Manna for Your Morning

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have...

God wants His children to know : “I really do love you. I want the absolute best for you. Don’t think you know better than I do, what is good for you. Don’t grovel in past mistakes, and don’t be like a dog that goes back to its vomit. Your future is so much more glorious than where you have been. The world has nothing of any value to offer you. It’s all temporary. What I offer is life, abundant life, true happiness and a deep, deep peace that will not be moved by circumstances. I have a love for you that never dies and never grows cold. I don’t love like man. I love deep. I love you through and through. I know the worst about you and I still love you. I will never abandon you. I’m here to stay, right by your side. You are not alone. Stop running. I am on your side —not against you. Draw near to Me. I want to hold you in My arms. Let Me surround you with the light of My love. My perfect love casts out fear. When my light enters your being, darkness has to flee. It cannot stay. T...

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. — Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) Revelation comes from God as we diligently seek Him and spend time in His Word. May we take our eyes off of ourselves and the distractions of this world, and pursue our God-given purpose and destiny. Everlasting happiness, contentment and true fulfillment reside in those who have embraced the wisdom of God and live in His will.

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. — Luke 12:29 (NIV) “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving ” (Luke 12:29, MSG). Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:31-32, NLT). And His Kingdom is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17, NLT).

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.  — Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) God changes our sorrow into dancing. He takes away our clothes of sadness, and clothes us in happiness (Psalm 30:11, NCV). When we go through our dark nights, we can be sure that  the bright light of morning will soon appear. The sun will rise again and break through the clouds of gloom. Just as sunshine comes after the rain, there will be joy after the pain!

“I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness. A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.” — John 16:20-21 (GW) Just as a woman must go through the painful process of labor, in order to deliver a baby, we will experience much travail, in order to give birth to the dreams God has put in our hearts. Just remember, the pain is part of the process that must be endured if we are to get to our desired destination. I encourage you to see your dreams through to the end! Fulfill the God-given purpose for which you were created.

Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn’t admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them. — John 12:42-43 (GW) Are you trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? What our heavenly Father thinks of us, is of utmost importance. May we never be more concerned about what people think about us than what God thinks about us. To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Live for an audience of One!

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiates 2:26 (NIV) When we live our lives to please God, He blesses us with wisdom, knowledge and happiness. Wisdom helps us make the right choices and knowledge brings understanding. Another benefit to pleasing God is great joy. May we live for an audience of One. With Love, Jackie

The vines have become dry, and the fig trees are dried up. The pomegranate trees, the date palm trees, the apple trees - all the trees in the field have died. And the happiness of the people has died, too. LORD, I am calling to you for help, because fire has burned up the open pastures, and flames have burned all the trees in the field. Joel 1:12, 19 (NCV) The prophet Joel warns the people of Judah of the bad times to come because they have forgotten God and turned to idols. He tells everyone who lives in the land to cry out to the LORD (Joel 1:14). Beware, the things of this world will kill our happiness, if we allow it. When you have no joy or happiness, seek the face of the LORD and call to Him for help. He is faithful. He will answer. Amen. Love, Jackie