Manna for Your Morning

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20 (NLT) Yeshua told a parable of “the lost son”: This younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he decided to go home. (See Luke 15:13-18) Our heavenly Father is full of love and compassion and His arms are wide open to welcome back those who have strayed away from Him. If you have wandered away, let His love draw you back into fellowship with Him. 

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in Yah, the LORD, is everlasting strength. — Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJV) When we totally trust God, we are able to abide in peace. Yahweh will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is committed and focused on Him. (See Isaiah 26:3 AMP) Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NLT) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) Yahweh will give strength to His people; Yahweh will bless His people with peace. — Psalms 29:11 (LSB)

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has [ever] been forgotten in the presence of God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are far more valuable than many sparrows. — Luke 12:6-7 (AMP) If Yahweh remembers the sparrows, surely He is mindful of us. He formed our innermost parts and knit us together in our mother’s womb. Our frames were not hidden from Him, when we were made in secret. (See Psalm 139:13,15) He took us from our mother’s womb and has sustained us from birth. May we praise Him continually. (See Psalm 71:6) He determined our appointed times and the boundaries of our habitation. From everlasting to everlasting, He is God, and He is intimately acquainted with all your ways.

“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” — Revelation 17:14 (NASB1995) You are called and chosen. Be a faithful follower of Jesus. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) We overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, and by not loving our life even when faced with death. (See Revelation 12:11) In Revelation 3:5 (NKJV), Jesus said: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24 NASB1995) Those who enter will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. (See Luke 13:29 NASB1995) Am...

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT) If you’re experiencing challenges and feeling overwhelmed, stop relying on yourself and learn to rely ONLY on God. He has rescued us before and He will rescue us again. Amen! And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.  — 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD! — Psalm 106:48 (NASB) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2) NASB) Let the deepest longing of our hearts, be for more of Him. May our first priority of the day be to appear before our great and loving God and present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices.  Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. — Psalm 103:1 (NLT)

Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor. — Hebrews 12:2 (VOICE) The Amplified Bible adds: [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus … When we focus on current circumstances, which are always up and down, we can get distracted and drift away from God and His perfect will for us. Instead, stay focused on Jesus. He is always the same, and His years will never come to an end. When Jesus is our focal point, we maintain internal peace and calm, in the midst of external chaos. Believe in God, believe also in Jesus. (John 14:1) Trust God to provide what you need (strength, direction, wisdom, favor, healing, etc.) at just the right time.

For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. — 2 Corinthians 7:5 (NIV) You may be harassed at every turn and troubled on every side, but let faith and endurance produce its perfect result so that you may be completely developed in your faith, lacking nothing. The Message Bible says, consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:4) Keep fighting the good fight of faith.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. — 1 Samuel 17:50 (NKJV) Goliath, the Philistine had taunted the Israelites for forty days, morning and evening. (1 Samuel 17:16) And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. (1 Samuel 17:24) But when David heard the words of Goliath, he said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26) In 1 Samuel 17:50, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. The Israelites were intimidated by the size of Goliath, but David knew his God was bigger. Don’t be intimated or overwhelmed by the size of your problem, know that our God is bigger. Rely on Him and you will prevail.

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; the day you needed me, I was there to help. — 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (MSG) Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though ...

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. — Psalm 4:6-8 (NLT) Material possessions cannot compare to the inexpressible joy that comes from dwelling in the Presence of our great God. In His Presence, we experience fullness of joy and abiding peace. Greater joy comes in knowing Him and completely trusting Him for everything that concerns us. We experience better times when we allow Him to fill us with His love, strength and peace. Come into His Presence, with your arms lifted and heart open wide to Him. He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. (Psalm 91:4 AMP) For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah (Psalm 61:3-4 (NKJV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) As we continually look to the LORD, our Shepherd, we shall not be in want. He is our Source. He is the answer to every challenge. When we are still, and rest in His Presence, He renews our strength and refreshes our souls. Follow Him and He will show you the path that leads to a more abundant life. May our lives bring glory and honor to His name.

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. — 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) Whenever a door of opportunity is wide open, make sure the door was opened by the Lord. If He sets before you an open door, no one can shut it  (Revelation 3:8). Know that any good work you undertake will meet some opposition. Continue to take each step by faith. And stay alert, sin is crouching at your door and it desires to have you. Keep your eyes and heart open for every great and effective door of opportunity to give, to serve, to forgive, to walk in love, to let His light shine through you, etc.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; — Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV) Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? (Psalm 42:5) Lift up your eyes and put your hope in God, our Savior. He is where our help comes from. His arm is not too short to reach into your situation and turn it around. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:5, 7-8). Amen! Thank you LORD.

The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV) Our heavenly Father watches over us. He is our shield of protection. He watches over your life, as you come in and go out. Abba Father knows your pains and your struggles and He is there to catch every tear. The LORD has all your days written in His book and He has already made a way for you!

When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25 (GW) Build your life on the sure foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Then, you will be able to withstand the storms of life. The fire and floods may come but you will stand firm. When you stand on the everlasting foundation, nothing will move you.

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) The LORD our God is with you, and nothing is too difficult for Him. He helps you and holds you up with His victorious right hand. With God’s help we will do mighty things (Psalm 60:12, NLT). Thank the LORD!

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, Psalm 16:8-9 (NIV) Set the LORD before you and look to Him in every situation. Rest secure and do not be shaken. Hold on to the LORD and He will sustain you. Let your heart be glad and your tongue sing His praises. Love, Jackie