Manna for Your Morning

“Those on the rocky soil are the people who, when they hear, receive and welcome the word with joy; but these have no firmly grounded root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation they fall away [from Me and abandon their faith].” — Luke 8:13 (AMP) Never abandon your faith. Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. (See 2 Timothy 4:7) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) May we receive the Word of God in the good soil of our hearts and be firmly rooted and grounded in it. …the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. (Luke 8:15 NASB1995)  But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” ...

I have set Yahweh continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. — Psalms 16:8-9 (LSB) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” (Isaiah 28:16 NASB1995) He only is my rock and my salvation; My fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged. (Psalms 62:6 AMP) Trust in, and remain committed to our mighty God. He is a strong refuge and a sure foundation for us. Rely on Him with unwavering confidence. Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, for He is with you; His rod and His staff, will comfort you. (See Psalms 23:4) The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth. — Proverbs 10:30 (AMP) 

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) Prosperity is a state of well-being, in every area of life: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc. It's having more than enough so that you can share with those in need. That's the cup overflowing in Psalm 23:5. May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God]. (Jude 2 AMP) Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. (Psalm 25:12-14 NASB1995) Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights in...

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) Just as we received Jesus our Lord and Savior with great joy and full of faith, let us continue to walk in union with Him, to the end. May we reflect His character in the things we do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin (See Colossians 2:6 AMP) Instead of conforming to the ways of this world, build your life on Him, and let Him shape your life. As we become more deeply rooted in Jesus, the Living Word, our faith will grow stronger and stronger. And may our hearts always overflow with thankfulness to God. We do not want to be like the person who hears the Word and receives it on rocky soil.  He has no firm root so when affliction arises he immediately falls away. Don't be the one w...

And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and without hesitation. For he has dedicated a new, life-giving way for us to approach God. For just as the veil was torn in two, Jesus’ body was torn open to give us free and fresh access to him! — Hebrews 10:19-20 (TPT) So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness. (Hebrews 4:16 TPT) And since we now have a magnificent High Priest to welcome us into God’s house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity, and we have been freed from an accusing conscience. Now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out! (Hebrews 10:21-22 TPT) Com...

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, — Philippians 2:14-15 (NASB) Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NASB) May you let the light of God shine through you everywhere you go. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT) Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. — Ephesians 1:18 (VOICE)

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) May we be deeply rooted and securely grounded in Jesus and the love of God. 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. (Ephesians 3:17 NLT) Your roots nourish the rest of your body. If your roots are in an environment that is not conducive to growth, it will cause you to be weak and die spiritually. Being deeply rooted in Jesus gives us the nourishment to grow strong, thrive and bear much fruit. Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] an...

It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, — Psalm 92:1-2 (AMP) It is good to give thanks to the LORD and declare His lovingkindness in the morning. This makes us aware of His never-ending love that will guide us and provide all that we need, as we go about our day. Appreciate the Father's love, a love so deep that He gave His only Son, so we could be with Him forever. Then let us give thanks and declare His faithfulness every night as He has given us the strength to get through another day. Delight yourself in His Presence always, that is where you will experience fullness of joy and everlasting peace.

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” — Genesis 37:5, 9 (NKJV) I believe it was the power of Joseph’s dreams that helped him persevere through his problems. First, his brothers threw him in a pit, then sold him into slavery. But the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:2-3) Eventually Joseph found himself in prison, for doing the right thing. No matter what challenges he faced, I’m sure he lay awake at night remembering his dreams. Finally, he was placed in the palace and God put him in position to save His people from famine. In Genesis 41:41, Pharaoh set Joseph over al...

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. — Ephesians 2:13 (NLT) As children of God, our heavenly Father brings us near. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18 NKJV). He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22 NLT).

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, — Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV) It’s a matter of choice whether to continually complain or fill our mouths with thanksgiving to God, at all times. Instead of complaining about traffic, I thank God for waking me up this morning. I thank Him for the job I get to go to and the properly functioning car that gets me there. I appreciate the beautiful sunrise that God paints for me, on my way to work. Decide today to lay aside the fault finding and complaining and focus on all of the wonderful blessings God showers upon you, every moment of the day!

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. — Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) Let us patently endure hardship, trials and temptations. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord (James 5:11). Job received double for his trouble. Hannah and Sarah went through a season of barrenness before they experienced the joy of giving birth. Joseph lived in the prison before he dwelt in the palace. David hid in caves before he sat on the throne, as king of Israel. We must put in the hard work and sweat to climb the mountain, before we can enjoy the view from the top. In the midst of setbacks, keep pushing forward; instead of going for what appears quick and easy, stick with God’s plan. Then you will receive ALL that He has promised!

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. — Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise from the depths of our hearts. The Word says at all times, not just when we feel like it or when its convenient, that's the sacrifice part. As long as we have breath, we have plenty to thank God for. He has done so much for us, we could never thank Him enough. May the fruit flowing from our lips be a constant praise and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father. Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ( Psalm 106:1 ). Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the Lord!  ( Psalm 150:6)

May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  — Psalm 115:14-15 (NIV) In order to flourish (grow, thrive, prosper) in life, we have to be planted in the house of God (Psalm 92:13). Let us not just drop by from time to time like visitors. Abide in the house of the LORD; dwell with Him like the child of God that you are. You are a member of the Father's family, you belong in His house! May the LORD richly bless you and your children, as you abide in Him!

May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJ) Isaiah 53:3 tells us that even Jesus was a Man of suffering and familiar with pain. Endure hardship, the suffering won't last forever. When you are experiencing grief in all kinds of trials, it seems like its going to last forever, but it is temporary. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. And after you have suffered a little while, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. Your present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Joel 2:13 (The Message) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Our heavenly Father is extravagant in love and full of kindness. Because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, saves us by His grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). Draw near to the LORD, our God.

"Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NKJ) When you don't know what to do, call upon the LORD, who made the earth and established it. He will answer you and show you great and mighty things. While we may not know the right course of action, God in His wisdom will point us in the right direction. Love, Jackie

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow." Matthew 13:3-5 (NIV) When our main focus is on outer appearances rather than what is in the heart of a person, our ground may be a little shallow. If the balance of our bank account is more important than obeying God, we are standing on shallow ground. Concerns of this world are rocks that will stop God's Word from taking root in our hearts.  When loving God and loving our neighbors is our main concern, God's Word will fall on good soil, take root and bear good fruit. Ask God to remove any rocks hidden in your heart. Love, Jackie