Manna for Your Morning

“This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.” “And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.” — Revelation 12:9, 17 (NLT) Followers of Yeshua are engaged in a war. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus the Christ. (See 2 Timothy 2:3) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV) For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT) “ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of t...

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. — Revelation 22:16-17 (NKJV) The call of Yeshua is for us to come to Him. He gives freely to all who desire. Eternal One: If you are thirsty, come here; come, there’s water for all. Whoever is poor and penniless can still come and buy the food I sell. There’s no cost—here, have some food, hearty and delicious, and beverages, pure and good. I don’t understand why you spend your money for things that don’t nourish or work so hard for what leaves you empty. Attend to Me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest, most delectable of things. Listen closely, and come even closer. My words will give life, for I will make a covenant with you that cannot be broken, a promise of My enduring ...

“The very moment I call to you for a father’s help the tide of battle turns and my enemies flee. This one thing I know: God is on my side! I trust in the Lord. And I praise him! I trust in the Word of God. And I praise him! What harm could man do to me? With God on my side, I will not be afraid of what comes. My heart overflows with praise to God and for his promises. I will always trust in him.”” — Psalms 56:9-11 (TPT) When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 NASB1995) The perfect love of God drives out fear. (See 1 John 4:18) How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. (Psalm 40:4 NASB1995) My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock o...

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB1995) Any material thing this world has to offer is temporary. Earthly goods have no eternal value, and they do not satisfy. May our heart’s desire be for the treasures of heaven. First and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness (See Matthew 6:33 AMP). Cherish His Presence more than anything. Luke 6:45 (AMP) says: The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart. Seek to dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of your life. (See Psalm 27:4 AMP) Let us treasure the Word of God in our hearts that we may not sin against Him. (...

Overcome every form of evil as a victorious soldier of Jesus the Anointed One. For every soldier called to active duty must divorce himself from the distractions of this world so that he may fully satisfy the one who chose him. — 2 Timothy 3-4 (TPT) Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 AMP) Don’t get entangled in the cares of this world, nor fall for the distractions of the enemy. Instead, concentrate on carrying out orders, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No matter what happens, keep your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith (See Hebrews 12:2 NLT) and press on toward the glorious destination He has for you!

People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. — Isaiah 26:3-4 MSG Set your mind on the LORD. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude  (Psalm 62:8 NLT) Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever! For Yah, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages! (Isaiah 26:4 TPT) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies. (Psalm 40:4 AMP)

Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (TPT) Beloved brothers and sisters, let us be vessels of God’s love. As He continually pours His love into us, let us be devoted to unselfishly love and seek the best for one another. In Matthew 5:44-45 (TPT), Jesus says: “love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil.” Lavish the love you generously receive from God on all who come your way.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:7 (NLT) May we be deeply rooted in Jesus and in God's love, so we can bear much fruit for His Kingdom. We can only be rooted as we abide in Him. We are empowered when we maintain a constant connection with the Lord. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Jesus. (John 15:4) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. — Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT)

Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.” — Ezekiel 3:10 (NKJV) Receive the Word and let it sink deep into your heart. The quality of our lives and those around us depends on how we receive the Word of God and how well we listen to it. Listen carefully to what God speaks to you. Our heavenly Father speaks words of life, love, and peace. His Word is packed with promises of protection, provision, and victory. He speaks of the purpose and plans He has for our lives. He speaks of strength, stability, and success. When we trust Him, His Word will bring about transformation and restoration. His words are healing and inspire hope. Let us not be like the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19 NASB...

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. — 1 Kings 18:21 (NIV) In Deuteronomy 30:19, God set before us life and death, blessings and curses. and told us to choose life, so that us and our children may live. Let us choose life. Let us chose Jesus, every moment of the day. There is no sitting on the fence. There is no need to waver, wonder or wander away from the LORD. Wavering gets us nowhere. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). In Him, we progress toward the wonderful plans the Father has for us. When we choose Jesus, we choose eternal life, abundant life, everlasting peace, joy and unfailing love. When we choose Jesus we no longer have to be discouraged and defeated. In Jesus, we are more than conquerors and we know we have the victory because He has overcome the world!

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. — Luke 8:22-24 (NLT) If a fierce storm arose after you set sail to pursue what God put in your heart to do, it probably felt like Jesus was asleep in your boat. In spite of the winds of adversity and violent waves, rest assured, Jesus is not asleep. Have no anxiety or fear. In the midst of the storm, you can live in His perfect peace. As long as you are on board with Jesus, our life preserver, you will reach your desired destination, and your plans will succeed.

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” — Job 42:5-6 (NKJV) Have you only heard about the LORD or do you clearly see Him? Have you personally encountered His grace and mercy or have you only heard others talk about it? I implore you to open wide your heart to His loving, yet powerful Presence. Let His glorious light and His matchless love penetrate every fiber of your being. Open your eyes and see the LORD, in all of His splendor and glory. Acknowledge His extravagant goodness and His extreme faithfulness. Enjoy an intimate, face-to-face, one-on-one relationship with the LORD, your Creator. When we truly see Him, we repent of all we thought we knew and humbly draw near to Him, hearts full of wonder and gratitude.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. — Psalms 97:5 (NKJV) Which do you think is greater, your problems or the Presence of God? Let's not be so focused on our problems. Instead, may we gain a greater awareness of God's presence in our lives. Let us surrender our hearts, minds and mouths to the power of His Holy Spirit within us. Nothing can stop us, with God on our side. Continually come before His presence with thanksgiving (Psalms 95:2). He will show us the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11). What fuller lives we could live if we just learn to enjoy the Presence of Almighty God as we go about our day, regardless of the circumstances around us.

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.  — Psalm 31:20 (NKJV) Trust in the LORD, for in the time of trouble He shall hide you in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide you; (Psalm 27:5). Stay in the secret place of His Presence, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. There is a peace that surpasses all understanding. Yes, dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) As we begin the countdown to 2012, the above passage of Scripture gives us some things to aim for in the coming year. First, we are instructed to rejoice. Let us be joyful. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Second, strive for full restoration, in every area of your life. Allow God's healing power to complete His perfect work in you. Next on the list is to encourage those in your life, daily. How good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23). The fourth thing is to abide in the peace, harmony and love of God. Amen.

God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (The Message) Just as earthly parents always hope for the best regarding their children, our heavenly Father never gives up on us. Glory to God! Abba Father is faithful and so worthy of our trust. Depend on Him. He will keep you strong and on the right track until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 (NLT) Now is the time to look forward to what lies ahead. Focus on your goals for 2010. What is God calling you to do? What is He prompting you to stop doing? How will you improve the quality of your relationships and your life? My goal in 2010 is to rise to a higher level in my love walk, to love a little deeper and more passionately. I want to touch every person God brings my way with His compassion and kindness and to ensure that no kind word goes unspoken. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). May we all seek to live in love. With Love, Jackie

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; Revelation 12:11 (NIV) For me, this is one of the most important verses in the bible. We overcome Satan by the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony. The end of the book has already been written. No matter what we go through on this earth, we WIN. Let us keep our eyes on the prize: eternally dwelling with our heavenly Father. Love, Jackie