Manna for Your Morning

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” — John 7:37-38 (NLT) Step out of the crowd and be the one who comes to Jesus, every day. He is the source of living water, that nourishes and satisfies the deepest longing of the soul. In Matthew 22:1-2 (NASB), Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who held a wedding feast for his son. In Matthew 22:9, the king instructed his servants to go out to the street corners and invite everyone they see. You are invited. Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV) He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. He anoints your head with oil and your cu...

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long. — Psalm 25:5 (AMP) Wait on the LORD. He will send the answer. He will make a way, where there seems to be no way. God will open the door that needs to be opened and close the door that needs to be closed. The promise will be fulfilled. His Word does not return to Him void. It shall accomplish His intended purpose. It shall succeed in the thing for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. — 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NASB)

  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. — Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT) Our God is a mighty God and a well-proven help in times of trouble. The Message Bible says, “ We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake …” (Psalm 46:2) No matter how dismal external circumstances may appear, be courageous and keep the faith. God says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15) He is always ready to help.

But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. — Revelation 2:4 (AMP) When Jesus spoke about end times, in Matthew 24:12, He said, the love of many will grow cold. May your love for Christ grow deeper and stronger each day. Let your love for Him be hot, passionate and actively growing. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT) Just as Christ's love for us caused Him to respond by giving His life to save us. Let us respond to His love by giving our lives and hearts to Him.

So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” — 1 Samuel 7:8 (NKJV) In 1 Samuel 7:9, Samuel gave the LORD a burnt offering and cried out to Him for Israel, and the LORD answered him. So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel (1 Samuel 7:13a NKJV). Don’t ever stop calling upon the LORD. When we call upon Him, He will answer. (Jeremiah 33:3) First Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP) tells us to be unceasing and persistent in prayer. Let's not just pray for ourselves and the challenges we face, but also for our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, nation and the world. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLT). But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown...

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) No matter what lies the enemy tells you, be fully convinced that your heavenly Father loves you and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate you from His love. He is with you always. As a good Shepherd, He keeps watch over His sheep. You have not been forgotten or abandoned. Numerous are His thoughts toward you. He is working everything together for good in your life. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (Psalm 139:4-5 NLT). Amen!

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. — Philippians 4:12 (NIV) Let us be like the Apostle Paul and learn the secret of being content in every situation. Be assured that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT). No matter how hopeless our current circumstances appear, we have God’s Presence, His promises and His mighty power, which is at work in us. Know that He has a purpose and a plan for your life that is good. Glory to God!

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? — Romans 2:4 (NIV) Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? (Romans 2:4a, NLT) Thank God for His patience and tolerance, but let us never take the kindness of God for granted. His kindness should lead us to repentance. It should cause us to turn around from going our own way and follow God and His ways. In order for situations in our lives to change, we must change. We have to become more and more like our heavenly Father. It is the acceptance, forgiveness and love of God that will draw others and cause them to work with us and not against us.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! — Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) Jesus prayed for all believers to dwell together in unity. “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). Our unity is a testimony to the world. Let us eagerly pursue the things which bring peace and make every effort to be united in love.

 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.  The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 22:3 (NLT) Be wise and use good judgment. Sensible people foresee trouble and take the necessary precautions to avoid putting themselves in situations that can cause them to stumble. Those who blindly float through life pay the penalty for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay. Think before you act and take precautions to stay on the right track.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Psalm 86:11-13 (NLT) The ways of the Lord are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Let us learn the ways of the Lord so we can live according to His truth. His truth sets us free from the lies of the enemy and allows us to enjoy peace and prosperity in God's great love for us.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) Let us rejoice in spite of the things we suffer because the challenges we go through in this life teach us how to endure, they strengthen our character and produce hope. And our hope will not be disappointed because God loves us and He leads us to a triumphant victory. Love, Jackie

If anyone claims, "I am living in the light," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.  1 John 2:9-10 (NLT) Followers of Jesus Christ are children of the light (1 Thess. 5:5). God has called us out of darkness and into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). If anyone hates, he is still living in darkness. Jesus said "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Let us be a good witness to unbelievers and walk in the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with our Christian brothers and sisters. Love, Jackie