it, in order to reach the intended destination. Similarly, once we step off the track of what God has for us, we are headed for a wreck. When we stay in continual communion with the LORD, He will be our guide and support, enabling us to run strong and long, with purpose and determination. Then we will see promises fulfilled and dreams materialized. As we stay on track with God, we will be sure to reach our desired destination. Good wants the best for you, don’t settle for less.

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.” — Jeremiah 1:19 (NKJV) No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD (Isaiah 54:17). Lift up your voice to the LORD with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Let the sound of victory be heard in your home, for your your deliverance is drawing near. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37 NLT). Hallelujah!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) If you live in the shelter of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty, surely He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. (Psalm 91:1,3). Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you (Psalm 91:5-7, NLT).

Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.  — Psalm 17:7 (NIV) Great is the love the Father has lavished on us! He saves those who trust and take refuge in Him from those who rise up against them. The LORD daily bears our burdens and loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19). He loves us so much that we are actually called God’s dear children. And that’s what we are (1 John 3:1, GW). Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-23). Hallelujah!

Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses’ Teachings. — Romans 13:8 (GW) Because of the amazing, wonderful, and unconditional love God has for us, we owe nothing less to others. The law was summed up into two great commandments, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Who is our neighbor? Our sisters and brothers in Christ, family members, in-laws, our co-workers, boss, enemies, etc. May the Lord make your love for others grow until it overflows!

Israel, what does the Lord your God want you to do? He wants you to fear him, follow all his directions, love him, and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 (GW) What does the LORD expect of His people? This Scripture makes it very clear. God wants us to fear Him, in a holy reverential way, to give Him respect and honor. The LORD wants us to follow all His directions, which He has given to us for our own good. Let us stay on the path He lays before us. Follow Him along the narrow road that leads to abundant and eternal life. Then, love and worship God with all your heart and soul. This is how we can please our heavenly Father.

Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJ) Praise the LORD all you saints! Psalm 150:6 says, " Let everything that has breath praise the LORD ." Are you breathing this morning? That is something to shout about. God is good to us and His favor lasts for a lifetime. We may weep in times of darkness, but rest assured joy comes in the morning. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting (Psalm 126:5). Eventually a new day dawns and the radiant sun breaks through the gloomy clouds. The LORD turns our mourning into dancing and clothes us with gladness (Psalm 30:11). Glory Hallelujah! Love, Jackie

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:32-34 (NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, according to Philippians 2:5. When people betray us and try to harm us, may we have the humility and lovingkindness to pray and ask God to forgive them. As Jesus hung on the cross, all appeared lost to His followers, but here is a perfect example of how God works everything together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Praise God. Love, Jackie