Manna for Your Morning

 “Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” — 2 John 1:9 (NLT) Remain in the teaching of Christ and “…guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” —which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. (See 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB1995) May we be like Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. (See Luke 10:39) And be sure to also put it into practice. In Luke 11:28 (NLT) Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NKJV) Habakkuk 3:18 (AMP) says: “Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!” Let us make a dedicated decision to rejoice in Yahweh, regardless of the circumstances. It's our choice to rejoice! Yahweh, our mighty God, is with us and His purpose and plan will prevail. The plans He has for us are good and He will cause everything to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (See Jeremiah 29:11 & Romans 8:28) Amen.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. — Isaiah 40:28-29 (NASB1995) Do you frantically run around trying to get things done, merely with your human strength? Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired. (Isaiah 40:30-31 NASB1995) Rely on YAHWEH, and receive the strength He gives us each and every day. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:4 NKJV)

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. — Psalm 32:10-11 (NASB1995) …all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place. (1 Chronicles 16:26-27 NKJV)  Our joy is not in external circumstances but in Yahweh, the everlasting God, who dwells in us. Never let the enemy steal your joy. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place. (Psalm 31:7-8 NLT) I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV) Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we ...

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT) No matter what troubles you go through, continue to rely on God to see you through. Always put your hope in the LORD. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. (See Psalms 37:34 NLT)

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” — Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) Let us dedicate our hearts and minds to the LORD. “Trust [confidently] in the LORD forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the LORD God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” (Isaiah 26:4 AMP) The LORD is our safe, and strong fortress. Take refuge in Him. He is a shield all around us (See Psalm 3:3). The LORD is Jehovah-Nissi, our banner of victory. He delivers and He saves! Hallelujah and amen!

When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. — Psalm 56:3 (AMP) The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger—whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1 TLB) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP) “ Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. ” — John 14:1 (AMP)

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. — John 1:1-4 (NLT) Jesus brings light to everyone. He receives everyone who comes to Him. If you open the door of your heart to Him, He enters. He comforts the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). He brings Good News to the poor (Luke 4:18). He sets the captives free. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “ I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ” Let us live in His light. As we abide in His light, sadness is turned to joy and we experience everlasting peace. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells believers: “ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden .” Don’t try to hide the light of the Lord within you. Let it shine! ...

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice,  in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD. — Hosea 2:19-20 (NKJV) In order to get to know someone on a deeper, more intimate level, we have to spend time with them. As we spend time with our heavenly Father, we become intimately acquainted with the power of His love and faithfulness. God wants a covenant relationship with us that lasts forever, not a contract that can be re-negotiated and dissolved. May we steadily grow in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; (Colossians 1:10b AMP) “ Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. ” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. — Psalm 27:4 (NKJV) Love the LORD  your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind… (Luke 10:27). And be fully committed to Him for the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT). It is good for us to draw near to God. (Psalm 73:28) When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Many of us seek security in doing things the way we have always done them, but God is doing a new thing. Instead of trying to keep Him in the box of what He did yesterday, let God be the Lord of our lives and expect Him to do a new thing, something we have never seen before. We don't need to figure everything out on our own, we just need to walk in the way the LORD directs us to. Even though you don’t see the whole journey mapped out before you, be confident that God is making a way to get you from where you are today to the land He promised you.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! — Psalm 42:5a (NLT) When we follow our feelings, we may drown in despair, hopelessness and depression. Our feelings are fickle; they come and go, they are up, then down. The Word of God, however, stands forever. (Psalm 119:89). Our feelings can be led astray, but God’s Word is truth. Choose the way of truth. (Psalm 119:30). Your feelings may say, you are unwanted and God doesn’t care about you. The fact is that God loves you, and chose you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:5). He never leaves your side. Feelings say that your life is pointless —do what you want. Fact is that God created you with a higher and greater purpose than what you see right now. He reveals it step-by-step. You may be feeling down and defeated. Fact is God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). We overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We are more than conquerors! Stand on the facts of God...

As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. — Psalm 55:16-17 (NKJV) No matter what time we call out to the LORD, we can be confident that our voices will be heard. Our heavenly Father doesn’t sleep nor slumber and He never takes a vacation. The line to His throne room is always open. So cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). — Psalm 55:22 (AMP) Release the full weight of your burdens on the Lord. The Message Bible says: “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.”

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, — 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 (NIV) Don't rely on yourself and what you can do in your human strength, rely on God and what He can do in the supernatural. Only He can bring the dead back to life. What we can learn in all of our suffering and troubles is to trust God. He has delivered us and He will continue to deliver us again and again! When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD lifts up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). Amen!

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. — John 17:20-21 (NKJV) Jesus prayed that all who believe in Him would be completely united. Then the world will know that God sent Jesus and that God loved us even as He have loved Jesus (John 1:23). My beloved brothers and sister, let there be no division in the body of Christ. May we have equal concern for each other (1 Corinthians 12:25) and seek peace and unity. Psalm 133:1 says, how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Hebrews 12:12-13 (The Message) Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1). It is so important for us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we run our race. Do not get distracted by the things of this world, or you may trip and fall into one of the enemy's traps. May we help each other out along the way and run to win!

Give yourselves completely to serving him, and do not be stubborn any longer. The Lord your God is God of all gods and Lord of all lords. He is the great God, who is strong and wonderful. He does not take sides, and he will not be talked into doing evil. Deuteronomy 10:16-17 (NCV) We have been called according to God's purpose, so let us give ourselves completely to Him and fulfill our God-given assignments. Don't be stubborn and insist on doing things your way. Our great God is strong and wonderful. He doesn't play favorites and He takes no bribes. He has a wonderful plan for each one of us. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Love, Jackie

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) We are to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another and put the needs of others before our own. As we do this, we will fulfill the second greatest commandment to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Love, Jackie