Manna for Your Morning

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”  — Matthew 10:21-22 (NLT) As followers of Christ, we can expect the world to hate us. May we patiently persevere the troubles and trials we go through in this life, and endure to the end. …do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 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. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.” (Hebrews 10:35-37 NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with enduran...

“Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” — Matthew 6:34 (TPT) Refuse to fret about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. And every minute we spend focused on tomorrow’s issues, we are allowing the enemy to steal precious moments and energy from the present. We are empowered today to deal with the troubles we face today. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6 AMP) And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One. (Philippians 4:7 VOICE) “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with what...

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. — Romans 12:2 (AMP) Treasure and store the Word of God in your heart, that you may not sin against Him (See Psalm 119:11 AMP). Instead of copying the ways of this world, draw near to Yahweh and become more and more like Him. Let His Word renew your mind and change the way you think. …anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (See 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (MSG) Attempting to be self-sufficient is birthed out of pride. It is futile to rely on human strength and understanding. In John 15:5, Jesus said apart from Him we can do nothing. When you are heavily burdened, beyond your strength, so that you despair even of life, trust YAHWEH. When you don’t see a way out, be confident that He will make a way. Place your hope in Him alone and He will deliver you...

The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” — Exodus 33:14 (NLT) …now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13 AMP) Just as the LORD was with Moses, He personally goes with you, and everything will be fine for you. The Lord knows everything there is to know about you. He perceives every movement of your heart and soul, and He understands your every thought before it even enters your mind. (See Psalm 139:1-2 TPT) By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. (1 John 4:13) His Holy Spirit is at work in you to bring about the will of our heavenly Father. Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them...

“ From here on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with the right heart. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who worship and adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth. ” — John 4:23-24 (TPT) May we live a life of worship to our mighty God at all times, no matter where we are and who may be with us. Live for an audience of One, not as a people-pleaser, but as one who pleases our heavenly Father. He is our Source. Let us put God first in all that we do. He is so gracious and merciful toward us. Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. (James 1:17 TPT)

An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious. — Proverbs 15:32 (MSG) It’s a school of hard knocks for those who leave God’s path, a dead-end street for those who hate God’s rules. (Proverbs 15:10 MSG) Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. (Romans 8:6-7 MSG) Living in awareness of God’s Presence and following the guidance of His Holy Spirit within us leads us to a spacious life, that overflows with love for God and for others. A life where we experience everlasting peace and fullness of joy. I can’t tell you how much I long for you to abide in this wide-open, spacious life.

An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious. — Proverbs 15:32 (MSG) Staying focused on me, myself and I, leads to a small, pitiful life. Consistently seek God’s will and live a large, spacious life. Generously love God and love others, with a genuine heart. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:16-17 NLT) The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt. — Proverbs 15:6 (MSG)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].” — Revelation 22:13 (AMP) If you don’t come to Jesus, to whom shall you go? And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6b NASB) God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:9-10 NLT) Jesus is the Beginning and the End. He will be with you no matter what life brings your way. When your boat gets turned over in the middle of the storm, Jesus is your life preserver, and His love is the anchor that will hold you steady. If you have any mountains to climb or hurdles to jump, it's His power and strength that will bring you to the other side. When your house gets destroyed by fire, He is a re-builder of the walls and the strong foundation on which it can be built. Our Savi...

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  — John 14:27 (NLT) Jesus gives a perfect peace that cannot be shaken or moved. What the world has to offer is chaos, empty promises and shallow, temporary emotional experiences. Let us hold onto the perfect peace of mind and heart that Jesus gives to us. When the doctor’s report comes back, when children stray from the narrow path that leads to life, when there is a rift in a relationship, stay in His perfect peace and remember we have the victory in Christ. According to the Amplified Bible, His perfect peace will calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge. (John 14:27)

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. — 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) When God opens doors of opportunity, do not be surprised when you encounter adversaries and opposition, as you pursue what God has for you. The fiery darts of the enemy will come. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV). Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV). For you have the victory!

  Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. — Hebrews 11:11(AMP) May we be full of faith, knowing with all of our hearts and minds that our God is true to His Word. He is absolutely reliable and totally trustworthy. He is faithful, even when we are not. Jesus said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Be certain that whatever you go through today, God is with you. His Presence with us, is mighty and powerful. With God on our side, all things are possible!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. — 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) Stay clearheaded and alert so that you don’t end up in the snare of the enemy. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping (1 Peter 5:8, The Message). Resist him, standing strong in your faith. James 4:7 instructs us to submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Our God is greater! Amen.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.  — Psalm 116:5-7 (NKJV) Yes, our God is full of compassion and His mercies are new every morning. No matter how low you go, the LORD will pick you up again. From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another (John 1:16, NLT). Let your soul be at peace, for the LORD has been good to us. Glory Hallelujah!

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT) Jesus said, "believe in God, believe also in Me," (John 14:1). “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die (John 11:25). Cling to your faith in Jesus and maintain a clear conscience before God and man. Keep doing what you know is the right thing to do and your faith will not suffer shipwreck. Fight the good fight of faith! Finish the race!

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! 1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message) In Jesus Christ, we are new creations. We can let go of our old ways and fully experience a brand-new life. God has given us everything to live for, a glorious future in heaven and a full life here on earth. He has given us a life of purpose and passion. We can walk in freedom and forgiveness, our hearts overflowing with joy and peace. Our brand-new life is established on the eternal foundation of God's unfailing love. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is here already. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24 (NCV) Our heavenly Father actively seeks those who worship Him. Let us simply worship God with all our hearts, minds and souls. May we be honest and open and lay all our "stuff" out before our God. Let there be no pretense or sham. He is our Creator and He knows us inside and out. Worship Him. Love, Jackie

"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean." Matthew 15:17-18 (NIV) If you want to know what is in your heart, pay very close attention to the words that flow out of your mouth. Are your words kind, loving and compassionate? Or are you cursing, complaining and backbiting? May we continually speak the praises of our heavenly Father and bring glory to His kingdom in all we say and do. Love, Jackie