Manna for Your Morning

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ — Exodus 3:14 (NASB) Our great God is all we need Him to be and more. He is a strong tower and a safe refuge in the storm. The LORD is our Shepherd, who leads and guides us. He watches over His people and takes care of us. The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14 NLT)  YAHWEH is a faithful Father, and a constant Companion. You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15) His presence is always with us. When all others abandon us, He stands by our side. His Spirit dwells within us, and gives us strength. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) May your eyes continually look to the LORD from whom comes your help.

Eternal One: Is it possible for a mother, however disappointed, however hurt, to forget her nursing child? Can she feel nothing for the baby she carried and birthed? Even if she could, I, God, will never forget you. Look here. I have made you a part of Me, written you on the palms of My hands. Your city walls are always on My mind, always My concern. — Isaiah 49:15-16 (VOICE) Continually cast your cares upon the LORD for He cares for you. He has not forgotten about you. Thou everyone else may desert you, the LORD is with you. He will never abandon you nor forsake you. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is our Constant Companion. 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. — Psalm 139:17-18 (TPT)

“ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you .” — John 15:15 (NKJV) If we want to be a friend of the Lord, obedience is the key. Jesus said, “ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ” (John 15:14)  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NLT) Jesus gave His life for us. Let us follow His example, and lay our lives down to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Be a friend to our risen Savior and to those God has placed in your sphere of influence.

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” — Luke 5:18-20 (NASB) These men had the kind of faith, Jesus could see. And because of their faith, the paralytic received his healing, and went home glorifying God (Luke 5:25). Do you have the visible kind of faith that finds a way to get others in front of Jesus? Let us have the type of faith that displays compassion and kindness, the quality of faith that demonstrates care and concern for those in need. May we have the kind of faith that brings those in need, to Jesus, the Savior of the world. He is the answer to every problem, mountain, giant and storm. In Luke 18:8, Jesus asked the question,...

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”  — Luke 5:18-20 (MSG) Bold belief is compassionate enough to carry those who cannot walk on their own. Bold belief makes a way to set others in front of Jesus. Bold belief doesn't turn back when met with difficulties, but presses in, and overcomes obstacles. As a result, lives are changed for all of eternity. Bold belief is love in action. May we exercise bold belief in our daily affairs. …the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NKJV)

God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. — Isaiah 42:5  (NLT) Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. — Psalm 34:5 (NLT) Our heavenly Father is Elohim, the great Creator. He knit us together in our mother’s womb and gave us the breath of life. He wrote all our days in His book before one of them came to be. Let us look to Him for help, before we phone a friend or consult a counselor. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8) He is the source of our help, our hope, our peace and our joy. Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! ( Romans 15:1...

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. — Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV) Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake! Don’t take Wicked Bypass; don’t so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way. (Proverbs 4:10-15 MSG) It’s a school of hard knocks for those who leave God’s path, a dead-end street for those who hate God’s rules. (Proverbs 15:10 MSG) Lady Wisdom says: “ You can find me on Righteous Road—that’s where I walk— at the intersection of Justice Avenue, handing out life to those who love me, filling their arms with life—armloads of life! ” (Proverbs 8:21 MSG)

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. — Luke 2:17 (NKJV) Once the Shepherds saw Jesus, they made widely known what they had been told about Him. First, we have to take our eyes off of ourselves and our issues and put them on Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Once we see Jesus, we are to tell others about Him. Instead of telling how the enemy has harmed you, tell others about how Jesus has helped you. Tell them how He shined His light of love into your darkness, and changed your life forever. Report how He reached down and pulled you up out of that pit. Tell someone how He healed you when you were sick, how He gave you strength when you were weak and weary. Make widely known how He comforted you when you were mourning, and full of grief. Declare how He removed your loneliness by becoming your Friend and constant Companion. We overcome the enemy by the Word of our testimony (the words we speak). And they overcame him...

and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, — Hebrews 10:24 (AMP) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).  But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Be that friend. The New Living Bible says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony . (Colossians 3:13-14 NLT)

When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? — Psalm 118:5-6 (NIV) When hard pressed, instead of running to your Pastor or phoning a friend, let your first course of action be to call upon the LORD God Almighty, your Creator and Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your faith. Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 NLT). Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Amen!

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!”  — Isaiah 49:15 (NLT) The enemy wants us to believe that God has forgotten about us, but the truth is He does not forget us for one second. So precious are His thoughts about us, they cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT). The very hairs on your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30 NLT). John 10:3 says, the Good Shepherd, calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He knows your name my friend, and He cares about you! You are never forgotten. You are always on His mind and in His heart.

“If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises. — Job 5:8 (MSG) Whatever trials you face today, I would take them to God. Don't phone a friend first. Go straight to Him. You don’t need a middle man. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us (Ephesians 3:20 MSG). Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 11:16 NIV).

When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”  — Psalms 27:8 (NKJV) I believe we are looking at the face of God when we reach our hand out to help those in need. Or when we turn the other cheek at offense and go the extra mile with a friend. When we love and pray for our enemies, His face is shining upon us. May we continually seek His face!

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) Believing that God exists is the first step in the right direction. He is the great I AM. He is in your past, present and future. And He will always be all that you ever need: Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Helper, Counselor, Friend, Comforter, Guide, Protector, etc. We must also believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. His eyes search the whole earth looking for those whose hearts are loyal (fully committed) to Him, that He might show Himself strong on their behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9). Diligent implies consistent, rigorous devotion and attention. Diligently, seek the LORD, not just in bad times or when its convenient, or when you “feel” like it.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. — Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJV) Have you ever been deserted by someone you thought was a friend when you needed them the most? Well, our heavenly Father is a trustworthy refuge in times of trouble. He will never abandon you. In 2 Timothy 4:16, the Apostle Paul says, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me.”  But he goes on to say: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy4:17). Know that He stands with you today.

 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  — Mark 6:31 (NIV) Sometimes we need to go to a quiet place by ourselves, so we can spend time with Jesus and rest. Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, however, something special happens when we set aside all distractions and give our undivided attention to the Lord, the Living Word, the Bread of Life. Daily draw near to God, and you will find strength to face the day.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJ) Jesus is the loyal friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is Immanuel, which means God with us. He is our constant companion. When we are in need, He is a friend in deed. Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times. Jesus showed the greatest love of all when He gave His life to save us. Thank our heavenly Father for the wonderful sacrificial love Jesus, our Lord and Savior, graciously gives to us. He calls you, "friend."

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJ) Jesus affectionately calls you friend. As a loving and compassionate friend, Jesus shows us the way to an abundant life, full of everlasting peace and overflowing joy. When we learn from Him, we find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29). Live your life with Christ, just as you do your best friend, spending time and being real. Frolic in His love and share it with others.

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught. John 14:25-27 (The Message) Before going back to the Father, Jesus told His believer's not to be troubled or afraid. He didn't abandon us, as orphans. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. He is our Friend, Counselor and Helper. He is the Spirit of truth, who dwells in us and teaches us everything. We have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Love, Jackie

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11 (NLT) You are no stranger to God. His eyes saw your unformed body. He has been with you since the day He knit you together in your mother's womb. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Draw near to God and He will draw even closer to you. Love, Jackie