Manna for Your Morning

“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.” — John 15:5 (TPT) Our union with Jesus is vital. He is the source of all that we need. In union with Him, we receive the living water that nourishes and satisfies. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing of lasting value. As we remain in Him, we receive strength to persevere and power to overcome the pitfalls of life. As we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit works in us and through us and we are able to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, in all situations and seasons. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Stay connected to Christ and be a fruit-bearer for the Kingdom of God.

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good … Proverbs 16:20a (AMP) Don’t treat the Word of God, like a book of fairy tales. It’s not just another bedtime story. It is the truth that will set you free (John 8:32). It is life and power (Hebrews 4:12). It contains precious promises from God. Not one promise from God is empty of power ... (Luke 1:37a TPT). The Holy Bible is a love letter from our Heavenly Father, declaring His unfailing love for us. It’s a road map to navigate you through life successfully. Psalm 119:105 NLT says,  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  Have you ever tried to get somewhere you've never been before without using a guide? The Word is a weapon, the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus used it to triumph through His time of temptation (Luke 4:1-13), and we can too. Meditate on the Word. Let it renew your mind. Speak it out of your mouth, and stand victoriously. Jesus replied, “ But even more blesse...

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. — Hebrews 4:14-15 (MSG) This world is full of mass distractions, that will draw us away from God and cause us to wander. So, let us purposefully, press on to know the LORD. (Hosea 6:3a) Let us become personally acquainted with Him and continually grow in our understanding of His greatness and faithfulness. We have an open invitation to draw near. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP)

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. — Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV) Our greatest pursuit in this life is to truly know the LORD. The most valuable and precious thing we can possess is an ever growing understanding of who He is;  His gracious and merciful nature. He is love, therefore everything He does, demonstrates His unfailing love for us. He is loyal, forgiving and faithful. He brings justice and righteousness to the earth. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities; (Isaiah 53:5). He shed His blood and gave His life to set us free and give us eternal life in the presence of our heavenly Father. Let us press on to know Him and make Him known...

Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there. — 1 Samuel 1:28 (NLT) Hannah cried out to God for the desire of her heart, He heard her cries and gave her a son. When Hannah received the one thing she wanted most, she gave him back to the LORD. And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:21 NLT). May we live with our hearts and hands open to our heavenly Father. When we let go of what we have, God can use it for others and multiply it back to us. We can never out give God! It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. — Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) When we approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, we obtain mercy and forgiveness. In His throne room, we find grace to help us when we need it most. Whatever we bring to Him, know that He has the answer. He knows the way. He holds the key to unlock any door that needs to be opened. We can be confident that our God is faithful and always right on time.

But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; — 2 Chronicles 13:10 (NKJV) No matter what happens in this life or how bad you mess up, never run away from the LORD our God. The LORD is a shield around us; He is our glory, the one who holds our heads high (Psalm 3:3 NLT). He is like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), He is filled with love and compassion for you. Our heavenly Father is always watching out for you. He is waiting with open arms, for you to come to Him and be embraced. He longs to hold you close to His bosom. Run to Him like a little child and let Him smother you with kisses.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NKJV) Let us refuse all doubt and live in what we know: ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one (1 Corinthians 8:4). Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31). And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:15). Throughout the good, the bad and the ugly, continue to lift up your petitions to God, knowing that He hears you and that He is working all things together for GOOD. Amen!

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
 anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones . — Psalm 127:2 (NLT)  It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the LORD that we accomplish anything of value and lasting significance. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” —Matthew 11:28, (AMP). Continually come to Jesus and find rest for your weary soul.

 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;  From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21 (NKJ) Keep negative talk far from your lips. Ephesians 4:29 says, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. May the fruit of your mouth be sweet and life-producing for yourself as well as others. If you love life, speak rich and satisfying words and enjoy a good harvest.

We plan the way we want to live,  but only God makes us able to live it. Proverbs 16:9 (The Message) God gives everyone life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25). In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). His power is at work in us. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Worthy, worthy, worthy, is our Lord and God, to receive thanks, glory and honor forever and ever! Amen.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:29-31 (NLT) As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, He was able to walk on the water. When he took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the conditions around him, fear took over and he began to sink. Instead of looking at the adverse circumstances in your life, fix your eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith. Have no doubt, all will be well when have great faith in Jesus.

I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NCV) We must take our eyes off of ourselves because it's not about us. It's all about Him, our wonderful Creator. The most important thing is for us to complete the mission that He has given each one of us. Everyone is created with a divine purpose. There is a reason why God knit you together in your mother's womb and put the breath of life in you. Let us be like the Apostle Paul and fight the good fight, keep the faith and complete our God-given mission. Love, Jackie

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. He...then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. Luke 6:6, 10 (NIV) Jesus brings complete restoration into our lives, whether it be our physical bodies, our relationships, or deep within our hearts. If you have something that is shriveled up in your life, stretch it our before the Lord and let it be completely restored. Love, Jackie