Manna for Your Morning

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...

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. — Psalm 32:8 (NASB) We can bumble around in confusion and doubt or we can ask God to guide us in wisdom, truth and knowledge. He knows what is best and He sees the whole picture. Let us make our ears attentive to wisdom and incline our hearts to understanding (Proverbs 2:2), for our generous God is ready to share His wisdom with us. James 1:5 says: … if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. I have heard “ When the student is ready to learn the teacher appears .” For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, — Proverbs 2:6-7 (NASB)

In Philippians 1:18-19 (MSG) , the Apostle Paul says, “…I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course.” What a great attitude and perspective. No matter how circumstances may appear right now, keep the celebration going, because you belong to Christ Jesus and we win. Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT) Be led by His Spirit, and everything God wants to do in you and through you will be done. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to C...

It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest. He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him. — Proverbs 2:6-8 (GNT) If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. (James 1:5 GW) He watches over the way of His saints. He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; He will guide you with His eye. (Psalm 32:8 NKJV) Listen to the still small voice of His Holy Spirit within you and He will show you the best way to go.

The world of the generous gets larger a nd larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. — Proverbs 11:24 (MSG)   The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. — Proverbs 11:25 (MSG) Enlarge your world by being generous. We don’t give to get, we give because we are made in the image of God and He is the greatest giver of all time. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father… (James 1:17) He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life . (John 3:16 NKJV) What can you give?

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes. — Philippians 4:19-20 (MSG) Our Father knows the things you have need of before you even ask Him. (Matthew 6:8) You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need. He is a faithful, generous and loving God. And nothing can separate us from His love. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins… (Romans 8:38-39 MSG)

And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. — Philippians 1:19-20 (MSG) Let us continually celebrate the victory Jesus gained for us on the cross and in the empty tomb. He paid the debt for our sins and reunited us with the Father. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ... (2 Corinthians 2:14).  For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. (Philippians 1:21 AMP) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! T...

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.” — Matthew 6:30-31 (MSG) God has given us so much, His Son, His Spirit, His peace, etc. How do you respond to God’s giving? Let us always give thanks for the many blessings our heavenly Father continually pours out on us, too numerous to count. I believe, a genuine heart, full of gratitude and appreciation for all He has done and is doing, is an awesome way to respond to our great God. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus says, “ Freely you have received, freely give. ” Another response to God’s giving is to become like Him and generously give to others. We are blessed to be a blessing!

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” — Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27). God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! (Genesis 1:31MSG). That includes you! He knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14). Let us have no identity crisis. We were made in His image to reflect His nature. Just as God is love, we are to love. Our heavenly Father is generous, in that He gave His only Son. Let us also be generous. Just as God is forgiving and full of mercy and grace, may we also imitate Him.

“True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.” — Job 12:13 (MSG) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you (James 1:5 NLT). If you are weary and worn out, God is the source of all strength and power. When you are in need of direction, He has counsel and understanding. God is all we need! Let us live our lives in Him.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. — Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT) It’s an unconditional love that says, “no matter how bad you messed up, I forgive you.” It’s a love so strong, that even when we walk away or turn our backs to Him, He still loves us and holds His arms open wide upon our return. It’s a love so generous, that Jesus, gave His life for our reconciliation to the Father. God desires to be in fellowship with us, His beloved children. He takes great delight in us. Nothing on this earth can separate us from His unstoppable love. We will only experience the fullness of His life and power in us, when we begin to understand this amazing, amazing love we have in God.

“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” — 1 Chronicles 29:13-14 (NLT)  Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father (James 1:17). Let us give Him thanks, and praise His glorious name! All that we have, His generous hand has provided. May we be wise stewards of all that God has so graciously entrusted to us: our finances, our children, our spouses, material possessions, etc.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped . ( Proverbs 11:25 MSG) We are blessed to be a blessing to others. But God is so good, that even as we bless others He blesses us even more. For whatever we sow, that we will also reap (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs  11:25  NIV). Let us focus on blessing and refreshing others and trust God to take care of us!

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly; No shuffling or stumbling around for this one, but a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. Unfazed by rumor and gossip, heart ready, trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, they lavish gifts on the poor— a generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life! — Psalm 112:4-9 (MSG) In your darkest hour, light will arise! Walk in the light of His love. Extend your arm with compassion and give handfuls of grace to all who come your way.

When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas talked with them and were persuading them to continue trusting God’s good will. — Acts 13:43 (GW) My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, might I persuade you to continue trusting God's good will. It is the heart of God to be good to us. Our heavenly Father is generous and wants to bless us. God sent Jesus to uproot iniquity in us and bring us to a place of blessing and freedom (Acts 3:26). In John 10:10 (NLT), Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Continue trusting in God's wonderful grace!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Message) So faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is LOVE. Be extravagantly generous with love. Give love without restraint. Let it out of the box! God is love and whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them. Jesus loved us so much, He gave His life for us. Since God loved us first, let us be rich in love toward others. Happy Valentine's Day!

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” — Matthew 7:12 (NLT) Jesus consolidated all the laws into one Golden Rule that is easily understood by all: treat others the way you want to be treated. This is God's way! If you want others to be kind and generous to you, take the initiative and be kind and generous to all. Cheerfully, lend a helping hand to those in need. If you want others to show their appreciation for what you do, show them some appreciation. If you want others to speak well of you, speak positive, praiseworthy words about them. If you want others to show you unconditional love and forgive your mistakes, do likewise. Amen!

If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. James 1:5 (GW) Are you experiencing a dilemma? If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, who gives to all liberally and He will give it to you. Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul (Proverbs 2:10). Blessed are those who find wisdom.

Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life. I'm hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together. He sends orders from heaven and saves me, he humiliates those who kick me around. God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word. Psalm 57:1-2 (The Message) Run for dear life to the Most High God, who holds us together. Take refuge under His wings until the calamities are over. Our heavenly Father generously showers us with His love and fulfills His Word.

It is good to be merciful and generous. Those who are fair in their business will never be defeated. Good people will always be remembered. They won't be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord. Psalm 112:5-7 (NCV) Good comes to those who are merciful and generous and fair in their business dealings. The righteous will be remembered for a long time. They have no fear of bad news because they put their confidence in the Lord. Amen. Love, Jackie