Manna for Your Morning

When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. — Matthew 8:1-3 (NASB) Know that Jesus is always willing to bring healing and wholeness into your life. Jesus beckons us to come to Him. Matthew 8:1 says, large crowds followed Jesus, but it was the leper who stepped up to the plate and spoke to Jesus about his ailment. Let us follow Jesus, every day. May we surrender all and submit to Him. He will show us the way that leads to a healthy, abundant and fruitful life. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. — John 10:10 (NLT)

And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” — Mark 9:7 (NKJV) Let us hear Jesus. In John 14:1, Jesus said “ Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ” Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) When we believe in Him, we can abide in everlasting peace. In John 14:27 Jesus said, “ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ” In John 16:33, He goes on to say, “ In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world .” When He hung on the cross, in John 19:30, Jesus said, “ It is finished! ” May we hear Jesus, and continually walk with Him, taking each step by faith, no matter where He may lead us, knowing that Jesus has already accomplished victory for us.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” — Isaiah 42:9 (NKJV) Look forward to the new things the Lord will do in your life today. Dwelling on former things is a futile effort. What you choose to do today will affect your tomorrow, but there is nothing you can do today that will change the past. As long as the enemy can keep you looking back, he is paralyzing your future. Be aware, the Lord is doing something new. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  (Isaiah 43:19 NKJV)

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. — Psalm 55:17 (NLT) You can be certain that your cries do not fall on deaf ears. Whenever you call upon Him, the ear of the LORD is open to hear your cry. Not only does He hear, He also responds. He sends the answer and fulfills the need. He brings health and healing. Malachi 4:2 says, to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. For those in darkness, His light shines brightly. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6a). Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; (Psalm 32:6a NIV)

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. — Isaiah 55:10-11 (MSG) When current events and circumstances don’t seem to line up with the promises God has spoken to you, go with His Word. Stand on His Word. Speak His Word. Live His Word. Our words and actions need to align with His Word. And then we can rest in His Word, knowing that His words do not return to Him without doing the work He sent them to do. He has a 100% track record of fulfilling every promise. Hallelujah!

  Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. — Psalm 138:7-8 NLT) The LORD will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8 NKJV). Every day of your life was written in His book before you were even born (Psalm 139:16). He has thoughts of peace toward you and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV). Nothing can thwart the good plans the LORD has for you. He will not abandon the good work He is doing in you. He goes before you and follows you. He has placed His hand of blessing on your head (Psalm 139:5 NLT). Amen!

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. — Psalm 118:8-9 (NKJV) The solid foundation of God stands, and it will not be moved. Fully trust and rely on the LORD. Your help comes from Him. The LORD is your keeper and He will not slumber (Psalm 121:3, 5). The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:8). Keep your confidence in Him. Amen!

“For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop;  By my God I can leap over a wall.  As for God, His way is perfect;  The word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him. ”   — 2 Samuel 22:29-31 (NKJV) Our God is a God of transformation. He turns our darkness into light. He takes the broken things in our lives and makes them whole again. God brings dead things back to life. He brings healing to the sick. With Him, the impossible, becomes possible. He is perfect in all His ways!

When I remember You on my bed,  I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8 (NKJ) May we meditate on the LORD through the night. Spend some time reflecting on His goodness and expressing your grateful appreciation. He is your help and has faithfully brought you through another day. Closely follow the LORD. Cling to Him as if your very life depended on it. It does!

I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Psalm 30:1-3 (NLT) The Lord rescues us from the clutches of our enemies and gives us the victory. He restores our health and keeps us from falling into the pit of death. Give God some praise!

Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home." Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." Luke 9:61-62 (The Message) After you have tasted of God's heavenly kingdom, there is no looking back. Once you have known the goodness of God and experienced His marvelous grace, the world has nothing to offer. Today is the day to follow the Master and serve His kingdom. Don't procrastinate. Love, Jackie

As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.  Zechariah 9:11 (NIV) The LORD is a God of freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). If you are held captive by fear, anger, depression or any addictive behavior, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Jesus came to set the captives free. Glory Hallelujah! Live in the freedom of the LORD. Love, Jackie