Manna for Your Morning

“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish.” — Jonah 1:3 (NLT) We can run but we can never hide from Yahweh. Psalms 139:7 (NLT) says: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” In addition: You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT) Jonah planned to go to Tarshish, but instead God orchestrated a series of events and Jonah 3:3 says: “This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh…” We can be obedient and take the direct route, or we can go around the mountain forty times until our hearts are right and then fulfill the plans the LORD has for us. When all is said and done, know that His plans are good. Yahweh is a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love....

O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods, — Psalms 95:1-3 (NASB1995) Don't imitate Adam and Eve and try to hide from God. Nor be like Jonah, who went in the opposite direction from where God instructed him to go. And definitely don't let the waves of doubt cause you to drift away from Him and suffer shipwreck in regard to your faith. The LORD beckons us to “ COME ” to Him. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For Yahweh is good; His lovingkindness endures forever and His faithfulness, generation unto generation. (Psalms 100:4-5 LSB) Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV) …praise the name of God with a song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving. (See P...

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us make a loud shout to Him with songs of praise. For Yahweh is a great God and a great King above all gods, — Psalms 95:2-3 (LSB) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalms 136:1 NLT) Be thankful that we have the honor and privilege to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, where we receive His mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most. (See Hebrews 4:16) May we do so with a humble and grateful heart. Yahweh is a faithful Father and His ear is always open to hear the voice of His children. First Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP) says: in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV) “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
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He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:15-16 (NASB1995) First, Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (See Matthew 16:13) Then He asked them specifically, “…who do you say that I am?” What is more important for each one of us, is Who we say and believe Jesus is. As John the Baptist sat in prison, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (See Matthew 11:2-3) There is no other. In John 14:6 Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He is the chief Corner Stone of the foundation, in whom believers are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (See Ephesians 2:21-22) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put t...

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG) The Bible describes the troubles we see today as light and momentary affliction. The good thing is that it is temporary, while the Word of God will last forever. He is faithful to fulfill every promise. Our Heavenly Father is always with us, and He has already made a way through every difficulty, trouble, and trial. Know that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (See Philippians 4:19 NASB) For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11 NLT)

Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting. — James 4:8 (TPT) Drawing closer to God, begins with humility. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (See James 4:6 NLT) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, (1 Peter 5:6 NASB). Submit to the authority of God. He is Elohim, the all-powerful, everlasting God. Resist the devil by standing firm against him and he will flee from you. Come closer to God, with a repentant heart and He will come close to you. “ My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. ” — Isaiah 66:2 (NLT)

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:23 (NASB) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (John 10:10 AMP) Even though our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (See 1 Peter 5:8), we do not have to fall for his evil schemes. As we focus on the fact that God is with us, we are more than conquerors, for all things are possible with God . (Mark 10:27).  He will make known to us the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; In His right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11) In His Presence, there is strength and power, peace and victory.

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’ — Isaiah 41:13 (NASB) God has a firm grip on you and He will not let go. Don’t give in to worry and have no fear. There is no need to panic or be distraught. You can be calm and confident. The great “I AM” is a very present help. He made the heavens and the earth by His great power and by His outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for the Lord. (Jeremiah 32:17) Amen! “… and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us. ” — Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. — Psalm 37:3-5 (NLT) Why try to figure things out on your own, when we have the help of our heavenly Father? Let us continually seek the LORD’s help and rely on Him in all situations, no matter how the circumstances may appear. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude (Psalm 62:8 NLT)

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. — Psalm 18:18 (AMP) When the enemy confronts you, it is God who arms you with strength, and makes your way perfect. (Psalm 18:32 NKJV). He arms you with strength for the battle; (Psalm 18:39 NKJV). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy likes to come at us when we are down or weak, but thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” — Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) If you are with Christ, you are on the victorious side. We have already won the victory because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world. (John 16:33). Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). In Him, we are more than conquerors. Be faithful to His call. …you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. — Joel 3:14 (NKJV) In spite of how you perceive yourself (your talents, your skills, and your abilities), you are a mighty in God. And no matter what career or profession you occupy, you have a call and purpose to fulfill in God. If we want to see God's wonderful plan manifest in our lives, we have to listen for His voice, and then we must respond with action. Don't waffle too long in the valley of decision. Make a dedicated decision to keep following God, wherever He leads, no matter what adverse conditions arise.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV) Remain confident that you will see the goodness of the LORD, while you are here in the land of the living. As you face difficulties and trials of all kinds, know that the LORD will strengthen your heart. Be of good courage and have great expectation to continually experience the goodness of our awesome God!

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. — Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NLT) Sometimes, we get so focused on the process and trying to "do" the right thing that we lose sight of Jesus. If we are always thinking about what we did wrong and what we did right, we are self-focused. Please remember, it's not about us. It's all about JESUS! Keep your eyes on Him and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit within you.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.  — Joel 3:14 (NKJV)  Make a dedicated decision to align your heart with the heart of God. Be committed to become more like Him, each and every day. Make a dedicated decision to put your faith to work and be in a continually flow of activity in the things of God. Keep taking action, no matter how circumstances appear. It was a dedicated decision Jesus held onto when He allowed the nails to be hammered in His hands and feet and then hung on the cross to save us. Put some ACTION to your faith!

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NAS) God woke you up this morning and gave you the strength to get out of bed. That gives you something to rejoice about. Be glad and rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! The joy of the LORD is your strength. Celebrate God all day, every day (Philippians 4:4, The Message). Amen.

Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 (NLT) No matter who comes against you, be strong and courageous. The Lord our God is on your side. There is no reason to be afraid or discouraged because the battle belongs to the Lord.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) The great love of God, keeps us from being consumed. Instead of allowing our destruction, God faithfully gives us new compassions every morning. The minute we wake up, we have a fresh dose of compassions from the LORD. They do not grow stale and they never fail. His compassions are like a healing balm, that soothes the soul. May we graciously accept His compassions with grateful hearts. Love, Jackie