Manna for Your Morning

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness. I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” — Ruth 1:20-21 (AMP) Naomi was very bitter at the loss of her husband and sons, but look how Yahweh blessed her life in the end. (See Ruth 4:16-17) May we let no root of bitterness spring up in our hearts during difficult times of loss and grief. Also, don’t judge a matter before it’s time. Everything happens at the time appointed by GOD. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP) Yahweh eventually works all things together for good, not on our timetable but on His. Naomi didn’t look at ...

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. — 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NASB) The Holy Scriptures forewarned us that in the last days difficult times would come. A glimpse of any current news report and we can see signs that the last days are indeed upon us. In Matthew 24:12 (NKJV), Yeshua says: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” I implore you, my beloved brethren, that in the midst of challenging and chaotic times, you do not let your love grow cold. May we let the light of God's love shine brightly through us, so others may have hope and be ...

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. — Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB1995) Thus says the LORD, “ Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD .” (Jeremiah 17:5 NASB1995) We can position ourselves on the path of blessing or curses. When we trust in people and the power of our own strength, we are planting ourselves on shifting sand. We will eventually be disappointed, weak and hopeless. However, the person who believes and trusts in, and relies on YAHWEH, is planted on the firm foundation of God. They will be blessed, strengthened and full of peace and hope. Now that you have welcomed the Anointed One, Jesus the Lord, into your lives, continue to journey with Him and allow H...

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10 (NASB1995) The enemy would have us live complicated and cluttered lives, with so many distractions. If we lose focus on the main thing, these distractions can draw us away from the Presence of our Heavenly Father. Then we are likely to take detours off of the path God has for us, and be led down dead-end roads with dangerous curves, deep ditches and dark pits.  Let us cease striving, stop trying to “get” and commune with our Heavenly Father. When we open our hearts and minds to Him, we are able to “receive” all that He has for us each day. As we focus on Him, we can look beyond the clutter of this world, and recognize His good work in our lives. When our ears are tuned in to His voice, we can hear His still small voice leading us and guiding us along the path that leads to life. As we are still in His Presence, we become more intimately acquainted with Him an...

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. — John 15:4 (NKJV) When we remain in Jesus, there is a sweet and glorious exchange. In John 16:33, Jesus said, in Him we may have peace. As we lay all our cares at His feet, we experience everlasting peace that is not shaken by the circumstances of this world. Psalm 16:11 says, in His presence is fullness of joy. As we remain in Him, He turns our mourning to joy. 1 John 4:16 (AMP) says, God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. As we remain in His love, the love of God is perfected in us. (See 1 John 4:12) May we live in constant connection to the vine, and the fruit of peace, joy and love will blossom in our hearts and greatly bless those around us.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. — Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT) May our hearts be tender and responsive to the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within us. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. (Romans 8:14 NASB) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide every aspect of your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (See Galatians 5:16 NLT & Galatians 5:25 TPT) ...when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it! — Galatians 5:18 (TPT)

You may think that the situation is hopeless, but God gives us more grace when we turn away from our own interests. That’s why Scripture says, God opposes the proud, but He pours out grace on the humble. — James 4:6 (VOICE) Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (1 Peter 5:6). So I’ve learned from my experience that God protects the childlike and humble ones. For I was broken and brought low, but he answered me and came to my rescue! (Psalm 116:6 TPT) He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. (Psalm 66:7 NASB)  But the humble of heart will inherit every promise and enjoy abundant peace. (Psalm 37:11 TPT)

Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. — Psalm 146:1-2 (NLT) May we continually praise and give thanks to the LORD. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we whine and complain, it kills our joy and peace. When our mouths continually praise and give thanks to God, even in the midst of adverse circumstances, we strengthen our trust and reliance on God. We are able to keep our peace and joy, knowing that our mighty God is working everything together for good. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) 

Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth. — Hosea 6:3 (NKJV) The Amplified Bible says: “… let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. ” When we are on a continual pursuit to know the LORD, He will come to us like the rain. The rain falls to the earth and replenishes it. When there is no rain, we experience a drought, things dry up and die. The ground becomes hard. But when the rain comes, things are refreshed and grow. When we pursue God, we will experience times of refreshing and growth. He will pour out His Spirit and restore and renew us. Hardened hearts will become soft and tender, allowing His love to flow through. Fall upon us O’LORD!

…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. — Revelation 2:3 (NKJV) The dictionary says persevere means to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success. No matter how things may appear at this moment in time, we need to persevere. Let us always stand on God’s Word, persist in prayer and continually thank and praise God for victory and success in every area of our lives. Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. (James 5:10-11 MSG)

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NLT) When we feel inadequate to perform our God-given assignments, it’s because we are looking at ourselves, instead of our awesome God. One of the greatest pitfalls is for us to be preoccupied with self. Whatever God has called you to, realize, it’s not about you. It’s much bigger than you, and it has eternal consequences. Keep your eyes on the LORD and let Him be your guide. In Him, we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28). When we focus on God, His faithfulness, and His mighty power, we will rise above the daily circumstances and live in peace and joy, knowing that nothing is too difficult for our great God!

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. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” — Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV) Because the LORD pours out new compassions and mercies upon us everyday, we are drenched in His goodness. His compassions toward us never grow old or dry out. Forget not all His wonderful benefits. He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4) Blessed be the name of the LORD!

For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah — Psalm 61:3-4 (NKJV) We have an open invitation from Abba Father to live in the safety of His sanctuary. The LORD is a tower of strength against the adversary. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge (Psalm 91:4). No matter what attacks may come, trust in the shelter of His wings.

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, — 2 Corinthians 2:14 (AMP) We are to release the pleasing aroma of Christ, a life-giving fragrance. Do you smell of His sacrificial, undying love and tender kindness? Do those around you get a whiff of the sweet smell of joy when you are around? May we fill the air with the pleasant aroma of Christ, His peace, His obedience, His goodness and His faithfulness.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace. The number of people increased as people lived in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. — Acts 9:31 (GW) The early church had peace when the believers lived in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. May we live with a deep sense of reverence and honor for God. And be encouraged by the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. He is our Helper and comforter. Then you will live in peace.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3 (NKJ) Let the praises of the LORD, continually flow from your lips. If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD. Put no confidence in the flesh. May we magnify the LORD, always! When we hear about God's greatness, it gives the afflicted and the helpless reason to hope. Be glad and rejoice for the LORD reigns. In good times and bad, let us exalt the name of the LORD!

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) Since we believe in Jesus, who shed His blood and gave His life for us, we now have peace with God. Christ brought us into a place of undeserved privilege, into the very throne room of God. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Love, Jackie

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -  who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Psalm 103:2-4 (NIV) Let us remember all the wonderful benefits we have in the LORD. He forgives all our sins and remembers them no more. He heals all our diseases. That's grace and favor! He redeems our lives from the pit of Hell and places us in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).  His love and compassion sit upon you, like a royal crown. Praise the LORD, now and forevermore. Love, Jackie