Manna for Your Morning

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: — Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. (1 Peter 1:13-15 NLT) A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NASB1995)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! — Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) As we abide in Christ and yield to His Spirit within us, He produces the fruit in our lives. We do not have to attempt to manufacture fruit. Our part is to surrender all and submit to the work of His Spirit in us. Amen! If you are lacking in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, draw closer to our heavenly Father. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. — 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) God has not given us a spirit of fear. And if God has not given us something, we don’t want it. Refuse fear and walk in faith. God has given us a spirit of power. He has given us power to maintain a sense of peace in the midst of chaotic circumstances. We have power to respond in love, when others spew hatred. His Spirit empowers us to forgive those who have hurt or offended us. He has given us the power to speak His Word boldly. When we submit to God, we have power to resist the devil. (James 4:7). God has given you power to let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14). Amen. May we walk in the power of love of His Holy Spirit at all times. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and...

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. — Romans 8:22-25 (MSG) We are enlarged in the waiting. Be aroused by the Spirit of God. Wait for the LORD and keep His way… (Psalm 37:34a). As we wait let us grow in patience, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Just as a pregnant woman waits with joyful expectation, the birth of her baby, let us wait with joyful expectation as God fulfills every single one of His precious pr...

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. — John 15:4-5 (NASB) As we abide in Jesus, we bear much fruit. In Him, we are able to experience perfect peace. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ” As we abide in Him, we are able to walk in love, kindness, compassion and gentleness. When we remain in Him, His power is made available to us. It enables us to stand strong and exercise self-control. As we remain in Him, we live in strength and victory. “ Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. ” (John 15:4a MSG)

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” — Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) The LORD has been mindful of us (Psalm 115:12). What thoughts do we fill our minds with? The mind occupied with merely human concerns has a self-centered focus: what “I” want and what “I” need. The mind filled with the things of God focuses on the Kingdom of God. Those mindful of the things of God, have a heart for God and are able to see things the way God sees them, not merely from a human point of view. When our minds are full of God thoughts, we allow His Spirit to lead us and we are able to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Heavenly Father, may we fill our minds with thoughts of You. Where the mind goes, the man will follow.

Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way. — Proverbs 23:19 (NKJV) Let us not blindly follow our hearts, emotions and feelings. Instead, may we exercise self-control and set our hearts to follow God’s way. Let's meditate on His Word, so it can trickle down from our heads and into our hearts. Then, when we encounter trials of any kind, our hearts will not fail or grow faint because they are strengthened with the Word of God. Be wise and continually steer your heart in the right direction, and your actions will take the proper course. As a result, you will reach the desired destination.

The true children of God are those who let God's Spirit lead them. The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, "Father." And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children. Romans 8:14-16 (NCV) God has adopted us and we belong in His family. We are children of God and joint heirs with Christ. We are to let God's Spirit shape us to become more like our heavenly Father. May we produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Enjoy consistent fellowship with God and you will absorb more and more of His loving nature. Love, Jackie