Manna for Your Morning

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah 
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. — Psalms 57:1-3 (NKJV) Be still, and know that Yahweh is God (the great “I AM”); The One Who performs ALL things for us. He will be exalted among the nations, He will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (See Psalms 46:10-11 & Exodus 3:13-14 NKJV) Take refuge in the shadow of His wings.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. — 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NASB1995) …we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP) May we be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we appear as lights in the world, (See Philippians 2:15 NASB1995). And as Christ’s representatives here on earth, let us implore others to be reconciled to God through Christ. I will rejoice greatly in Yahweh; my soul will rejoice in my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of ...

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
 He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB1995) 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) For those who are willing to learn, Yahweh will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. (See Psalm 32:8 AMP) He will guide you with His counsel, leading you to a glorious destiny. (See Psalm 73:24 NLT) Let us continually follow His lead.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water ... — Revelation 7:17 (ESV)

Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart. — Hebrews 12:3 (VOICE) Think about Yeshua. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24 NLT) In this world we will have many troubles, trials and sufferings. There will be many battles to fight, but remember we have already won the war. Yeshua has triumphed over this corrupt world order. (See John 16:33 VOICE) In Him, we are more than conquerors and we too overcome. “...brethren, do not grow weary of doing go...

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. — Philippians 4:6-7 (TPT) The season is upon for a time of extreme busyness: shopping, baking, decorating, attending gatherings, etc. If you allow yourself to be pulled in different directions, you will be distracted from the main thing. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the good gift and perfect gift, Who is from above, and came down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Spending time with Him and growing in intimacy is more important than following man-made traditions. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in the details of your life. His way is the way of peace.

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! — Romans 15:13 (TPT) Second Corinthians 7:4 (VOICE) says: I am completely confident and incredibly proud of you. Even in all this turbulence I am at peace—I am overflowing with joy. Even in times of trouble we can be filled to overflowing with joy and in perfect peace. For you will go out with joy and be led in peace; the mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 NASB) May you radiate with hope and let joy and peace spill over on everyone you come in contact with today.

So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (AMP) Do not look at the things you see now, your current set of circumstances. The things we see now are here today, and will be gone tomorrow. Instead, remember the unseen: the love that God lavishes upon us, the new compassions He pours out every morning, and the victory that Jesus has already won for us. Focus your attention on the Presence of the Lord. He is with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) He is with you in the fiery furnace and when the floodwaters threaten to overtake you. You will not be burned, and you will not drown. God will bring you through. Our eternal God is greater than anything that comes against us.

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! — Habakkuk 3:17-19 (MSG) No matter how external circumstances appear, trust in the LORD. Choose to rejoice in the LORD and count on God’s Rule to prevail in your life. He is the God of more than enough. The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; Habakkuk 3:19a (AMP)

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. — Jeremiah 33:6 (NKJV) God desires for His people to be healthy and whole, in every area of our lives. “For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,” declares the LORD… (Jeremiah 30:17a NASB). He wants to show us peace and truth, so we can be set free by the truth and live in peace. Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. (3 John 2 AMP) Let us also seek the LORD for the healing of our land. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. — 1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV) When David and his men returned to the city of Ziklag, it was burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. After they wept until they could weep no more, David found strength in the LORD. When all seems lost, may we find strength in the LORD our God. Be encouraged in His Word, which stands forever, through all kinds of weather! After David inquired of the LORD, he pursued his enemies and recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. (1 Samuel 30:8, 18). When we follow God’s direction, we too can overcome our enemies and recover all that the enemy has taken. And loved ones held captive by the enemy will be set free.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence. — Psalm 140:13 (NKJV) When we live in His Presence we have fullness of joy and a perfect peace that surpasses the comprehension of the human mind. When we live in His Presence, we are not moved by life’s circumstances and challenges. Instead, we stand strong and remain faithful. We do not allow the darkness of this world to infiltrate us, but we illuminate the atmosphere with His light and love, and draw others closer to God. When we live in His Presence, overwhelming victory is ours. In His Presence, we have an ample supply of all that we need. Give thanks to God for the opportunity and privilege of living in His Presence. There is no better place.

I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem. — Ezra 7:28 (NLT) Ezra was moved to action because of the encouragement He received from the hand of the LORD. Let us be encouraged as the gracious hand of the LORD our God is also upon us. He surrounds us on all sides. (Psalm 125:2). God’s Holy Spirit resides in us and enables us to live the life He has designed for us, so we can fulfill His purpose upon the earth. Be strengthened and courageous to engage in the work He has called you to. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength (Isaiah 58:11 NLT).

Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! — Psalm 62:8 (AMP) No matter how circumstances may appear, keep your eyes always on the LORD. With him by your side, you will not be shaken (Psalm 16:8). For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the solid Rock except our God? (Psalm 18). Lean on Him. When you don’t know what to do, rely on the wisdom of our great God. When you don’t where to go, run to His throne room. Pour out your heart before Him. He is a refuge of safety and peace.

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (NLT) Every day we make all kinds of choices: what to wear?, what to eat?, etc. But the most important choice we make daily is whether to walk with God, or go along with the ways of the world. Choose wisely. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s table and at the table of demons, too (1 Corinthians 10:21). Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). Choose today whom you will serve.

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 (NKJV) A loyal heart has a consistent, deep devotion, that says, “I'm with you!” It is steadfast and immovable. When you are loyal to someone, you are willing to lay your life on the line for the other person. God is constantly looking for people whose hearts are totally committed to Him, so He can show Himself strong on their behalf. Let us serve Him with a loyal heart and with a mind that is willing to do it His way.

My people will live in a peaceful place,  in safe homes and quiet places of rest. Isaiah 32:18 (GW) Jesus has given us His peace (John 14:2). As we abide in Him, we will live in a peaceful place. The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans:6). Be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Psalm 27:5 says, when troubles come, the LORD keeps us safe in His dwelling. Truly our souls find rest in God (Psalm 62:1). Let His peace guard your heart and mind and you will remain calm and settled, quietly trusting and resting in the Lord. 

Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he freed Barabbas for them. After having Jesus beaten with whips, he handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:15 (NCV) Guard your heart and mind against the negative influences in the world. Because Pilate was more interested in being a crowd-pleaser, a murderer was set free and the Son of Man, who knew no sin, was crucified. Sometimes the right things that we are called to do, will not be the most popular, but we must live for an audience of One: our heavenly Father. Do what you know in your heart is the right thing.

When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 (NLT) Are you faced with conflict from every direction? If battles rage around you and your heart is fearful, be steadfast. I reassure you, God comforts the downcast. He is the God of all comfort and the Father of compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3). He lovingly encourages the discouraged. God defends those who are weak. He is your strength and your support. Fall into the arms of God and He will give you rest. Love, Jackie

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 (NIV) Jesus appointed us to bear fruit that will last. When we walk in love with each other, our actions produce the sweet, delicious fruit of joy, peace, and patience. When we touch the life of another human being with a kind deed and a caring attitude, this is fruit that will last. May you go and bear much eternal fruit. Amen.  Love, Jackie