Manna for Your Morning

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “ I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. ” — John 8:12 (NASB) In John 12:46, Jesus said: “ I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. ” Everyone who believes in Jesus is to depart from darkness and be light. You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 NASB). We are to let His Light shine through us and pierce the darkness. May we continually bear His Light in dark circumstances, the Light of life, the Light of hope and peace, and the Light of God’s grace and unfailing love. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there...

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 (NASB) Today is a good gift that our heavenly Father has given to each one of us. Don’t waste a minute of this perfect gift by fretting about the future or regretting things of the past. Stay in the moment, continually communing with Abba Father. If you hold onto bitterness because of past wrongs, then you tarnish today. Instead, let us joyfully accept the gift of today and unwrap with great expectation, savoring every moment. Because the best gift of all is in the present, in His Presence. ‘ May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. ’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NLT), as you abide in His Presence today.

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] — John 14:27 (AMP) You cannot live in perfect peace, if you continually think about things that cause you to be anxious and fearful. However, the LORD will keep in perfect and constant peace, the one whose mind is focused on Him because they trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3) …cast all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7 AMP) As long as we abide in His peace, we will have courage and strength for every challenge that comes our way.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. — Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8 NLT). The path the Lord has for you leads to everlasting life and it grows brighter and brighter. Behind you are the days of doom and gloom. His light shines in the darkness. God has good things to come. Your future in God glows brighter each day. Keep taking the steps of faith, as He leads, and you will reach the glorious destination God has for you.

And He will be the security and stability of your times, a treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is your treasure. — Isaiah 33:6 (AMP) What tumultuous times of natural disasters, social indifference and government insecurity. In the midst of the chaos, the LORD is a sure foundation. While the world screams scarcity, He has an abundant supply of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Our mighty God is unmovable and unchanging. His love is constant and never fails. The LORD keeps in perfect peace all who trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3). And His peace surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7). The LORD has a rich store of everlasting joy and in His right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 AMP). The LORD is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer! (2 Samuel 22:2) In Him, lie our strength, security and stability. Amen.

…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. — Daniel 11:32 (NKJV) Our strength comes in knowing God and abiding in Hs Presence. When you know your God, you are confident that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). When you know your God, in spite of all opposing forces which come, you will stand strong and give thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV). Know that our God is good and He is working everything together for good in your life.

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” — Judges 6:12 (NIV) “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” At some point in our lives, many of us have probably asked God this same question. Gideon went on to say that the LORD had abandoned them. But notice that the angel of the LORD didn’t give place to Gideon’s misplaced perspective. The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). Instead of wallowing in self-pity and misery, stay focused on the mission at hand and GO in the strength of the LORD, you mighty man or woman of God. You have been sent with a purpose! The LORD is with YOU!

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. — Luke 9:10-11 (NKJV) First, we follow Jesus. He still receives the multitudes. No matter what you have done, Jesus receives you too! He never turns anyone away. His arms are always wide open to accept all who come to Him. Never listen to any voice that says something contrary. Jesus loves you and He cares. And He still heals those who are in need of healing. Praise the Lord!

For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great, reaching to the heavens, and Your truth and faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.  — Psalm 57:10-11 (AMP) God's love is so deep, yet it reaches as high as the heavens. His lovingkindness is so great, it has no bounds or conditions. When we mess up, He does not love us any less. Our heavenly Father is so faithful, He simply loves us, as His children, right where we are. Be absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us (Romans 8:39, The Message).

LORD God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always watch over your people’s deepest thoughts. Keep their hearts directed toward you. — 1 Chronicles 29:18 (GW) May our thoughts be in perfect alignment with the Word of God. Direct your heart toward the LORD, toward His goodness and His greatness. Direct your heart toward God's grace and mercy. Thank Him for what He is doing in your life, and even more, for what He will do in your future. Then, you will be able to experience the fullness of His peace, freedom and joy.

‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:39-31 (NKJ) First Corinthians 13:13 says, of faith, hope, and love, that love is the greatest. Let us love God with all our minds, souls and bodies. May the longing of our hearts be for His Presence more than anything this world has to offer. Then, we are able to love our neighbors, those that live in our homes and everyone God brings our way in the course of a day. Love is patient. Love keeps no record of wrongs. And love never fails. Amen.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJ) If your heart is loyal to the LORD, He is looking for you, to show Himself strong in your situation. The LORD is greater and more powerful than anything you are going through today. Make sure God is first and foremost in your life. We will experience His strong support as we fully commit our hearts to Him.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. Psalm 36:7-9 (NLT) Like an eagle, God hovers over His young, and we are all young in comparison to an eternal God. He spreads his wings to catch us and carries us on His pinions (Deuteronomy 32:11). Take refuge in the shadow of His wings and God will be your protective covering. Under His wings, God lovingly provides an abundance of food, drink and other delights. In His shadow, we can soar on wings like eagles and never grow weary (Isaiah 40:31). Love, Jackie