Manna for Your Morning

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. — Psalms 63:1 (NASB1995) Sincerely seek the LORD our God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Because His lovingkindness is better than life, may our lips praise Him. Let us bless the LORD as long as we live and lift up our hands in His name. He satisfies our souls. Offer praises to Him with joyful lips. He is our help, and in the shadow of His wings we sing for joy. May our souls cling to Yahweh. His right hand upholds us. (See Psalms 63:3-5 & 7-8) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? — Psalms 42:1-2 (NASB1995)

However, “Let him who boasts boast in the LORD.” — 2 Corinthians 10:17 (AMP) Thus says Yahweh, “Let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might; let not a rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who shows lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares Yahweh. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 LSB)  Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of Yahweh, our God. (Psalms 20:7 LSB) For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:6 NASB1995) May we seek to understand and know Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. (See Isaiah 55:9)  My soul will make i...

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) God called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. (See 1 Peter 2:9) Cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. (See Romans 13:12) Let old worldly ways pass away and enjoy abundant life, in the Kingdom of God, which is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! (See Romans 14:17) …let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith… (See Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (See 1 John 3:1a NIV) We are also temples of the living God. …we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV) We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. “So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], and I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18 AMP) Our Heavenly Father has called us and chosen us to be a people for Himself, holy and set apart. Embrace the n...

Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God. Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you! — Romans 8:10-11 (TPT) Jesus does not turn away anyone who comes to Him. His arms are open wide to receive all who call upon His name. So grateful for that day, 32 years ago, when I became aware of how much I needed Jesus and opened the door of my heart to Him. He accepted me just the way I was and began a beautiful restoration and transformation process. Welcome Him in today. And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises u...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Thirty years ago today, the LORD opened my eyes to truth and I opened my heart to receive His love and the wonderful gift of salvation. All praise and honor to God. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Let us walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12  NASB) Amen & Hallelujah! He calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light that we may proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.(Psalm 105:1 NLT) Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work ...

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. — Proverbs 4:18 (NASB) If you have given your heart to Jesus, you are on a path that shines brighter and brighter. No matter how dim things may appear right now, know that your future shines brighter and brighter. We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV) Always be led by His Spirt and the rest of your life will be the best of your life. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous . (Psalm 112:4 NKJV)

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (AMP) Whatever challenging situation you may face today, remember that you are never alone. In 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (NASB), the Apostle Paul says, “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” Though people may desert you, the Lord will always stand by your side. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God... (Isaiah 43:2-3a)

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”  — Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Jesus continually knocks on the door of our hearts. Open wide your heart, to Him. Give Him complete access. The brilliance and beauty of His light will shine in every room, every crevice; His love, His kindness, His grace and mercy. It will flood your soul. Twenty-six years ago today, I opened the door of my heart to Jesus for the first time and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Never had I known such pure and unconditional love, such deep peace and unspeakable joy. He filled that empty space in my heart. Opening the door to Jesus, gave me hope, and a purpose to fulfill His wonderful plan for my life. Open your heart to Him, today.

God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. — Colossians 1:13-14 (MSG) Twenty-five years ago today, God rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of His dear Son. He brought me into His family and made me His daughter, an heir of God through Christ and partaker of His wonderful promises. What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1 NIV). As members of God's family, we have a higher calling and a glorious plan for our lives. We are a generation that has been chosen to fulfill God's will in the earth. So let us live as people of light, purpose and destiny!

 ...that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. — Ephesians 2:12 (NKJV) Twenty-four years ago, my life was a mess and there was absolutely not an ounce of hope within me. But I thank God, for two co-workers who were faithful women of God. On Dec 5, 1989, they witnessed to me about the love and forgiveness God gives each and every one of us through Jesus Christ. That very day, God opened my eyes, to see Him and I opened the door of my heart and let Him in. That was truly the best day of my life. During my 24 year journey, the road has not always been easy, but I praise God that He has brought me this far! Let us always be His witnesses on our jobs, in our families and in our neighborhoods. There are many more, people in our world who are hurting, hopeless and without God.  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to ev...

Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. — Nehemiah 8:3 (NKJV) Do you give attention to the Word of God? For the Word of God is living and powerful, (Hebrews 4:12). God has magnified His word above all His name (Psalm 138:2). Joshua 1:8 tells us to always have the Word on our lips and to meditate in it day and night, to do according to all that is written in it. Then we will make our way prosperous, and have good success. Amen!

I remain confident of this: 
 I will see the goodness of the LORD 
 in the land of the living.  Psalm 27:13 (NIV)      As we sang the words of this psalm yesterday, in church, I just wanted to shout “this is MY story, this is MY song.” While singing this song, I flashed back to one of the darkest days of my life. I was depressed, hurting and hopeless. Laying on the floor of my living room one Christmas morning, I heard the devil telling me to kill myself and end my misery. I could see the hand of the LORD reaching down into my darkness. He lifted me up close to Him and spoke the words of Psalm 27:13 to me. He promised me I would see His goodness in the land of the living . That Scripture spoke life to me that day and gave me hope. Now these words are so alive and active in me because His Word has proven true in my life over and over again. If life has you down and out right now I want to encourage you to wait on the LORD. I am confident that you will see the GOO...

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT) Today, I celebrate the single most important, life-changing event of my life. Twenty-one years ago, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and God wrote my name in the Book of Life. During the ignorance of my college years, I was an atheist, but on December 5, 1989, in a small trailer in Fallbrook, California, God opened my eyes to see the Light. Oh what a happy day! Jesus took my burdens and set me free. He replaced my loneliness and pain with joy and the companionship of His Holy Spirit. He took my emptiness and filled my life with love, hope and purpose. I told my sad story to two co-workers who cared enough to listen and they told me about the love, forgiveness and eternal life Jesus offers. Never fail to plant the seeds of the Good News about Jesus and God will cause them to grow.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) Keep your hope in God all day long. Look to the LORD and He will guide you along on the path that leads to truth and freedom. He will show you His ways and teach you how to walk in His footsteps each day. Love, Jackie