Manna for Your Morning

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) Let us not conform to the ways of the world around us, just going along with the flow, being carried by the currents of popular culture. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ... (1 Peter 2:9a KJV). We are to be in this world, but not of this world. Let us allow the Spirit of God to transform us from the inside out, first our hearts, and thought life, then our actions will follow. Be a vessel of light through which His love can be poured out. May we walk in love and show kindness, and compassion to everyone He brings our way, whether or not, they look like us, talk ...

But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. — Psalm 52:8 (NASB) Trust confidently in the generous love of God. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; (Deuteronomy 33:27a NLT) We can always trust in God’s unfailing love, because it will never run out on us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  — Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. — Isaiah 54:10 (NLT) Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The earth may quake but His unfailing love for you will not be shaken. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38 NLT) He will be with you in the fire, in the flood, and in the storm. My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so. (Isaiah 54:10 MSG)

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. — Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) The Message Bible says, long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love (Ephesians 1:4). You are the focus of God’s love. When this world has you feeling battered and bruised, remember God loves you and He chose you. He pours out new compassions and mercies on you everyday. His thoughts about you are too many to count. Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12 AMP) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted...

And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. — Revelation 12:11 (AMP) What Jesus went through was not for himself. He suffered, bled and died for us. Maybe what you are going through today, or have gone through in the past, is not about you. Even when faced with death, hold on to faith. God can use the land of your suffering to bring about great blessing and much fruit. Your greatest struggle becomes your story. Our stories may vary, but if we persevere to the end, Jesus has ensured victory for us all. Endure the hardship, and you will overcome and conquer all! Share your story. Your testimony will give others hope that they too will see the LORD’s goodness here in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, for we are also His offspring. — Acts 17:28 (AMP) Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3 NKJV). God created us in His own image (Genesis 1:27 NKJV), with a purpose and plan for our lives. We are His offspring, and He watches over us. As long as we remain IN HIM, He protects us, guides us, strengthens us and gives us wisdom. Anything we have outside of Him is merely rubbish and will disintegrate in the fire. What we build in Him, will last forever.

Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it. — Proverbs 8:32-33 (AMP) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5 NIV). Be wise and listen to the LORD’s instruction and direction. Joyful are those who listen to me [Wisdom], awake and watch for me each morning, alert and responsive (Proverbs 8:34). For whoever finds Wisdom finds life and receives favor from the LORD (Proverbs 8:35). Wisdom calls. Will you answer?

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.  — Micah 7:8 (NKJV) Like the Apostle Paul said, we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-19). We may be down, but we are not out! If we fall, we will arise again. If circumstances appear to be dark, look for the light of the LORD and follow Him.

My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:1 (GW) In the midst of despair, grief, or suffering of any kind, may you draw strength straight from the source, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His grace. After everyone had abandoned him, the Apostle Paul said,   “the Lord stood by me and gave me strength” (2 Timothy 4:17). May you look to Him today, as He stands by you and know that His grace is all you need. When we are weak, He shows Himself strong.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT) Let your desire be for Almighty God alone. He is the strength of your heart. Draw near to Him. God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength (1 Corinthians 1:25). Build your life with Him as the firm foundation. Look to the LORD and His strength.

Fig trees may not grow figs, and there may be no grapes on the vines. There may be no olives growing and no food growing in the fields. There may be no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior. The Lord God is my strength. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble so I can walk on the steep mountains. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NCV) Even if the bank account is empty and the cupboards are bare, still, be glad in the Lord. No matter what circumstances come into our lives, no matter what situation arises, let us continue to rejoice in the God of our salvation. He is our strength. He enables us to walk on the steep slopes without stumbling.

"For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33 (NIV) I need more of Jesus in me.  I need more of His unconditional love in my heart. I need more of His abiding peace coursing through my veins. I need His wisdom and discernment to cover my mind. I need more of His fortitude to always be about the Father's business. How about you? While many of us never miss a meal, I think we as believers starve ourselves of the Bread of Life. As much as we need physical food, we need to consume the Living Word, Jesus, the Bread of Life who gives life to the world. Amen. Love, Jackie