Manna for Your Morning

“I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” — Romans 7:21-23 (NLT) In order to win the war in our minds, we must feed the spirit man instead of the flesh. The one we feed the most grows stronger. Instead of fulfilling the desires of our flesh, let us renew our minds with the Word of God. …let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (See Romans 12:2 NLT) And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25 NKJV) “ Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for my delive...

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Our adversary is the accuser of the brethren, who accuses us of sinful behavior before our God day and night. (See Revelation 12:10) We need to stay alert, because the devil is always looking for someone to attack. He is the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  (See John 10:10a)  So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 AMP) …be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 NASB)

Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me. — John 14:6 (TLV) When you don’t know what to do, just keep following Yeshua. He is the only way to truth and life. Grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah. (See John 1:17 TLV) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4 NKJV) He gives life to the world. (See John 6:33) In John 8:12 (TLV), Yeshua said: “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36 NKJV) He is the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Him, though he may die, he shall live. (See John 11:25 NKJV)

The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied. — Acts 12:22-24 (NASB1995) God struck Herod down because he did not give God the glory. All glory, honor and praise belong to our great God, Creator of heaven and earth. He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (See Acts 17:25-27) The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2 NASB1995) Glory in His ho...

But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?” — Hebrews 2:6 (NKJV) Our heavenly Father is a good Father, Who always takes care of His children. In Psalm 50:15 (NKJV), He says: “ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. ” The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17 NLT) When we call on Him, He is faithful to answer. Patiently endure adversity and hardships. For the LORD is with us in the trouble and will rescue us out of it. (See Psalm 91:15 NLT)  Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. — Psalm 27:10 (NLT)

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. — Psalm 34:17-18 (NLT) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT) The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the LORD rescues him from them all. (Psalm 34:19 NASB) Call upon the LORD, for He is faithful to come to the rescue.  Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face. — Psalm 34:19 (TPT)

They have seen the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. — Psalm 107:24 (NLT) Don’t fall for the distractions of the enemy. He brings drama in your life to get your eyes off of Jesus, then you start following Jesus at a distance (like Peter). This leads to doubt, a disconnection and detours away from the good plans our heavenly Father has for you. Instead, go deeper in God, and be devoted to Him with all your heart. Press into His Presence. Press into praise & worship and His Word.  In Luke 5:4 (NLT), Jesus told Simon, “ Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish .” Today, Jesus calls us to go deeper. We are not to passively linger on the shores, as a spectator. When we plunge into the depths of His Presence and faithfully follow where His Holy Spirit leads, we experience His peace, and joy. We engage with His power, and see the miracles of hearts and lives being changed to the glory of God. Even when building a house, we have to dig dee...

God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless. — Psalm 46:1-3 (VOICE) Let us can remain calm and full of peace, in the midst of difficult circumstances. We can stand firm and secure, knowing that with God on our side, nothing can stand against us. Our God is near and He's always ready to help. You can be strong and immovable, because God will strengthen you and help you. He will hold you up with His victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10b NLT) So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union wi...

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” — Matthew 6:19-20 (NLT) Instead of collecting material things, let us us treasure the things of God’s kingdom. For wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:21) Let us hold a high value on love, joy, peace, righteousness, and forgiveness. May we cherish His Presence, where we find fullness of joy. In His Presence, we have peace in the midst of any storm.

Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Selah — Psalm 44:5-8 (NKJV) Let us not put our trust in our abilities or resources. It’s by His power that resides in us and works through us that we are able to accomplish anything. John 15:15 says apart from Christ we can do nothing. If we boast, may we boast in God alone, all the day long. The Message Bible says, “All day we parade God’s praise…” (Psalm 448a). My soul makes its boast in the LORD; The humble and downtrodden will hear it and rejoice. (Psalm 34:2 AMP)

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him . — Genesis 6:22 (NLT) Then God blessed Noah and his sons... — Genesis 9:1 (NLT) When God told Noah to build an ark, he did according to all that God commanded him. His obedience put him in the right position for God’s protection. Can you imagine if Noah had kept putting off building the ark until the rain started to fall? It would have been too late. Or what if he had given up when others mocked him for building a boat in the middle of the desert? Even though there was no sign of a storm, Noah believed God and obeyed His instruction. As a result, him and his family were saved. And his obedience also preserved the human race. The commands of our heavenly Father are not about restrictions. God is not trying to keep us from something, as much as He is trying to get us TO something. His guidance and direction are for our protection and well-being. When we obey God, it shows our faith, that we totally trust Him, His will, and H...

Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. — Zechariah 9:12 (NKJV) When all things in  your life seem to be going awry, seek refuge in the strong fortress of our mighty God. Imprison yourself inside His walls of hope. Let your voice continue to sing His praises. Persist in prayer without ceasing and stand on His wonderful promises. As you praise, pray and remember His promises, you will keep your hope in our wonder-working God alive! May He give you double for your trouble.

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. — Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV). Lift up your eyes. Your help comes from the LORD and nothing is impossible with Him. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom (Isaiah 40:28 NIV).

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  — Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) No need to be discouraged or afraid, for our God is with us. He gives us the strength to endure and helps us to be victorious. He will hold you up above the circumstances of your life and cause you to be more than a conqueror. Amen!

Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the LORD which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. — Exodus 14:13-14 (AMP) When the enemy is chomping at your heels, fear not. Stand firm and confident that the LORD will rescue you at just the right time. Hold your peace and stay calm, the battle belongs to the LORD! In other words, don't let the enemy rile your feathers, God's got your back!

God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always. Psalm 121:7-8 (The Message) Our heavenly Father keeps watch over your life. He is a 24-hour God. He doesn't sleep or slumber. Whether you are coming or going, God not only has your back, He has your front and sides covered too. He commands His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). Thank God for the special attention He gives to every detail of our lives.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV) God raised Christ up and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. He placed all things under His feet (Ephesians 1:22). And because of His great love for us, God made us alive with Christ, raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:4-6). Praise God that we are up in the heavenly realms, in Christ. We are far above any weapons the devil forms against us and he has no authority over us. We belong to the kingdom of God. Glory hallelujah!

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. Proverbs 12:20 (NIV) We are to make every effort to live in peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14). When we are promoters of peace, our hearts are joyful. And the heart at peace gives life to the body (Proverbs 14:30). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Let us follow Him and do all we can to pursue peace with everyone. Amen. In Peace & Love, Jackie