Manna for Your Morning

“The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.” — 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17 (NLT) The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. (Psalms 29:11 NKJV) Know that when all others abandon you, Yahweh stands with you.  “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” (Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. — Colossians 3:15 (AMP) What are the controlling factors in your life? Do you let external circumstances steal your peace? Walk daily with the Prince of Peace and maintain that inner calm that comes from knowing that He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the answer to every question and the solution to all your problems. No challenge is too difficult for Him. Troubles will come, but in Yeshua you can take courage and have peace, because He has overcome the world. (See John 16:33) Trust God, and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, no matter what situation arises. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, ...

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 (NASB1995) Yahweh is not a visitation place reserved for Sunday mornings only. “The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms;” (See Deuteronomy 33:27a NASB1995) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV) Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (Psalm 91:9-10 NKJV) Let us go into His dwelling place; Let us worship at His footstool. (Psalm 132:7 NASB1995)

Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. — Psalm 94:17-19 (NLT) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. (Psalm 43:5 NASB1995) The God of hope refreshes and restores my soul (life). (See Romans 15:13 & Psalm 23:3) For the LORD will not [cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. (Psalm 94:14 NKJV) And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT) How blessed and graciously favored is he whose help is the God of Jacob (Israel), whose hope is in the LORD his God (Psalm 146:5 AMP). He is the God of all comfort (See 2 Corinthians 1:3), and His comfort will renew your hope and cheer.

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. — 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT) Trust your life to God, our Creator. He will never fail you. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)

But I have trusted and relied on and been confident in Your lovingkindness and faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice and delight in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. — Psalm 13:5-6 (AMP) Thus says the LORD, “ Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind ...” (Jeremiah 17:5 AMP) Let us trust in and rely on the unfailing love of the LORD. His love is constant. It does not change on the basis of our performance. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in and relies on the LORD shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness. (Psalm 32:10 AMP) “ Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD and whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD. ” — Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. — Proverbs 19:21 (MSG) God has a perfect plan for each and every person. And Jesus gave His life to save us and empower us to fulfill it. The LORD has a good plan for each one of us. He created us with purpose and a glorious destiny. As we follow His Word and are led by His Holy Spirit, He will take us from one glory to another level of glory. When we let the devil or our flesh, lure us off the path that leads to everlasting life and a more abundant life here on earth,  we are making detours away from His good and perfect plan. But no matter where we are today and no matter what poor decisions we have made in the past, God will work everything together for good. Choose today, to follow God and serve Him only.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) Jesus calls all who are tired of laboring and all who have heavy loads to come to Him. He will give you rest. In the Message Bible, He says: “ I’ll show you how to take a real rest. ” When we spend time in His Presence, He refreshes our souls and renews the right spirit within us. He fills us with His peace and gives us strength to persevere. If you are empty, let Him fill your cup to overflowing. (Psalm 23:5 NCV) Take a real rest and rely on His help. Wherever you are, His hand shall lead you, and His right hand shall hold you. (Psalm 139:10 NKJV) So, don’t be afraid, for He is with you. Don’t be discouraged, for He is your God. He will strengthen you and help you. He will hold you up with His victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV) We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God… (Ephesians 5:2 NASB). Let us be [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17 AMP). Ephesians 4:2 tells us to bear with one another in love. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2 NLT) Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Love knocks down barriers and builds bridges. Love extravagantly! (1 Corinthians 13:13 MSG)

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. — 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NKJV). You are not alone in the situations you face. Let us set aside pride, and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. In due time, He will lift us up, closer to Him. And we will walk in victory over the earthly circumstances that concern us. Cast all your worries and concerns upon Him, because He cares and He is able. Nothing is too difficult for our great God!

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  — John 11:40 (NIV) Don’t ever stop believing in God and all of the wonderful promises He has spoken to you. No challenge that stands before you today is too big for our great and mighty God. Keep believing and you will see the fulfillment of every promise. He delivers us from all our troubles. Praise the LORD! “‘“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ — Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. — Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT) No matter what earth shattering news may come, we will not fear because God is our refuge. No matter how huge the mountain that falls into our world, He remains the strength of our lives. He is ever-present and always ready to help in troubling times. He never fails to act on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4). And thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)!

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) Let us declare the faithfulness of God every night. He pours out new compassions and mercies on us each morning and faithfully brings us through each day. Psalm 139:17-18 says, “ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”  God is faithful! Morning , noon and night, He is with you!

“Why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” — Luke 6:41 (GW) Why is it so easy to see someone else's “stuff” and not our own? We conveniently make excuses for ourselves when we say something that should have been left unspoken. And we are able to justify and minimize our attitudes, when they are not right. However, the second greatest commandment is for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). So let us always look to see the good in the other person. Maybe they are just having a “bad” day. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

There is surely a future hope for you,  and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (NIV) No matter what disappointments and heartache you experienced in 2011, surely there is a future hope for YOU. The LORD has plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). Smile at the future, knowing that your hope will not be cut off. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4), in the new year!

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 (NLT) In order to have a Spirit controlled mind, we must be transformed from the inside out by renewing our minds to align with God's Word. When the world says hate, God says love. When the world says get even, God says to forgive. The world tells us to look out for ourselves, but God's Word says to consider the needs of others before yourself. When we stop following the ways of the world and set our minds to do what is pleasing to the LORD, we are being led by His Spirit and we experience a full, vibrant life and a deep sense of peace which surpasses all understanding. Amen.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 (NIV) If you are a child of God, the eyes of the LORD watch over you. He is there to guide you along on the path before you and to catch you when you stumble. If you make a wrong turn, He lovingly points you in the right direction. Like a mother with her newborn baby, He is attentive to your voice. He cares about everything that concerns you. Look to the Lord to provide all that you need. Amen. With Love, Jackie

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us not to worry about our lives. In Matthew 11:28, He says He will give rest to everyone who is weary and burdened. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). So let us clear our minds of our concerns by casting all our cares on the LORD. Remove the clutter of this life that distracts you from having heart-to-heart conversation with Abba Father. Exercise self-control and pray at all times. Love, Jackie