Manna for Your Morning

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” — Philippians 1:6 (AMP) Yahweh is faithful to complete the good work He is doing in each believer. Know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (See James 1:3-4 NASB1995) “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NLT)

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. — James 1:2-4 (AMP) When you encounter trials or temptations, patiently endure and see it as an opportunity to trust Yahweh. Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 AMP) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASB1995)

  I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. — John 10:9-10 (NASB) Doors give us access to whatever is on the other side. Doors also serve the purpose of keeping undesirable things out, such as inclement weather, or intruders and thieves. I have also seen instructions that in the event of earthquakes, the threshold of the door was a strong, safe place to stand. Ephesians 2:18 (NASB) says, through Jesus we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. May we enter the Kingdom of God through our Savior, the Christ. There we find the provision of our heavenly Father, everything we need to survive and thrive. Let us enter and draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (See Hebrews 4:16 NASB1995)

Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. — Romans 12:1 (VOICE) May we humbly approach the throne of grace and offer our bodies to YAHWEH as living and holy sacrifices. Give Him your whole heart; truly set your affections on Him. Desire His Presence above all. Offer to Him your tongue, that the words you speak would reflect His character and nature (life, love and peace). Present your mind to Him, by continually renewing it with His Holy Scriptures. Give Him your eyes, so you can see things from His higher, eternal perspective and not from our limited human view. Offer your hands to Him, so you can diligently do the work He has given to you. Offer your feet to Him, so He can lead you and guide you according to His good plan and purpose. And you will be strengthened to run the race He has s...

The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (TPT) Are you troubled and worried by all the demands of this world. Don’t let the worldly distractions pull you away from Jesus and spending time with the Living Word. Luke 10:39 (TPT) says, Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. Let us stop striving and be still to listen attentively, focused on what Jesus is speaking to us. Absorb every revelation Jesus shares. Psalm 46:10 (MSG) says: “…Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. — Psalm 46:10 (TPT)

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.” — Luke 6:46-48 (NLT) Dig deep and lay the foundation of your life on solid rock. Three things are involved in building our lives on solid rock. First, we must come to Jesus. Second, we need to open our ears and listen to His teaching. And the third is to do it, follow His Word. “…wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” (Luke 7:35 NLT)

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) The battle belongs to the Lord, but we have to get up and put the uniform on, every day (truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and prayer). Our enemy does not take a break and go on vacation. He continually prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. So put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. (Ephesians 6:11 VOICE)  Then, like the Apostle Paul, you will be able to say, “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV)

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:23 (NKJV) No matter what we go through in this life, God is always with us. His Presence goes before us and behind. He surrounds us and dwells within us. In Isaiah 43:2 (NLT), the LORD says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT) Have no fear, for the LORD is here. With God all things are possible. He makes a way where there seems to be no way. Even the wind and waves obey Him. He makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters (Isaiah 43:16).

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. — Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) The doom and gloom of constant negative news and bad reports leave you bone-tired. It drains your energy and crushes your spirit. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body. (Proverbs 16:24 AMP) Plug into the Word of God. His Word gives life. (Psalm 119:50) His Word promotes inner peace and harmony with others. When His Word is sent, it brings healing (Psalm 107:20)  His Word strengthens and revives. (Psalm 119:25, 28) Be intentional about continually hearing and speaking God's Word and a cheerful disposition is sure to follow. A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing... (Proverbs 17:22 AMP) Keep your heart happy with the Word of God!

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:10 (MSG) Whatever concerns you have on your heart today, remember that the Lord is above it all. Those circumstances that cause anxiety and make you feel pressured, are under His control. God put all things in subjection under Christ. (Hebrews 2:8). Keep your eyes on Jesus and hold onto the peace He gives. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7).

For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. — Psalm 21:6 (NKJV) We are most blessed because we have been brought into the family of Almighty God and called children of God. We have the benefit of enjoying His Presence every moment of our lives. In His Presence we find gladness that exceeds our capacity to contain it, so we can let the overflow splash into the lives of those around us. His Presence brings us joy, when we realize that nothing can stand against us, as we abide in Him.

He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:3 (AMP) The LORD says, “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
 the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust,” (Joel 2:25 NKJV). He will restore all that the enemy has stolen. In Matthew 11:28 (AMP), Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” Come to Jesus and be refreshed!

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me; — Psalm 119:92-94a (NAS) In the midst of troubles and afflictions, may we delight in His statutes and not forget His word (Psalm 119:16). God’s Word gives us life and revives us. The living Word of God is the sword that pierces the darkness and allows light to come flooding in, bringing hope, peace and joy. The LORD saves us from our distress. He sends out His word and heals us (Psalm 107:19b-20). Amen!

Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.  — Psalm 119:165 (AMP) The path to great peace is a love for the Word of God. Treasure His Word in your heart and let it continually be in your mouth. Meditate on His Word day and night that you may do it. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will rule in your hearts and nothing will cause you to stumble or be offended. Amen!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and be confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort. Stand firm and do what God has called you to do. Don't be moved by circumstances, what others have to say or your emotions. Persevere and press on. Greater things are yet to be done!

Since we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has gone into heaven, let us hold on to the faith we have. For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Hebrews 4:14-15 (NCV) Jesus is our great high priest, who understands our weaknesses and all that we go through. Never be afraid to bear your soul to Him. Isaiah 53:3 tells us, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. He was oppressed and afflicted (Isaiah 53:7). Since Jesus has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested, (Hebrews 2:18). Let us approach the throne of our gracious God, with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

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) Only our Creator knows the best pathway for our lives, from beginning to end. We have to follow His guidance and take each step in faith, so He can bring us into the wonderful, fruitful and abundant place He has for us. We may have to tread through some dark places, but He will turn the darkness into light and make the rough places smooth (Isaiah 42:16). Amen. Love, Jackie

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:21-23 (NIV) Have your prayers ever included the words, "if you can"? Let us remember, with God ALL things are possible. When Jesus says, "everything", He means it. When the situation before you seems impossible, believe it is POSSIBLE, and seek GOD for the answer. Love, Jackie