Manna for Your Morning

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” — James 1:22-24 (NLT) In Luke 11:28 (AMP), Yeshua said, “…blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it.” …he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. (James 1:25 AMP) 

But one has [solemnly] testified somewhere [in Scripture], saying, “What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You graciously care for him? — Hebrews 2:6 (AMP) Never listen to the lies of the enemy. Yahweh has not forgotten about you. He has not abandoned you. For He Himself has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless]…” (See Hebrews 13:5 AMP) Yahweh is so attentive to you, He knows how many hairs you have on your head. Take comfort in His Presence and be strengthened. He is with you and His light will guide you in the way you are to go. “Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.” — Psalms 139:17-18 (TPT)

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart. [pause] — Psalm 46:10-11 (VOICE) Instead of letting your thoughts and emotions be tossed to and fro with continually changing conditions and circumstances, stay focused on YAHWEH. He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! (See Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. (See Psalm 37:8 NASB1995) The man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is in the LORD will not be anxious in the year of drought nor will cease from yielding fruit. (See Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV) Acknowledge and honor the Most High God. He is the great  “ I AM” and nothing is too difficult for Him. 

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. — Isaiah 26:3 (VOICE) True peace is not found in material riches, behind a gate-guarded community, or in any other set of favorable external circumstances. This is all temporary. We find true peace when we continually trust in YAHWEH,  the everlasting God (El Olam). It is the LORD who gives His people strength and blesses us with peace. (See Psalm 29:11) He keeps in perfect and constant peace those whose hearts are committed to Him and whose minds are set on Him.
 Trust YAHWEH and take refuge in Him, with hope and confident expectation. Depend on God and keep at it because in the LORD God you have a sure thing. (See Isaiah 26:3-6 MSG) Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. — 2 Thes...

“ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ” — John 16:33 (NASB1995) Take courage in whatever trials, troubles or sorrows you are experiencing, because Jesus has already made a way for us. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. (Romans 8:37 AMP) Revelation 12:11 (NASB1995) says, we overcome because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony, and we do not love our lives even when faced with death. May we faithfully share our testimony of the mighty works the Lord has performed in our midst. I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. — Psalm 118:17 (NLT)

God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. — Psalm 46:1-2 (VOICE) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT) You can be sure that the Lord is on your side and remember, He has already gained the victory. 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)

So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on. — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (VOICE) Don’t look at the things which we can see with our natural eyes, for the things which are visible are temporary. Instead let us focus our attention on the things which are invisible, for they are everlasting and imperishable. Fix your eyes on our great God. May we have eyes to see His amazing love and great grace. “ Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. ” — Isaiah 6:3 (NASB)

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. — Isaiah 53:11 (NLT) Jesus bore ALL of our sins. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righte I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10 NLT) ousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) Jesus paid our debt. We could not pay. We no longer have to wear the cloak of sin, guilt and shame. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) God has given us a robe of righteousness. Let us flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, lo...

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. — 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) No matter how difficult the battle, let us march on, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ! No looking back, only persevering and pressing on, continually advancing and taking ground for the Kingdom of God. All the challenges we encounter are part of the process to prepare us to fulfill the purpose and plan God has for our lives. If we don't give up, we will overcome and occupy our promised land. Let us invade the darkness with light. Invade hate and bitterness with His love and grace. The invaders charge. They climb barricades. Nothing stops them. Each soldier does what he’s told, so disciplined, so determined. They don’t get in each other’s way. Each one knows his job and does it. Undaunted and fearless, unswerving, unstoppable. (Joel 2:7-8 MSG) Be an invad...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) Just as the caterpillar eventually sheds it’s old body and transforms into a beautiful butterfly, we experience different seasons and phases of life. As we go through different seasons, God is transforming us from glory to glory, to become more like Him. If you’re in a difficult season right now, know that this too shall come to pass and a new season is on it’s way. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  (Psalm 118:1 NLT) His love endures throughout all seasons. Amen!

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. — Acts 13:51-52 (NKJV) When the Jews persecuted the Apostle Paul and Barnabas for preaching the Word to the gentiles, they shook the dust from their feet and moved on to the next town. When we are walking in the will of God and others refuse to accept us, we have to know when to shake the dust off our feet and move on down the road. Refuse to let the enemy steal your joy!

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. — Psalm 126:5-6 (NKJV) There will be times of weeping, but the tears we sow, will water the seeds and bring forth a harvest of rejoicing. So let the tears flow freely. No matter how our circumstances appear right now, this too shall pass. Those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing (Psalm 126:6 MSG). God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh (Luke 6:21 NLT). Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). Your morning is on the horizon!

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  — Psalm 27:13 (NLT) The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 33:5). Give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for all His wonderful works! Trials and tribulations may come, and they will also pass, but God’s goodness lasts forever. He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with His goodness (Psalm 107:9). Surely His goodness and unfailing love will pursue you all the days of your life, and you will live in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6, NLT). We can be confident in His Goodness!

“Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.”  — Isaiah 50:10 (NKJV) For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, Here’s what: Trust in God. Lean on your God! (Isaiah 50:10, The Message) Learn to lean on the LORD. On the day you face disaster, or troubles of any kind, the LORD is your support (Psalm 18:18). He is our refuge, and strong tower, a shelter in the storm. The LORD is a beacon of light in the darkness. Rely upon our God. He is an immovable rock of strength.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.   — Luke 11:9-10 (NIV) Ask in faith. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1, NLT). Seek with God's wisdom and guidance. And patiently wait for the door to be opened. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16, NLT).

All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the LORD’s, And He rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28 (NKJ) During foreclosures, lay-offs and economic upheaval, turn to the LORD. In earthquakes, floods and fires, look to the LORD. In the midst of conflicts, battles, and wars may the LORD be remembered. Let families all over the world worship the LORD and seek first the kingdom of God.

Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:6-8 (NIV) Don't put your confidence in the temporary things of this world. Trust in the strong and mighty name of the LORD our God. We will rise up and stand firm with the conquering power of His right hand as we call upon the name of the LORD.

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2 (The Message) Instead of conforming to the ways of this world, we are to renew our minds by the Word and God will transform us from the little worm into the beautiful butterfly. As we enclose ourselves in the cocoon of His wonderful Word, we are changed from the inside out. Fix your attention on God and let Him bring out the best in you. Love, Jackie

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God: The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV) If you have invited Jesus Christ into your heart, to be your Lord and Savior, you are His treasured possession. You belong to God and no one can take you out of His hand (John 10:29). 1 Peter 2:9 says, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. You are valuable to our heavenly Father. Let us worship God who cherishes us with an everlasting love and will be with us for all eternity. Love, Jackie