Manna for Your Morning

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” — Daniel 3:16-18 (NASB1995) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to serve the gods of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, nor did they worship the gold statue he set up.” (See Daniel 3:12 NLT) When faced with being thrown into the blazing furnace, they clung to their faith in Yahweh, knowing that He was able to save them. And even if He didn’t deliver them, they made it clear to the king, that they would never serve his gods or worship the gold statue. (See Daniel 3:18 NLT) When faced with our own fiery ordeals, let us be totally convinced and confident that our great God ...

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” — Daniel 6:21-23 (NASB1995) It was evident even to a pagan king that Daniel constantly served God. What a great witness and testimony! Nonetheless, Daniel was cast into the lions’ den for a night because he continued to kneel and pray and give thanks to his God, three times a day, after it had been forbidden by the king’s injunction. (See Daniel 6:10-12) At the break of day, the king went in haste to the lions’ den and found Daniel still among the living. Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of t...

“Even now,” says the LORD, “Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], with fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored];” — Joel 2:12 (AMP) “…rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:13 NASB1995) Don’t get caught up in just going through the motions. Make sure He has your whole heart. He will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust. (See Joel 2:25) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 NASB1995) NOW (says the LORD). There is a sense of urgency in His Words. Make a decision today to return to Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Amen.

“ I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ” — John 10:9 (NASB1995) Doors give access and they also serve as barriers to things we want to keep out. In Genesis 4:7 (NLT), the LORD told Cain “sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Be careful what or who you let enter the door of your mind or heart.  In Revelation 3:20 (NASB1995), Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus is The Door to our desired destination. He gives us access to our heavenly Father and the Kingdom of God. May we open wide the door of our hearts to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, daily. Enter the Kingdom of God and fellowship continually as a member of God's family, by accepting Yeshua as your Lord and Savior. Don’t be like the foolish virgins who came back to the wed...

He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” — Daniel 2:20-21 (NLT) Those who follow Christ need not be anxious or fearful of world events, because the Sovereign LORD is in control. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD,‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” (Romans 4:11 NLT) Our heavenly Father delivers His people out of all their troubles. (See Psalm 34:17) There will be troubles but He has given us victory in Jesus. Let the Church (believers) be awake and alert, and stay committed to Elohim. Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (See Ephesians 6:13 NLT)

Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (TPT) You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 VOICE) Set your sights on the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He reigns in power and victory. Seek first His Kingdom. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. — 1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT)  

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help  when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude — Psalm 61:2-4 (NLT) …our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me. (Psalm 121:2-4 TPT) Wherever we are, we can call on the LORD. His ear is always open to hear our cry. Those who are righteous do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. (Psalm 112:7-8) “ 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 ...

Jesus answered, “Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull’s-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, ditching God’s command and taking up the latest fads.” — Mark 7:6-8 (MSG) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23 NKJV) For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Don't be like the Scribes and Pharisees. Their walk did not line up with their talk. Everything God did for us and is continually doing, is because of His great love for us. Out of our love for God, let us be true worshipers, not only speaking the Word of God, but also making sure our actions line up with His Word. James 1:22 (NLT) says, But don’t just l...

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14 (AMP) One of the enemy’s tricks is to keep us looking back. It's a distraction that puts us in a holding pattern. We will never attain all that God has for us, if we don’t press on and reach forward. Five times the Apostle Paul received thirty-nine lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times he was shipwrecked… He had been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from his countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; he had been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2...

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. — Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG) God will keep us on track to fulfilling the wonderful plans He has for us. He didn’t just save us to sit and warm the pew of a church. Like the children of Israel, He brought us out to take us to a better place, and for us to bring others along too. Believers are to be a active participants and follow God wherever He leads us, through the prompting of His Holy Spirit within us. Listen for His voice today and follow His instruction.  

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. — Matthew 14:24 (NKJV) Jesus instructed His disciples get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake, on the way, they encountered contrary winds. As we step out and follow the instructions of the Lord, we also will experience contrary winds, forces at work against us. When our lives get tossed to and fro by the troubles of this world, we may feel like God is not for us. Be confident that as you pursue His purpose and plan for your life, God will definitely work everything together for good. If your plan is of man, it will come to nothing, but if what you are doing is of God, nothing or no one can stop it. (Acts 5:38-39) Only what we do for the kingdom of God has eternal value. Press on!

I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. — Psalm 116:1-2 (NKJV) The Psalmist said, “I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:3-4). When you are distressed or sorrowful, call upon the LORD. He will answer you and set you in a broad, spacious place. The LORD is on your side; do not fear. What can man do to you? (Psalm 118:5-6) It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8 AMP). Call upon Him as long as you live. He hears your voice.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) The Spirit of God who dwells within us is a God of love, peace and patience. He is the God of all comfort. He is a God of mercy and truth. Our heavenly Father is our strength and the very source of all that we need. Let the presence of His Holy Spirit permeate every crevice of your being. Let His light invade any dark areas of your heart and mind. He will strengthen the weak areas and heal the hurts, with a constant flow of His love. But we must open the door of our hearts to  Him.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”  — 1 Samuel 7:12 (NKJV) The LORD has not brought you this far, to leave you now. Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Abba Father is our helper and He is faithful in everything He does. Amen!

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT) Ask the Lord, to show you the way to go. He will put you on the road that leads to abundant life, healing and wholeness and point you in the right direction. Let God's truth be your guide and learn from Him. The Lord is our Savior and if we keep our hope in Him we will not be disappointed.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way: Lamentations 3:28-33 (The Message) In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When life is heavy and hard, don't let it get you down. In Jesus, we have overcome. When trouble comes, be still and sit in silence, seek God in prayer and renew your hope in the loyal love of God. Love, Jackie

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Ezekiel 47:12 (NIV) This Scripture reminded me of how God wants us to bear fruit. Jesus is the Living Water and His water flows in us. We are to be like trees planted by the water yielding fruit (Psalm 1:3). We will not wither or be fruitless if we keep our roots steep in the Living Water.  Love, Jackie