Manna for Your Morning

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) The Word of God instructs us to pray for all people, not to criticize or complain about them. “The Lord does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (See 2 Peter 3:9) And the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (See James 5:16 NLT) First Timothy 3-4 says: “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” Grace, mercy, and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (See 1 Timothy 1:2 AMP)

“Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.” — Psalms 46:10 (TPT) Cease striving and recognize that Yahweh is the Most High God, Who rules and reigns over all. Praise and honor Him who lives forever. For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. (See Daniel 4:34) The LORD is supreme over all the earth; He is exalted far above all gods. (See Psalms 97:9 NLT) We are His children and He watches over us. He is our hiding place; He shall preserve us from trouble; He shall surround us with songs of deliverance. Selah (See Psalms 32:7 NKJV) Surrender your anxiety and abide in His peace.

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. — Jonah 1:3 (NKJV) The LORD told Jonah to arise and go to Nineveh, and cry out against it; for their wickedness had come up before Him. But instead Jonah boarded a ship to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. (See Jonah 1:1-2) We can run but we can never hide from the Presence of Yahweh. In the end, His plan and purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 (AMP) says: Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the LORD’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).  We pay a price for going against God’s guidance. We must trust that He knows what is best for us. In the case of Jonah, after being thrown overboard, spending 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a great fish, crying out to the LORD and being vomited onto dry land, he went to Nineveh...

Dear ones, don’t be surprised when you experience your trial by fire. It is not something strange and unusual, but it is something you should rejoice in. In it you share the Anointed’s sufferings, and you will be that much more joyful when His glory is revealed. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB) Now I’m sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us. For all of creation is waiting, yearning for the time when the children of God will be revealed. (Romans 8:18-19 VOICE) You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. 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 4:17-18 VOICE) Don't let the fleeting challenges of this world distract you away from our great and mighty God Who i...

just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight … — Ephesians 1:4 (AMP) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:5 NLT) Let us passionately pursue a deeper relationship with Christ and be driven by the purpose for which God created us. The plans and thoughts that the LORD has for His people are for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (See Jeremiah 29:11 AMP) A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. — Proverbs 16:9 (AMP)

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.

Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. — Romans 12:1 (TPT) Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT) May we respond to God’s marvelous love and mercy by continually worshiping Him with our entire beings. Worship Him with your thoughts, your feelings, your actions and with your physical bodies. Be grateful for this glorious treasure we have in our earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7) Elohim, the great and powerful Creator of the universe, has given us the honor and privilege of hosting His Holy Spirit. Wow! Let us surrender ourselves to God to be His sacred sacrific...

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV) When we submit and surrender to the Lord’s will, we can be confident that He will show us the way over every mountain and the way out of any storm. He will lead us and guide us along the best pathway, to the abundant life. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”   (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV) No matter what you go through on any given day, remember that the LORD is with you. Look to Him for help, comfort and guidance. When you walk in His wisdom, there is no need to worry. 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 uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.  (Proverbs 2:6-8 NKJV)

He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.” — Genesis 41:52 (AMP) God gave Joseph dreams as a young boy, but Joseph had to persevere the pit and the prison before he progressed to the palace. Maybe what he went through in the pit and in the prison prepared him to be successful in the palace. Could it be that what you are going through is part of God’s plan for your dreams to be fulfilled? The adversities we face can very well be part of the process God will use to position us for fruitfulness and success. You will experience some troubles and uphill battles on the path of fulfilling your purpose, but rest assured that God can cause the land of your pain and suffering to be the exact place of your fruitfulness and success. Persevere and you will prevail to receive His precious promises. And just as Joseph’s success saved a nation, our favorable outcomes in life are designed to be a bless...

Freely you have received, freely give . — Matthew 10:8b (NKJV) God has so generously given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3). May we also be givers. What great love the Father has lavished on us. Let us give love and forgiveness as generously as we have received it. Just as we have received joy and peace from our Father, let us spread joy and pursue peace wherever we go. God has so abundantly blessed us, let us be a blessing and help meet the needs of those around us.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. — Psalm 37:3-4 (NKJV) I appreciate that this Scripture says to feed on “ His ” faithfulness because we know that the LORD is always faithful. Sometimes our faith may grow weak, but His, continuously stands strong for all eternity. As we daily enjoy the benefits of God’s everlasting faithfulness toward us, we learn to trust in and lean on Him, at all times. Delight yourself in the Presence of Almighty God and feed on His faithfulness forever.

Wait on the LORD,
 and keep His way, 
and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; 
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.  — Psalm 37:34 (NKJV) Wait with hope for the LORD. His way is the only way to experience true success, everlasting peace, abiding joy and a rich, satisfying life. May we move onward when the Spirit of the LORD says, “move” and be still when He says, “stay.” Let us not get distracted and stray away from the way of the LORD. Amen!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 (NAS) "May You, O God, search our hearts and make us aware of anything in us that is not characteristic of Your loving and kind nature. Help us to be more like You, heavenly Father. You are love. Lead us and guide us in Your truth and Your light. Teach us the way we should go, for You are our God. Take us by the hand and lead us beside peaceful, quiet waters. Lead us along the path of abundant and everlasting life. Amen."

"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT) Our heavenly Father already knows all our needs. He does not want us worrying about obtaining them. We are to cast our cares on God and seek His Kingdom first and foremost. And He will amply supply all that we need. Praise God!  Love, Jackie