Manna for Your Morning

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. — Psalms 73:25-26 (NLT) It is good for us to draw near to God; Let us put our trust in the Lord GOD, and declare all of His works. (See Psalms 73:28 NKJV) As for God, His way is blameless; The word of Yahweh is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless? (Psalms 18:30-32 LSB) May we desire more of His Presence above anything this world has to offer.  The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. — Psalms 145:17-19 (NLT)

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Mark 10:47-48 (NASB1995) The crowd told the blind beggar named Bartimaeus, to be quiet, but he cried out all the more. Because he ignored the crowd and continued to call on Jesus, he regained his sight, and began following Jesus on the road. (See Mark 10:52) When those around you try to dissuade you from crying out to Jesus, ignore them. It's okay if your loud faith makes others uncomfortable. Continue to call on His name, continue to speak the Word of God and keep on believing. For Jesus said to Bartimaeus, “Go; your faith has made you well.” And once you receive from the Lord, be like Bartimaeus and continue to follow Jesus.

Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” — Zechariah 4:6 (NLT) Do not fear or be dismayed, for the LORD our God is with us to help us. The battle belongs to God. He is the King of glory, strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (See Psalm 24:8)  And victory belongs to the LORD. Amen. Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, and whose mind and heart turn away from the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:5 (AMP)

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 
Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. — Psalm 16:7-8 (MSG) Stick with God, each moment of the day. We have no good besides the LORD. (See Psalm 16:2 NASB1995) He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (See Psalm 46:1 NKJV) I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. (Psalm 16:8-9 NKJV) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NLT) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. — Psalm 125:2 (NASB1995)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; — 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 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 12:1-2 AMP)

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) Even God, Creator of the universe took a day of rest. Genesis 2:2 (NASB) says: By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life… (Psalm 23:2-3a TPT) Rest in the LORD and feed on His faithfulness.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. — Hebrews 12:28 (NLT) The Passion Translation says, … we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe. When we are firmly planted in the Kingdom of God, we are not moved by worldly circumstances. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 NLT) Seek first the Kingdom of God and He will take care of the things that concern you. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. — Matthew 6:33 (VOICE)

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)  After the devil had tempted Jesus for forty days, he departed from Him until an opportune time (Luke 4:2,13). Satan is always looking for an opportune time to steal, to kill, and to destroy. He sends his fiery darts to cause division, offense, bitterness, hatred, etc. so he can steal your peace and joy, and eventually kill your love. Since God is love, destruction is inevitable without the love of God in our hearts. But we can resist him, firm in our faith, and like Jesus, we can use God’s Word as our weapon of choice, by speaking what is written in it, over every situation.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. — Psalm 61:2 (NKJV) When your heart is overwhelmed, cry out to the LORD for help. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2) He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. (Psalm 62:6) Always remember that God is your rock, and the Most High God your Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35) He will make your feet like the feet of deer, and set you on your high places (Psalm 18:33). He will place you above any earthly circumstances. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I!

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. — 1 Samuel 1:10 (NKJV) Hannah was sorrowful because she was not able to bear children. In her great distress, she poured out her soul before the LORD (1 Samuel 1:15). When we are in distress it’s best to go to the LORD, and cast our cares upon Him. First Samuel 1:19 says the LORD remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:20) Whatever you have asked of the LORD, whatever you have poured your soul out to Him about, know that He has not forgotten you. In the the process of time, the desires of your heart will come forth. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14) I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. (Psalm 130:5)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. — Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) We experience our greatest strength when we acknowledge our human weaknesses, and fully rely on God, —His power, His wisdom and His strength. In His strength you can crush an army; with God you can scale any wall. “God’s way is perfect...” (2 Samuel 22:30-31 NLT). Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…(1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. — John 10:10 (NKJV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Walk in wisdom and don't fall into the enemy's traps. Ignore the noise of his distractions and focus on the voice of our Savior and Shepherd, who came that we may enjoy life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows (AMP)!

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. — Isaiah 26: 3 (AMP) As we keep our minds on the LORD, we will experience a continual flow of perfect peace. Let's fill our minds with thoughts of Him. Our God is mighty and strong and over all the universe. Our God, Jehovah Jireh, foresees all our needs and makes provision for us. He heals and restores us, spirit, soul and body. He delivers and saves and gives us the victory! Our God, Jehovah Shalom, is our peace. Keep your mind stayed on Him. And remember, no matter what you are going through today, this too shall pass.

Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest. — Psalm 126:5 (GW) To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. If you are sowing in tears, as you fulfill God purpose in your life, be certain that your time of rejoicing is coming. Amen!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 (GW) This is the day the LORD has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). The joy of the LORD is good medicine for the soul and it is our strength. The LORD fills us with joy in His presence, and eternal pleasures are at His right hand (Psalm 16:11). Spend time with our heavenly Father and your joy will be made complete.

Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 (NKJ) May we always retreat to the Lord, our mighty rock. Jesus said, "remain in me, and I will remain in you," (John 15:4). Let us make the Lord our dwelling place. Abide in the shelter of the Most High and His peace and love will fill your heart and mind. In His sanctuary, we find rest and safety.

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16:25-26 (NKJ) Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off and were beaten with rods, then they were thrown in prison. As they sat in prison with their feet in stocks they prayed and sung hymns to God. What an awesome testimony! They didn't let their outer circumstances cause them to lose their inner joy or their faith in God. When darkness descends upon you and it appears that you have been beaten by your enemies, trust God and praise Him. In the midst of your darkest days, continue to pray and sing songs of praise until the darkness around you is shaken. Love, Jackie

Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.  "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:27-28 (NIV) As true disciples of Jesus, we must leave everything and follow Him. In order to follow Jesus, we must keep our eyes on Him. Even when you don't understand the direction He is taking, keep putting your feet in His footsteps. When He stops, wait on the Lord. If you run ahead of Him you may take the wrong path and get lost. Just follow Jesus. Love, Jackie