Manna for Your Morning

“ Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. ” — Psalms 46:10 (LSB) When we are too busy doing our own thing, in our own way, to stop and spend time with our heavenly Father, we end up weary and worn out. Before we jump start our day, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and lay our concerns, requests and desires before the One Who has all our days written in His Book. Always seek His will. The closer we draw near to Him, the more likely we are to hear His still small voice, saying “this is the way.” He will empower us to overcome obstacles, climb mountains and withstand the storms of life. Abide in His Presence and be led by the Holy Spirit. “ He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring...

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” — John 20:19 (NASB1995) Jesus gave us the gift of peace, perfect peace of mind and heart. He said: “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Let His perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge. (See John 14:27 NLT/NASB1995/AMP) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) In order to run with endurance, we need to strip off anything that weighs us down, cast off all worries and cares, and stay free of sin and the traps of the enemy. Run with persistence the race that is set before you, and never quit. Notice that the Holy Scripture says to “run” and not walk. That conveys a sense of urgency. Let us purposefully move forward and continually progress toward the goal. We are able to do this by keeping our eyes on Yeshua, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (See Hebrews 12:2 NLT)

For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (AMP) The thing to remember about any trouble you may be going through is that it is passing. It is not here to stay. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. (Psalm 34:6 NLT) Cast all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on the LORD, for He cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully. (See 1 Peter 5:7 AMP) Our heavenly Father hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17 NLT) Amen.

On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. — Psalm 138:3 (NASB) The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NASB) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” (Acts 1:8 NLT) May we be bold in the power and strength of the Lord to tell others about our great God and what He has done. And when they had prayed, the place where they were meeting together was shaken [a sign of God’s presence]; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness and courage. — Acts 4:31 (AMP)

For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation! — Psalm 100:5 (TPT) The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. (Psalm 145:9 NLT) The arms of the Lord are open and He says: "COME!" He is always ready to receive you. Make this your one purpose: to revere Him and serve Him faithfully with complete devotion because He has done great things for you. (1 Samuel 12:24 VOICE)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good (encouraging) word makes it glad. — Proverbs 12:25 (AMP) If you are anxious about anything, God’s Word is has a good encouraging word just for you. Here a just a few: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 (NKJV) He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. —Luke 1:50 (NLT) The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” —Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT) The LORD will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry. —Isaiah 58:11 (NCV) Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and y...

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) Be fully convinced that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. He doesn't love us from afar. He loves us up close and personal. He knows everything about us and He still loves us. No matter what adverse circumstances come our way, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us enough to give His life to save us. With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV) The Message Bible says: “ You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. ” (Psalm 73:24). God does not force us against our will. He is gentle and compassionate. He speaks to us and patiently waits for us to listen and follow His wise counsel. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21). My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27). When we sync our steps with the LORD, we can walk in peace and confidence, knowing that He will never lead us astray.

Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” — 2 Samuel 9:3 (NKJV) Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was found hiding out in Lo Debar. King David sent for him, restored to him all the land of King Saul and invited him to eat at his table continually, like one of the king’s sons. (2 Samuel 9:5,7, 11). Are you hiding out in Lo Debar, when you could be dining at the King’s table? When we mess up or when something doesn't go the way we think it should have, we allow the enemy to draw us away from God. We think we are hiding from God, but He knows exactly where we are. And no matter where we are, spiritually, emotionally or physically, God just wants to show us His kindness. So come out of hiding, stop living a lame spiritual life, and dine with Him continually. Daily partake of the delicacies at the King’s table. You are a child o...

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV) God has been our dwelling place, in all generations. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4 NLT). Only in God, our heavenly Father, will we find true fulfillment and purpose in this life. The fullness of our peace and joy are wrapped up in His Presence. As we abide in Him, our spirits are truly made alive and set free. He alone is our living hope and this hope does not disappoint. Don't lodge with Him occasionally, as a visitor, come and stay, take up permanent residence in Him, as a member of God's family. It's where you belong!

Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the LORD’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t die. Everything they do will succeed. — Psalm 1:1-3 (NCV) Treasuring God’s Word in our hearts and aligning our actions to it, are the infallible ingredients of good success. Let us thrill ourselves with God’s Word, and chew on Scripture day and night (Psalm 1:2, MSG), then God will establish His purpose in us and we will experience great success in all that we do!

The Lord says, “These people worship me with their mouths and honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is based on rules made by humans.”  — Isaiah 29:13 (GW) Sometimes, we can get so caught up in trying to say the right things, and do the right things but our hearts are not necessarily in it. We are just going through the motions. But, the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose HEARTS are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9). God wants our hearts to be devoted to Him. When we set our affections on the LORD, we form a bond that is not easily broken and we truly belong to Him.

After he took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart and kept giving them to the disciples to give to the people.  — Mark 6:41 (GW) Jesus fed more than five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. All of them ate as much as they wanted and the leftover pieces, filled twelve baskets. Instead of looking at where you seem to be lacking, take what you DO have and look to Almighty God. Thank Him for what He has given you and ask Him to bless it. Our heavenly Father is the God of more than enough. The enemy would like you to believe you don't have enough, but God will show you His abundant supply. Keep looking up!

As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” Genesis 19:17 (NIV) When Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed, Lot and his family were warned by the angels, not to look back. Lot's wife became a pillar of salt because she chose to look back. Do you spend more time looking at the days gone by, than living the beautiful one you have right now? It is a waste of time to look back. It is like having your car in drive and putting one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the brake. You will never go anywhere. You cannot change the past. So stop holding onto the wrongs that were done to you and let go of the mistakes you made. Then move into your bright new future making better, healthier choices. My Pastor once shared that the windshield of the car is a lot bigger than the rearview mirror because where you're going is more important than ...

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT) As your spirit grows weak draw your strength from God. He is the source of all strength and power. Love, Jackie

Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV) When we come to God through Jesus He is able to completely save us. Jesus provides eternal life for us. However, He also came to give us a full, more abundant life on this side of heaven. He wants to make us whole, complete and lacking nothing. He heals us and gives us joy and peace. And Jesus always lives to intercede for us to the Father. Praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Love, Jackie