Manna for Your Morning

“You shall not do according to what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do according to what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. You are to do My judgments and keep My statutes, to walk in them; I am Yahweh your God. So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does them, he shall live by them; I am Yahweh.” — Leviticus 18:3-5 (LSB) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. (1 John 5:19 NKJV) We are not to imitate the ways of the world. Instead, we are to follow the ways of Yahweh and His Kingdom. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 11 NASB1995)

But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” — Genesis 2:16:17 (NLT) God told Adam they could freely eat of every tree, except one. However, the serpent got Eve to focus on the one thing they lacked, instead of the abundance that was freely given to them by God. (See Genesis 3:1-6) Yahweh is an extremely generous God. His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue, (See 2 Peter 1:3). If it does not pertain to life, it is something that leads to death. Why pursue those things?  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17 NASB1995) Our Heavenly Father is perfect and He never changes. We can abide in the loving, Father of ligh...

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD. — Psalm 89:15 (NLT) Do not be partakers with  the sons of disobedience. (See Ephesians 6-7) ...for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),  (Ephesians 5:8-9 NASB1995). In John 8:12 (NASB1995), Jesus said: “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” In John 12:35 (AMP), He told the crowd, “The Light is among you [only] a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light [keep on living by it], so that darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going [he is drifting aimlessly]. Don't be passively carried by the culture of this world. Intentionally and purposefully follow Christ. Worship the One true God and continue to live in Hi...

Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (AMP) YAHWEH is entirely faithful. When all others fail you, you can count on Him to stand with you. “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT) Stand on the Word of God, in all circumstances. His word which goes forth from His mouth will not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it. (See Isaiah 55:11) In Joshua 21:45, not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. YAHWEH does not change. (See Malachi 3:6) If He said it, He will do it. He is a Promise Keeper. Be faithful as He who calls you is faithful. Closel...

But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. — Psalm 73:28 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT) …Jesus is not some high priest who has no sympathy for our weaknesses and flaws. He has already been tested in every way that we are tested; but He emerged victorious, without failing God. (Hebrews 4:15 VOICE) Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP)

Isn’t it obvious that all runners on the racetrack keep on running to win, but only one receives the victor’s prize? Yet each one of you must run the race to be victorious. A true athlete will be disciplined in every respect, practicing constant self-control in order to win a laurel wreath that quickly withers. But we run our race to win a victor’s crown that will last forever. — 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (TPT) So don’t run aimlessly. Don’t let your eyes drift off the finish line. Run with purpose in every step. Do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. (See 1 Corinthians 9:26 VOICE/NLT/AMP) Sprint toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed. (See Philippians 3:14 VOICE) …we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has bee...

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. — Psalm 42:5b AMP Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! (Psalm 27:14 TPT) For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him. (Psalm 62:5 AMP) …I will wait and hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14 AMP)

This is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: “If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved. If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong. But you don’t want to do that.” — Isaiah 30:15  (NCV) The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14 NLT) “…blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG) 
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]”  — John 14:27 AMP

John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. — John 1:8 (NLT) In Jesus was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness… (John 1:4-5). There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (John 1:6-7 NKJV) May we be like John, and tell others about the Light. For once we were full of darkness, but now we have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Ephesians 5:8 NLT) Let us be seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], (Philippians 2:15 AMP), so we can show others the way to Jesus, the Light of the world (John 8:12). Proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9).

“I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. — Matthew 5:44-45 (MSG) A lawyer, asked Jesus a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:35-39 NKJV) Before we are able to love our spouse, our neighbors or our enemies we must love God. The love of God in our hearts gives us the ability to love others, the way our heavenly Father loves us. May the Lord make your lo...

When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord . — Acts 11:22-23 (NLT) When the church in Jerusalem, heard that a large number of Gentiles had believed and turned to the Lord, they sent Barnabas to encourage them. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord (Acts 11:24 NLT). We too should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. (Romans 15:2 NLT). So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault (Romans 14:19 MSG). Don't be part of the demolition, tear down crew. Instead encourage and build each other up. Amen.

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. — Psalm 108:12-13 (NKJV) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses (Psalm 107:19 NKJV). Instead of putting your trust and confidence in man to save you, call upon the LORD, in your time of trouble. When everyone else abandons you, the LORD will stand with you. The battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15).

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. —Psalm 18:18 (NKJV) When confronted with anything that is contrary to God’s Word, pull out your sword of the Spirit, (which is the word of God) and use it. Declare the Word in the face of the enemy’s lies. As for God, His way is perfect and His word is proven (Psalm 18:30a). It is the truth that will set you free, free from sickness, free from lack, free from whatever has you bound. Isaiah 59:19 says, when the enemy comes in like a flood,
 the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. That standard is His Word. When we believe it in our hearts and speak it out of our mouths, His Word is alive and active in our lives and opens the door for God’s will to done on the earth, as it is in heaven.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 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.”  — Isaiah 43:1-2 (NKJV) Our greatest comfort and source of all peace is knowing that no matter what we go through in this life, the LORD is with us. Nothing is too difficult for Him! If God is for us who can stand against us? Have no fear, the LORD is near!

Some people are like seeds on rocky soil. They welcome the word with joy whenever they hear it, but they don’t develop any roots. They believe for a while, but when their faith is tested, they abandon it. — Luke 8:13 (GW) Rocky soil believers receive the word with joy when they hear it, but when their faith is tested it withers because they have no root. No matter what is going on in your life, never abandon your faith! Live your life in Christ Jesus. Sink your roots in Him and build on Him, then your faith will grow strong  (Colossians 2:7). May the word be planted on the good soil of your heart. The seeds that fell on the good soil represent those who hear the word with a noble and good heart, cling to it, and produce a huge harvest, despite what life may bring (Luke 8:15).

You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. Psalm 18:35-36 (NLT) Let us rejoice because we are on the winning side and our victory is for all eternity. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Every child of God overcomes the hardships, adversities, and sufferings of this world. With the support of our great God, we triumph over our enemies. So when trouble comes your way, hold up God's shield of victory and praise Him.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 (The Message) Instead of dwelling on gossip and rumor, let us meditate on what is true, honorable and right. Fill your minds with the good, not the bad; the best and not the worst. We'll do best by elevating our thoughts to things that are worthy of praise. Love, Jackie

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) Are you in need of some guidance? Call upon the LORD and listen for His voice. He will answer and we need to be ready to obey. Sometimes, I think I close my ears so I cannot hear His answer because I do not really want to follow through with action. May we keep our hearts and ears open to hear, understand and follow His direction. Love, Jackie