Manna for Your Morning

I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me] — John 10:14 (AMP) The greatest pursuit in this life is to know Jesus, and to be known by Him. No one wants to hear Jesus say: “ Depart from Me. I never knew you. ” Realize your relationship with Jesus is not about rules. It’s about a deep and intimate relationship. Require His Presence as a vital necessity, in all of your coming and going. The more we know Him and spend time with Him, the more we grow to become like Him. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:12-13 (AMP)

This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course. — Hebrews 2:1 (TPT) Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.” (John 14:6 TPT) Jesus is the truth. Be engaged and attentive to Him. Take care you don’t stray from the straight path, the way of truth, and you will safely reach the end of your road. (Proverbs 4:26 VOICE) Your unfailing love is always before me; I have journeyed down Your path of truth. — Psalm 26:3 (VOICE)

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:11 (MSG) When we keep our eyes fixed on God, our hope in Him is alive and well. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, (Psalm 146:5 NKJV) We can smile at the future because we know, with His help, all things are possible. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, (Proverbs 10:28a). Sailors put out the anchor when they want to keep the boat in place. In stormy times, we have to let hope serve as our trustworthy anchor, sure and steadfast. Hope will hold us close to our Savior.  Let us be constantly rejoicing in hope because of our confidence in Christ, (Romans 12:12a AMP).

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. — Proverbs 1:7 (MSG) The first step in learning to live a truly abundant, peaceful and joyful life is in surrendering it all to God. It all begins with God, the one who created us; the one who knit us together in our mother’s womb. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (Psalm 95:6a NIV) Bow down in acknowledgement that He is Almighty God, without Him nothing came into existence. He is our source. We are under His care. He is our provider. Bow down in worship with a grateful heart. He woke you up this morning and poured out new mercies and compassions on you. Worship Him for Who He is. Be thankful for all He has done and is doing in your life. Start your day by seeking God, His guidance and His wisdom.

So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD answered, “He is there, hiding himself by the provisions and supplies.” — 1 Samuel 10:22 (AMP) Saul knew God chose him to be king, but he went into hiding instead. Was he afraid to step into the position God had for him? We have all been called by God. He has a plan for each and every person He created. Are you hiding from the call God has on your life? No good soldier of Christ goes UA (unauthorized absence). Don’t let fear keep you from walking in His perfect will and fulfilling the purpose and plans He has for you. Why settle for less, when God offers you the absolute best? Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ( Ephesians 4:1 NLT )

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NLT). We can be confident in our great God, that He will be with us in the flood and in the fire. He will lead is through all our troubles. Amen!

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. — Isaiah 41:10 (MSG) The size of your mountain does not matter when compared to the size of your great and mighty God! Have no fear or anxiety because the Presence and power of God is with you. He has your back (your front and sides too)!

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. — Romans 5:3-4 (AMP) As we endure the challenges of this life, we can be sure that our faith is being strengthened, patience is produced and our character is being develop and growing in maturity. And this kind of character creates a joyful and confident hope within us. This hope never disappoints or deludes because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts. (Romans 5:5) Because God loves us and is working all things together for good, we will not be disappointed!

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. — Psalm 136:16 (NLT) In your season of wilderness wandering, just keep following God, He will lead you through the wilderness, to the long awaited Promised Land. Get rid of everything that slows you down. Allow no distractions, which  so easily trips us up. Keep moving forward, with your eyes on the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God for His faithfulness and love!

Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (GW) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NLT). David's relationship with Jonathan is a perfect example of friendship in the Word. First Samuel 18:1 says,  Jonathan became David’s closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Be a friend who loves at all times and sticks closer than a brother.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV) Yes, God is love and we are in the process of becoming like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJ) says, we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. As we surrender to the work of His Holy Spirit within us, and walk in unconditional love with one another, His love will be made complete in us (1 John 4:12). Release any unforgiveness, bitterness and jealousy and choose love.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message) Hold on to God. In His mighty hands, we are in the best of care. He is beside us in good times and bad. He will deliver us from all of our troubles. Get to know God and trust Him. He will honor you with a long, satisfying life and show you His salvation. Love, Jackie

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 (NIV) Jesus prayed for Peter because He knew Satan was going to sift him. If you are going through a sifting experience, I pray you would hold onto your faith and keep looking to Jesus to bring deliverance and provision. If you know someone who is being sifted, please pray for them. Love, Jackie